Nice build, looks pretty. Good with wide angle lenses as long as you don't use a flash.

Focusing with 90mm lens. Flash system overexposes and is very out of date. Small finder for eyeglass wearers.

I really wanted to like this camera. I was looking for something small and light with interchangable lenses for doing portraits.(I am a bit tired of carrying a big bag on to crowded commuter trains). After doing lots of research on the net, I bought a G2 with a 35 f2, a 90 f2.8, a TLA 200 flash and a TLA 340 flash. Maybe I got a bad one, but the focusing with the 90mm lenes was very hit or miss. I have used AF cameras and I know how they work. About HALF of the pictures were out of focus!(and not just wide open at one meter). Also, the flash system is quite a joke. With both the small TLA 200 and the large (and expensive) TLA 340 I had very overexposed images from about 1.5 meters and closer. I'm sorry, but if the lens focuses to .5 meters, the flash should expose properly at .5 meters in TTL mode with out closing down manually (and guessing) What is the point of an automatic camera?. I totally lost confidence in this camera and returned it with-in a month (after extensive testing). I was able to trade it a Nikon F100 with an SB28 -- which does everything I ask it to do. The G2 is not a working person's camera.

Similar Products Used:

Konica Hexar, Nikon F100, F90, F801, F3HP, FM2T, FE2, Contax T2

- Fantastically sharp lenses
- Solid build quality
- Compact size of camera and lenses
- Fun to use
- Built in diopter adjustment for viewfinder

- Viewfinder too small
- Manual focussing a bit irritating

Beautiful little camera for outdoor / street photography. The whole thing oozes quality which adds to the enjoyment of using it. Tack sharp pictures from the two Zeiss lenses I bought, the 45mm and 28mm, and Photodo seem to say the rest of the range are as good too.

This really is a great 'walking around' camera. As much as I like my EOS 3 I do get tired of it's huge size. The G2 takes photos that are every bit as good or even better than the EOS 3 but you definitely need to have a reasonable idea of what you are doing. No good for the inexperienced.

Customer Service

Not needed yet

Similar Products Used:

Canon EOS 3 & 5
Pentax MX & ME Super

Excellent pictures (That's the important thing isn't it?)
Zeiss lenses are second to none. While the competition likes to tout the fact that they have a 135mm lens at the long end they are silent when you look at the wide end of the lens range. The Leicas stop at 21mm and there is no 16mm (until they go to 3rd party offerings).
Fast, accurate autofocus (which is much quieter than the propaganda from the competition would have you believe.)
Easy, straight forward and consistent film loading.
No need for framing lines in the viewfinder since it adapts to each lens mounted.
Viewfinder shifts for parallax correction.
Shutter speed is a useful and accurate 16sec - 1/4000th (not a limiting 1 sec - 1/1000th)
Synch speed of 1/200th rather than the Leica's antique 1/50th.
Can go full manual if required but has an excellent and easy to use Aperture Priority mode.

You need to take care mounting the lenses and you need to be aware of the sometimes narrow DOF with the 90mm lens when used wide open.

This is NOT your grandfather's Rangefinder!
The Contax G2 is a classic camera that has deservedly been placed on anybody's "best-of" lists since it came out. The camera is compact, fast, quiet and takes excellent pictures.
It is nice to have a camera that doesn't require the manual to learn how to load the film and which provides consistently excellent results.
For example, when I set the shutter speed for 1/1000th I can be sure that is exactly what I am going to get and not a 1/2 - 1/3 stop "off" nor do i have to take it in for "adjustment" every few months!
Best of all, for all the technical advances that the G2 has over the competition, it was easy to afford a body and standard 29, 45, and 90mm set.
The G2 leads in so many features that it has engendered a huge need for owners of "other" rangefinders to find something to focus their criticism. So they have chosen sound level which is the only time it becomes and important aspect of camera behaviour. It is a red herring and those who have heard the G2 know it is a false criticism.
In short, don't listen to the negative comments. Go and get your hands on one of these and see (and hear) for yourself.

Customer Service

Always first rate

Similar Products Used:

There aren't any similar products. The G2 is an Autofocus, rangefinder with interchangable lenses

Zeiss lens
Weight

No marco
No zoom (unless you get the 35-70)
I really expect a full auto mode (Programme mode)

I've been using this camera for some months already. Actually you can find two reviews from me if you scroll down a little.

