Hello All!
Well, I went ahead and bought the G1 with the 45mm f/2 I was considering after weighing all the inputs from the folks here and from other G1 oriented discussion boards. I got it in my hands on Wednesday late in the afternoon, and that afternoon and the next day immediately shot two rolls of film with it just to get used to the camera and its purported peculiarities. While I was waiting for it to arrive, I thoroughly read a copy of the manual for the camera I found online. Today I have the results back of the two rolls from the lab, and I thought a little "after action" report might be of interest to some. In no particular order, these are my impressions/findings. As always, your results may vary.
1. This camera is not really smaller or lighter than my Contax 139Q with the 45/2 Tessar installed. In fact, it is a trifle heavier and bigger in at least one dimension. However, to be fair, if we put the winder on the 139Q for automated film advance, the G1 wins the portability contest. I hear the G2 is a bit heavier and a bit larger than the G1, and I'm not sure I'd want this camera any larger.
2. This is one solid-feeling piece of machinery. When you put your hands on it, it just feels like a very well made instrument, which it is. It is a very pleasant camera to hold and to shoot with, at least to me. The overall look is distinctive and classy as well.
3. I was told all sorts of horror stories about how dim the viewfinder was. Having started out over 30 years ago with a Fuji rangefinder camera that had seen better days, I was fine with the viewfinder of the G1. Unlike the old Fuji, the view was clean and uncluttered by framing lines and I liked that. The view doesn't look like what I see through my SLR's, but that is part of the charm and I found myself paying more attention to my composition.
4. I was also advised by more than a few to expect some focusing problems. My first two rolls of film through this camera were shot 100% autofocus, and I had one out of focus shot. It was inexplicably of a brick wall, where the autofocus could not have possibly been fooled because there was nothing else to look at. I suspect that I had my finger on the shutter button "previewing" exposure as I walked up, and forgot that this would also lock the AF, which is my fault, not the G1's. All of my other shots are razor sharp, which was a pleasant surprise, even in dim light. Hmmmm..maybe there is something to this "autofocus with old eyes" thing after all. By the way, the G1 with autofocus engaged beats the 139Q in dim light focusing ease, hands down, at least for me.
5. All of my shots were taken with auto exposure as well. The camera seems to be surprisingly accurate, consistent, and hard to fool. The metering system is at least as accurate as I am.
6.I like the 45/2 lens on the G1 a lot. I'm so impressed that I have already purchased the 28 Biogon and the 90mm Sonnar which should arrive on Monday. However, for a couple of days it was nice to hit the road with one camera and one lens and see what could be done with it. I think someone once said "what's the best wideangle lens? just back up until you say aha!" I had that experience more than once shooting the G1. It was a remarkably hassle-free experience. For those interested in such things, I shot some duplicate images with the 45/2.8 Tessar at the same aperatures as the G1 shots. If there is any difference in the performance of these two lenses, I was unable to tell it in the results, but as has been noted here on this board, the Tessar pancake lens can be a little tough to focus with that skimpy little ring.
7. Noise of the autofocus system was also noted by some who gave advice on the camera. I heard it the first time, since it was new to me, then promptly ignored it thereafter. So did most of my subjects in some candid work. One lady did get temporarily distracted by the visible red light coming at her from the focusing sytem in an informal portrait, but that was it.
Speaking of distraction, I noticed that unlike when I take pictures with one or two SLR's hung around my neck, nobody really paid to much attention to me with the G1. I looked decidedly "touristy" with what to the untrained eye must have looked like a point and shoot camera. I am an investigator by profession, and believe me, I can tell when someone is paying attention to me as the photographer. With the G1, they just weren't. My informal portrait subjects, mostly female, were simply not as intimidated by this camera as they have been with my large, black-bodied SLR's.
8. The G1 is not at its best doing real close up work it seems. The 45/2 doesn't seem to focus all that closely, and there's no good way to tell depth of field in advance. Score one for my SLR's.
9. I heard a lot about "shutter lag time" from those who told me I would miss the decisive moment waiting for the G1 to wake up, focus and trip the shutter. I did not experience this, even once. Perhaps it is the difference in my shooting style from theirs, but I am pleased to report it simply was not a problem.
10. I found I am able to hand-hold much lower shutter speeds successfully with the G1 than I have ever been able to with an SLR. The G1 wins in this catergory decidedly.
Finally, there is the enjoyment factor. Here, I think the G1 must win, at least for me. I'll continue to use my SLR's for work, or when I need long lenses, or when viewing through the lens is critical, but for pure fun shooting and for when I want a low profile, I think the G1 will be my choice, certainly as a travel camera at the very least. It has been everywhere with me since Wednesday, and I think that pattern will continue.
I haven't had this much fun with a camera since I was a kid with that ratty old Fuji rangefinder, a bunch of out of date Tri-X bought cheap, and a bathroom darkroom. Thanks to everyone who advised me on the purchase. Sorry for the long post.
Cheers,
Tom
