Contax G1: First Roll

[raid]

I used the Contax G1 with the 45mm Planar and the 28mm Biogon. One image is clearly OOF. Else, it was so easy to use this camera.

[digitalintrigue]

Nice Raid, what film?

I'm a big G1 fan, coming back to it after 10 years...lured by the great, yet inexpensive glass.

[JohnTF]

I have used the G1 and the G2. It is very easy to use, but I found I needed to develop a habit of checking the distance indication now and again to make sure the camera was close to where I thought it should be focusing.

Could not fault the optics, and generally the speed at which you could pull the camera up and shoot.

I did lose some shots to poor focus, but when I shoot a manual focus camera I sometimes do as well.

Generally found the G2 to be easier, but the G1 is a perfectly usable camera.

Regards, John

[raid]

Originally Posted by digitalintrigue

Nice Raid, what film?

I'm a big G1 fan, coming back to it after 10 years...lured by the great, yet inexpensive glass.

Thanks. It was Fuji Reala 100. The glass is way above average.

[raid]

Originally Posted by JohnTF

I have used the G1 and the G2. It is very easy to use, but I found I needed to develop a habit of checking the distance indication now and again to make sure the camera was close to where I thought it should be focusing.

Could not fault the optics, and generally the speed at which you could pull the camera up and shoot.

I did lose some shots to poor focus, but when I shoot a manual focus camera I sometimes do as well.

Generally found the G2 to be easier, but the G1 is a perfectly usable camera.

Regards, John

Hi John,
The photos of the boats were taken on a very cold day. It was so cold that we ran back to the car to get some warmth. In such a weather, it was nice to have to fiddle with focusing or anything else. It was just pointing the lens and taking photos.

The G1 lenses are my only modern lenses besides the CV 25/4.

[raid]

This is a crop of Robin:

[raid]

A crop of Lina's image:

[raid]

A crop of the fishing boat:

[raid]

I may keep the G1 system and enjoy it while kit works.

[kbg32]

Nice set Raid. I have the G2 and love it! The glass is phenomenal.

[raid]

Thanks, Keith. I bought the G1 set for the Zeiss lenses that otherwise I may not have been able to purchase as ZM models or similar.

[JohnTF]

Originally Posted by raid

I may keep the G1 system and enjoy it while kit works.

Raid,

I had to send one in to Yashica, manual focus was not working, and I would have used it like that, but it also sets the ISO, it came back within the week, no charge, but even though they are no longer around, there are enough of the bodies to keep you with kit as long as you want. Bodies without lenses are give away prices.

I found enough lenses for a system for my friend Zuzana and me. I got the 45mm because Zu wanted the 35mm, but found it to be excellent, though I normally carried the 28 and 90mm.

Using it is kind of a guilty pleasure, I thought I should be working harder, but the images were what shifted me from MF to 35mm.

I think it would have been a terrific base for a digital RF, but I probably could have driven several companies bankrupt with my ideas on new products.

Igor has the 16mm and told me there were some people converting them to Leica M mount.

Regards, John

[kbg32]

John,

Contax was going to come out with a digital G body. At least that was the rumor years ago.

[raid]

Originally Posted by JohnTF

Igor has the 16mm and told me there were some people converting them to Leica M mount.

Regards, John

Hi John,

Is the 16mm lens a Zeiss lens? Is it the Hologon? It must cost a fortune.
I find the $500 lens conversion fee [if you provide the lens] to be too high if you consider what $500 can get you if you patiently search for certain cameras and/or lenses.

[kbg32]

Raid,

I have the 16mm and it is a Zeiss Hologon. It wasn't a fortune at the time! For the money I highly recommend the Zeiss 18/4 Distagon.

[DeeCee3]

John TF (above) comments that G bodies without lenses are at "give away prices". Look again, John.

KEH has three G2 bodies listed, and no G1's. The three 2's are in the $750-$900 category.

Give-away? I hardly think so.

dc3

[raid]

The G1 bodies are much lower priced.
I know of someone who bought the G1 + 28mm+45mm+90mm for $450. I paid $650 at RFF.

[raid]

Originally Posted by kbg32

Raid,

I have the 16mm and it is a Zeiss Hologon. It wasn't a fortune at the time! For the money I highly recommend the Zeiss 18/4 Distagon.

Keith,

It seems that the premium Zeiss lenses are the very wide ones.
I will see what I can do.
Thanks.

[Paddy C]

Try looking for G system stuff on ebay rather than KEH. I did buy some of my kit from KEH, but found (unlike other items on KEH) that you really could get better prices through ebay.

A good g2 body should run $500-$600 I believe.

[raid]

Save money and get a G1 instead. Use the savings for two lenses!

[digitalintrigue]

Originally Posted by DeeCee3

John TF (above) comments that G bodies without lenses are at "give away prices". Look again, John.

KEH has three G2 bodies listed, and no G1's. The three 2's are in the $750-$900 category.

Give-away? I hardly think so.

dc3

The black ones go for more, they had a BGN G2 for $399 the other day, now an EX for $499.

That said, the G1 is plenty good. A G1 and four mint lenses can cost lot less than a beat up 35/2 'cron or about the same as a nice 50 'cron.

[jmilkins]

I agree with you Raid that the Contax G system is now an extraordinarily inexpensive way to access some wonderful optics at a fraction of the price of the ZM option. It is a very modern RF experience that differs significantly from the earlier manual way of doing things. Not neccessarily better or worse, but different. I wold find it hard to give up my G system.

[JohnTF]

Originally Posted by raid

Hi John,
The photos of the boats were taken on a very cold day. It was so cold that we ran back to the car to get some warmth. In such a weather, it was nice to have to fiddle with focusing or anything else. It was just pointing the lens and taking photos.

The G1 lenses are my only modern lenses besides the CV 25/4.

Wait a minute, you're in Fla. We have freeze and frost warnings, no more complaining about the cold please, unless you are on a road trip. ;-)

[Jamie Pillers]

Raid,
I've also just discovered the amazing 'deal' of the G1 and Zeiss glass. Images are superb. The autofocus aspect doesn't bother me... I used to have the Konica Hexar AF camera (one of the best image producers I've ever owned!), and this system betters that by having interchangeable lenses. I have the 28 and 45 now and I'll likely add the 90 soon. In my opinion, there is simply no other way you can get this kind of quality for these prices!
Jamie

[JohnTF]

Originally Posted by DeeCee3

John TF (above) comments that G bodies without lenses are at "give away prices". Look again, John.

KEH has three G2 bodies listed, and no G1's. The three 2's are in the $750-$900 category.

Give-away? I hardly think so.

dc3

Good thing the KEH buyer at the last show here did not know that. ;-)

I saw a guy trying his luck (after KEH made a very low offer) at other tables, they were offering $150 wholesale for a G1 and 45mm, they basically wanted the lens. I have seen some crazy prices offered, same show on the next table had a couple of IIIfs with a fresh CLA, in very nice shape for $200.

It is good news though, maybe I can sell mine if I make up my mind, I probably paid close to that when I bought mine. ;-)

Regards, John