I begin my love to the Zeiss lens firstly from my own shortsightness optical glass (oh my god! why are things getting so detailed!? That was my first impression when wearing them on my eyes). Then the T3 (Jesus Christ! A P&S camera had won my entire Nikon system, even including the famous AF-S 80-200 in terms of colour, detail in the shadows). And the third Contax toy I bought was this G2 set.

I had been very happy using the camera, actually the level of my photos are all upgraded, not basically because of my photographying skills (how shameful to say!), but the lens that really count the difference!

Two weeks ago I was mad enough to buy a Nikon AF-S 28-70 back (now I don't even know why I bought it!) and went for a test to compare the two ace systems.

The result? Well, except that zooming with one lens is always easier than changing 3 lenses over and over, Contax won marely everything from the final printout.

Better colour - the green you expect to see on a real leaf instead of a magazine printout.

Better resolution - when things are bright, Nikon AF-S and the G lenses are making very similar work in terms of resolution, but when you are talking about things in the shadow side, the ace of the Nikon line still gives you the usual Nikon performance: close to nothing that you can see. But there is a lot more to look at when it is a G lens to fire the shoot.

Finally there's a hard-to-explain 3 dimensional feeling from the Contax G lenses. When you compare the pictures side by side, you just find objects pops out from the G photos, close ones, far ones, they're all there. But when you turn to the ones taken by the Nikon, you'll see it's nothing but a picture on a plain paper. It's rather hard to explain, but I think that's one of the feelings of Contax that impressed me most.

Well. I am selling my Nikon AF-S 80-200, and I am very seriously thinking if I should then use the capital to go for a Contax N1 + 24-85. And if the performance is also as great as the G lenses, I think I will sell the rest of the Nikon system (AF-S 80-200, 20 2.8, F100, SB28) and turn to Contax entirely.

If you have any comment, please just write me at lofan@netvigator.com . Thank you!

Customer Service

None for Contax yet

Similar Products Used:

Nothing too similar

Bottom line.. picture quality
Zeiss Lens
Size/weight

Autofocus
Finicky Lens mount
Focus resets after each photo

I bought the G2 with the 28/45/90 lens and TLA200 flash. Had it for about a year and put about 100 rolls through it.
For me, image quality is #1. Camera ergonomics is secondary. That being said the camera fulfills my first requirement hands down. Amazing sharpness, contrast, shadow detail, color rendition.

Of course this being a range finder it has its inherent advantages and disadvantages. The advantages being able to shoot sharper pictures, especially at slower shutter speeds i.e. velvia (no slapping mirror), excels at wide angle shots, small size/weight of body & lenses, simple user interface. The disadvantages, no lens above 90, quirky auto focus(not good for fast action shots), polarizer is a pain to use (have to remove it every time to see where to set it), lens mount that can be a bit finicky, no macro lens.

The only mechanical problem that I've had with this camera is the mount for the cable release came off the camera. It should be an easy fix..I hope.

I purchased the Contax N1 this year and although it's a great camera with the signature Zeiss lens quality and performance, I would have to give the G2 an edge on image quality. Of course I'm comparing different lens types zoom vs. fixed focus which may not be a fair comparison, the G2 system has better shadow detail and is much easier to shoot REALLY sharp pictures. The N1 requires you to work a little harder for them. BTW I always use a tripod.

In summary, this camera takes GREAT pictures. You have to go into this camera understanding that it's a "Rangefinder" camera and not an SLR. If image quailty is your first priority .. I absolutely recommend this camera.

Customer Service

n/a

Similar Products Used:

Not necessary similar, but
Contax N1
Rollei 35s
Pentax slr
Cannon slr

Auto focus

You are not able to see the actual focus like the Leica M6. Everything is done automatically.

Very easy to use. The posting is right. It's a expensive point-shoot camera. It's an expensive Contax TVS III with interchangable lens. If you are using a Leica M6 like I have. You will be afraid to press the shutter when you first start to use the G2. There is no double-image rangfinder info. like the Leica M6. The computer simply tells you if the object is in focus or not. There is a possibility the camera might focus on the wrong object(your fault, because you are the one who is pointing the cursor, the camera is just doing the focusing). After a while, once you get out the Leica M6 shooting style, it's great to use. Once I threat the camera like a most expensive point-shoot camera on the market, it's great.

Customer Service

Grey market model, no U.S. customer service

Similar Products Used:

Leica M6, Hass. 503CW, Rolleiflex 2.8GX, Contax TVS III

Small size, Zeiss optics, solid and beautiful construction (a work of art), easy to use.

focus resets after every picture, manual focus a joke, lack of a good telephoto lens (eg. 135 mm), small viewfinders.

