I have two Contax G2s. They have less than 4000 actuations each. A couple of months ago, one of them died. I think that I know what is wrong with it, but there is no one in the UK who could repair it. They are great cameras but they are fully electronic with some stupidly weak mechanical parts. Just be warned. Not all that glitters is gold. The lenses are very good though.
Yep! for sure it’s definitely kinda difficult to get them repaired these days. So they won’t last forever. But they’re an absolute joy to use whilst they are working! Thanks for watching and giving your thoughts :)
I just bought a mint condition Contax G1 three days ago for $40 because it was “broken with the sticky shutter problem”…it just needed new batteries! :D
I’d been ogling Leicas lately, and ultimately decided that I really can’t justify paying that much when all my professional work is digital. Anyway, i in stumbled on a good looking G1 kit, and hoped it would satisfy my urge for a high end rangefinder. Anyway, I’ve run about 4 rolls through out, and am getting the scans back any day. I don’t know what the results are, but after seeing videos like yours am feeling confident. The handling, shooting, and build quality are instantly so different than anything I’ve ever shot, and feel like I am entirely content with it for a long time.
Oh I’d love to own a Leica, but I also definitely can’t reach that deep into the piggy bank! Glad to hear you liked shooting with it, hope you love the images that come back! Thanks for the comment Sam :)
I love my G1 and haven't gotten around to do a review on it yet. You did a great job on the review and made some great images. Subscribed and keep up the content. I will give you a follow on IG.
I loved my first G1 so much that I bought a second one. One mounts a 28mm, the other a 45mm lens. The reaction I always get to photos taken with them is "Wow, what a sharp photo !! " That says it all really.
I'd love to get a 45mm lens for it soon! 28mm I love for everyday use and street style snaps. The 45 I'd love to use for some portrait stuff! Thanks for the comment Terry :)
"...made out of Titanium". Perhaps you're simply too young, the G1 turns 30 this year, btw (1994). And it's *not* being made out of Titanium, but an aluminum shell easy with titanium coating, can we say that? OK. Thanks. Contax Shooter since 1989 hereby. No offense. 🙂
Thanks for sharing your first impressions. I shoot with two Contax G1 rangefinder bodies with 21/28/45/90mm lenses. My two bodies are not identical. In the film chamber, one has a white label and the other has a green label. The one with the white label accepts my 28mm, 45mm, and 90mm lenses. The one with the green label accepts my 28mm, 45mm, and 90mm lenses but also accepts my 21mm lens.
Great video! The Contax G cameras are great cameras. The only thing that keeps me from really considering buying one is the lack of a more conventional manual focusing mode
I been eyeing one of these for a while but was always reluctant from all the negative talk about the AF system.. after watching this, I think I'm ready to pick one up, the images it takes are super sharp 👍
Great review, I just bought mine with the 45 f/2! One thing I must notice is sometimes theres a wee wee bit of out of sync audio, might be my perception 🤗
Thank you! That’s definitely the next lens I’d like to get! I noticed that a little too on the uploaded video, not too sure why, but it’ll be fixed for future videos! Thanks Mathieu :)
haha! maybe not totally crazy, although a lot consider the M6 the holy grail!! haha. Totally depends on what you want the camera for etc and what functions you need!!
There are times when I need the auto focus and auto exposure features of my Contax G1 with 21/28/45/90mm Zeiss lenses. There are times when I need the manual focus and manual exposure features of my Leica M6 with 21/35/90mm lenses. My 21mm and 90mm are Leica lenses. My 35mm is a Zeiss lens. All my lenses produce excellent images. Each camera, with its own set of lenses, is enough for photographing most situations. However, when I do not have time to quickly change lenses, I prefer to carry three bodies with a lens mounted on each body. My favorite combination is: 21mm f/2.8 Zeiss on Contax G1 35mm f/1.4 Zeiss on Leica M6 90mm f/2.8 Zeiss on Contax G1
found this exact camera set up for $500 on offer up and have been deciding if I should buy it or not… though I do see others for far more, it’s only been posted for a day. I need to act quickly.
G1, the only camera I got rid of it because it's so difficult to use, very small viewfinder, slow focus with radical and jerky movements. I couldn't take it any more, lol. But, the 45mm lens is the sharpest lens I've ever used.
