Great lenses. Build quality is excellent except for the eyepiece. Made by a company that isn''t standing still.

If you want a camera that has that "built like a tank" feeling, then you have to expect it to be a little on the heavy side. Auto focus and view finder needs some improvement.

A fine range finder. Great lenses. I just hope Contax doesen''t get caught up with their SLR auto focus camera systems and forget about coming out with a G3 with improved auto focus and view finder. Also, needs an eye piece that will stay on! SLR users really have to be patient when using a range finder for the first time (or several times). RF''s of a number of camera makers can produce some of the finest results in 35mm photography (within certain parameters of course). This system, dollar for dollar is a real winner.

Customer Service

Not needed.

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Have tried some Konica and Leica demo''s.

It''s much smaller then a slr. It fits in a small bag together with all lenses I have (28, 35, 45, 90). AF is accurate, TTL flash, accurate meter, good quality, superb lenses, good systemcomponents (data back). Good handling, good feeling.

Quite heavy for a rangefinder camera (amateur) but it''s "professional". AF needs time to learn, especially to "lock" on the target. Because it lacks the possibility of a visual check you tend to refocus without knowing... The price. Not silent because of the AF, even in MF position it uses the motor to focus! No spot meter, TTL flash is not "intelligent". The wheel are not lockable and are changed sometimes without noticing...

This is a very nice camera with some special features which make it a rather professional camera. The fine lenses contribute to this in the first place. They are all very good. My favorite is the 35 mm, the least used is the 45 mm which is probably the best optically ;-) The 90mm is also very good for portrait, despite the fact that so many people complain (?) about it. The autofocus is very accurate if you know how to use it. It''s not perfect, but it''s very special!

Customer Service

The ... who sold me the G2 didn''t mention the problems with the AF. It took app. 4 weeks to repair and was send to Germany because they couldn''t find anything in Holland (even the fact it didn''t wo

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Several SLR (Nikon, Minolta, Pentax, Canon) and midium format camera''s (SLR and rangefinder)

It is a very compact system. My entire kit (G2 body,21w/finder,28,35,45,90 & TLA140) fits into a Pelican 1400 case with room to spare. Extremely high quality lenses with good speed. A solid well balanced camera. Lens prices... Quite quiet. Not like the M6, but then again it is not a Leica is it? Did I mention the lenses? Autofocus. You''ll hear people complain about it at times, especially with the 90mm. Chances are it is not always the fault of the camera. No autofocus system is perfect, nor always is the photographer.

The learning curve. You have to be willing to take the time to adjust to a rangefinder. This is not a SLR system. No lens longer than the 90mm. You can''t use a filter system like the Lee system and expect your autofocus to work as well (covers the finders).

I''ll make this a quick and simple review. A well balanced camera...you have to realise what your getting yourself into when you purchase one. If you want the precision, quality and purity of a Leica, buy a Leica. If you want the closest thing with out spending anywhere near as much with more doodads, go for the Contax. Don''t compare apples to oranges, there are many differences between each.

Customer Service

I''ve only had to replace the plastic eyepeice. I broke it off by accident (own fault). Contax/Yashica was quick to help. The seem to have plenty of parts in stock.

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Leica M6 Konica Hexar Leica II SLR''s don''t count...they are SLR''s. But for arguements sake... Canon EOS, Nikon F5, Contax etc.

Optics, optics, optics, build quality, ergonomics, size, speed and ease of use.

You have to give it a chance as it''s a unique camera to use; trust in the wee man in the camera to make your focus decisions and you''re there. Also could do with perhaps a ''real'' manual focus, but it''s surprising how easily you can do without it.

Quite simply breathtaking optics. Nothing comes close - I had a Canon EOS 28-70/2.8L, but the Zeiss glass really outperforms even that highly regarded lens. The camera takes a little getting used to, but is very reliable, quick to use (whilst the Leica M6 guys are loading their cameras, you''re already out there and making images), decent AF (with quirks, which you quickly adapt to) and simply wonderful aesthetics. If I had to criticise I''d say that the camera is slightly noisier than I''d prefer, and that the 90/2.8 lens is a bit more difficult to find reliable focus. The weight, build quality, ergonomics and especially the absolutely INCREDIBLE optics far outweigh the negative aspects...!!! This is my second favourite camera after my Mamiya 7-II (which behaves like a big Leica M6, but with a 6x7 image area)

Customer Service

No problems, so cannot say

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Canon EOS 5, 28-70/2.8L, 85/1.8, 50/1.8 Mamiya 7-II with 80/4 Bronica ETRSi with 75/2.8PE (the optics of the Zeiss lenses is superior than the lot!!!)

