excellent optics; nice build; well-designed; weight works well for travel, street, hiking; ease of use; reasonable price

unverifiable AF; noisy AF; lack of aperture info in the viewfinder

This camera suffers from one serious flaw, but it is a grave one: the inability to verify the autofocus. I have gotten back film and found the camera did not focus on what I wanted it to focus (a problem that caused me to dump the Fuji GA645wi). With rangefinders, you always depend on an indirect system for determining focus (if your rangefinder is miscalibrated, you're finished); but with this AF rangefinder, you don't even have the peace of mind of knowing that it is focused on what you believed you aimed it at. I don't even bother with the awkward manual focus override -- it doesn't really help.

I'm not saying the AF is bad (though it is irritatingly noisy); it seems as good as any high-end SLR. However, with an SLR, you can actually see if the camera has focused on what you meant it two. With a manual rangefinder, assuming the rangefinder is accurate and the lens is properly coupled, you know what you are focusing on. But you have to live without such reassurance with this camera.

It also has two minor flaws -- the AF is noisy, and (mystifyingly, in a heavily electronic camera) there is no aperture info in the viewfinder.

The pity is that given the outstanding quality of the lenses, the quality of the build, and the ease of use, and the reasonableness of the lens prices relative to other rangefinders, if they had made this a MANUAL rangefinder, it would have been a nearly perfect camera. I suspect such a camera would have buried Leica for all but low-light applications. Even if they make a G3 that is manual, the current lenses won't be able to work, because there is no focus ring on them (though they might come up with some other solution).

Customer Service

Contax is rather slow to respond

Similar Products Used:

Konica Hexar RF; Fuji GA645wi

Lightweight; excellent, excellent lenses (there's a reason why Leica has suddenly revamped their entire M-lens lineup after 20 years of hibernation); low vibration (I can handhold the G1/G2 at 2-3 shutter speeds slower than an SLR.) relatively low price.

Won't work without batteries (and my G2 needs 2 lithiums for every six weeks of fulltime shooting); somewhat kludgy and slow manual focusing. All the usual rangefinder limitations - no long lenses or extraclose focusing, sometimes approximate framing and composition. But I have shot both soccer and kayaking with the 90mm - don't let anyone tell you you can't shoot sports with an RF!

There are tradeoffs between RFs and SLRs, and between Leica-M and Contax-G. If you want autowind and autofocus you're stuck with batteries; if you want the best possible wideangles you have to give up the SLR's mirror and close-focusing.
For me the Contax G2 is a superb compromise, and my SLRs are mostly history.
But a couple of warnings: first, some G-cameras definitely have a bug in autofocusing the 90mm lens! This is a misadjustment at the factory, Contax knows about it, and it can be fixed under warranty. I suspect some of the previous reviewers who had bad experiences got cameras with this bug and didn't know it.
Second, the G2 needs to be operated according to its design. I bought a G1 a year ago and took it back after 3 weeks because "I" wasn't ready for it. This year I bought the G2 and have never looked back. Go into the purchase of a G with your eyes wide open and understand that, regardless of what kind of system you've used previously, it will take up to a month of practice to learn how to see with the viewfinder, how to "prefocus" with the shutter button before composing, when and how to choose continuous or single-frame focusing, etc. Read the comments in these other reviews and you'll see that it'll be worth it.

Customer Service

So far, so good. Contax does have expedited service for pros that I haven't signed up for yet.

Similar Products Used:

Leica M42, M4P, M2 Contax G1

This is a rugged, ergonomically pleasing camera. The lenses are it's chief asset (and they're magnificent) with incredible color saturation and fidelity (especially between lenses in the series!), very high resolution. Stunning wideangles that you simply can't obtain in SLRs with retrofocus designs. Controls are pleasing and the portability (especially lenses) is fantastic. Cudos plus. Unlike other reviewers the autofocus has been flawless (once you learn that you should use focus lock most of the time). I love the autobracket feature. Fit, finish and controls are all well thought out and made. Truly solid (I've knocked it a few times!). A pretty camaera, too, if that matters to anyone.

I'm prejudiced -- with all of my many cameras I like this one best (my priority in shooting is portabililty) -- but I'm not favorably disposed to the manual focus (it's manageable, but could be better executed). Unlike other reviewers, I find the viewfinder plenty bright enough and large enough even with my glasses. Since I'm now using it as my carry-everywhere-all-the-time camera, I'd like a 135 lens, but I get by on the 90 fine (a very fine lens).

