Need help to choose between 2 cameras : Contax G1 and Nikon 35Ti

Hello everybody,

I have been having a hard time for a few months now on the choice of my next camera and that's why I need some help here today.

My dilemma is kind of weird since my two choices are the Contax G1 with 45mm and the point and shoot Nikon 35Ti, for street photography.

I understand the big gap between the two cameras and I know they don't play in the same league.

The Contax is definitely a more versatile camera with great lenses but the auto-focus can be lacking within 2m, but it doesn't have that much of a shutter lag compared to the Nikon in longer distance.
The reason why I don't get the G2 is simply because of money, but might want to upgrade in the future.

The Nikon is smaller and also have a super sharp lens (not as good but good enough for me), but has this weird shutter lag when it comes to anything further than 2/3m (at least coming from an SLR), but is faster in close focus (also up to 0.4m which is better than the G1).
The reason why I want this camera is because I would have a good lens on a small body that I can carry with me everywhere, and eventually would fit the type of photography I do.

Now when I think about that I lean a little bit towards the Nikon because I feel I would use the camera more, but my main question for you guys is in terms of what is more worth my money ? Which camera is going to give me the best results in terms of speed and accuracy ?

Thank you for taking the time to read and answer !!

You will likely get lots of recommendations for other cameras. For your needs a Nikon T35 will work fine, but for my other recommendation is for Konica Hextar, not much more than the T35, and it has a really great lens.

In order to help facilitate this decision ...
What about a Konica Hexar AF ? http://www.dantestella.com/technical/hexar.html

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Never used a 35Ti but I had a G1 (45mm f/2 lens) for a few months - a very nice camera with excellent glass ! Unfortunately my G1 had an LCD bleed issue and moreover it rewound the film mid-roll sometimes.
I let it go. Never bought another one.
On the other hand I had several Hexar AF - never had any technical problems with these cameras. The 35mm f/2 Hexanon lens is an outstanding performer.
It was my favorite camera for travelling and hiking until I switched to medium format.

edit : Paul was quicker ...

I had both a G1 and a G2 (still have the G2 at the moment, but looking to sell) and almost the complete complement of lenses for the system (only ones I don't have are the 16 and the 35-70 zoom). My G1 did not have the LCD bleed issue, I was lucky. I found it fast enough for street and travel photography. The only time I felt there was slowness with focusing was when trying to go macro or when focusing in dim light/low contrast situations. The biggest upside to the G series is the glass- some of the very best glass ever made for 35mm. Get the G1 with the green sticker inside to indicate it's been converted to work with the 35mm and 21mm lenses, and get the 35mm f2 and/or the 45mm f2. You will never be happier with your photos.

The Nikon 35Ti isn't known for lightning fast focusing, and thereby may not be the best choice for street photography. Also consider the layout of controls on each camera, and which of the layouts may be most comfortable for you to work with. A hard to reach dial or button may be the difference between getting or missing the shot when fast thinking and reaction is critical, as is so often the case in street photography. A great street photography camera is more than just about lens performance; the camera must be able to serve as an extension of the user, which of course means ergonomics and ease of use play important factors.

Thank you all for your answers, they all help me !

I totally agree with the fact that a camera needs to also fit the way the photographer uses it, and in this case the G1 would be better for me.

About the Hexar AF, I'm just wondering if 1/250 is relatively easy to use (with slower film of course) if it's a really bright day.

Edit: Although I believe that the Program mode can save some pictures in some situations... (is that correct ?)

Program mode will give you an average, acceptable picture if what you're looking to do is document the moment. If you want the picture to say something that reflects your vision at the time of exposure, then you need more control than Program will give you. It may be that the exposure you choose is the same one Program would have chosen, but it is geared toward average, not superlative. Superlative involves some degree of personal investment and some degree of risk, along with some degree of skill of operation.

