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Real but square compare G2 vs Leica Mx

Dave,

It's a plain fact, the batteries aren't that easy to find anywhere, for either camera. Fact is, one works without them and one can't work without them. I, personally, don't have a problem with this, so don't think I'm "whining", just stating that for *some* people, this may very well be a factor.

Austin
 
I think the battery argument is pretty silly. It amounts to saying that a manual focus camera is better than an autofocus one because the manual focus camera can shoot with no batteries. It misses the point entirely.. autofocus is extremely useful, as is the ability to auto bracket, contiouous shooting, etc., which all require batteries. The value of these features far outweighs the value of being able to shoot without batteries. Every year, millions of cameras are sold that can't shoot without batteries. How can that be, if it is such a disadvantage?

If you want features that depend on batteries, carry spare batteries. What's the problem?
 
"If you want features that depend on batteries, carry spare batteries. What's the problem?"

Of course one should carry spare batteries in most circumstances, but sometimes one set isn't enough, and it's unrealistic to carry 20 sets of batteries. The point is, these are rather esoteric batteries, and getting them in the middle of some Greek island may prove to be a chore. It's just a fact of life, it happens with cameras that are battery dependant. You can demand that people carry spares all you want, but the fact is, not everyone does (or can possibly carry enough depending on their circumstances), even if they have the best intentions of doing so. Whether this is an issue for YOU, has no bearing on whether this MAY be a factor for others, and these concerns are warranted, not silly.

Austin
 
It is very poor marketing comparing such 2 complete different system to each other. What wants Contax to tell with this advertisment ?
Is it, Contax customer must be a mob of fools or are Leica user so stupid buying low tech equipment. Is that marketing department from Contax realy not knowing what they are talking about.

http://www.contaxcameras.co.uk/gseries/gleica.asp
 
As a point of reference, I just placed 4 sets of CR2 batteries in an empty cigarette box. Plenty of room to close the lid, with about 30% of the interior volume available for padding to keep them from banging around. The pack weighs maybe 6 ounces. Add the fresh set we've thoughtfully put in the camera before the trip and we will trot off to the Greek Isles with 5 sets...enough to shoot 400 ROLLS of 24 exposure film, according to the Contax G2 owner's manual.

But....you are right, Austin. The battery challenged among us will simply have to avoid battery-dependent cameras. Tell me though, what do these non-planners do with regard to their specialized film needs? Are professional grade films readily available in the middle of that Greek island? I'd think that a bigger problem than batteries.
 
Austin has a very good point ..... I wish my AX and my Finecam S3L ran on 24/7 "gerr'em anywhere" AA's, like my trusty, rusty 137MA.

S*d those esoteric Di-lithium crystal-beam-me-up Scotty-metal-something-or-other-hi'n'dry(?) batteries ..... my FX-3 Super 2000 will work on thumb power! But don't ask me to give up my AX.

And as I've said (and done!) many times before .... drop a few boxes of slides on the floor and as you weep while picking them up ... it's darn hard to tell the difference of which ones were taken on the AX or the FX
happy.gif


And I agree with Dave (Gee! Sound's like I sit on the fence a lot!) The equipment should not get in the way of the photograph .... and it's up to the picturetaker (oops!) to see that it doesn't. Hey! I suppose that's why I keep the FX-3 in the bag! Preparation for emergencies and I didn't even know it!

Back to the devilish Contax comparison table ..... Picturetaker's Mama should have told him that marketing men have only one message to tell ..... it's "BUY MY PRODUCT" .... no matter which company they work for. They assume that a certain proportion of their readers are "a mob of fools" (or something similar ... insert your own phrase).

Some might use tables of figures, some free gifts, or two for the price of one, some sexy ladies (or men?) and some, over-inflated prices to fool the innocent into thinking that their product is better than others only because it's dearer. It matters not the method ....only that you, the customer, recognise which one it is, ignore it, and just look at the product and your own needs.

Picturetaker .... I wouldn't get too excited about these things .... that way will only lead to madness ...... and I should know!

cHeeRs kY-oH-Sara Kyyd dd
 
This comparing one product to another maker's similar product has been going on for years. Just look in your daily newspaper under the new car ads. I don't care that Toyota "A" has more horsepower than Honda's "B" I don't drive a Lexus because it compares better than a Saturn; I drive it because I like it. I have never in 45 years of photography bought a camera by comparison of features. My purchases have been based on "quality"; particularly of the precision engineering of bodies and lenses
 
Contax does not tell the truth in this comparison, it has to be removed from this site. Also there are rangefinder cameras much cheaper than Leica e.g. Voigtländer,Hasselblad,Konika. all with advantages and disadvantages versus the G2 and G Lenses.
Leicas most advantage is the Customer service, e.g.for entusiasts 30Year parts for their expensive hand made MP.
And there are Digital Cameras from Epson available for Leica M mount this year and Leica does work on it. Also much more lenses are available.
And you do get any lens in Black or Chrome without beging by a dealer for a spezial order.

Anything has the price on it, its monetary or in some other things e.g. desadvantages.
 
For those unaware of a not well-advertised Contax accessory (and my final whimper on the subject of batteries - promise!): Contax P-8 Power Pack($60) and the GP-1 Adapter($50), both from B&H.
This combination, marketed as a cold weather power pack, permits using commonly available AA size batteries (4) to power a G-series Contax. The power pack connects to the adapter (inserted in the camera's battery compartment) via a thin 5' cable. Now all you have to do is remember to velcro the pack to the camera body. :>)
 
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