The best transperancies for colour contrast I've shot, and I've shot many since I do stock photography as a profession (largely Velvia or Ect 100VS). Magnficent colour and detail second to none I've used, including Leica. I just simply like handling, carrying and using this camera a little more than the M6 (I love the feel of the M6, but don't the framelines for longer lenses on that camera). The zoom viewfinder is great! I have all the lenses in the series and they're all superb. This camera's very easy to hand hold even at 1/2 second and is still sharp without tripods (which for travel photography I avoid). I travel extensively all around the world and can fit the entire G2 system with ALL lenses in the tiniest and lightest of bags! I still use all my cameras, but carry this one with me EVERYWHERE. A camera becomes indespensible when it's so portable and light that you don't mind slinging it on your shoulder even when you go to the grocery store (just in case you see that perfect and unexpected shot!). You'll always have a superb, professional camera with you if you try the G2. I know I sound like an ad now, but I truly appreciated this remarkable camera, and only ask Contax to add a proper manual focus (it works fine, but focus lock is an easier method of manually setting focus). Make sure you try it before buying, because it's not for everyone! I still need my SLRs and other formats, but the G2 never leaves me. It's already an old friend! As far as value goes, it's pricey, but not for professional construction and optics). Perhaps resale value will not be as high as M6, but who'd ever sell this carry-everywhere-anytime camera? You'll find, with the G2, you do more shooting just because it's always at your side. That makes it's value priceless.

Customer Service

Because I was in a hurry, the Kyocera rep delivered my new equipment personally. Other than this surprising goodwill gesture, no needs.

Similar Products Used:

Leica M6, Nikon F3HP (very full line of lenses), Nikon F2, Hasselblad 501CM, Bronica SQA, Nikkormats (various), Contax R

Excellent optics, fit & finish, lots of automation for its small size and weight

A "quirky" camera unless you study it and make the mental transition necessary to master it.

After 30+ years shooting, my eyes are going and I have a hard time focusing with manual focus. Never heard anyone else admit it! Wanted autofocus & Zeiss lenses with low weight. This is the one! Optics are great, and I love the light weight and small size. I spend more time on composition and less time fooling with camera junk. Hassy was getting heavy and I just might try my first wedding with 35mm. I think the system is that good. Folks brought up in the old school will have a hard time adjusting, but, the quality of the final prints from this system make it worth the effort. Top of the line gear!

Customer Service

Not neeed

Similar Products Used:

Leica M3-M6
Nikon (all manual focus)
Hassy

The quality of the optics for the G series excellent. I've done side by side comparisons with Nikon lenses only to show that the contax is sharper and more contrasty. THe 21mm lens is beautiful. The feel and finish of the body are great. The camera is like a piece of jewely.

1. Focusing with the 90mm lens is very unpredictable at wide aperture. I don't use it anymore except at meduim apertures. I would love some kind of visual confirmation in the viewfinder of what I'm focusing on. 2. I have bumped the muliple exposure dial several times while shooting. I had to tape it in place. It's a shame to tape up such a beautiful camera. 3. The PC connection failed on me. I don't know why. 4. The camera is louder and slower than I would Like, especially focusing. 5.The camera is like a piece of jewely, it draws attention to itself.

This camera is not suitable for pro use. I've shot hundreds of rolls through it both professionally and for fun. I've had too many problems. I only use the contax for fun now. The lens quality keeps me interested. I hope they make a G3.

Customer Service

None yet

Similar Products Used:

Nikon
Hasselblad

Solid feel construction,Carl Zeiss lens, 4fps , AF operation

Limited fast lens, f/stop indicator

With Carl Zeiss optics,4fps, auto focusing & TTL it is hard to beat. Film loading is very easy. I used G2 for wedding photography it is light, fast and can give excellent results in candid situation that only a rangefinder camera can deliver. If you need telephoto or zooms you are better off with SLR, it heavier and distracting to the subject. With respect to M6 it is a fine camera but AF gives you time to concentrate on the subject rather than fumbling with manual focusing and film loading.A very good choice for those who can not afford a Leica but still needs an excellent optics.

Customer Service

None

Similar Products Used:

Leica M6 TTL, Nikon F5

Superb optical performance, wonderful color renditions, nearly "medium format" resolution, quick handling, good TTL flash performance.

Some settings can be accidentally moved when taking the camera out of the bag, no depth of field scales.

I traded in a two-foot high pile of Nikon equipment (including two motorized F3's) for a Contax G2 with three lenses, two TLA 200 flash units, and a Contax T2. The performace and joy of handling has been superb. I shoot a lot of slow speed, fine-grain color negative film, and the results have been distinctly better than from my previous Nikon F3's. The 45mm and the 90 are unbelievable. People critical of the auto-focus have not run a dozen or two rolls of film through a G2. I have had few focusing problems, and the vast majority of the prints have been nearly "medium format" in their resolution. Fabulous color rendition! I shoot a lot of "people pictures" and often use one or two TLA 200 flash units off-camera, syncronized, with TTL. Fabulous fill-flash, particularly in open shade. I have taken a number of "with flash" and "without flash" pictures outdoors, and the comparisons have been dramatic. Again, the key is to have the flash units off-camera. Photo Technique (sp?) magazine was right in naming this one of the 25 best cameras in the world. Several magazines have rated the new G-series zoom as the best 35mm-70mm zoom ever. The 45mm and 90mm are probably the best in their respective catagories.