Oh really! I don’t mind the viewfinder, and haven’t found the focus to be too bad at all! Definitely want to use the 45mm lens sometime soon though! Thanks for the comment Mark :)
Hi I totally agree with the quality of the images iam always surprised a specially in different lighting conditions I have a contax G2 but the shutter died will cost about £650 to repair I did have a G1 a wile back but sold wish I hadn’t , might look for another one I would say the quality of the image are up there with digital
Absolutely agree! The images I got back are super sharp and I really love the quality of them. And I enjoyed shooting with the camera! Thanks for watching Alan :)
Bug help on the double indicators on the focusing i missed some shots on my last two rolls and now understand my hand was blocking the range finder window causing it it back focus. Thank you for the help!
thank you Khalil! Both definitely great cameras - probably suited to slightly different things! I’d say decide if 35mm or Medium Format is best for you! :)
I also have a G1 (green label) with the 45 f/2 lens. Your review matches my experience exactly. Especially the part about the sharpness of the lens. It’s just as you describe; that is, it’s the sharpest I’ve seen from 35mm and I’ve been shooting for many years with almost every brand of 35mm camera. A wonderful camera, in my opinion.
Nice review! Does the camera pause while rewinding towards the end of the roll to allow you to remove the film with a few inches of film sticking out of the roll for easier developing or does it rewind all the way into the canister? Thanks!
I’d definitely make sure you slow down when shooting. Ensure you focus before framing, and when the camera is in focus a little marker will appear telling you at what distance it’s focused! I’d check that distance is roughly what you believe your subject to be away from the camera! And if you’re struggling still, stop down and use a higher aperture like f8-11 :)
hey! thanks for the comment. I took a look in the manual and there was nothing about focus in the custom functions. Was this perhaps a G2 only Custom Function?
@@DanielJamesBird the only custom function iam using within those is the "when rewind the film, leave Filmleader outside" but as i believe to remember there should be that option aswell ?! look at the bottom where the sticker is, or better download the PDF manual. Or go to custom function and enable them one by one and see if one of them worked maybe
Awesome video, Daniel 🙌 Just got mine with a 45mm from the good lads at the Kamera Store in Finland. It’s a green label but it wouldn’t take a 21mm from a friend which was weird. The one thing no one actually covers is a setting to leave the lead of the roll out which would be amazing if you buy film in bulk or for those who dev their own rolls. It threw me off because mine came like that and it freaked me out I didn’t put the roll in correctly. (Custom Setting 3). Also, a lot of the film photographers that work commercially in fashion today use a G series. Jason Lee Parry uses exclusively a G2 and he did the Kooples a few years ago. It is THE 35mm camera pros use besides de Canon 1V (Cameron Hammond)
Thanks so much! Yeah I’m hoping to try out some more lenses with the Contax soon :) And absolutely - the setting to leave the leader out is definitely a welcome one! Yeah it’s definitely a popular fashion camera :) Can’t wait to use it for some more shoots
Really great video! I have one on the way and this is the most comprehensive video out there on the camera atm. Confident I made the right decision now!
I have two Contax G2s. They have less than 4000 actuations each. A couple of months ago, one of them died. I think that I know what is wrong with it, but there is no one in the UK who could repair it. They are great cameras but they are fully electronic with some stupidly weak mechanical parts. Just be warned. Not all that glitters is gold. The lenses are very good though.
Yep! for sure it’s definitely kinda difficult to get them repaired these days. So they won’t last forever. But they’re an absolute joy to use whilst they are working! Thanks for watching and giving your thoughts :)
Hey dude PLEASE keep up the videos! These are so good and at such high quality, I’d love to see more people in the UA-cam film community👌🤙
thanks so much for the kind words Michael! Don’t worry, more videos coming soon :)
I just bought a mint condition Contax G1 three days ago for $40 because it was “broken with the sticky shutter problem”…it just needed new batteries! :D
Wow, that's close to the 'I found a Leica in a trift store fantasy!'
I’d been ogling Leicas lately, and ultimately decided that I really can’t justify paying that much when all my professional work is digital. Anyway, i in stumbled on a good looking G1 kit, and hoped it would satisfy my urge for a high end rangefinder. Anyway, I’ve run about 4 rolls through out, and am getting the scans back any day. I don’t know what the results are, but after seeing videos like yours am feeling confident. The handling, shooting, and build quality are instantly so different than anything I’ve ever shot, and feel like I am entirely content with it for a long time.
Oh I’d love to own a Leica, but I also definitely can’t reach that deep into the piggy bank! Glad to hear you liked shooting with it, hope you love the images that come back! Thanks for the comment Sam :)
hello! may i know which film stock you were using? (sorry if you mentioned in the video but i didn't manage to catch it!)
thanks in advance!
Is there any other difference in image quality between silver and green label? I bought a silver label G1 since I only would use 28 and 45.
Great video! How are you liking the viewfinder ? I’ve been told it’s a pain 😂😂 but kinda don’t want to buy leica just for the finder 😅
the editing on this video is so sick! keep it up
Thanks so much Thilo. Appreciate that!
