Small size, can be a good backup in your bag. Superb photos if in-focus. Nice shutter sound. Great 4fps and 1/6000s shutter.

Need practice on focusing. Fragile viewfinder although body is rigid. I broke it when my tripod was blown down by wind.

I bought my G2/28/45/90/TLA200 in January this year after studying lots of materials on web. It is a tiny (but not light) camera which produces great photos with Carl Zeiss lens. Color, contrast and details are superb. But you have to learn how to focus with the 90mm lens. You should focus using the brackets in the viewfinder but not the center. Since I didn't know that before, I had quite a lot of out-focus photos for my trip which made me quite disappointed. Another issue is the TLA200 flash which seems to produce over-exposure in TTL mode, and there seems to be a warm color cast on portrait. You are advised to practice before doing your work. In summary, it is a great camera but the learning curve is not that smooth and you need to spend time on it.

Customer Service

None.

Similar Products Used:

None.

Fast autofocus and shutter release. Small size. Excellent lens system.

A rangefinder is not a beginner camera. The small size and smooth finish of the lens makes them easy to drop.

I traded in a G1 for the G2 about 6 months ago. The G2 allows for quicker and more precise autofocus. The G2 has a noticeably shorter lag time between pressing the shutter release and the photo being taken. The G2 is also quieter than the G1. I have used contax SLR equipment extensively. I compared the G28mm and the G45mm with the SLR 25mm and 55mm. The results show a definite warmer quality with G lens. The sharpness of all of these lens is evident with use of tripod.

Customer Service

Had G1 serviced by Kyocera optics-excellent.

Similar Products Used:

Contax RX, 167MT, RTSIII with 18,25,35,50,135,180,300 lens (whew!)

It´s lenses 28mm,45mm and 90mm.They are awsome with no vignetting at all(!) Small.Good looking.Quiet.

AF especially with the Sonnar 90mm. And the fact that you don´t see wheater the object is in focus or not. (Maybe that´s something you may learn to handle after awhile).

After being used to SLR(EOS 1 N)I wanted to get further and by using a RF I thought I´d come closer to my photography. The G2 is indeed a wonderful camera to work with. It feels very pleasant and looks extremly good. After reading different reviews on this camera I decided to borrow one and make my own opinion. The camera is very easy to use and the shutter release is almost instant.(Like an SLR). You don´t see the deph-of-field in the wiev finder(offcourse),but if you are experienced you´ll know what the pix will look like in the end anyway. You have to lock focus on the subject and carefully recompose in order to have the focus where you want it. You thereby have to relye on the camera and yourself in a way that I don´t like as a PRO. Unfortunately my experience is that the AF is not so reliable. I took portraits which turned out out-of-focus. Especially with the 90mm.(As previous reviewers had mentioned with G1). But when I succeded the sharpness i very good,VERY GOOD! My conclusion is that this is a camera for PRO´S who want more out of an ordinary compact on their vacation. But I would not rely on this camera to 100%, and would never use it for wedding portraits.

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Leica M6 TTL.

Zeiss lenses, everything a Leica M owner can dream of in terms of features.

winder to noisy

Nice camera (G2), actually the winder, not the AF is loud. All features you might want to have included. You need to get used for the AF, once you got it, no problem anymore. Lenses are superb. For me a Leica M6 of the 21st century. Look for more infos at: www.contaxinfo.com. This is the ultimate source for every Contax user. For every Contax-system!

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Leica M6 and almost every Contax Camera

- Solid Build - The camera''s awfully sturdy and feels as good a weight as an M6 - Fast Shutter Speeds - While I don''t always use 1/4000 - 1/6000 speeds I do find them handy since I can put fast film into the camera and not be too concerned about moving from low light into bright sunshine. - Automatic Functionality - The ability to snap away without having to wind manually is a plus vs the M6. Auto shutter speed based on aperture settings is fine by my standards as well as it speeds up the process of taking photos when you need to get the image before it''s gone. - Titanium Body - it''s a beauty - almost too much so that it sometimes attracts attention when slung around my neck.

I can only think of one weakness that I''ve found on this camera. A recent photo shoot had me using a Stroboframe bracket with my Vivitar 283 flash. The sync chord would sometimes misfire when attached to the G2 body resulting in a missed shot. This was rare though and I wouldn''t put it down as a "buy/don''t buy" deciding factor on this camera. For all I know, the sync chord or flash was to blame...

I purchased this camera after doing research on this site as well as others online. Prior to researching the Rangefinder option (Leica M6 et al) I had never heard of the Contax G series of cameras. Being a long time SLR user (although I had originally learned years ago on a rangefinder) I was hesitant to think why the Contax G series would or could be appropriate for me. After picking it up however and realising how familiar I was already with a camera of this type(compare it to the Canon G1 or G2 digitals and you''ll see what I mean) I was sold on the Contax and it''s now become my most trusted and used camera.

