Contax G issues

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<p>What would you recommend for someone who's been at this 7 months and finds his 35RC limiting?</p>

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<p>A low end Pentax DSLR first, and a low end Canon DSLR a close second. If you're tight on the budget, get these on the used market. If you're in the States, get them through KEH.</p>

<p>The Pentax line enables easy access to 50 years of quality lenses at a small fraction of what the current equivalent would cost, and quality optics are important. The Nikon system has almost as good backward compatibility but everything tends to be more expensive; there is more of a tendency toward a collectors' premium for Nikon stuff.</p>

<p>A Canon DSLR is worthy of consideration because of the EF lens mount. This is perhaps the easiest lens mount on which to adapt other manufacturer's old optics. The downside is usability tends not to be as good as the Pentax: metering is stop down, and AF confirmation does not work.</p>

<p>Buy a copy of Adobe Photoshop. Versions two or three generations older than the current are fine. Other digital darkroom programs may be in principle as "good." However, you will find more available supporting material (tutorials, books, web resources) for Photoshop than anything else.</p>

<p>Okay, why a digital camera and a digital darkroom? These two things lets you pick up fundamental techniques much faster than film and wet chemicals will. The key is the much shorter turn around between trying something and seeing what happens.</p>

<p>Come back to film later. We'll still be here.</p>

<p>My fault Robert. Apologies. I own a Nikon D40 as well. I have been using it since February, and in July I bought a 35RC as well, to try film. You may think it's too soon to upgrade since July, but bear in mind this will decision will be made between Christmas and early Spring, and by then the time will be ripe.<br /> The reason I made this thread is because I need a goal before I can work towards it.</p>

<p>I feel I must jump in here too in support of the G2. I've been using rangefinder cameras since the 1950s and always hated the delay caused by manual focus which sometimes is very hard to find. Today the pause required while fumbling around to find focus is unacceptable and actually a bit embarissing since everyone has fast P&S cameras these days or DSLRs. Actually when this happens, typically in low light situations, I find myself wishing I still had the Kalart rangfinder light system that we used to use with Speed Graflex and could focus in complete darkness. In this context, the Contax G1/G2 is a revolutionary camera that stands way in front of any other film rangefinder camera. Not only does it autofocus, but it also provides a viewfinder that zooms to the FOV of each lens as with SLRs. On top of that it also has an excellent zoom lens, the 35-70mm f3.5 which is perfect for walking around. Further, the lens prices are affordable since there is no crazy Mamiya importer, or competition with Leica collectors that drvies up prices. This camera system is without equal and stands head and shouldes ahead of any other 35mm rangefinder system available today.<br>

==Doug</p>

Hello, I am new to this group. I bought a G2 a month ago. Shot a roll but did not develop it. The camera now starts rewinding without any film in it, and when it is off. Nothing I do, other than taking the batteries out will stop it. They are new batteries too. Any suggestions??

<p>I don't own a Contax G, but what's all this I keep hearing about shutter lag, and it being "just a sophisticated point and shoot"? Is there any truth in these allegations?</p>

Not shutter lag, but focus drag a little on the G1. The G2 focuses much faster. The camera is listed as an autofocusing range finder. But why would it matter if its a point and shoot. It certainly uses an optical finder, not an EV. Its a fine film camera with great lenses.

Here's a couple of pics taken with the G2 and 35mm:

 

My Contax G and Zeiss Hologon 16mm F8 lens make a good combo

CONTAX G WITH ZEISS HOLOGON 16/8

CONTAX G WITH ZEISS HOLOGON 16/8

 

Ahh, the elusive Hologon: closest Zeiss ever (unintentionally) came to Leica's "boutique insta-collectible" business model. Every 10 years or so throughout my lifetime, Zeiss found some excuse to re-introduce this lens on a very limited basis (so limited, you could whistle up a rope finding a dealer who could actually obtain it for you). Each time it was offered, it got the same reaction: test reports were blown way by the performance, four or five pros specializing in ultrawide jumped on it, and the larger photography market said "f/8? Price of a used late-model car? Only fits whatever doomed camera Zeiss is trying to hustle this year? Really? No thanks."

 

So I'm always amused when someone on a forum actually turns up owning and using it: such a unicorn. Phenomenal lens, so much performance in such a tiny package. But the price has always been insane to start with, skyrocketing further when it fails to sell and the two dozen discontinued examples become playthings for Asian collectors. This last iteration for the G cameras was probably its swan song: the design precludes reflex viewing/flange distance (not practical for film/digital SLRs), and is useless with mirrorless (sits far too close to the image plane, conflicting with shutter, sensor glass and microlenses).

I had a G2 set for about 12 or so years. I loved that system, it had its quirks but the images were stunning and I became very good at working around it's occasional eccentricities. I sold it for around half what I paid (new) back in around 2013 or 2014, and still (occasionally) miss it. I'm now thinking of a Leica Q2, which - apart from not having removable lenses - strikes me as the modern (digital) successor to the G2.

 

Has anyone owned both the G2 and a Q2, and comment on any similarities or differences in the shooting experience? I've come to terms with the idea of a 'single lens' system (and working within those limitations) so - in my head - I'm wondering whether it will give me the same general experience that I got from G2+28/2.8 back in the day.....

Choice of Contax G or Leica comes down to personal preference preference. As for Contax, I fiddled with one at Tamarken’s old store on lower Broadway and just didn’t like the way it felt and handled in my hands. So this is a very subjective judgment. I just prefer the feel of a Leica.

Also, the possibility for any future repairs and service of my M3, M4, and M5 are much better than for a Contax G. If I were to buy a G, I would buy two...one as a backup.

I also prefer a computer in my head rather than in the camera.

Bottom line.

 

Is this camera being supported by anyone? Methinks not. Ancient history comes to mind.

 

The prices of them are being massively inflated to attract ...err, I cannot say more.