Want to Buy Entertaining the Idea of Contax G1 or G2 with 45mm f2

[Fragomeni]

Hi all,

I've recently been entertaining the idea of a Contax G1 or G2 with the 45mm f2 Planar. People seem to be all over the place on price with these right now so I'm not dead set on it unless the price is right. Either way, if you have one available please let me know. Thanks!

 

[Mr_Toad]

Hi, Mr. Fragomeni,

I'm sure you know this...but KEH has some great prices on G1 bodies with the Green Sticker upgrade....and the RangeFinderForum has a lot of discussion about the pros/ cons of the G1 vs. G2, mainly around the auto-focusing challenges. (I prefer the G1, due to its smaller size and smaller price.)

Robt.

 

[Fragomeni]

I actually didn't even think to check KEH this time. Thanks for the reminder, duh! I've been reading some of the stuff on rangefinderforum about the differences. I'm basically just after the sharp sharp sharp 45mm I'll manage with either body.

 

[craigclu]

I just went through this decision this past summer. I bought a G1, 28 and 45. I liked the camera and concept but discovered some of the focusing shortfalls that you hear mentioned. I found a 90mm to cover my basic lens needs and the G1 (mine is a green sticker) struggled a bit with it and didn't do well in snapshot mode indoors in lower lit situations. I added a G2 body and it made a world of difference and wish someone would have assertively convinced me to just start with the G2. The G1 is great in decent lighting, is a wee bit smaller/lighter and I'll likely keep it but have only used the G2 since adding it to the kit. The glass is very good and won't leave you wanting, optically.

 

[sepiareverb]

The 45 is a wonderful lens- one of the best 'normal' lenses ever I think. As is the 21 should one of those find it's way to you. I'm one who has shot both the G1 and G2 and find the G2 better all around. There were occasional focus issues with the G1, but rarely with the 45 in my experience. The main problem with the G1 for me was the MF dial, and the lack of an adequate lock on it. My camera would often switch to MF mode, and be way out of focus when I made a quick grab shot. I'd notice the VF readout after making the exposure and find the camera set to infinity not AF. It happened way too often and while it certainly could be how I handled the camera or got it in and out of the bag- it was annoying- often. The G2 by comparison has about perfect ergonomics in every way for this shooter. I often wish my M7 could take a few lessons from the G2.

 

[Felinik]

I just did it...

Ordered a used G1 with Planar 45 f2 T* ....

Not that I need another camera, but who - on this forum, REALLY needs another camera... My excuse is that it's my first rangefinder, and I've wanted one for quite a while now!

 

[Richard S. (rich815)]

Enjoy. If somehow I had to give up every camera and only go with one body and one lens the G2 and 45 Planar would be it. Been loving mine for more than 10 years now.

 

[Felinik]

Gaah!

The seller seems to have sold the same item at the same time as my transaction went through, and apparently the other buyer was some hour before me, but on another site!!

All I can do now is to hope the other buyer backs off the deal...



Is this a sign? Maybe I should not at all go the Contax G road....

 

[Jeff L]

Check KOH's Camera on Long Island and see if they have anything. I got a Rolleinar from him and thought the price was good and the service great.
Big list of used equipment, and the shipping charges were very reasonable.
No association - just had a good experience.

 

[Richard S. (rich815)]

It's a sign you should have gotten a G2 not a G1.

 

[Felinik]

I hope not... The other buyer backed out of the deal, and it's now MINE! (I hopefully get it on friday or saturday)..

 

[Felinik]

Tomorrow....... (at least that's what the tracking delivery est. says)...

Can't wait!!

 

[Felinik]

YES!!!!!

This camera is a lovely piece of machinery! Can't wait to finish two Fuji Superia 200 rolls and get em developed, to see how the lens behaves, the 45mm f/2 as I've understood is supposed to be one H of a lens, so it'll be a thrilling experience I guess...

 

[Richard S. (rich815)]

YES!!!!!

This camera is a lovely piece of machinery! Can't wait to finish two Fuji Superia 200 rolls and get em developed, to see how the lens behaves, the 45mm f/2 as I've understood is supposed to be one H of a lens, so it'll be a thrilling experience I guess...

Congratulations! Just be prepared for the possibility of initial disappointment on some shots due to the likely need to get used to how the AF works, particularly with the G1. Maybe I'm wrong and all will be fine but if you want to see some serious flame wars go back to the late 90's and early 2000's when some were adamant about how much they disliked the Contax G system and could not wait to sell it off and go back to their manual focus Leicas and such (with a lot of underlying tone of "how dare anyone even think this camera can be as good as the Leicas!).

