G
Guest
What´s happened to this review ? Even though I own two G2s, I am always interested to see what other people think of this fine little camera.
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G
Guest
The G2 is a brilliant little thing. I love it. For longer journeys I always have a Leica M6 and a G2 in my foto-bag and so I have a camera for every purpose: The M6 for composing with time and the G2 for the fast street situations. I was a Nikon addict for nearly 10 years but these two cameras changed my kind of taking pictures totally. The Zeiss lenses are beatiful, compared to the Leica stuff they are not as crisp but the colours are more shiny than with the Leica lenses which are very, very neutral. If anybody has more information and experience with the G2 I would be happy to read this.
Best wishes to all the new members and good luck with this wonderful Contax Page to Dirk.
Olaf
Best wishes to all the new members and good luck with this wonderful Contax Page to Dirk.
Olaf
G
Guest
It is no doubt that the G2 is a great camera. Beautifully finished body with excellent lens. However, I am not ready to give up my Nikon F4 yet. The G2 is overly automated and does not allow much user input. The viewfinder could offer bit more info. Overall, G2 is well constructed, but don't give up your SLR yet.
G
Guest
The G2 is a marvelous camera. It has some of the same foibles that other rangefinders have: not a good choice for macro work or anything requiring long lenses. But if you're doing documentary photography or working primarily wide angle lenses it's an outstanding system.
It's the only camera I carry when I travel and it's never let me down.
It's the only camera I carry when I travel and it's never let me down.
G
Guest
Is there a G3 on the horizon? I would like to see a focus confirmation display in the viewfinder for those times when I wish to focus manually.
dirk
CI-Founder
There will be definitely one, the question is just in which year....
Sooner or later they have to come with something new. This year is the anniversary of Contax and the Photokina in Cologne in September could be a good platform for surprises.
But I do know nothing which could be called a serious rumour...
dirk
G
Guest
Hi George,
nobody knows about a G3. On the contrary, Contax hasn't given us any enhancements to the G-Line after the Vario-Sonnar 35-70. Advertising is low. There are even rumors they will discontinue Hologon 16mm and perhaps Biogon 21mm (as for me I don't believe that in both cases). However, it seems they have conventrated on entering the digital and AF-world with the SLR-lineup.
BTW: I hope for a G3 as a G2 with digital back plus better flash control (at least separate flash exposure compensation).
Till
nobody knows about a G3. On the contrary, Contax hasn't given us any enhancements to the G-Line after the Vario-Sonnar 35-70. Advertising is low. There are even rumors they will discontinue Hologon 16mm and perhaps Biogon 21mm (as for me I don't believe that in both cases). However, it seems they have conventrated on entering the digital and AF-world with the SLR-lineup.
BTW: I hope for a G3 as a G2 with digital back plus better flash control (at least separate flash exposure compensation).
Till
G
Guest
If we're on the subject of G3s here's what I want:
SPOT METER
If I had that, I'd be one of the happiest photogs in the world. I'm a G1 owner and for photographing concerts, center-weighted metering just doesn't cut it. Make the "focus spot" in the viewfinder the metering area. Of course, the metering area should be a circle, not a rectangle like the focus spot.
LONGER LENSES
Maybe a 135mm? Leica people have them and I'm jealous. The newest/latest/greatest AF technology should be able to focus a lens this long.
Bob Kessler
SPOT METER
If I had that, I'd be one of the happiest photogs in the world. I'm a G1 owner and for photographing concerts, center-weighted metering just doesn't cut it. Make the "focus spot" in the viewfinder the metering area. Of course, the metering area should be a circle, not a rectangle like the focus spot.
LONGER LENSES
Maybe a 135mm? Leica people have them and I'm jealous. The newest/latest/greatest AF technology should be able to focus a lens this long.
Bob Kessler
G
Guest
Thank you for your responses. I hope Contax/Kyocera have not forgotten the G series after the continuing debacle with the full size sensor DSLR.
George
George
G
Guest
Hi Bob,
I agree for the spot meter. I cannot understand why they didn't put it in the G2 already. Even 100$ Olympus mju-2 / Stylus Epic is featuring a spot meter.
As for me, anything longer than 90mm is not so important. Before I switched to the G-system I thought that the limited telephoto range would be a shortcoming. But now I see me mostly using Planar 45 and Biogon 28, the Sonnar just 5-10%. Maybe RF changed my view.
Well, shooting live gigs might be another thing.
