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Zeiss G 45 vs. G 35 etc

Hi Richard,
The Contax G2 manual has a good section on autofocus, pages 106 thru 115. In that section it discusses the inability to focus on horizontal lines. Perhaps when you shoot vertical with the G90 lens you are focusing on a vertical line which is now horizontal when you shoot vertically. When I have a similar problem I move the box in the viewfinder to get focus, lock focus, realign the picture and shoot. I have a Minolta SLR system as well and have a similar problem as I also do with the G2. Other than that I do not have any problems with focusing other than the usual ones discussed in the G2 manual.
Harbert
 
>Hi Richard, >The Contax G2 manual has a good section on autofocus, pages 106 thru >115. In that section it discusses the inability to focus on horizontal >lines. Perhaps when you shoot vertical with the G90 lens you are >focusing on a vertical line which is now horizontal when you shoot >vertically. When I have a similar problem I move the box in the >viewfinder to get focus, lock focus, realign the picture and shoot. I >have a Minolta SLR system as well and have a similar problem as I also >do with the G2. Other than that I do not have any problems with >focusing other than the usual ones discussed in the G2 manual. >Harbert

Thanks for the info Harbert! My used G2 came without a manual, unfortunately, so this would explain my problem.

Richard Torsleff
 
Richard,
I will try to scan the applicable pages if you will send me your eMail address. The manual is small and hard to scan but I will try for these pages.
Harbert.lee@siemens.com
 
re. focusing difficulties w/ the 90mm.

There's a remote possibility of another cause: I've read about a problem w/ the lens contacts preventing focusing. If the refusal to focus is a case of the focusing motor not working at all, as opposed to the camera "hunting" for focus, then it's possible that the weight of the lens is moving the base enough to interrupt electrical contact between lens and body. Fixing it can be as simple as carefully cleaning the contacts, or it may require an adjustment by a repair person.

Because it's the longest, heaviest lens (except for the zoom) it's most likely to happen with the 90.

But if the focus motor IS working, than it's just a matter of selecting an appropriate target. In my experience, though, this is more likely to happen when shooting horizontally than vertically.

--Rick
 
Dirk, I bought the G1 45/2 Planar yesterday from B&H. Everything by Contax was 10 percent off. Got a fantastic price, and later on found the TLA 200 flash on e-bay for just above 200 bucks, so I'm content that I don't hae to do all my indoor shooting with available light. I have one question: in the above post you mentioned that the 45 was more versatile. I've noticed (listen, I'm an advanced amateur so be patient with my naivete) that after looking at all the 35mm shots I did with my old Nikkor 35/2 (not a half-bad lens) and my T4, I could have gotten the same shots with less unnecessary detail and more emphasis on the subject with the 45. Like so many people said here, the optics on this lens are so unparalleled I can't see owning a G camera without having it. Anyhow, what made you say it was more versatile??
 
I think a 45 or 50mm is more versatile, because you are not in a wideangle or tele-corner with your shots.

With this kind of standard lens, you can make both, a tele-shot-like picture, or a wide-angle-like picture. Of course in certain situations, the first or the latter one is better. But if you are restricted to one, I would take the standard lens.

Feininger wrote in one of his books:

"if the photo is not good enough, you have not been close enough"

In my limited experience, this is exactly the mistake I often see on my photos and others. Because of a psychological time pressure (not existant in reality) you tend to take more subjects into your framing, then you should. A standard lens helps to avoid this, since it forces you to see in another way then with a wideangel.

By beeing restricted to this one lens, you start to think what you want to take photos of. 90mm would be even more "clean", but then you loose the flexibility.

Hope that helps

Dirk
 
> Feininger wrote in one of his books: > > "if the photo is not good enough, you have not been close enough"

I always had heard that this quotation came from Bob Capa. I have also heard it expressed as "Get as close as you can, and then get five feet closer". Whether Feininger or Capa said it first is rather immaterial, I suppose, as it is one of those quotes that go around the photographic community, like the editorial advice as to how to shoot good press photos - "f8, and BE THERE !"
 
Could anyone tell me where the best (cheapest but most honest) places online (in the USA) are to buy a new G 45mm lens? I just got one 2nd hand on eBay but it wouldn't focus. I was lucky to be able to return it and get my money back. I know Delta has it for $234, but it is a gray market lens. What is the risk in buying this type of lens new without US warranty? Thanks
 
Vivian,

I do not think that it would be a good idea to discus this in public. Others might send you better a private e-mail with their suggestions. remember this is a forum and mailing list, so any comment stays here forever, unless I delete it.

Thanks for your understanding

Dirk
 
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