When first introduced the fact that the G system and the Zeiss lenses might actually be as good or better than some Leica lenses was a matter of great controversy and discussion, and even still is sometimes. I'm both a Leica (MP, M2, IIIf, CL) and long-time Contax G user (G2) and feel both have strong positive aspects but many did not have the patience or the inclination to use or figure out the G system and its focusing. Or it just did not gel for them. Using a Leica and a Contax G is very different. But once it's dialed in the results from the G lenses are truly astonishing. Personally I use the Leica system mostly for the older lenses and B&W work with the 50/2 Summicron DR being my favorite pretty much for opposite reasons I like the G lenses. I love the more moderate contrast and more classic look of the DR and other older Leica lenses (I love my uncoated 35/3,5 Elmar for example), while the strong contrast and almost 3-D look I get from the G system 45/2 Planar and 28/2,8 Biogon work well for B&W its very different and for color the results simply knock my socks off. Some say the modern Leica lenses are cooler in resulting color and G Zeiss a little warmer.

Just be ready for some possible need of patience to get to the point of being comfortable getting the most out of the system. I'm 100% in the "it's worth it" camp but many others were not and left the G system with a real attitude of "good riddance!" and were not shy about shouting it loudly on the forums..

Hope it's all good for you. Please let us know.

 

[Felinik]

So far all the fears I had after reading discussion between people talking about how strange and difficult this camera is, was gone when I had it in my hands... I dont know, but I assume there's a lot of people who really, well, how to put this, are forgetting to use parts of their brains quite often.

Regarding the autofocus, and the mf, I think I have it figured, and I don't see the oddness with it... you point, focus, and if needed, recompose, at the same time, read the actual distance meter to make sure you're focusing in the right plane... it's not rocket science...



But thanks for all your thoughts and advice, I truly appreciate it, and I will get back with scans as soon as I have negs!


Cheers!!


yippie kay yay - rangefindershooters!

 

[Felinik]

Beauty!

 

[Richard S. (rich815)]

Beauty!

View attachment 63702

Nice. It is a beautiful camera. Time for the 28 Biogon! Oh, and trust me, do not get the TLA200, the TLA140 is great. Or even the TLA20. Heck I even use mine with a TLA30 sometimes though it is a bit top heavy....

Some good reading: http://www.kenrockwell.com/contax/g-system.htm

 

[Felinik]

Yeah, I've been drooling over that 28mm since I sent the payment for this kit, this month it's not possible (for obvious reasons), and next month I have a huge bill to pay, but after that... HEHE!

Hmm, flash, I dont even use flash, though I've been thinking about reading up on it, we'll see in the future.




*checking the link*

EDIT: Ah, I've already read that numerous times, before I decided to get this kit.. thanks anyway buddy!

 

[Richard S. (rich815)]

Some 45 Planar shots to prime the pump......


Water Tank, Treasure Island, San Francisco by rich8155 (Richard Sintchak), on Flickr


SF, Castro Contax G2 45Planar Gold 200 03-2006 08 by rich8155 (Richard Sintchak), on Flickr


churchladyzurichweb120072_[1] by rich8155 (Richard Sintchak), on Flickr

 

[Felinik]

Lovely! Can't wait to shoot and dev a cpl of rolls!

You got any 28mm shots ?

 

[Richard S. (rich815)]

Lovely! Can't wait to shoot and dev a cpl of rolls!

You got any 28mm shots ?

I'll dig some up....

 

[Felinik]

The only "flaw" I have found so far, that I've read before and did know about, is that the AF is a tad slow, it's definitely not a machine for action photography. I've shot two rolls so far, Fuji Superia 200, and will probably shoot a third and then send them in for dev by the end of the week. Been doing a lot of test shooting, quick candid street shots, different exposure conditions (sky, trees with sky behind etc.), and some shots of the same house/wall with all different apertures, and so on...

Will be interesting to see how the negs turns out.

 

[Felinik]

I'm quickly developing a strong attachment to this camera, there's a certain kind of "feel" using it, it's an odd thing to explain and I truly hope the negs will be good as so far, "this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship"...

 

[Richard S. (rich815)]

I'm quickly developing a strong attachment to this camera, there's a certain kind of "feel" using it, it's an odd thing to explain and I truly hope the negs will be good as so far, "this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship"...

I know that feeling.

 

[Felinik]

I know that feeling.

Odd isn't it?

For now it has to rest, I have to get my two test rolls (color, not doing that at home, yet..) developed first to make sure everything is ok before I start shooting seriously with it.