I've got two G1s and I'll take two G1s over a G2 any day.
haha good to hear! Thanks for the comment :)
Sell me one lol
I love my G1 and haven't gotten around to do a review on it yet. You did a great job on the review and made some great images. Subscribed and keep up the content. I will give you a follow on IG.
Thanks so much Edward! Appreciate the kind words :)
I loved my first G1 so much that I bought a second one. One mounts a 28mm, the other a 45mm lens. The reaction I always get to photos taken with them is "Wow, what a sharp photo !! " That says it all really.
I'd love to get a 45mm lens for it soon! 28mm I love for everyday use and street style snaps. The 45 I'd love to use for some portrait stuff! Thanks for the comment Terry :)
"...made out of Titanium". Perhaps you're simply too young, the G1 turns 30 this year, btw (1994). And it's *not* being made out of Titanium, but an aluminum shell easy with titanium coating, can we say that? OK. Thanks. Contax Shooter since 1989 hereby. No offense. 🙂
Appreciate the correction! Thank you :)
great video , what lens did you use for the portraits in the first samles ? was that the 45mm ? thank you
Thank You! These were all with the 28mm :)
Thanks for sharing your first impressions.
I shoot with two Contax G1 rangefinder bodies with 21/28/45/90mm lenses.
My two bodies are not identical. In the film chamber, one has a white label and the other has a green label.
The one with the white label accepts my 28mm, 45mm, and 90mm lenses.
The one with the green label accepts my 28mm, 45mm, and 90mm lenses but also accepts my 21mm lens.
Thanks for the comment!
Yep - mine's a green label. So definitely hoping to try out other lenses it can take soon!
Great video! The Contax G cameras are great cameras. The only thing that keeps me from really considering buying one is the lack of a more conventional manual focusing mode
Absolutely! I totally wish that it had more conventional manual focus, but I absolutely love the camera for sure!
I been eyeing one of these for a while but was always reluctant from all the negative talk about the AF system.. after watching this, I think I'm ready to pick one up, the images it takes are super sharp 👍
Absolutely Dave. Takes some wonderful images. if you get one in good condition you won’t regret it!
Great review, I just bought mine with the 45 f/2! One thing I must notice is sometimes theres a wee wee bit of out of sync audio, might be my perception 🤗
Thank you! That’s definitely the next lens I’d like to get! I noticed that a little too on the uploaded video, not too sure why, but it’ll be fixed for future videos! Thanks Mathieu :)
Do you think Im crazy if I am contemplating whether to sell my M6 for a G2 lol
haha! maybe not totally crazy, although a lot consider the M6 the holy grail!! haha. Totally depends on what you want the camera for etc and what functions you need!!
Been looking to get one for forever now. Maybe I'll bite the bullet
It’s definitely a super enjoyable camera to shoot with! If you think it’ll add worth to your photography - i say go for it!
Just saw one going for 300 bucks on eBay. I think it's worth it.
I really loved this video. Keep uploading pleaseee!
Thanks so much Fernando! Appreciate that.
There are times when I need the auto focus and auto exposure features of my Contax G1 with 21/28/45/90mm Zeiss lenses.
There are times when I need the manual focus and manual exposure features of my Leica M6 with 21/35/90mm lenses. My 21mm and 90mm are Leica lenses. My 35mm is a Zeiss lens.
All my lenses produce excellent images.
Each camera, with its own set of lenses, is enough for photographing most situations. However, when I do not have time to quickly change lenses, I prefer to carry three bodies with a lens mounted on each body.
My favorite combination is:
21mm f/2.8 Zeiss on Contax G1
35mm f/1.4 Zeiss on Leica M6
90mm f/2.8 Zeiss on Contax G1
The G1 looks sexy af
it’s definitely a beautiful camera! Thanks for watching :)
found this exact camera set up for $500 on offer up and have been deciding if I should buy it or not… though I do see others for far more, it’s only been posted for a day. I need to act quickly.
Personally I think it’s a great camera! Totally up to you if you think it’s worth it :)
G1, the only camera I got rid of it because it's so difficult to use, very small viewfinder, slow focus with radical and jerky movements. I couldn't take it any more, lol. But, the 45mm lens is the sharpest lens I've ever used.
