Contax G
Encyclopedia
The Contax G1 and Contax G2 are interchangeable-lens cameras sold by Kyocera
under the Contax
brand in competition with the Leica M7
, Voigtlander Bessa R, and Konica Hexar RF
. The G1 was introduced in 1994 with the G2 joining it in 1996. In 2005, Kyocera announced it would cease all activity related to the manufacture of Contax cameras at the end of the year, effectively spelling the end of the G system.
The titanium-bodied G-series cameras do not use the traditional Leica M mount
seen on many rangefinder cameras, but the "G"-mount, an electronic autofocus mount. Critics were quick to accuse the camera of not being a "true" (mechanical) rangefinder, since it used autofocus and electronically linked mechanisms. But the AF mechanism in the G-series does indeed use a twin-window system much like that of the older mechanical rangefinders — only in electronic form.
The lenses designed by Carl Zeiss
for the G-series quickly established it as a camera of worth: the original 45mm f/2 Planar was joined by a 28mm f/2.8 Biogon and a 90mm f/2.8 Sonnar; a 21 f/2.8 Biogon, 16mm f/8 Hologon, 35mm f/2 Planar and 35–70mm f/3.5–5.6 Vario-Sonnar were added later. The 45mm Zeiss Planar
in particular gained renown as the second-sharpest 35mm camera lens ever tested by the Swedish test site Photodo — outclassing even the illustrious Leica 50mm Summicron-M.
Early versions of the G1 could only accept the 28mm, 45mm and 90mm lenses. Later versions, called "green stickered" versions because they had a green sticker inside the film door could accept the 21mm and 35mm lenses. No G1 could accept the 35-70mm as it was a seven contact electrical connection and the G1 only features five contacts. The 16mm would attach and function, however the viewfinder could not adjust for it so an external viewfinder that plugged into the hotshoe.
Compared with the original G1, the G2 has improved autofocus performance and higher top shutter speeds of 1/4000 sec in manual mode and 1/6000 sec in aperture priority mode. The manual focus wheel was moved from the top deck to the front, to about the same position as where the focusing wheel was located on classic Dresden and Stuttgart Contax rangefinders. The G2 auto-focus also has two focusing modes: continuous, which constantly adjusts focus as the camera is moved; and single, which is a safety mode, focussing as the focus button is pressed (or shutter release half-pressed), and maintaining this reading until the shutter is released. If the camera fails to find focus in this mode, the shutter cannot be released.
Kyocera
is a multinational manufacturer based in Kyoto, Japan. It was founded as in 1959 by Kazuo Inamori and renamed in 1982. The company has diversified its founding technology in ceramic materials through internal development as well as strategic mergers and acquisitions...
under the Contax
Contax
Contax was a camera brand noted for its unique technical innovation and a wide range of Zeiss lenses, noted for their high optical quality. Its final incarnation was a line of 35 mm, medium format and digital cameras engineered and manufactured by Kyocera, and featuring modern Zeiss optics...
brand in competition with the Leica M7
Leica M7
The Leica M7 is a 35 mm camera by Leica AG introduced in 2002. It is the direct successor to the M6. The Leica M7 is a departure from previous mechanical designs for the M series....
, Voigtlander Bessa R, and Konica Hexar RF
Hexar RF
The Konica Hexar RF was a 35 mm rangefinder camera sold by Konica. Itwas introduced to the market on 13 October 1999. and subsequently discontinued some time before the end of 2003...
. The G1 was introduced in 1994 with the G2 joining it in 1996. In 2005, Kyocera announced it would cease all activity related to the manufacture of Contax cameras at the end of the year, effectively spelling the end of the G system.
The titanium-bodied G-series cameras do not use the traditional Leica M mount
Leica M mount
The Leica M mount is a camera lens mount introduced in 1954 with the Leica M3, and a range of lenses. It has been on all the Leica M series up to the current film Leica M7 and digital Leica M9....
seen on many rangefinder cameras, but the "G"-mount, an electronic autofocus mount. Critics were quick to accuse the camera of not being a "true" (mechanical) rangefinder, since it used autofocus and electronically linked mechanisms. But the AF mechanism in the G-series does indeed use a twin-window system much like that of the older mechanical rangefinders — only in electronic form.
The lenses designed by Carl Zeiss
Carl Zeiss
Carl Zeiss was a German maker of optical instruments commonly known for the company he founded, Carl Zeiss Jena . Zeiss made contributions to lens manufacturing that have aided the modern production of lenses...
for the G-series quickly established it as a camera of worth: the original 45mm f/2 Planar was joined by a 28mm f/2.8 Biogon and a 90mm f/2.8 Sonnar; a 21 f/2.8 Biogon, 16mm f/8 Hologon, 35mm f/2 Planar and 35–70mm f/3.5–5.6 Vario-Sonnar were added later. The 45mm Zeiss Planar
Zeiss Planar
The Zeiss Planar is a photographic lens designed by Paul Rudolph at Carl Zeiss in 1896. Rudolph's original was a six-element symmetrical design....
in particular gained renown as the second-sharpest 35mm camera lens ever tested by the Swedish test site Photodo — outclassing even the illustrious Leica 50mm Summicron-M.
Early versions of the G1 could only accept the 28mm, 45mm and 90mm lenses. Later versions, called "green stickered" versions because they had a green sticker inside the film door could accept the 21mm and 35mm lenses. No G1 could accept the 35-70mm as it was a seven contact electrical connection and the G1 only features five contacts. The 16mm would attach and function, however the viewfinder could not adjust for it so an external viewfinder that plugged into the hotshoe.
Compared with the original G1, the G2 has improved autofocus performance and higher top shutter speeds of 1/4000 sec in manual mode and 1/6000 sec in aperture priority mode. The manual focus wheel was moved from the top deck to the front, to about the same position as where the focusing wheel was located on classic Dresden and Stuttgart Contax rangefinders. The G2 auto-focus also has two focusing modes: continuous, which constantly adjusts focus as the camera is moved; and single, which is a safety mode, focussing as the focus button is pressed (or shutter release half-pressed), and maintaining this reading until the shutter is released. If the camera fails to find focus in this mode, the shutter cannot be released.
External links
- The Contax G Pages
- The Contax G User Pages
- How to use Contax G Focusing
- Kyocera North America
- Contax G1 FAQ
- Contaxinfo.com Contax User Forum, MTF Lens-Data, scanned broschures, user manuals etc.