Finest lenses I have ever used.
First auto-focus system.

close focusing closer than 1 meter can be hit or miss until you get quite comfortable with system. This is primarily due to center of frame indicator not shifting to compensate for paralax, once you learn to ignore cross hairs and just look where you know the center of the frame to be, focus accuracy is much more accurate.
No easy method for acheiving fill-flash, no spot meter.

I have had my G2 for almost 2 years and have taken hundreds of rolls. Very consistently well exposed, generally very happy with focusing.

I get consistently better images with my G2 than I got with Leica M and Nikon equipment.

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Leica M

World class Carl Zeiss lenses coupled with a well designed and well built body.

No DOF or distance scales on the lenses.

The Carl Zeiss lenses are as good as it gets. The G2 body is built like a tank. Materials and finish of the body and lenses is of the highest quality. If you want to have automation and modern technology without having to lug around an SLR system, the G2 is ideal. For street shooters and photojournalists, a G2 with two or three lenses is all that's needed.
Once past the learning curve, this is a great camera to use with well laid out, simple to use controls instead of all the little buttons on today's SLRs.

One flaw is the lack of DOF scales on the lenses.

Customer Service

No experience with customer service.

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Also currently useKonica Hexar, Canon QL17 GIII, and Minolta X-700 SLR system.
Have used manual systems from Canon, K

- It takes a fine photograph.
- It's very easy to use.
- It's a nice size and weight.

None.

I find the Contax G2 to be an excellent camera. It's features and operation are well thought out, the lenses are very good. Everything works very well, and it's a major improvement over the G1 particularly in the focusing system's accuracy and speed of operation. It's quite different to use compared to the Leicas and Nikons, but I expected that. It requires some study to understand how to get the most from its use, and I wouldn't consider it a camera for a beginner because of that. People who buy it as a "grown up point and shoot" or who expect it to work the way a Leica M does will certainly be disappointed. Those who take the time to learn its capabilities and use it the way it was designed to be used will love it. There are some detail changes which I feel would improve the camera for me a little, but overall I'm quite pleased with it the way it is.

Customer Service

Haven't needed any. For buying camera and accessories, my dealer is very good, with good stock and most of the accessories in stock.

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I own Leica M system, Nikon SLR system (manual focus) cameras as well as a few dozen others.

No

None but performance

I don't like this camera. Nor do I like the G1, but I feel it is better as its limitations are more immediately obvious and you actually know to compensate for them. The G2 is just crappy enough to yield a lot of unfocused, occasionally poorly exposed images without warning. I really do not know where it focuses, as it often seems to be a different area. And this lens thing - "the "G" lenses blow away everything crap" - is really silly. Zeiss lenses have a different colour balance than most others, but they are really no better in resolution than any other good brand. Nikon are certainly their equal, and a slight warming filter will make chromes look very Zeiss like. If it makes you feel better to say yours is best, go ahead. I think my car drives better after I have washed it, too.

Customer Service

n/a

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G1, Leica Ms

Much faster than Leica rangefinders in actual use, lenses are the best I have ever used, although I could never afford the super high priced Leica ASPH lenses.

90mm was not focusing accurately, fixed by Contax, works great now. Wish some of the dials had locks so they wouldn't move-I tape them down.

Have been using these cameras daily for over 2 years. They have become a true extension of my eye and are part of the way I see. Nikon and Canon users beware, the lenses for these cameras will make your optics look like something from a disposable point and shoot! Though the range of lenes may seem limiting, you'd be amazed at what can be done with this 45mm alone!

Customer Service

CPS, Pro service gives quick turn-a-round!

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Ex Leica user.

Superb lens quality, semi-pro compact body, reliable autofocus with distance indicator & infrared AF (functions perfect even under dark or low contrast conditions), TTL metering, bright viewfinder, wonderful pre-focus lock & preset aperture (effectively reduce mechanical shock). Dedicated flash unit TLA200 with zoom head is compact & good for indoor/fill-in purposes. Relatively much cheaper than the manual focus Lecia M6 system.

None so far including autofocussing (over 50 rolls of film).
The only reservations are : no mechanical shutter, no zoom lenses & the longest available limited to 90mm/2.8, not fit for using polarizer & macro work.

"G"reat system. Compact, semi-pro features & superb lenses as a point & shoot camera for travelling and casual circumstances.

Customer Service

Not yet required.

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The G system is a class of its own.
My SLR system includes : Nikkon F70, AF-S 28-70/2.8, 85/1.8, 70-300/4-5.6, 24-120

Size, weight, excellent lenses, design, lack of shutter lag, AE lock switch, AF lock via shutter release, nice lens hoods and hood caps

none

Don: Hold down the shutter release halfway for AF lock!!

Perhaps some Leica users are not familiar with AF cameras that they don't know to hold down the shutter release halfway to lock AF--it the same for the Contax Gs as with AF SLRs!!!

I love the Contax G system. They are simple and fast to operate. You just flick the AE lock switch and lock AF on your subject all with one move, and wait for the perfect moment to occur. After the shot because the finder doesn't black out, without letting your finger off the shutter release you can continue shooting using the same AF and exposure settings. A joy. The whole process now becomes subconscious for me, and I have been able to capture shots so spontaneous that I never realized possible.

For the kind of photography I do an SLR won't cut it. I tried to M6 breifly but could never focus as fast as the Contax Gs could do for me.

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Contax G1
Mamiya 6

Design, compactness

Focusing Never consistent, Aperture Ring stripped.

A nice idea, but not a pro's camera. Finder dark, focusing problematic, would have liked it to work for me. I'll stick with the M6, more durable and great lenses. Sorry Contax, I gave you a shot.

Customer Service

Not friendly

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Leica M6

small, easy to carry, quick loading

very weak focusing system... takes too long and too many tries to get object in focus - low contrast and shiny objects fool the focus system... lenses do not stay focused once they are in focus... instead, they go to some zone (perhaps infinity) and wait for the next button press to focus - this makes quick shooting almost impossible; rewqind very noisy for delicate situations (at a theater performance)

Good idea poorly executed for professional use - perhaps the "G3" will fix problems with focus system that works like Canon EOS 1n

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Leica M6 TTL

Compact and easy to handle.

Lots of features and user friendly.

Lens are one of the best in 35mm.

Auto-focus problem fixed by Contax.
Working great now.

Need to shot about 20 rolls before you start to get used to this camera. Range finders are a different breed and you need to give it time. Once you are comfortable with this format, pictures are about the best you can get in 35mm. Blows away Nikons/Canons any day. Will give Leica's a run for the money. The lens are absolutely wonderful. Very contrasty lens and very detailed. I got into Contax just because of the lens!

Customer Service

Contax in Irwindale has great customer service and its closer then the Contax in New Jersey.

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Had the G1 but sold it when I tried the G2.

The G2 is better in every category