I use a lot of point and shoots with a top speed of 1/250 or 1/300, for street shots I find 1/250 works well. The advantage of a fast lens is being able to shoot slower film. I use Pentax IQs, zooms, and need to use ISO 400 or even 800 color. If you check auction sites and shopgoodwill.com you will find older point and shoots with 35mm or 40mm 2.8s lens, Yashica Vivitar,, Nikon, Canon, and Minolta all made first generation point and shoots with fix lens, manual set ISO. Go back a generation and find a fixed lens rangfinders, not as small as a point and shoot. Konica, S or S2 Canon or Minolta Himate, I have a Canon QL 1.7 that use when I want to shoot in low light, auto and manual exposure, and it takes 48mm filters. I also have a Konica S3, 38mm 1.7 lens, razor sharp. many like Olympus Quick Trips. The G1 is larger, but has excellent lens, dont know if anyone is repairing them.

Welcome to APUG . Keep the Contax G1.

Thanks for the welcome @darkosaric.

You're right @Paul Howell, the Hexar does have a fast lens and I just saw it's also possible to put ND filters on the lens, so it can help for bright days...

@TheFlyingCamera "Superlative involves some degree of personal investment and some degree of risk, along with some degree of skill of operation." This sentence should be in every photography book !!

Thank you all for the answers, I am now starting to seriously consider the Hexar, which I never really thought would be good for me, but I have to say, its lens + the silent shutter is a big plus...

The G1 w/ that lens is a fantastic bit of machinery capable of making excellent photographs. But they're quirky cameras, and not everyone's cup of tea. Their viewfinders would rule them out for street shooting, at least in my experience. They're small, darkish, and don't show the whole frame. They also don't necessarily crop down to exactly the right size either. I had two great street shots ruined because what I saw in the viewfinder didn't equate w/ what I got on the negative. 95% of the time all is fine, but invariably when this happens it's on the keepers. Anyway, the viewfinder is too dark and too small, period.

I actually prefer a manual focus camera for street shooting. Not sure why, but my percentage of keepers is always higher. Something about paying more attention when you're shooting. Any camera w/ appreciable shutter lag is going to fail at street photography, for sure.

@momus I agree about the focus and that's mainly why my choice is so hard, but I do want to try an auto-focus film camera though... Thanks for adding information about the viewfinder !!

+1 for the G1. Interchangeable lenses (tho the lenses are expensive), quick focusing, overall ease of use once you learn the camera's particular quirks (notably the focusing system), and if your G1 body goes bad on you for whatever reason, another will cost you $100-$150 ex Japan.

You may also find that the standard (45mm) lens on the G1 isn't quite your cup of tea. If so, two other wonderful Zeiss T lenses are available - a 35mm f/2 and a 28mm f/2.8 - either of which will likely suit you and serve you well. My 28 is fixed on my G1 and I rarely use any other lens (I have lenses from 20 to 90). They are, however, expensive to buy. You can sell your 45mm for enough to cover most of the cost of a 28, tho.

I respectfully disagree that the G1 rangefinders "would rule them out for street shooting" - G1 viewfinders are perfectly adequate and are adjustable for most users' prescription lenses. As I've found, most users who complain about the rangefinder, have eyesight difficulties to begin with. If your vision is in the -2 to +2 range, you'll be fine with a G1.

I use two regularly and have had one since 2004 without any problems. A CLA a few years ago cost me A$100 and the camera functioned as new. Shutter lag hasn't been a problem for me, and I often shoot on the streets.

the Ti is, I believe, older than the G1 (someone please correct me on this if I'm wrong). I'm unsure about spare parts availability for the Nikon if it needs repair. Some service centers can still do basic CLAs on G1s, but as I've said, if yours goes bad, it's often as not cheaper to just buy another.

I've not owned or used the Hexar, but a friend had two and loved them.

So you may well be looking at either a G1 or a Hexar, unless a Ti falls into your lap at the right price, in which case, buy it!

I would recommend the Pentax MX as it is practically similar size to the 35Ti. It has no lag, it is quiet and of course it's the smallest full info SLR with the largest viewfinder.



Even in black with the pancake lens, I bet you can find it for much less then the others.

