Contax G1 Rangefinder Camera
Ease of Use
Features
Photograph Quality
Contax G1 Rangefinder Camera
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User Reviews
Photograph Quality
Features
Ease of Use
Value For Money
Superb Lightweight System Camera Which Produces Ex
Superb lightweight system camera which produces excellent results in the 'middle ground' of photography. Not suited to close work or sports/telephoto.
Specs as follows:
35mm rangefinder camera with interchangable lenses and TTL flash.
Telescopic viewfinder with auto parallax correction for mounted lens.
2.5 fps built in motordrive.
Aperture priority (set the shutter and it sets the aperture)
Full manual with focus override.
Databack
Diopter eyepiece correction built in.
Top quality camera for top quality results. Negs are pin sharp. The only disadvantage in some situations is the slow shutter response and lack of reflex viewing which has caught me a couple of times used in a pro studio with models.
G1/G2 are niche cameras. The can't compete with an SLR system for versitility however anybody who's lugged a full kit of SLR's and gubbins around on assignment will love the low weight and the quality of result where you can use them is better.
If I was buying now I'd buy a G2. Same lenses and quality but better ergonomics and much better rangefinder/focus system. There are still some specialist dealers with new stock..shop around.
Aperture priority cameras work when the user sets the aperture and the camera then sets the shutter (this reviewer described shutter priority).
One major point is that Contax as a brand no longer exists as the makers, Kyocera Corporation have left the camera market. So getting spares / service for this beastie might be a problem.
Alternative with a much wider range of lenses would be the worshipped Leica M6 rangefinder which has been in production for around 50yrs. Unfortunately 4x the Contax price! Also a completely manual 'old fashioned' camera as low tech as the Contax is hi-tech.
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