Contax G2

This camera is my happiest mistake. I didn't even know it existed. I saw sample photos obtained with the Sonnar 2.8/90, I found a like-new exemplar on Ebay and bought the lens. I thought it was a SLR lens. When I found out I couldn't use it with SLR, my first thought was of selling it. But then the lens felt so great and looked so great, that I thought "why don't I buy the camera instead".
So I did. I found a new one (must have been one of the very last new ones remained) and I got it for an excellent price. Also I got a Planar 2/45 and a Biogon 2.8/28, and then I got back to film photography after 6 years of digital photography only.

The first film roll I loaded was a B/W. I was somehow in the fashion-state of mind that rangefinders are really for B/W. What a big mistake!! It's with color that Zeiss lenses really shine. The B/W roll went OK, but nothing I couldn't have really done with my Nikon FM2. it was only with the second film roll that my attitude and opinion changed. I loaded an Agfa Optima II Professional color film. When I got the prints frmo the laboratory, my jaw dropped on the floor. I never saw such gorgeous colors and razor sharp details in any of the color film I made in over 20 years.The amount of detail was so astounding, that by looking at the 12x18 cm prints you really have the strong feel that there is too much detail packed in, that it really cries to get out and expand somehow. So I made a few 50x75 cm prints. They are hanged on my walls and friend photographers who come to visit always think that I shoot them with a medium format camera. One of them just didn't want to accept that I shoot those with a 35mm rangefinder.

What to say about the tool itself. It feels and is incredibly sturdy. Somebody wrote it feels like a Rolls Royce - it's true, people like me, used to 35mm SLR, can't believe the feel of a full metal body camera such as this one.
The autofocus works perfectly for me. I only missed one picture so far, a very difficult subject shoot with the 2.8/90, but I'm 100% sure it was my fault not controlling the distance prior to shooting.
Focus-locking works perfectly. So does manual focus, although you have to get used to it (it's not the most intuitive I have ever used, so to say).
One bad thing I have to report it's the autofocus noise: very disturbing.
I thought rangefinders were supposed to be quieter than SLRs. Well G2 isn't - my Canon's USM motors are way more silent - almost inaudible. On the contrary, there is no way I could use my G2 in a church or to take unnoticed snapshots: the autofocus noise will always drag the subject's attention to your camera.

The viewfinder isn't the best in the world, and not even the second-best, but it's useable. Always have a silk cloth handy though: due to position and to small size of camera, the viewfinder's front window always gets finger-soiled within minutes of use (at least for me).

The film loading is a breeze and the transport excellent, you can feel the professional quality there.

Exposure metering... hm, so far I can't say I'm 100% happy with it. Sure, I never missed a shoot because of it. Still, I wish it would not overexpose. But it does. I have not made comparative tests yet, but my rough evaluation is that G2's meter does overexpose of about half stop in most shooting situations. While this is perfectly acceptable (and sometimes desireable) with negative film, it isn't really good for slides. In fact, when I do slides, I always use manual exposure and meter with my external Gossen MultiPro meter, which never missed a photo for me so far.

I have not used the bracketing, multiple exposures, continuous shooting functions yet, but I'm glad they're here. Neither I did test the flash, because I don't have it yet (will get one sooner or later).

The lenses, overall:
I have 3 lenses and all of them exhibit the same qualities: astounding, amazing colors, second to none and I repeat NONE (sorry, Leicas!). Virtual absence of geometric distortion, even in the 28mm. Very good definition even when used at full aperture (but very best is obtained from f/4 to f/5.6).

The lenses, specifically:

28mm: I still have to test it, I just bought it. I am very curious about it, as I read it's a totally different desing than the Distagon 2.8/28 I have for SLR

45mm: this is a STELLAR performer. Really, i can't think that a 35mm lens could exist, that could do better than this. I just don't think it's possible. It's my favorite lens of all (including SLR lenses)

90mm: using it as an extemporary macro lens (holding it in front of my digital SRL while shooting), it gave me stellar results. Mounted on the G2, it gets back to a normal lens status. Where normal, for a Zeiss lens, still means 'outstanding'

As I wrote at the beginning of this review, I got this camera by mistake. But I won't make the mistake of selling it: I will keep it and use it until I die. The combo of G2+Zeiss lenses provides me with the best photographic output i ever got in over 20 years of photography.

