Contax G1

stingOM · Expire: 2012-12-27

Is this still considered a good camera for a novice on RF cameras? I already have a 90/2.8 G lens so it will go nicely with it. On the other hand, there is a lot of complaint about the poor AF performance of this camera. Confused

Thx

Attila · Expire: 2025-11-18

I think sure, but you can buy any cheap RF cameras they do job well too, Russian cameras for example.

tikkathree · Expire: 2012-12-28

I'd heard that the G1 has a reputation for software-related issues.

If you're 100% new to RF cameras I'd agree that cheap and cheerful manually focussing RF cameras will give you the same RF experience.

I'm trying to get to grips with a Mamiya 7 RF with detachable lenses: cheap and cheerful it ain't. I need persuading that the lack of involvement is outdone by high image quality.

LucisPictor · Expire: 2013-12-03

The G1 surely is a fantastic cam, but it's not a rangefinder cam per se, due to its AF.
Excellent lenses, great built, but the viewfinder is not as good as with a decent RF cam and those G1 cams still are pretty expensive.

IMHO the perfect RF beginner's cam is a Zorki-4K.

stingOM · Expire: 2012-12-27

OK folks thanks. I did take some shots using my Kodak Rettinette 1A a few years back and this is a RF right?

How about a Yashica 35 GS. Too much AF again?

LucisPictor · Expire: 2013-12-03

Nope, in either case.

The Ia is a viewfinder camera, since you cannot measure distance in the viewfinder. At least in my one I can't. Wink

The Yashi does not have autofocus. That's a pure RF cam.

Sevo · Expire: 2012-12-03

std · Joined: 09 Feb 2010 Posts: 1826 Location: Bulgaria

It's a nice body,
The focusing with the 90mm Sonnar is sometimes tricky - there are some tips for focusing in the instructions booklet - you should always check if the measured distance sounds correct before fully pressing the shutter release.

What i don't like is the tiny viewfinder otherwise no complaints - very accurate shutter and very fast focusing and film rewind.

luisalegria · Expire: 2018-01-18

If you don't mind just using normal lenses, the Japanese rangefinders of the 1960's are a great bargain and deliver excellent quality.

My personal favorites at the moment are the Yashica Lynx 1000 and 5000. Very cheap - $10-20 - very easy to fix. Meters are likely to be dead, but the real rangefinder "Leica" experience experience means "sunny 16" or a hand held meter.

Yashica Electro series are fine, but these are not manual exposure cameras and you have to worry about the electrical system.

Zorki & etc. are substantially more expensive and there are serious worries about functionality. You do get the possibility of different focal lengths but these are not at all cheap these days.

stingOM · Expire: 2012-12-27

What about Kodak Reina II?

luisalegria · Expire: 2018-01-18

All the Kodak Retina rangefinders are prone to service problems and are too often difficult to fix because of a delicate shutter cocking system and interlocks.

stingOM · Expire: 2012-12-27

OK Konica S2 then?

luisalegria · Expire: 2018-01-18

I've worked on an S2, unfortunately it turned out to be totalled (bent shutter cocking shaft, also displacing shutter components).

On the whole I think its a pretty nice camera from the inside, I can't say as to performance as mine was not repairable. You have to be able to deal with the meter wiring when removing the front elements for the inevitable lighter fluid treatment.

I also have the older Konica Auto S which is simpler internally as the meter was not built in to the lens barrel. That one is very nice and also easy to fix. Both Konica models are much less common than the Yashicas and tend to fetch higher prices.

Attila · Expire: 2025-11-18