The Best Optics for 35MM.

It feels like a point and shoot. But not Really......Not a major issue. View finder is the only plastic thing on the Camera. I hate it. But not really.

First it was the debate between Cannon vs. Nikon, Hassy vs. Rollei, and now I am having a tough time figuring out what to buy between the G2 and the M6. In terms of optics…both are more or less the same based on my research which is a huge compliment to Contax. In terms of body, G2 completely electronic, M6 could run manually provided you don’t need the metering. The G2 and the M6 both feel of high caliber stuff. The one quirk I have with the G2 is the viewfinder, but its not as bad I thought. Just takes some getting use to. It not a major issue. In terms of value, the G2 Wins…But does it? This is how I like to see it. A G2 with a complete set of lens runs $2500. Sounds great. An M6 with a complete set of lens runs around $6600. A bit too much for a 35mm. No matter how special it is………and it is, otherwise I wouldn’t be here debating. But where would the true value really sit. It’s in the resale value. I can buy an M6 today and it would still hold its resale value very well in 10 years or keep it for a lifetime. A great investment! The G2 10 years from now would be old technology. The last thing anybody wants is an old camera hanging around. A friend once said if you want a camera that would last 4-5 year go for a Rollei 6008. Other than that stick with the Hassy. It will hold its own. I have applied that outlook to the current situation. If I was truly strap for cash and wanted the best. The G2 is it. But like anything in life, you don’t buy anything unless you know you can sell it. I don’t plan to but you have to consider this.

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Cannon 1n, Hassy 501

Lenses, color reproduction.

Can''t switch to manual.

After I got over the fact that I couldn''t turn the lens ring to manual focus, I started to have a good time with this camera. The only limitation I have found so far is that, unlike cameras which are manually operable by a focus ring, I sometimes can''t get the shot I want in situations where the subjects are moving quickly and unpredictably, as in street shooting. What I do now is zone focus, keep the shutter button depressed, wait for my subject to walk into the shot. I took the camera to New York in August and got great shots, especially in low light situations. I went to Madame Tussaud''s Wax Museum and, using Fuji 800 and 1600, got great shots hand held at large apertures. The lenses are remarkable sharp even wide open. The color reproduction is also quite remarkable. This is a great camera for street shooting, because it is small and relatively quiet, to most people looks like a point and shoot, and people don''t feel like you''re the paparazzi or the CIA. More and more of my friends who have been using Leicas are getting interested in this camera, or switching over, because of the inevitable problem of age and eyesight. The diopter on this camera is quite helpful. The infra red auto focus is excellent for shooting at night or in low light situations. This is a very fine camera. I still worry that if, for example, the auto focus went out on me, that I would not be able to switch to manual. Perhaps in the future the Contax people will restore the focus ring to this camera. I would be interested in hearing about other people''s experience with the dedicated autofocus feature of this camera. Doug Anderson

Customer Service

The Kyocera people could improve their responsiveness to customer inquiries. It''s hard to get people to answer the phone at the NJ facility, and their attention to detail in mailing matters needs im

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None. I have Nikons also, but no rangefinders.

Compact nice looking camera wich is probably designed for Snobby picturetaker. If the autofocus works well it`s an easy handling camera and you dont need a bulky bag to take the camera and 3 additional lenses with. Customer funktions. Multifunktions Cameraback available. Compact lenses.

Not well working autofocus. When its dark you never knwow how many pictures more you can take (torch neccessarry). Not long lasting (expensive) battery. No depth of field marks on the lenses. Not many lenses available.

For my opinion the Contax G2 is not worth the monney. The Zeiss lenses for this brand could be better, I do get better results with Minoltas lenses. Quality of this camera are not worth the monney. For usual picturetaking the G1 is good and much cheaper. I am not much satisfied with this camera because there were malfunctions (not reading the DX code and the autofocus did not work properly) I dip pay a lot of monney for a new camera wich did not work well. It`s in service now and hope they are able to fix it.