- the lenses are stellar performers

- the camera's body is sturdy and looks as elegant as a camera can get - you will look super with it in any occasion

- you can carry a whole system of camera and lenses within the space of a very small bag. Portability at it's very top.

- did I mention already that the lenses are stellar performers?

- the autofocus is accurate to total perfection

- you can shoot with this camera perfect hand-held photos at very slow times, where your SLR will fail. In practical terms, it means that you can use a 100ASA film in situations where your SLR would use a 200ASA film or even more

- before I leave this section, I would like to point out that the lenses are stellar performers (ok, I stop it now)

- Noisy, way too noisy to be useable in sensible situations (churches, theaters, or other closed places where people can notice you are taking photographs). If show photography or "stolen" snapshots are your interest, you should look for a different camera

- I really could use a larger viewfinder

- automatic light metering tends to overexpose a bit

- we need a digital "G" that is compatible with the G1/G2 lenses!

none

Never needed servicing so far (knocking wood)

I was excited about this camera. I wanted a light system that I could take anywere and I had read many good things about the lenses and build quality. I sold by Nikon N90s and most of my lenses to buy the G2 with 45mm and flash. I also purchased the 28mm and the 90mm and got a $700 rebate from Contax. Great deal! I wanted to love this camera— I really did. And there was much to love— superb lenses. fantistic build, great feel. But after using it for about two years, there were two things I could not get used to. The viewfinder was terrible— small and dark. I expected more for a camera the size of the G2— perhaps the view similar to a Leica M. It was more like the view that a point and shoot would have. The second problem was the flash. I was used to the wonerful fill flash Nikon produces, so the limits of the TLA 200 were a disappointment, I endied up selling everything for a good price on ebay. I bought a Nikon F100 a 20-35mm f2.8 and a 180mm f2,8 and an SB-28 flash to go with the 35-70mm f2.8 and 300mm f4 lenses that I, thankfullly, did not sell. You know what, I cannot tell much difference in the quality I get from these lenses when I compare them to photos I took with the G2. For me, the view through the F100 makes a big difference in my ability to capture the shot when I am photographing people. Also, I missed the long telephoto shots. I considering just keeping the G2 and 45mm lens for a walking around camera, but it really isn't small enough for that. I bought a used Leica CM on ebay. It has a super lens, fantastic build, the fill flash is perfect. The viewfinder isn't any better than the G2 (What are camera designers thinking?), but I can handle that in a camera this small. I'm giving the G2 four stars because there is much to commend it, and I would have kept it if not for the drawbacks I mentioned. I see that this camera has been discotinued, which is too bad. I saw that coming and that was another reason I decided to sell it.

Lenses Build Feel

Viewfinder Flash Auto focus noise

Rollei 35s Rollei AFM 35 (Great camera, buy one if you find it. I will always keep this one!) Canon G17 III Minolta Hi Matic 7s Leica CM

Probably not very good not that the G2 has been discontinued

I have been using the G2 for over 7 years with incredible results. I have a Mamiya 6MF which I bought in 1994 that produced great results, but now use it very little due to the quality and functionality of the G2. I primarily work in black and white producing landscape photos. I bought the 21mm lens 3 years ago and the clarity and accuracy of this lens is outstanding! All of the lenses are incredible. The autofocus is always spot on and the auto-wind feature makes it extremely convenient. This camera is the best value for the money for the quality it packs. I thought that I would not be able to tell the difference between my Nikon or it would be lower quality than the Mamiya. It supasses both when I print on the enlarger! I can accurately print upto 11" x 14" prints with negligible distortion. I always am truly astounded with the results this small camera can give me.

LENSES, autowind, compact size, value.

I wish it had a true rangefinder manual focus.

A good camera while on trip, light & compact But I found around 10% of photo have a line of overexpoure in the pictures, do you guys meet similar problem??

provide sharp & detail photo

focusing speed

After reading Nick's review below, I felt the need to add another review, as I'm sure I've done one previously. I've owned the G2 since its inception, and after going through lots of gear, from film(35mm & MF)to digital and back to film, I've always had the G2 by my side. I've used it extensively on professional shots, knowing the focusing will bwe reliable and quality second to none. The camera has never failed me in focus or in operation and will be with me to the end.

Superb build quality, most features found in top SLRs, lenses that are second to none, slower but accurate focus, and accurate metering.

Small viewfinder, though not a big issue, manual focusing not usable.

Contax G1, Leica M6

Never needed.