In lower light conditions, the autofocus combines with the large apertures to enable fast shutter speeds for sharper results. The G2 has a superb range of Zeiss lenses that mostly have f2 or f2.8 as a maximum aperture. The downside is having to use higher aperture settings to maximise the zone in focus, often f8 or f11 – meaning you need some decent light to get the shot. If you get it right, you just virtually point and shoot.
#Contax g2 autofocus manual#
One of the things I love about using a traditional manual focus rangefinder is setting up for zone focus or hyperfocal distance. You can recompose whilst keeping focus by holding the shutter button down, but it can be a little annoying. The only downside is the focus point is not moveable – and it is dead centre in the viewfinder. The first generation G1 body apparently was quite slow to focus, but I have never had the chance to try one out. There is a school of thought on the interwebs that the G2 is a bit slow on the focus – I have never missed a shot waiting for the focus, but it can occasionally “hunt” a little bit. Don’t ask me to explain it any further than that… Way too techy for me.Īll you need to know is that the autofocus is pretty quick and precise. The G2 autofocuses using some serious gadgety systems – a focus infrared light supported with a passive system. Unlike Leicas, Voigtlanders etc it has no focus patch in the viewfinder. Being a rangefinder, it is compact without compromising the quality of the images. You can read more about rangefinders here. The only one of it’s kind… The G2 (yeah, ok, I am including the first model G1 here too!) is a one of a kind goody. The Contax G2 is a fascinating little unit – an autofocusing rangefinder! The word “unique” gets bandied around a lot by people who have a limited grasp of it’s definition :ġ. being the only one of its kind unlike anything else. Every one that I have had a chance to handle was a pure joy.