Similar Products Used:

Leicas, Nikon F3's.

The camera feels as tightly put together as my Nikon F3. The controls are well thought-out and easy to operate. It's incredibly easy to switch between manual and automatic functions. Image quality seems impeccable: I don't know if it shows up in the prints to the naked eye, but under the grain focuser in an enlarger I can really see the difference in sharpness compared to my Nikor lenses. I thought that the lens speed might be a limitation given that I like to shoot in lower light conditions and, although f/1.4 would be nice, I haven't run into any situations where it's been a problem.

I don't find the viewfinder to be that troublesome in use, but I have found that the correction isn't as perfect as I would like. I've just had to learn to be a little more generous with leaving space around my subjects. I wish the display included aperture info and some sort of depth-of-field indicator. The manual focus isn't useless, but it's not something that can be handled on the fly. This might be a silly complaint, but I also wish it had some sort of a lens cap warning light - it's just a problem in getting used to a range-finder from an SLR, but I've had a situation where I'"ve pulled the camera out for a quick shot only to find that I forgot to pull off the cap!

This is the most fun I've ever had using a camera. With my Nikon, I always feel like 36 exposures takes a long time to shoot - with the Contax, I rip through a roll like it was nothing. That said, though, the most fun is seeing the negatives for the first time. I've never been disappointed with the results. The G2 has made me a better, more ambitious photographer. It's not a cheap camera, to be sure, but it's a good value when compared to rival systems. I need to get my hands on a Leica M6 to see how it could possibly be worth the tremendous price.

Customer Service

haven't needed it...

Similar Products Used:

Konica Hexar, Nikon F3, Nikon FE, Rollei 35

Superb lenses. Build quality. Speed.

Metering. AF takes getting used to. Viewfinder very small. Lenses limited regarding maximum aperture.

If you want a cross between an EOS and a leica THIS IS IT. Superb lenses: 21mm -- superb. 28mm -- the BEST (better then Leica). 35mm -- disappointing. 45mm -- mediocre compared to Leica. 90mm -- better than Leica. Beats Nikkor and Canon optics hands down. A bit quirky, especially viewfinder. Metering OKish. AF takes getting used to. Manual focus option is a waste of time. But overall great, all the discretion of a rangefinder combined with the convenience of an EOS system. Optics are fantastically good value.

Customer Service

not tried.

Similar Products Used:

Leica M6. Canon EOS system.

Solid feeling camera, which balance's beautifully in use!

Fast reliable AF focusing, which is almost as good and in some cases better, then it's larger and heavier cousin, the SLR!

Excellent metering system!

TLA flashes are small, but mighty, perfect for fill flash!

Very fast film changing, compared to my Leica's!

Well thought out ergonomic design, with 'perfect' control placement !

In manual focus, lag time is very quick, especially when you depress shutter release lightly prior to exposure to move the lens to your preset distance!

Control knob detents are just right, so as to prevent accidentally changing a dial setting, but not too tight to easily set as necessary!

Lenses produce exceptionally sharp and contrasty imagery and are referred to as 35mm 'benchmarks.'

A beautiful instrument, which I get pleasure from just looking at, crazy I know, but not any different from the way we consumers feel about our watches, cell phones, cars, and other tangible items which perform a useful function, while at the same time, satisfying an inner aesthetic need we have for the 'things' we own.

Would like a larger, brighter finder, but current G2 much improved over G1, where eye placement had to be dead center.
Motor is a bit loud, but guess with a 1/6000th upper end shutter speed and speedy 4 FPS, they opted for an industrial strength engine. You hear many complain about this and make comparisons to the Hexar and other P&S camera's, few of which however go faster then a couple frames a sec., nor do many exceed 1/500th of a sec. Bottom line however, is it's 'much' quieter then most SLR's, and I've found on the street, jazz clubs or parties, the ambient noise covers it nicely.

The G2 system isn't for everyone, but for me it's been a joy to own only with being and excellent performer for my street candid's and jazz and blues live performance photography. Also a great traveling companion, where SLR features and image quality are desired, but the thought of carrying an EOS 1n, or Nikon F5 with a couple lenses all day is daunting to say the least. And at the same time your not sacrificing image quality, as this system is second to none when it comes to producing very high quality imagery, especially when using slow shutter speeds, as the range finder has no moving mirror, so vibration is far less then an SLR. Current monetary rates of exchange make owning a G2 system far more affordable then at it's introduction to the market place in 1994!

Customer Service

Never have needed service, but from what I read in the other reviews, appears to be very responsive.

Similar Products Used:

Leica M2-M6 for about twent years.
Hexar
TVS(very nice, but limited compared to G2)