Notice a trend here? The G2 has a lot of stuff that the M6 does not have. The G2 has an electronic shutter the M6 does not. The G2 has auto film loading the M6 does not. The G2 has motorized advance the M6 does not. Now the waters get really choppy - comparing the G2 to a Leica M6. In an SLR the viewfinder image comes in and out of focus depending on the how the lens is focused. Another factor is that in a G2, the entire viewfinder image is in focus. The fact that the rangefinder does not black out for a moment does offer at least a psychological advantage. Additionally, some people feel more connected to a subject when looking through a rangefinder than through an SLR viewfinder. A G2 system with a body and a few lenses is also actually much smaller and lighter than an SLR system. However, it seems much smaller and quicker. A G2 is not that much smaller than a Pentax LX or a Contax S2. The subjective difference is even more than the objective difference. Not only is the body smaller than an SLR, the lenses are much smaller. The advantage of a G2 over an SLR is its size and its status as a rangefinder. Here is where it really gets interesting. Now, let me compare thee to a Summer's Day - or an SLR - or a Leica. It is possible to lock focus, cutting the shutter lag to a miminal amount. However, autofocus is very fast, even compared with top AF SLRS. Moreover, the lens returns to its base position after every shutter release, so that the lens refocuses from the beginning. The AF is very noisy - substantially noisier than any cheap point and shoot I have heard recently. This is the worst thing about the G2 in my opinion. How does it work? It can take very good photographs. There is a wide range of (expensive) Contax flash units available, including two small units (TLA 140 and 200) made specifically for the G2 which are quite simple to operate, though not as versatile as the larger units. The viewfinder has information regarding the shutter speed, focus, exposure compensation and flash mark. The picture frame area changes automatically depending on focal length of the lens and focusing distance.
#CONTAX G2 BACK MANUAL#
There are five custom functions, including film leader out or in upon rewind, manual focusing operation, bracketing order and A/E lock operation. The camera can also be set so that A/E lock is achieved by partially pressing the shutter release. Surrounding the release is a lever which acts as an on/off switch and an A/E lock. The shutter release is smooth and has a very good feel. There is also a single frame mode, a self timer mode and multiple exposure mode. The fast rate is up to four frames per second. The camera uses a motor to advance the film with low and high speed options for the continuous advance rate.
#CONTAX G2 BACK PLUS#
An autobracketing control can be set for plus or minus half or whole stop bracketing. Exposure compensation is set by a dial on the top of the camera, with a range of plus or minus two stops in 1/3 stop increments. The metering pattern is center-weighted, reading off of a grey area on the shutter.Įxposure can be set manually or by using aperture priority. There is also a external meter for the 16 mm lens (since this lens extends so far into the body that it blocks the internal meter). The TTL metering system has a range of 1-19 EV. The G2 has a vertical metal focal plane shutter with speeds from 4 seconds to 1/4000 (extended from 16 through 1/6,000 in aperture priority mode), plus B. For those who wish specific control of AF, the camera can be set so that it will autofocus when a button on the back of the camera is pushed. Any of these AF modes can be combined with either continuous or single frame film advance. There are several focusing modes available - single auto focus, continuous autofocus and manual focus. With a close subject in adequate light, the active focus system acquired focus first and the passive system takes over to make the final precise focusing adjustment. The second system, for subjects that are farther away, is a passive system, as found in most SLR's. The first is an active focus system using an infrared light for close range focusing - particularly helpful in low light conditions. The G2 uses an extended baselength autofocus rangefinder system. With an adaptor, the camera can accept Contax/Yashica-mount SLR lenses.
The lenses use a breech mount system and are a little fussy to mount. The finish is excellent - unsurpassed in my experience. It feels rather heavy and the controls are smooth and firm. It is 139 mm wide, 80 mm high and 45 mm deep. Then, I will take the more dangerous path and will compare it to Leica and SLR systems.
I will devote the first part of this review to considering the Contax G2 AF rangefinder system on its own merits.
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