The Contax G2 Camera: A History Of Its Evolution

The Contax G2 is a 35mm rangefinder camera manufactured by Kyocera under the Contax brand from 1996 to 2005. It is the successor to the Contax G1, which was introduced in 1994. The Contax G2 features a titanium body, autofocus, and interchangeable lenses. It is known for its compact form factor, intuitive controls, and excellent optics. The Contax G2 is often compared to the Leica M7 and is considered a modern and advanced rangefinder camera.

The Contax G2 was released in 1996, two years after the G1

The Contax G2 is a 35mm rangefinder camera released in 1996, two years after the G1. It is the second camera in the Contax G line, which was sold by Kyocera under the Contax brand. The G2 is an autofocus camera with a titanium body and uses the Contax G-mount, an electromechanical autofocus mount.

The G2 was designed to address some of the issues with the G1. It is 7mm longer and 2mm taller than its predecessor and has a more pronounced grip. The controls were rearranged or re-engineered based on user feedback to improve performance and make the camera feel better in the user's hand. The autofocus and metering systems were also improved, and the camera could now shoot up to 4 frames per second.

The Contax G2 is known for its high-quality optics, with lenses designed by Carl Zeiss. The camera is often praised for its build quality, ergonomics, and ease of use. It is considered a modern rangefinder that combines the strengths of rangefinder and SLR cameras.

The Contax G2 was manufactured between 1996 and 2005, and during this time, it became a popular choice for film photographers, especially those looking for an alternative to Leica. Today, it is sought after by collectors and enthusiasts, with prices for a basic system starting at around $1500.

The G2 is a 35mm automatic rangefinder camera with seven different interchangeable lenses

The Contax G2 is a 35mm automatic rangefinder camera with seven different interchangeable lenses. The G2 is an autofocus camera with a manual override, and a top shutter speed of 1/6000th of a second. The G2 is the successor to the G1, which was introduced in 1994. The G2 was released in 1996 and was available in three finishes: champagne, black paint, and black chrome. The G2 features a titanium body, and the lenses are designed by Carl Zeiss. The G2 is compact, about the same size and weight as a Leica M. The G2 is highly regarded for its ergonomics, with controls that are intuitively laid out. The G2 features a unique viewfinder that automatically adjusts to the focal length of the lens being used. The G2 is also notable for its fast and accurate autofocus system, which utilizes both a passive phase-detection system and an active infrared triangulation system. The G2 is often compared to the Leica M, with some photographers considering it to be a more advanced and refined camera. The G2 is also known for its excellent optics, with some considering the Zeiss lenses to be superior to those of Leica. The G2 is a highly capable camera that is well-suited for travel and street photography. The G2 has a dedicated group of enthusiasts who appreciate its unique features and exceptional image quality.

The G2 has a compact, lightweight design and is extremely comfortable to hold and use

The Contax G2 is a compact, lightweight camera system designed to be extremely comfortable to hold and use. It has a pronounced grip and its controls are well-arranged, making it feel good in the hand and improving performance. The camera is about the same size and weight as a Leica M, and its compact form factor makes it ideal for travel or wandering around the neighbourhood.

The G2's titanium body was produced in three finishes: champagne, black paint, and black chrome. The body is simple and well-managed, with no superfluous flair. It has a streamlined brick shape, with bevelled or shaved edges. The cool touch of the titanium body gives the user confidence that they are holding an actual machine. The camera is dense and solid, and its fine knurling, deliberate clicks, and rapid precision of its moving parts only reinforce this impression.

The G2 is also designed for ease of use. Its top plate, while appearing simple, is loaded with controls that are arranged in an intelligent way. Secondary adjusters are positioned near or within other adjusters, resulting in a deceptively simple design that is immediately accessible for shooters doing more acrobatic photography. The large exposure compensation dial, for example, is found right where it needs to be and will see heavy use when shooting in the camera's aperture-priority auto-exposure mode.

The G2 is also comfortable to hold and use because of its ergonomic, intuitive design. Its ergonomics are deliberate and intuitive. The top plate, at first appearing simple, is loaded with controls. More notably, these controls are arranged in a most intelligent way, with secondary adjusters positioned near or within other adjusters. This burying of secondary controls results in a design that’s deceptively simple, yet immediately accessible for shooters doing more acrobatic photography.

The G2 has a fast autofocus and its lenses are made of sharp Zeiss glass

The Contax G2 is a 35mm autofocus rangefinder camera released in 1996, two years after the G1. The G2's autofocus system is faster and more accurate than the G1's, and its metering system has also been improved. The G2 can shoot up to 4 frames per second, and has a faster top shutter speed of 1/6000-second and a faster top flash sync speed of 1/200-second.

The G2's autofocus system uses an active infrared beam to get approximate focus, and then a second, precise passive rangefinder system fine-tunes for exact focus. The autofocus system can see up to 3m (10 ft) in the dark, and the passive system can see through glass. The G2's autofocus is so good that there's rarely any need to use manual focus.

The G2's lenses are made of sharp Zeiss glass. The original G1 had four Zeiss autofocus lenses: a 28mm f/2.8 Biogon T*, a 45mm f/2 Planar T*, a 90mm f/2.8 Planar T*, and a 16mm Hologon T*. With the release of the G2, three additional lenses were introduced: a 21mm f/2.8 Biogon T*, a 35mm f/2 Planar T*, and a 35-70mm f/3.5-5.6 Vario-Sonnar T* zoom.

The Zeiss lenses for the G-series quickly established it as a camera of worth. The lenses are autofocus with the exception of the Hologon 8/16mm. The flange distance is only 29mm, and Contax released the GA-1 adaptor to allow the use of Contax/Yashica mount lenses. The G-series lenses have very high optical quality, making them excellent candidates for use with high-resolution digital sensors. Adapters are available for the Sony E-mount and Micro Four Thirds digital camera.

The G2 is a completely electronic camera, so it won't function without power

The Contax G2 is a highly advanced, completely electronic camera system. As such, it requires power to function. The G2 is powered by two CR2 batteries, which are rated for 700-850mAh. This gives the camera a battery life of about 10-20 rolls of 36 exposures.

The G2 has an autofocus system that uses an active infrared beam to focus almost instantly in low-light conditions. It also has a second, very precise passive rangefinder autofocus system that works by looking at the details of the image. These two systems work in tandem to provide precise and reliable autofocus.

The G2 has a motorized film advance and rewind, and its top LCD displays are not backlit. The camera has a range of automatic features, including auto exposure, auto loading, advance and rewind, and TTL metering for flash and ambient light. It also has a manual mode, with shutter speeds ranging from 1/6000 of a second in automatic mode to 16 seconds in manual mode.

The G2 is a compact, lightweight camera with a solid build that is comfortable to hold and use. It has a range of interchangeable lenses, all of which are high-quality Zeiss lenses. The camera was manufactured between 1996 and 2005 and was available in three finishes: champagne, black paint, and black chrome.

Overall, the Contax G2 is a highly advanced, electronic camera that offers a range of automatic and manual features. Its compact size, lightweight, and high-quality lenses make it a great choice for travel and street photography. However, as a completely electronic camera, it requires power to function, so it is important to always have extra batteries on hand.

Frequently asked questions