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Any Contax G1/G2 users here?

KingRollei

KingRollei

Member
I've always regretted selling my G1, but I remember finding the autofocus frustrating, and the manual focus wheel unintuitive, like many did.
That said, the metering was perfect and of course I loved the lenses.
I still have the 21mm and the 28mm, so I'm looking again for a G body and a 45.
If you have any experience of both cameras, is the G2 autofocus really noticeably better?
Do you ever use the manual focus wheel?
T H A N K Y O U
 
I still use both. Autofocus function works much better in G2 compared with G1 for me. I don't really use MF wheel but the back thumb focus button in G2 is very helpful to consistently achieve focus. My G45 lens is being used mostly on G2 while G28 on G1.
 
I have had my G2 for over 25 years now - it's one of my favorite 35mm camera systems, especially for all the G lenses. To make sure good auto focus consistency, it takes some practice to learn the relative location of focus point (center) for different focus distance. The center focus point in the viewfinder moves from close up (0.45m) to infinity. Once you manage that, autofocus is not a major concern for G2. I do wish the viewfinder is a bit bigger, thought.
 
Thanks Karl, good to know of more Contax G longevity. Encouragingly I’ve discovered 2 places that service and repair in Europe. Gives me some confidence in a G2 purchase, though I was always happy to go with a G1 and just replace it if it bricks
 
I have a G1 (silver label) with the 45mm sitting idle in my cupboard. It rarely sees any film these days, but I'm not sure if I can bring myself to sell it as it's such a nice object to hold and play with!
 
snowy said:
I have a G1 (silver label) with the 45mm sitting idle in my cupboard. It rarely sees any film these days, but I'm not sure if I can bring myself to sell it as it's such a nice object to hold and play with!
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The 45 is one of the greats. You should use it.
 
I still use both the G1 and G2 from time to time; no question that the AF on the G2 is superior but both models (whether a silver or green label G1) are really nice rangefinders. Having been familiar with the tiny viewfinders in many much older rangefinders, the Contax G-series was a pleasure to use. The 21mm and 45mm lenses are stunning.
two G1s_G2 w 21mm.jpg
 
I’m still using the Contax Gs. I have two G1s -one black - and a G2, and all except the 16mm in lenses. As it’s so unusual, the black G1 has become one of my go-tos.
 
biggles3 said:
I still use both the G1 and G2 from time to time; no question that the AF on the G2 is superior but both models (whether a silver or green label G1) are really nice rangefinders. Having been familiar with the tiny viewfinders in many much older rangefinders, the Contax G-series was a pleasure to use. The 21mm and 45mm lenses are stunning.
View attachment 92
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I know it's subjective but how much better is the autofocus, if you're able to quantify it in some way? And the viewfinder? I just can't decide between the two models. Yesterday I was G2, today I'm G1... tomorrow I'll be G2, swayed again by bbf and possibly superior af
 
Karl said:
I’m still using the Contax Gs. I have two G1s -one black - and a G2, and all except the 16mm in lenses. As it’s so unusual, the black G1 has become one of my go-tos.
Click to expand...
I knew about the black G2 but didn't know they released a black G1 - was that a limited edition? Would love to see photos of it!
 
I think it was modified by a third party. The body is immaculate but the film door finish is less impressive.
 
I have a leather ever ready case for a G1 I would be willing to give to a G1 user who would pay for the shipping. It’s in pretty good shape and I’m sure you would like it.
 
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