Customer Service

I did ring them, they were helpful but I`LL decide when I get the camera back.

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Bessa R Contax G1

Quality. Lenses. Size.

Cost. Limited applications.

The camera is an excellent photographic tool. Logical layout and design, coupled with superb lenses make this an excellent system. The G2 is built quite solid, with good feedback on controls and dials. The buttons and all that are easy to reach. The real strenght of this camera is for a photographer who is looking for a light outfit, mainly for outdoor, environmental, urban, etc kind of work. Being not a true rangedinder, there are certain limitations that must be bore in mind. However, for what it is designed for, it is a good camera. Personally, this is a tool for photographic lesuire, and not a tool for everyday professional use. The camera, lenses and system simply make photography what it is meant to be, enjoyable, fun, and creative. For someone looking for good lenses, then look no further. Zeiss optics. It is not necessarily better than a G1. It is in many areas, but as a camera, it may not be better than the G1, even though it is much faster in many areas. If you use 90mm often, and do much action work, then the G2 is the choice, but otherwise G1 is much better and cheaper. A worthy choice for anyone considering a modern range-finder.

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Contax G1. Fuji GA645. Mamiya 7.

Quality. Lenses. Size.

Cost. Limited applications.

The camera is an excellent photographic tool. Logical layout and design, coupled with superb lenses make this an excellent system. The G2 is built quite solid, with good feedback on controls and dials. The buttons and all that are easy to reach. The real strenght of this camera is for a photographer who is looking for a light outfit, mainly for outdoor, environmental, urban, etc kind of work. Being not a true rangedinder, there are certain limitations that must be bore in mind. However, for what it is designed for, it is a good camera. Personally, this is a tool for photographic lesuire, and not a tool for everyday professional use. The camera, lenses and system simply make photography what it is meant to be, enjoyable, fun, and creative. For someone looking for good lenses, then look no further. Zeiss optics. It is not necessarily better than a G1. It is in many areas, but as a camera, it may not be better than the G1, even though it is much faster in many areas. If you use 90mm often, and do much action work, then the G2 is the choice, but otherwise G1 is much better and cheaper. A worthy choice for anyone considering a modern range-finder.

Similar Products Used:

Contax G1. Fuji GA645. Mamiya 7.

Accurate autofocus, excellent build lenses, good price pointing, good ergonomics, high quality lenses.

The G2 is unique and operates unlike any other camera and needs to be learned, which takes time and an open mind, but is well worth it. The only thing I miss from my Leica outfit (now disposed of) is the 135mm lens. But this is only occasionally - but still...

First one must understand this is a rangefinder camera, an electronic rangefinder, but never the less a rangefinder camera. Those who learned their craft on a modern AF SLR with zoom lenses can find the G2 a strange and maybe frustrating beast. Is this camera a replacement for my SLR? No it isn''t - if I am doing macro work or animal work with long lenses then out will come my Canon SLR and my long/macro lenses. But when I am in a contemplative mood or taking portrates or landscapes, then the G2 comes into its own and the reward is the simply stunning images delivered by the Zeiss lenses. For me, the camera and its fixed focal length lenses encourage a disciplined approach to photography which often pays dividends in improved composition and fewer wasted shots. Somehow I see the world differently through the separate viewfinder because I am not viewing through the lens itself, and this too aids composition. The G2 is also not a rangefinder camera in the sense of say a co-incident image manual focus rangefinder camera. Those brought up on such cameras (as I was) may also find the G2 strange at first, but please persevere as I did and you will come to love it - just remember it is different and unique. Has this camera replaced my old manual rangefinders? Yes it has, completely. Why? Primarily the autofocus I guess and the easier handling and ergonomics. In the end a camera and its lenses are tools for realising ones vision as images. Like any tools they have to be used appropriately, and may be good or bad. Let the images speak for themselves - with the G2 I find that I can capture the images I see in my minds eye. The G2 camera and its lenses aid this process greatly rather than obtruding into it, and I can ask no more than this.

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Leica M3, Leica M6, Konica Hexar RF