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Contax G2

Ask even a casual photographer what makes a rangefinder camera a rangefinder and you'll get an answer along the lines of having a focusing system that is separate from looking through the lens. What most photographers - casual or otherwise - will not generally think of are rangefinders with auto-focus capabilities. Starting in 1994 with the G1, Contax introduced the world to a true auto-focus rangefinder. After making some improvements on its original design, the G2 was rolled out in 1996.

These cameras are entirely electronic, which means that the exposure controls are outstanding. In addition to Aperture Priority mode, the Contax G2 allows for full manual control and through-the-lens metering when using the appropriate Contax flash. With this advancement, nailing exposure became as easy as nailing focus. The newer electronics allowed the G2 to increase the fastest shutter speeds from 1/2000th of a second to 1/6000th in aperture priority mode.

With all this new technology and capability, you'd expect the Contax G2 to be bulky and have controls like the inside of an Apollo capsule, but the ergonomics on the outside of the G2 are as groundbreaking as the electronics on the inside. With the focus control on the front of the camera body and shutter speed controls on top, making changes in either is almost effortless. And, at under 6" wide and less than 4" tall, the G2 is smaller than some point and shoots.

Even the best-designed camera is useless without the lens, though. The lenses for the G2 are a line of Carl Zeiss primes that range from 16mm to 90mm focal lengths. The 45mm f/2 is the "standard" lens for the G2, but the entire range offers great results and images that stand up to any other lens system. The G2's viewfinder could easily accommodate all but two of the framelines. The 16mm Hologon and 21mm Biogon each came with an external viewfinder. In 2000, Contax added to their range of prime lenses with a zoom lens - the 35-70mm Vario Sonnar, making the line of lenses complete.

Even though the G2 is a fairly modern camera, there is a lack of parts on the secondary market and qualified service technicians are difficult to find. Fortunately, even if your G2 develops issues, there are lens adapters that will make use of those Carl Zeiss lenses. Find a good working example of the G2 and see and feel what the epitome of rangefinder engineering is.

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Contax G2 Squared

Does it ever get better than having a pair of Contax G2 cameras in the same place? Possibly... but we happened to have these two in the store at the same time and that felt pretty awesome. Too bad we couldn't combine them into one super Contax rangefinder called the G2 Squared.⠀

The Contax G2

Precision. The Contax G2 is precise. It is a unique camera that did much to change the game of compact auto-focus cameras.⠀ ⠀

There is a learning curve with this one, since the intent behind the design is geared towards the ingenuity of the autofocus features. The G2 uses two separate auto-focus systems: one, a fast IR-based system that works well even in low-light and the other, a passive AF system that requires some fine tuning until the image is sharp. It is a nifty system and a big reason why these cameras are more expensive than their G1 predecessors. ⠀ ⠀

Most users keep the camera in autofocus. While the G2 has manual focus capabilities, there is little support from the camera, just you and your spatial relations. There is no rangefinder patch in the G2 but, rather, a digital LCD display of distance that feels similar to focusing using a distance scale on a lens. Other beautiful elements about the G2 are the titanium body, double exposure feature, and, of course, the Carl Zeiss glass. The lens seen here is a 45mm f/2 Planar. This lens is crisp and arguably more worthwhile than the body. In fact, some photographers buy kits to convert these lenses to Leica M-Mount. ⠀ ⠀

Sadly, the G2 has the downfall of being difficult to service when something goes wrong and breaks. While repair services are available and can be sought out - they are fewer and farther between - costing you a pretty penny. If you get your hands on a G2, enjoy it but take good care of it. As the years go by, it will be harder to find these cameras in good working order.

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Contax G2

This Contax G2 kit came in for sale with the 35mm f/2 lens, courtesy of one of our favorite customers, Colton Allen. Colton was leveraging its sale to offset the Leica M2 he had just purchased - his first Leica M camera!⠀ ⠀

Around the same time that Colton picked up his M2 and dropped by this G2, we had a small stock of expired Tech Pan film. Tech Pan was discontinued by Kodak in 2004 and has become a scarce resource these days. It was a remarkable film in its day, known for super fine grain, high resolution, and sensitivity to light emitted by hydrogen. Ok, maybe it wasn't widely known for that last feature, but it’s still true and very cool. ⠀ ⠀⠀

Check out more of Colton's photography on his website. He has a deft touch at appreciating the everyday scenes of life he finds in his hometown of Talent, Oregon.

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Contax G2

We liked the playful idea of combining a camera with some chalk drawings we found at the playground the other day - after all, who says chalk figures cannot have an appreciation for fine film cameras?... then we realized that the image looks a bit like chalk figures in a crime scene. Talk about potentially mixed messages. However you choose to interpret this image: fun and playful or dark and morbid, just know that the Contax G2 is an excellent camera.

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