Customer Service

Never used

Similar Products Used:

Leica M6 Canon Canonet GIII QL17 Konica Auto S3

Size, feel, prize, quality, silent, in my opinion doesn''t take that long of a learning curve as others mention

I bought this camera for a longtime project where I portray drug addicts and people working with them. That means taking photos in VERY sensitive situations (I don''t do secret street photography though, the people are always aware of me taking photos of them). You guess it, together with Fuji Neopan 1600 and the 28/45/90 lenses I have the ideal equipment for the job! When I portray people in intense discussions, they don''t notice me even when I''m only one meter away. The G2''s 1/6000th second allows outdoor shots with the 1600 Neopan even in bright sunlight (I like the idea of doing a whole book with the same film). Of course I don''t use all the possibilities of the camera, for a project of this kind you don''t need 4 frames per second. Everybody I''ve shown the portfolio is impressed by the sheer beauty of the photos (I often hear "they don''t look like drug addicts", and it''s meant as a compliment, even in such an extreme situation it''s possible to project dignity and beauty), and I don''t have to repeat what others have said about the quality of the Zeiss lenses. I''ve also done some concerts (I work in a music agency), and people order reprints by the dozens. Some double exposures turned out nice, but of course that''s not a G2 special feature.

Customer Service

not necessary so far...

Similar Products Used:

Leica Minilux (also an excellent camera, still take it along for travel with minimum weight and when I''m in the mountains)

- Best Optics you can get in 35mm - Lightweight (compared to SLR camera) - Excellent Built Quality - Relatively Inexpensive - Control is Reasonable - Little Vibration (Good for slow shutter speed) - Low Profile as people think you''re using a P&S - Short Shutter Lag (Pre-focused)

- Difficult to do fill flash - Battery is expensive

I''ve been using this camera for 2 years and more than 60 rolls of film got through it. G2 is a unique camera of its kind and user must realize the fact that it''s neither a fully automatic SLR camera nor a manual M6. Some unhappy users have serious complaints about its autofocus but I think G2''s autofocus is no better or no worse than other SLR cameras of a similar price. People got out-of-focus pictures probably because they didn''t check the distance value on the viewfinder. Unlike a SLR camera, one can always see the actual image and any wrong focusing can be noticed instantly and rectified by repressing the shutter release. So, the focusing system of both SLR and G2 may have wrong judgement sometimes but when using G2 be sure to look at the distance value before fully press the shutter release. Quality of optics is really hard to beat and probably the best in 35mm as many users have already pointed out. I also appreciate the ability to shoot at 1/15sec handheld and still produce very sharp picture. In my experience, this is not easy to achieve when using a SLR camera because of its mirror movement. This is extremely useful when you are in low light situation and cannot afford to spend 5 mins to set up a tripod. What I however am not so satisfied is the TLA200. It is not a convenient flash to use as it does not allow automatic fill flash. To do this, I have to turn off the flash and meter the scene manually and turn on the flash to TTL and dial the exposure compensation to -1. This just takes too many steps. Also, G2 does not alert the user even if the shutter speed is faster than the maximum flash sync. Finally, I think G2 is not only a reliable and useful camera but something that is also good for collection and a state-of-art combination of human''s technology and craftsmanship. I just love it!

Customer Service

Not Yet.....

Similar Products Used:

Nikon FM2 Contax SLRs

Well built, a lot of features, good options available (ie the data back). The biggest strength are those fabulous yet inexpensive Zeiss lenses it uses! I''m getting incredible contrast in my slides. My Nikon or Canon lenses just aren''t the same as the Zeiss glass.

Using it can be a little quirky at first. No manaul focus ring on the lens took some getting used to. Now I don''t even notice it. The auto-focus mechanism returns to hyper-focal after you release the shutter. Would prefer if the lens stayed where it was last focused so there was slightly less zip-zip noise (minor complaint).

This is a great little camera. Actually, not so little, as it''s almost the size of a small SLR body, but still great. I''m making this judgement based on the G2 as compared to what I expected of it, not as compared to a Leica or another manual RF camera.

Similar Products Used:

Older Minolta and Canon RFs Leica M

Improved auto focus over the G1, amazing lens, well built compact body, value for money especially compared to the M6 (and the new M7!)

auto focus a little bit noisy especially with the 90mm. (Not so much with the 35mm).

I have just traded my G1 for a G2 and, wow, do I love it! The main advantage of the G2 over the G1, I feel, is faster auto focus especially during low light and when used with the 90mm lens. I enjoyed my G1 but was often frustrated with the auto focus not wanting to lock on during critical moments. The Contax G camera has totally replaced my SLR system. I do not have a need to use lens with greater than 90mm therefore I don''t really miss SLRs. Like many people, I was tired of carrying around a large SLR system and with the G2, the image quality just blows most SLRs away at a fraction of the size.

Customer Service

NA

Similar Products Used:

Contax G1, Leica IIIG, Canon T90

Sharpness, exposure, reliability, its fun.

Weighty

I have been using Contax SLR''s for many years (RTS''s and ST). Reason, the optics are amazing and I have a great deal of confidence in the the reliability of the cameras. I purchased a G2 with 45mm on the advice of a friend. I saw his photos of an Alaskan trip and was amazed that they were taken with a camera that I had previously assumed was simply a VERY expensive point and shoot(something Contax is well known for). I have been extremely happy with the G2. The image quality is right up there with my Contax SLR''s, which are excellent. What are some of these problems that a few people have mentioned in their low rated reviews? Are they Leica employees? Did they purchase a DUD? Or are they simply equipment junkies with poor phtographic skills!?! Anyway, this is an excellent piece of equipment with limitations. Too many photogs cannot live without a Zoom lens. This system will not be for you. If you are the type to get up clase and personal with your subjects, there isn''t anything out there that will do a better job at this price and size.

Customer Service

Not used

Similar Products Used:

Contax RTSIII, ST