[Tutorial] How to manual focus precisely the Contax G2

[Orio]

I have learned a way to manual focus the Contax G2 with great precision and I'd like to share how.

First, you need to set value =1 for the Custom Function #4 (press ISO and focus lock button simultaneously for a few seconds to enter custom functions editing mode, then rotate focusing ring to select function and press focus lock button to change value. When you are done, turn the camera power off)

Then, with the focus mode selector (back of camera) set to MF (Manual Focus), frame your desired focus object in the center square of your G2's viewfinder.

Now with your thumb press and keep pressed the focus lock button (back of camera) while with the middle finger, you rotate the focusing ring (front of camera).

When you do this, you will see on the left of the viewfinder, the graphical indicator get closer or farther from the middle (focus) point, and the numerical indicator on the right, will change to indicate the new exact focal distance.

Note that if you rotate the focusing ring fast, you get large amount changes, while if you rotate slow, you get 0.33cm increments/decrements. This it not as ultra-accurate as focusing a SLR, of course - but for a rangefinder camera, to be able to manual focus numerically with intervals of one third of a centimeter is quite good!

The advantage of this method is that once you release the focus lock button, the focus will stay locked to where you manually put it even if your finger should inadvertantly move the focusing ring.

This will make it possible for you to do what many G2 users think it's impossible to do: that is, to photograph using the hyperfocal method.
Just follow the above instructions and manually set the focus to whatever distance-aperture-focal lenght combination will give you the hyperfocal. For instance, if you use the Biogon 28mm, set the aperture to f/8 and the focal distance to 3,8 meters.

And voilà - until you turn your camera's power off, the focus will stay locked there for as many photos as you want, even for the entire roll.
You can verify it anytime by pressing the focus lock button.

And, this will be even safer than using normal lenses, because once the focusing ring is locked, there is no way that you can inadvertantly change the focus by moving/hitting the focusing ring (a risk that is always present when using traditional lenses).

Hope this will help someone!
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