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Moving into Rangefinder G1 good option

C

chrono72

Hi,

I currently own a S2 and AX with four lenses. I'm a student, so money's tight a lot of times (don't ask how I afforded Contax in the first place, lol). I want to try out Rangefinder shooting, and I found on ebay a mint G1 with a 45mm mint for 500.00

Anyways, I'm thinking of dropping the money for it. My question is, Is a G1 a good camera to start work with Rangefinders? I know this is a Contax forum, but are their used bodies I should look at?

I plan on using the G1 or other for light photojournalism and personal pleasure (parties and stuff). Nothing I think that would push the limits of the body, that's what my S2 and AX are for. Let me know, thanks.

Ken
 
Go with the G2. I've used both. I still use the G2 for certain situations such as street photography. If you get a G1, you will eventually become desirous for the G2 since it's so much better and nicer.
 
Stik to the thing you got. The G Lenses are great and the G1 and G2 are god, but remember thre are no controlls if the AF metering is working proper and this is not because the user is a fool.
 
I agree completely with K Michael wich said
"Go with the G2. I've used both. I still use the G2 for certain
situations such as street photography. If you get a G1, you will
eventually become desirous for the G2 since it's so much better and
nicer."
 
Hi Ken,

>>> Is a G1 a good camera to start work with Rangefinders

Let me tell you that I regularly use a Leica IIIf, an M2 and a G1. From my point of view, and having into account the actual prices for secondhand G1s, there is not a better way to start into the Rangefinfer World. Lenses are superb, specially the 45mm Planar and don't be worry about all the things people say about problems focusing or a too small viefinder:

- Viewfinder small: True but not a thing impossible to live with. It has more or less the same size as the one in my Leica IIIf. - Focusing problems: Absolutley not an issue. Even with my 90mm Sonnar I have never had a problem. I suspect this is more an issue about people not reading the manuals. Previously I used a Nikon F801s (N8008s in the States) and from the point of view of an user, both AF systems are the same.

So go for it. A lot of photographic pleasueres are waiting for you. You can check some of my pictures (made with the G1 and Leicas) at:

http://www.photo.net/photodb/folder?folder_id'5117

Cheers, Luis Argüelles
 
Auto focus in the G1 may or may not be as bad as people say it is (I haven=92t used it myself) but I would think very seriously about it considering how dependent the G series is on auto focus
 
a couple of things, first of all you can get a used G1 & 45mm lens AND TLA200 flash from B&H photovideo for $599, condition is demo so it should be a great outfit.
I started with a G1 and love it! The focus is a little slow for talking pictures of moving objects like my 5 year old son. If focus speed isn't important I'd get a G1 and try it out. You'll spend at least $200 more for a G2, for that you can get a nice used 2nd lens. If you decide the G1 isn't working for you then sell it on ebay and pickup a G2. Good luck, you'll love the lenses.
 
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