charles_hess2

Thanks for the quick response, James, I'll wait for some more responses.

Hello all...my M6TTL has worked flawlessly since it was purchased(mint)2 years

ago. Today, and after trying a few rolls, the film advance will not go beyond

10-11 exposures without resisting as if I've reached the end of the roll. I

did a search here, didn't find anything relating to this problem, so I'm

asking the experts if this is an easy fix or something that needs to be

repaired by Sherry Krauter et al. Thanks.

The 'kit' lens is a Leica 14-50, with more Leica lenses planned. The Oly 4/3 lenses also fit the camera.

There is another thread on this forum: Contax G vs Leica M that you will find very helpful.

Being a Contax G user since 1996, yes, it is a different beast than other rangefinders, simply because it is auto-focus, and the manual focus is not through the viewfinder, so you rely on the camera and it's ability to focus(it is extremely accurate). The viewfinder is small and dim compared to the Leica M, but after years of using the camera, the small viewfinder issue never enters my mind. The selling point for this camera are the Zeiss lenses...superb and on par with

the Leica lenses of similar specs.

 

I also use an M6TTL...loading film is different, but with some practice, it becomes second nature and not a problem at all. Focusing is quick and easy through the large, bright viewfinder, and though not as fast focusing as the top film and digital SLRs, it is accurate.

I've never used the others you've mentioned, and since I use the G2 and M6 about equally, it's hard for me to recommend one over the other. If cost is an issue, then the G2 would be the way to go, as they are going very cheaply at this point. Good luck with your decision.

The G1 is a little slower in operation than the G2, a bit smaller, but those G lenses are superb and compare favorably with their Leica counterparts, IMO. I use the G2 and M6TTL, find little difference in the final results, big difference in the operation. You got a great deal, so enjoy and don't worry about comparisons.

John, if your reliable source is to be believed, and you doubt that there is a solution around the corner, why on earth are you still spending the money to get one? The M film cameras have not lessened in quality since the advent of digital, and there are plenty of alternatives to the digital M. I've seen so many posts like this over the past few days, and I'm just stumped as to why people will still buy a camera they are complaining about.

I like the composition of your attached photo, but your subject(the painter)is really murky and without needed detail in his face and clothes. Not one of my favorites, sorry.

I have the 75/2 Summicron, find it to be a superb lens for portraiture. For me, the 90 frame lines in the viewfinder are too small, and though it took some time getting used to the 50-75 framelines so close together, it is no longer an issue. The 1.4 'Lux is a great lens but quite a bit larger than the Summicron, part of the lens showing in the viewfinder, which may or may not be unsettling for you if doing portraits. I'd go with the APO 75/2 Aspherical lens.

I've used both versions with film, and the DI with a D200 and can see no obvious image quality improvement in the newer lens. Both versions are excellent for their price.

Google: A simple inquiry, 'Nikon F5 serial numbers', gave me several links, including 1 from Malaysia that lists the F5 serial #s and dates of production. I'm sure you'll get the same info if you substitue F5 with F4s. Google is your friend.

If you haven't looked at the manual(which isn't very good), the key to focusing the Gs is where you place that little bracket in the viewfinder. There was a Contax G website that had some great tips on the bracket and geting things in focus. I've had the G1, then the G2 since their inception, have never, ever had a focusing problem beyond the occasional missed focus that you can get with any camera. Try www.rangefinderforum.com, as they have some links to some G websites.

Keith is correct...the black G body and lenses are the same as the titanium Gs.

I know this won't be an answer to your questions, but the excellent 90/2.8 can be had so cheaply these days that I don't know why you would want to wait even for a reply from Kyocera, let alone the cost or availability of the needed parts. By the way, you have a 45/2 lens, as there are no 50mm lenses made specifically for the G.

I use the 0.85 on the M6TTL, since my 2 lenses are the 50/2 and 75/2 Summicrons. Biggest challenge for me was the 2 lenses' frame lines are close together. If wider or longer is needed, I have the Contax G2 w/ 28 & 90 lenses.

Me, I simply could not justify the cost vs the amount of use it would get. I shoot film because I enjoy the look of film over digital, and actually enjoy studying the negs and scanning selectively. I use a digital when needed (D200, top Nikon glass)for specialty work that neither my M6 or an M8 would be suited for. The digital sits in the bag the rest of the time that I'm enjoying photography.

I shoot with an M6 and a Contax G2. The lenses for both are superb, and I enjoy both the automation of the G as well as the manual control of the M. There are advantages and disadvantages to both systems, so I am fortunate to have the best of both worlds. I can say, though, that my new 75/2 Summicron Asph. is perhaps the best lens I've ever owned.

Travis, #2 is a 'no opinion' from me, as I haven't used the Rd1. I have a D200 with good Nikon glass, still prefer the 'look' of film with my Leica and Contax film gear.

Well, Travis, since I disagree with 6 out of your 7 reasons, especially #4, I guess I'll be hanging around my M6 and film for awhile. :-)

I've gotten 4 of the same, exact emails, same wording, on 2 Contax RX SLRs I was bidding on. I reported them to ebay security, who responded quickly. They also provided a link in their massive website on how to detect scams like this. I'm glad you didn't fall for it.

Gary, the G1 and G2 do not "suck", as you say. Like any camera, they have their quirks and drawbacks. The bottom line is the final results, and the results can be as good as any 35mm camera.

You've gotten a lot of varied responses, but since you are familar with those excellent Zeiss lenses, it sounds like a great deal. Your claim about the batteries...I've used the G1, now 2 G2s since their inception, have gone through tons of film, and find the batteries do very well. Current set on my G2, probably about 35 rolls and counting. that's not exactly 'chewing them up'.

I'll second the Delta 100, which may be the sharpest bw film on the market at this point. I've heard good things about Fuji's Acros 100, though I haven't used Fuji bw other than their Neopan 1600.

Thanks, Raymond, I will check it out.

Hi Ray...do you know of any such adapter that could fit the excellent Contx G Zeiss lenses to a Leica M? I've owned two G2s, with 28-45-90 lenses for several years now, just purchased an M6TTL. Thanks for any info.