A great camera with amazing optics. If you are able to work between the focal length of 28 mm to 90 mm then this is a the camera system for you. The images are razor sharp with beautiful shadow detail and color rendition. The main weakeness is the inability to manually view if the images your focusing on are in focus, one has to blindly trust the camera system. If one can get pass this go and buy this camera.

Customer Service

Have not used.

Similar Products Used:

None

excellent lenses and very high quality finish.
light weight outfit ideal for travel

battery failure has taken me unawares a couple of times, ensure you have spares! autofocus to manual dial can sometimes get moved if it snags on the edge of my bag.

The Contax G2 is a great little camera capable of giving the highest quality results. I have used it extensively travelling in China, Vietnam and Thailand and have had brilliant results without the backache of carting a large slr outfit around.
It does take a little getting used to and some people who have tried it can't get used to the viewfinder. I wholeheartedly recommend this camera.

Customer Service

not used

Similar Products Used:

Leica M -too expensive

I decided to get a lightweight camera for use when I wasn't carrying my heavy 35mm EOS system, and the reviews for the G2 steered me in this direction. I'm glad I got it...I love this little gem! As the others here say, the lenses are sensational in crispness and color, and the camera is very intuitive to use. I'm familiar with rangefinders and their innate limitations, since I also use a Mamiya 7 for 6x7 shots, so if you're looking for macro or long telephoto, stick to an SLR. I carry this camera and 3 lenses every day in a tiny Tamrac bag, and it's perfect to take along birding, walking around, etc when I don't want to carry a big heavy bag full of lenses. I don't have the 16mm Hologon, but I do have all the others, and the 28mm - 90mm in particular are very reasonably priced for the quality that they deliver. Canon's L lenses are much more expensive. Oh, by the way, contrary to some of the other reviews, I don't find camera noise to be a problem at all.

I'd like a spotmetering mode, and wish that the viewfinder for the 21mm Biogon lens could be linked to parallax correction. These aren't major problems, but would be nice improvements.

I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this camera and lenses to anyone looking for a light, portable, superb-quality system as long as they are comfortable with the limits of a non-SLR.

Customer Service

none

Similar Products Used:

Canon EOS-3, Mamiya 7 II (both of which are also excellent cameras)

The G-2 is substantially well made equipment, feels good in the hand. The controls are extremely well thought out and placed exactly where they should be. Film loading is easy, the custome programs are a cinch to use and quite handy, like leaving the film leader out after rewind. It is also very easy to adjust the ISO when one wants to tinker with the saturation/density of the negative. Though this is not the lens site, they too must be mentioned here because they so perfectly work in concert with the camera--small light, and probably the best resolving power of any lens made. Check out the MTF reviews for the lens on the Photodo site, they are remarkable.

the camera can be a bit quirky for those absent-minded enough not to re-check controls from time to time. the lack of strong detents to keep the exposure compensation dial from actuating a bias when either removing the camera from a bag or when fumbling with the camera controls when it is up to the eye is annoying. I've lost several important shots by not reallizing I accidentally added compensation. This comensation is noted in the viewfinder via a pictogram, but when one is concentrating on composition, it is easy to overlook.
The ability to adjust fill-flash levels is present, but extremely an extremely annoying, time consuming process. It should be able to be dialed in instantly on the camera or on the flash. The flash does tend to overpower the exposure, so dialing it down is usually a must--having to go through that process is frustrating.
There is some amount of confusion by users as to where the actual focusing point is in the viewfinder. The parallax error is well accounted for in the viewfinder, but no one seems to know where the focusing point moves to. This is not a tremendously important problem, but I have again lost good shots due to a slight shift in the focus point in a critical composition. It is best to not only bracket, but also to shoot slightly different focus points if time allows. The lens mount is precise and each lens comes off and on with smoothness--but you have to watch what you are doing a proceed slowly to accomplish this. Forget fast lens changes.

A picture in made by the LENS, to get a great picture, you have to have a great lens. The only way to access these great Zeiss lenses is via the G-2 (or G-1). It too is a great piece of machinery, but IT'S THE LENS!!!

Customer Service

I discovered a flaw in one of my lens after it was out of warranty. It appeared to be dust or something inside the lens and was visibel through the rear element. I sent it back and it was fixed quickly at no charge to me. Great Service! Also, if one can attend any of the Contax events at a dealers when a company rep like Blake Ziegler attends, one will be amazed at the level of personal attention that will be offered. I have never known anything like it.

Similar Products Used:

Leica M-6 (what a pain to change film rolls!)