Sheer quality and style and operational simplicity.

Max focal length of 90mm.

This camera when used in a methodical and thoughtful manner produces outstanding results time and time again. The old addage that you get what you pay for is no truer than in purchasing the Contax G series cameras. If it is not already it, is destined to be a design classic and my G1 is something I could not part with even when finances have been tough. The lens quality is outstanding and you can definately see the quality of the optics in the resultant print. For me I get a buzz everytime I use the camera and its unobtrusive nature has been a bonus in travel situations. The TLA140 flash produces nice fill flash shots with no red eye. The auto bracketing feature is also great as are other automated features such as self timer and double exposures. It is cameras like this that will always remain bulletproof and live on into the digital age.

Customer Service

Not applicable.

Similar Products Used:

Pentax and canon SLRS.

Lenses, size, weight (feels really solid) and, in my case, value. Take a look at what you get from a Leica compared to what the Contax gives you!

Missing DOF preview of any kind, but I can live with that.

I got my G1 used, in excellent shape and for a real bargain... and it simply became my third hand. Focusing is quick, the images are great, and its compactness makes it a really useful travel camera. With the TL140 flash (high enough not to cause red-eye) I've managed to snap very decent shots, and the fast lenses allow use of the camera in low-light situations. Unobtrusive, small, people do not act inhibited in front of it. In fact, this is the camera to carry when you don't want to be taken seriously. A great instrument and a joy to use!

Customer Service

I contacted them to purchase manuals, ask some questions about maintenance and I can only say they're very helpful.

Similar Products Used:

Canonet G-III QL17, Konica Auto S2, Yashica GS

Truly astounding lenses, especially the 21 mm and the 45 mm. Fantastic, fantastic, fantastic. I also love the automation. AE and TTL are two must-haves in my view. AF is nice too. G2 has them all.

Flash photography is not straight-forward. Also the upper-left command wheel often get accidently bumped to something other than "S".

The heart of the Contax G system is its superb line of lenses. Absolutely superb. Compared to Leica jewlry, these Contax lenses are the greatest bargain one can ever get. The camera itself is solid and hefty. I don't find the zooming and motorized film advance that noisy and obtrusive. Yes the viewfinder is dimmer and smaller than Leica's, but its auto-zooming and parallex-correcting. So when looking at 90mm lenses' view, you are not going to look at a dinky white frame such as on a Leica. It's much higher tech than Leica's ancient mechanical finder.

Customer Service

None used

Similar Products Used:

Leica M6TTL with 35, 50 and 90mm lenses. Canon EOS Rebel, A2 and Rebel 2k and some non-"L" lenses. Minolta XD series and Rokkors. And some old 6x6 folders.

Open door: Carl Zeiss optics Portability, build quality

No weaknesses, but limitations: limited focal length, no flash, paralax error.

I previously owned a F80 (or N80), that unfortunatly got stolen when my appartment got robbed. I walked into my local photostore to get it replaced, but walked out with the G1. As it says on their website: "I was caught by an irresistable impulse to possess this camera.". The quality feel of the body and the very apparent quality of the lenses made me take out my hard earned insurance money and walk out with the G1, plus 35 and 90 lenses. I have to say that I got it for less then half of the original list price, the shop tried to get rid of a lot of their stock. After a couple of months of use: it is a fantastic camera, but with limits. A camera that can make you extremely happy or totally frustrated with your photos. This is from the viewpoint of someone who previously owned a cant-go-wrong-everything-is-done-by -me automatic SLR. First the plus side: it is said numerous times and I was very sceptical at the beginning, but the fantastic lenses make all the difference. In your average snapshot, it is sometimes hard to see the difference with a normal SLR with a standard (cheap) lens and that can be frustrating. But some photos you'll take with this camera (landscapes and b/w with me mainly) will blow your mind away. I have photos that are so sharp and the colour is so real that they seem to be 3D and pop of the paper. It is not medium format quality as claimed sometimes, but as close you can get to it in 35mm. It is a camera that requires some thought though and it can frustrate you if use it mindlessy as a P&S. The autofocus requires more effort than your SLR, and especially the metering system is a little more crude (its centre weighed with a %grey card) then all the hyper intelligent 3d, million zone metering systems you find on the latest SLR's. Another limitation is the paralax error especially with the 90mm, you have to check carefully that there are no unwanted objects in your frame. Another drawback is that you will have to purchase the external flash and that their is no way of getting lenses longer than 90mm. By the way, I own the 28, 35 and 90 lenses and I think the 35 is the best, although it is the least appreciated. I absolutely love this camera and I took my best photos with it, but I think I will buy a SLR body to go with it any time soon.