Oh really! I don’t mind the viewfinder, and haven’t found the focus to be too bad at all! Definitely want to use the 45mm lens sometime soon though! Thanks for the comment Mark :)
Hi
I totally agree with the quality of the images iam always surprised a specially in different lighting conditions
I have a contax G2 but the shutter died will cost about £650 to repair
I did have a G1 a wile back but sold wish I hadn’t , might look for another one
I would say the quality of the image are up there with digital
Absolutely agree! The images I got back are super sharp and I really love the quality of them. And I enjoyed shooting with the camera! Thanks for watching Alan :)
Bug help on the double indicators on the focusing i missed some shots on my last two rolls and now understand my hand was blocking the range finder window causing it it back focus. Thank you for the help!
Glad the video helped! It’s a nifty little tool. Thanks Evan
This is a great review and great photo’s. Here I am thinking about the Pentax 67 but this just made me contemplate you killed it.
thank you Khalil! Both definitely great cameras - probably suited to slightly different things! I’d say decide if 35mm or Medium Format is best for you! :)
where have you managed to get your film developed during lockdown? Rli great video 👍🏻
Thanks! I've used both Filmdev and AG Photolab.
I also have a G1 (green label) with the 45 f/2 lens. Your review matches my experience exactly. Especially the part about the sharpness of the lens. It’s just as you describe; that is, it’s the sharpest I’ve seen from 35mm and I’ve been shooting for many years with almost every brand of 35mm camera. A wonderful camera, in my opinion.
I absolutely love it - still my go to 35mm camera! I need to pick up the 45 f/2!
I’m pretty confident that you’ll love that lens.
Hi did you use flashlight for some of your sample photos? Thankss
hi sarah - yes i did! for some shots a Contax TLA 140 was used!
Nice review! Does the camera pause while rewinding towards the end of the roll to allow you to remove the film with a few inches of film sticking out of the roll for easier developing or does it rewind all the way into the canister? Thanks!
It has a custom settings menu, which allows the camera to leave the film leader available on rewind.
does anyone know where i can buy the contax g1?:)
hey! I’d take a look on places like Ebay :)
Ok ok ok you sold me the camera I just ordered, you deserve a commission lol
haha thank you! Hope you like it :)
is the Auto shutter speed really good for this camera if I choose this as Aperture priority
Yes! I use this camera almost predominantly in the Aperture Priority mode, and always trust the meter and exposure!
Do you have any tips on how to continue to get sharp images with the AF
I’d definitely make sure you slow down when shooting. Ensure you focus before framing, and when the camera is in focus a little marker will appear telling you at what distance it’s focused! I’d check that distance is roughly what you believe your subject to be away from the camera! And if you’re struggling still, stop down and use a higher aperture like f8-11 :)
Really awesome review! Nicely presented and insightful. You deserve 100 times more subs. I've just bought a G1. Can't wait to get shooting with it!
Thanks so much! I appreciate the kind words :) Enjoy the camera!!
what film you use with sample image ?
Portra 400 and 800!
This channel's gonna grow like hell
Thanks Miles!
Do you prefer the G1 or the TVS?
I’ve never shot with the TVS I’m afraid. I love the G1 though!
@Daniel James Bird, you can set that in the custom functions if the camera goes back to infinity after each shot. manuals
hey! thanks for the comment. I took a look in the manual and there was nothing about focus in the custom functions. Was this perhaps a G2 only Custom Function?
@@DanielJamesBird the only custom function iam using within those is the "when rewind the film, leave Filmleader outside"
but as i believe to remember there should be that option aswell ?!
look at the bottom where the sticker is, or better download the PDF manual.
Or go to custom function and enable them one by one and see if one of them worked maybe
just checked the G1 manual it only has 3 custom functions, none of them for the issue here sadly.
stellar vid m8
Thanks so much! :)
Awesome video, Daniel 🙌 Just got mine with a 45mm from the good lads at the Kamera Store in Finland. It’s a green label but it wouldn’t take a 21mm from a friend which was weird. The one thing no one actually covers is a setting to leave the lead of the roll out which would be amazing if you buy film in bulk or for those who dev their own rolls. It threw me off because mine came like that and it freaked me out I didn’t put the roll in correctly. (Custom Setting 3).
Also, a lot of the film photographers that work commercially in fashion today use a G series. Jason Lee Parry uses exclusively a G2 and he did the Kooples a few years ago. It is THE 35mm camera pros use besides de Canon 1V (Cameron Hammond)
Thanks so much! Yeah I’m hoping to try out some more lenses with the Contax soon :) And absolutely - the setting to leave the leader out is definitely a welcome one! Yeah it’s definitely a popular fashion camera :) Can’t wait to use it for some more shoots
Really great video! I have one on the way and this is the most comprehensive video out there on the camera atm. Confident I made the right decision now!
Glad to hear that Callum! Thank you for the kind words, and I hope you enjoy the camera! :)