Till
I agree for the spot meter. I cannot understand why they didn't put it in the G2 already. Even 100$ Olympus mju-2 / Stylus Epic is featuring a spot meter.
As for me, anything longer than 90mm is not so important. Before I switched to the G-system I thought that the limited telephoto range would be a shortcoming. But now I see me mostly using Planar 45 and Biogon 28, the Sonnar just 5-10%. Maybe RF changed my view.
Well, shooting live gigs might be another thing.
Till
G
Guest
Hi everyone,
I'd like to ask those of you who have black G2s how the black finish holds up.
Great site.
Jan Fischer
I'd like to ask those of you who have black G2s how the black finish holds up.
Great site.
Jan Fischer
G
Guest
Hi=20 Not so good. Black 200 flash worst. Lenses OK. Minolta Dynax 9 used and bought at the same time much better. G lenses for Minolta =AD excellent almost up to colour / sharpness of Contax not quite sam= e 3d. Talking of black lenses, any one know if there is a black 35mm G lens?
How about digital back for new G3 =AD 6megapixel full frame option. Spot metering plus manual/auto lenses as N1.
Keep up site =AD great stuff.
Simon Radclyffe
How about digital back for new G3 =AD 6megapixel full frame option. Spot metering plus manual/auto lenses as N1.
Keep up site =AD great stuff.
Simon Radclyffe
G
Guest
1/3 rangefinder, 1/3 point & shoot, 1/3 AF SLR -- I can't really decide if that is brilliant or just too much of a compromise.
The biggest selling point of the G2 are the lenses. They are simple wonderfully sharp, contrasty and colorful. Combine that with the size, quality, feel and you have a very powerful package for travel/street/candid portraits etc.
Cons: hard to get over the lack of focus confirmation. other gripes include the small/dim viewfinder, the noisy AF system, and the fact that the lens parks itself at infinity after each photo. Also, I do wish the had some faster lenses, e.g. a 50/1.4
Overall, I think the G2 is indeed a compromise but a very good one. I sold off my other stuff and currently use this one as my only camera system, and I don't think that is the way to go.
cheers,
pat
The biggest selling point of the G2 are the lenses. They are simple wonderfully sharp, contrasty and colorful. Combine that with the size, quality, feel and you have a very powerful package for travel/street/candid portraits etc.
Cons: hard to get over the lack of focus confirmation. other gripes include the small/dim viewfinder, the noisy AF system, and the fact that the lens parks itself at infinity after each photo. Also, I do wish the had some faster lenses, e.g. a 50/1.4
Overall, I think the G2 is indeed a compromise but a very good one. I sold off my other stuff and currently use this one as my only camera system, and I don't think that is the way to go.
cheers,
pat
G
Guest
I'm a fairly new G2 user but in the several months I've had mine, I have all but forgotten my days with a Leica M. The viewfinder issue is a non-issue with me and does, indeed, seem to be a good compromise between an SLR and a viewfinder with bright lines as in Leica and Cosinas. The news that the lens "parks" itself at infinity was just that, news. I hadn't noticed and, frankly, didn't care.
But I am in wholehearted agreement that a 135mm is needed. If the RF baseline in the Leica M system is long enough to support one, it would surely seem the G's is long enough.
So far, I've found the f2 in the 45 fast enough and although an f2 in the 90 would be a help, I haven't lost any shots because the 90's only a 2.8. You learn to work around things, I suppose.
The Zeiss lenses lift this camera out of the middle of the field and put it right at the head of the pack.
Drayton
But I am in wholehearted agreement that a 135mm is needed. If the RF baseline in the Leica M system is long enough to support one, it would surely seem the G's is long enough.
So far, I've found the f2 in the 45 fast enough and although an f2 in the 90 would be a help, I haven't lost any shots because the 90's only a 2.8. You learn to work around things, I suppose.
The Zeiss lenses lift this camera out of the middle of the field and put it right at the head of the pack.
Drayton
G
Guest
G2 is a very handsome camera! I love its small size, its AF, its shifting/zooming viewfinder. Of course the lens is its soul. I am just absolutely in love with the 45mm f/2. After buying it I sold my Canon EOS A2 (EOS 5 outside US), and all its lenses.
My ideal set up right now is to have a Rolleiflex 2.8FX or GX, then bring along my G2+21+45+90. Then down the road I may get back into 35mm SLRs when there is a digital SLR with 8 megapixel resolution.