Customer Service

Not needed

Similar Products Used:

Nikon F65, F80, F100,FM2, Contax Aria

Superior optics; unobtrusive size.

As with other rangefinders, the viewfinder does not indicate true framing.

This is a great 35mm camera that I use primarily as an unobtrusive "street camera." With the spectacular 45mm Carl Zeiss lens, this camera produces some of the finest 35mm images I have ever shot--or seen. Being a rangefinder, the camera may not be for everyone; indeed, it does require a bit more thought (and possibly trial-and-error), than many cameras today, with their "command dials," icon-based exposure settings, and "auto everything." But the results are worth it, in my view.

Customer Service

Not required so far.

Similar Products Used:

I have used Nikon 35mm cameras almost exclusively in the past.

Everything...

Not on this one..

This is a great camera, it''s small, handy, stong and just great... I bought it used for only 320 USD, and it was mint boxed, no sign of use at all and it was one of them with the green label.. The Carl Zeiss lenses are great, they are sharp like a razor, great for nearly all type of photography.. Just not sport, where you need fast focus, but thats not a problem... The focus is good, but you have to know how to use it... I have a Canon eos 1n with a sigma 28-70 EX, that sometimes has the same problem, so you have to focus on a light spot or something like that... Then i works great.. Going to buy the G2 used, found it for 540USD.. So thats ok... Love this camera, so great..

Customer Service

No...

Similar Products Used:

Contax G2 Leica M6

full auto everything

full auto everything

Being an "old geezer", I have been using Olympus OM system stuff for 30 years and it has been top notch. The images produced from the G1, however, are ever bit as finely detailed and distortion-free as those of the oly. I must say, however, that unless I am photographing a subject that is rapidly changing relative range or composition, I would prefer the control that a fully manual system gives. For making images quickly, however, this G1 is IT!

Customer Service

not needed.

Similar Products Used:

Olympus Trip 35 (the original ones - you know - with the GLASS lenses.

Size, weight and portability. Lens range.

Limited lenses to select from. Cannot use the 35-70 zoom.

This is a great camera. When I first started using this camera, it felt quite natural, which is important in a camera. It allowed me the freedom to see my subjects without the mirror black-out. The weight and size also allowed me to take this with ease to many locations. I once carried a 4x5 with full gear for about 30 minute hike down to a water fall... The quality of this camera is something that should be taken into consideration. Having a titanium finish allows this to be relatively stractch free and can be cleaned quite easily. The dials are made well, and to me, have a good feel (but the focusing dial is a little loose). However, it is in its lenses that this camera truly excels. Using the 21mm, 35mm and 90mm, I found the images are excellent. Good contrast, good colour and sharp. This is a great camera, that is light even when fully outfitted. Although not as fast (shutter speeds, film advance, etc) as the G2, it is still a good body. If you don''t use the 90mm at all (or much), then this is a good alternative to the G2. It is cheaper, smaller and lighter. In reality, I barely used the 4 fps and 1/4000 on the G2. When using wide angles, the focus ability is not as crucial.

Similar Products Used:

Contax G2, Mamiya 7.

Light. Great lenses.

Zero for me!

Fantastic camera, especially at the price paid. You can find great deals on both the cameras and the lenses. Only giving 4 stars because the manual focus dial is severely under-damped (which is fixed on the G2).

Similar Products Used:

Contax G2

Terrific build quality; size; value; those lenses!

None, yet.

I recently purcahsed this camera used. After dragging my SLR through Europe last Fall, I decided that a smaller and lighter outfit was needed. After shooting a couple of rolls with the G1, I can't be happier. The concern about focusing is only valid if you are not careful. A rangefinder is NOT an SLR. You must take time to verify focus. I wear glasses and I find the eye relief to be fine. It's not like the view through and SLR - not a s bright or expansive, but easy to get accustomed to after a little practice. The camera works very intuitively, and it is a pleasure to use. However, this is not a camera for the uninitiated. I would never recommend this for a beginner. One final bit of advice - macro photography is not a strong point of any rangefinder. Do not buy this camera if your interest lies in macro photography. By the way, I compared this to the G2 and found that I didn't need the additional capability of the G2. Givien the fact that it is significantly cheaper than the G2 at this point in time, it was a no brainer to go with the G1.

Customer Service

No need for any, yet.

Similar Products Used:

Many point and shoots; Minolta XTSI