If you’re looking for a well-built portable camera, the Contax G2 definitely meets that need. Unlike some cameras that seem like cheap plastic in your hands, this is solid even though it weighs under 2 pounds! The Contax G2 system is definitely one that’s aimed toward someone interested in better quality photography since ConTax makes a variety of lenses for the G2 including 16/8, 21/2.8, 28/2.8, 35/2.0, 45/2.0, and 90/2 – that’s 8 lenses! The only downside here, in my opinion, is that carrying so many lenses definitely takes away from the portability of this camera. They’re also a little awkward to put on and take off. For focus, the Contax G2 has an autofocus rangefinder with two different settings. The first setting is “active” and offers infrared light to improve low light focus abilities, especially in tight spaces.
The second setting is passive, really acting to finish the focus. Both manual focus and focus lock on the G2 work wonderfully. Pair this with a decent shutter speed ranging from 4 seconds to 1/4000, you can get some pretty nice exposures.
There’s also dial on the G2 camera that will let you adjust your stops in 1/3 increments. And thanks to the motorized film advance, you can take up to four images in one second – no chance that great shot will get away from you now.
For the user, the viewfinder on the Contax G2 is reasonable (a larger one would be nice) and includes a flash mark. You don’t need a heavy duty flash unit for the G2 either. The smaller ones work perfectly well and simply if you don’t want to haul around something larger. The images you can expect from the Contax G2 are very good, with well defined color and line, but I don’t recommend using this camera in a setting where you want to go unnoticed (like a wedding). It makes a lot of noise that could disrupt things.
The titanium embodiment of precision. Hold it in your hands and you’ll feel the quality. The durability. The heritage. You’ll sense the speed and technology. You know that today’s images will be th…
"All said, a great degree of practice and patience is necessary whenever a new kind of camera is being used, whether it is the M6 or the G2. " I totally agree with the former reviewer about this statement. I would not say that G2 is better then my Leica M6 or the other way around. Two different systems, both have advantages and disadvantages. If somebody is new to Contax and is not sure yet whether he should buy a Contax G-system at all or a Contax SLR system, he shou... Read more
I own two G2's with 28/35/45/90 and shortly 21mm lenses. I also own a full set of Canon Eos gear with L series Lenses and Fixed lenses. What can I say, all cameras have there function...with all due respect to SLR, the G2 rangefinder /zeiss optics combination is the sharpest in the business....equal to Leica and in some areas even better. I use the cameras mainly for Weddings and landscapes....CANNOT be beaten in quality. 10 out of ten. The only draw back...no depth o... Read more
Can't see it very well, but looks and sounds like a Contax G2 to me.I may be totally wrong.
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tweedle wrote: I didn't know that Kyocera still owned the license. That does give a spark of hope for the future. I still miss my Contax G2, but not the grinding noise from the slow Nikon Coolscan.
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Every Contax G2 owner, including me wanted one. But Nikon, Canon compete on selling these menus, this is what the masses want. If they can't sell 35 million copies globally, they won't make it. An Fe2 (I had one but it was stolen at gun point along with an M645 and F4s) i...
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...flame on this one I sold camera's in the retail setting from 1996-2004. P&S is point and shoot. SLR or "D" for digital single lens reflex. Film or digital SLR you are looking through the lens. P&S can also be called a rangefinder. Anyone hear of Leica or Contax G2 or G1. The Leica and Contax are a high end point and shoot. Yes a P&S costing several thousand dollars. You are not looking through the lens. The Contax & Leica lens had adjusable F-stops on the lens. Leica you had to line the overlaying images (see in the...
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I've tried to stay out of this except for the original post, but I've got to comment on this Contax G2. I have a G2 system that I still use in this digital age, just because it is not only so beautiful, but the 45mm f/2 Planar lens has been debated & rated as one of the sharpest lenses ever made at maximum aperture (of f/2). It even outclassed the venerable...
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