My ideal set up right now is to have a Rolleiflex 2.8FX or GX, then bring along my G2+21+45+90. Then down the road I may get back into 35mm SLRs when there is a digital SLR with 8 megapixel resolution.
G
Guest
Hi Contaxfolks,
I got the G2 plus 45mm Planar for 725 at Tamarkin's this Saturday. It was a wonderful bargain including the strap, manual, lens hood, and Contax filter as well in the outfit. I am happy to have it in my hands.
It feels very very ergonomic and comfortable. The titanium body seems rather rugged no doubt. The weight of it is rather exquisite. The best thing is that I can shoot picture in autofocus mode without ever looking in the viewfinder for totally shealthy shots. Granted the autofocus motor is rather noisy but it's a zillion times quieter than most autofocus SLR lenses on the market. I enjoyed using and the dials are placed very well. I shot like 8-10 rolls this weekend.
Tamarkin's treated me rather well for the bargain. I enjoyed it quite a bit that they have a solid Contax outfit and stuff in stock. I got all of the Contax brochures while I was there and it was a pleasure. I handled both the N1 and NX AF cameras and love those. They remind me of the advanced Leica R8 in terms of feel and comfort and they have more features and power than the R8. Although they don't pack a punch into my walletbook. I plan to get the NX first (as the backup body) with the 50mm or the zoom lens which I am debating on. I love the autofocus camera and man, they are so so quiet in their motors. Makes me wonder whether the G3 will have a silent motor like that.
Of course I will hopefully get a black G2 outfit later on. I truly love the G2 quite a bit and it's portability won't break my back at all which is a rather strong blessing indeed.
All the same, hopefully I get back some wonderful prints for ya to check out. Cool beans and happy shooting!
Alfie
I got the G2 plus 45mm Planar for 725 at Tamarkin's this Saturday. It was a wonderful bargain including the strap, manual, lens hood, and Contax filter as well in the outfit. I am happy to have it in my hands.
It feels very very ergonomic and comfortable. The titanium body seems rather rugged no doubt. The weight of it is rather exquisite. The best thing is that I can shoot picture in autofocus mode without ever looking in the viewfinder for totally shealthy shots. Granted the autofocus motor is rather noisy but it's a zillion times quieter than most autofocus SLR lenses on the market. I enjoyed using and the dials are placed very well. I shot like 8-10 rolls this weekend.
Tamarkin's treated me rather well for the bargain. I enjoyed it quite a bit that they have a solid Contax outfit and stuff in stock. I got all of the Contax brochures while I was there and it was a pleasure. I handled both the N1 and NX AF cameras and love those. They remind me of the advanced Leica R8 in terms of feel and comfort and they have more features and power than the R8. Although they don't pack a punch into my walletbook. I plan to get the NX first (as the backup body) with the 50mm or the zoom lens which I am debating on. I love the autofocus camera and man, they are so so quiet in their motors. Makes me wonder whether the G3 will have a silent motor like that.
Of course I will hopefully get a black G2 outfit later on. I truly love the G2 quite a bit and it's portability won't break my back at all which is a rather strong blessing indeed.
All the same, hopefully I get back some wonderful prints for ya to check out. Cool beans and happy shooting!
Alfie
G
Guest
Alfie, why wait, I have brand new black Contax with the 45 and 90 for sale. Contact me at modlabs@yahoo.com
cheers,
pat
cheers,
pat
G
Guest
Hi Kevin,
I got my outfit used but it was totally perfect. I can't complain about Tamarkin's at and they are perfect Contax dealers. Their Leica prices aren't the best but considering that I'm not going to be investing too much in my M3 and into Contax instead, I would be hanging out at Union Square 4-ever
Go for it, Kevin. Call up Tamarkin's and get a used G2 kit. They have a solid deal because they have an overstock in their used G2 kits.
Alfie
I got my outfit used but it was totally perfect. I can't complain about Tamarkin's at and they are perfect Contax dealers. Their Leica prices aren't the best but considering that I'm not going to be investing too much in my M3 and into Contax instead, I would be hanging out at Union Square 4-ever
Go for it, Kevin. Call up Tamarkin's and get a used G2 kit. They have a solid deal because they have an overstock in their used G2 kits.
Alfie
G
Guest
Thanks, Alfie.
Since I am 1,500 miles away from NY, I am debating over ordering a grey/used G2 kit or a new G1 kit with 3 years of USA warranty.
Kevin
Since I am 1,500 miles away from NY, I am debating over ordering a grey/used G2 kit or a new G1 kit with 3 years of USA warranty.
Kevin