Contax G, beauty isn't everything

[belgiumreporter]

Over a decade ago i had a Contax G2 with the 3 main lenses (45/90/28) i really didn't like it because of the terrible autofocus.What really set me  off is the sluggish response due to the lenses allways going to infinity before focussing on the selected spot, switching to manual focus doesn't change a thing when taking the shot the lens still does the same infinity to focus trick this makes you loose valuable time when shooting street or snapshot. The noice all this makes doesn't help when you try to do some discreet shooting, theater plays are out of the question! The small viewfinder, the cumbersome manual operation, (the design concept was to make an all auto M7 so manual is possible but not easy) and last but not least i don't like shooting viewfinders in general.

So why did i buy this G1? well solely because i wanted it in the collection and because it is one of the most beautifull rangefinders ever made. For old times sake i will run a roll of film through it but after that i guess it will end up on the shelve next to my titanium finish Konica Hexar they'll make a nice pair. Maybe i'll buy a Contax G to Nikon Z adapter as the 45mm Zeiss Planar has quite a reputation and that way it can be put to better use than life on a shelve.
here's the "beauty"

[paulhofseth]

The lenses for the G can certainly be repurposed. I have a very fiddly and heavy "kipon" adapter for my 90mm and used it on my MFT, but do not have an adapter for my Z and suspect that it mighty be equally impractical. Due to its Optical quality and its light and compact construction, the 90 deserves to be used (but my reasonably compact Contax C/Y 85 and 100 perform almost like the G90 BUT need the unwieldy zeiss metal sunshades and do not have the slide out version used for the G)

p.