I can't comment on the Nikon 35Ti since I have never owned one, but I have owned the Konica Hexar and Contax G1. I bought a really nice Hexar shortly after they came out and had no complaints about lens quality or handling, but I did have a problem that I couldn't pinpoint until my warranty was expired. Every once in a while I would get shots that were out of focus. I then started keeping better track and note when I had a chance so as to fine the problem. I sent it to Konica to have them check the auto focus and they sent it back saying everything was fine and up to specs. Still, I kept having the same problem and noticed it more on some group shots and subjects that were a little farther away. After living with this for far to long I decided to try and solve the problem myself. The Hexar has a + in the center of the viewfinder and it indicates where the camera is suppose to be focusing. Yes, suppose to be focusing. I would take a small target and put the cross hairs right on it and the camera would miss focus and catch the far distant background. The actual focus area was slightly to the right just enough to throw the shot off. I sent it in again to Konica and they repaired it with a CLA for $119.00. When I got it back I checked it again and they never touched the AF. So, I sent it back again and they sent it back again and still the same. They said, it's all in spec. I sold it at a camera show for much less than I paid, because I disclosed the problem to the Japanese buyer. End of story on the Hexar for me, but I'd take another if it fell in my lap. Now, the Contax G1.....................love it! I have a green label body and a regular body. Both have no LCD bleed, but that's not to say it won't come further down the road. Focus with the G1 is not a problem for me and it's plenty fast enough. I have the 28mm on one body and the 45mm on the other, with the 90mm in my bag. It's all I could ask for. Would I like the G2? Maybe, but not right now. Another plus in favor of the G1 is that I bought each of mine for under $100.00, which means they are not worth fixing. Just buy another at that price. In fact I think I'm going to hunt out two more bodies and pack them away in a cool dry place just for spares. If I were to do some serious street shooting it would be with my Minox 35 ML or Rollei 35T. Why, 'Cause I can set the camera to f8-16 with with ISO 400 film and play the depth of field. Faster than any AF on earth. Period! Just my thoughts of course.

Les Sarile said:

I would recommend the Pentax MX as it is practically similar size to the 35Ti. It has no lag, it is quiet and of course it's the smallest full info SLR with the largest viewfinder.

Even in black with the pancake lens, I bet you can find it for much less then the others.

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Yes, that MX with pancake lens would be excellent. Not as silent as the Hexar, Minox 35, Rollei 35, but does pack more punch in a mighty small package.

Thank you for your answers !

I already have SLRs so I'm not looking for any other one but thanks for the idea !

My dilemma now changed to the G1 or the Hexar haha...

I understand that a lot of you would recommend the G1 because it's cheap and versatile, and it will definitely influence my decision. But I'm still interested to get a fixed lens for some reason, and the Hexar is not even really a small camera...

I know that you can't make the choice for me, even less with 2 cameras that are not the same, but I just want some opinions to choose where I should put my $600 (CAN), for shooting street...

Neither. Contax T2!

mkl_dltt said:

I already have SLRs so I'm not looking for any other one but thanks for the idea !

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What SLRs do you have?

@Les Sarile I got the FM2n and the F3

Richard S. (rich815) said:

Neither. Contax T2!

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Richard, you devil you! You hit the nail on the head this time. Yes, the Contax T2 would fit the bill just fine and a finer lens to boot. Ah, the choices we have....................

mkl_dltt said:

Thank you for your answers !

I already have SLRs so I'm not looking for any other one but thanks for the idea !

My dilemma now changed to the G1 or the Hexar haha...

I understand that a lot of you would recommend the G1 because it's cheap and versatile, and it will definitely influence my decision. But I'm still interested to get a fixed lens for some reason, and the Hexar is not even really a small camera...

I know that you can't make the choice for me, even less with 2 cameras that are not the same, but I just want some opinions to choose where I should put my $600 (CAN), for shooting street...

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Actually it sounds as if you don't really need anyone's advice since you already have your mind made up. Just push the button, buy the Hexar and get it over with. Stop you suffering.

@JW PHOTO You're probably right, maybe I'm just scared to take the wrong decision and regret my choice, but at the same time, I narrowed my choice down to great cameras and I might regret nothing at all. And maybe I'm also looking for the perfect camera, and maybe there is not such things...

mkl_dltt said:

@JW PHOTO You're probably right, maybe I'm just scared to take the wrong decision and regret my choice, but at the same time, I narrowed my choice down to great cameras and I might regret nothing at all. And maybe I'm also looking for the perfect camera, and maybe there is not such things...

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Plus, if you take care of it and find you don't care for it or it doesn't do what you want it to do, then sell it. Take the money, which should be close to what you paid and buy the G1 or whatever. There has never been a better time to play with all those cameras that you could only dream about before.