A review of the Contax G1 Rangefinder

Brian reviews the Contax G1 rangefinder film camera.

[@braidedpink]

I've been shooting leica for years, your review was the first one to make me consider getting a G1. I have always been confused about how they operate. Autofocus and aperture priority is a plus. I'll get mine and share a post when I get it.

[@pietromalac]

I had the G1 with 45mm and now I have the G2 and 45mm. OK. No need to say the lens is outstanding. Nobody in his right mind will say the G2 focus faster than G1. It's feels the same.The guy on the review make us believe that we have to press shutter to get the exposure reading and keep it down to lock the exposure. It's not like that, just half press it, make the reading, you can take your finger out (keep the camera in that direction of course) and lock it. Same for drive modes. Good review

[@justcallmesando]

Your video was very useful to make up my mind. I am waiting for mine to arrive from Japan and I am really excited about this camera and lens. Really appreciate how you care about not sky-rocketing the price of this camera. I also think this is a great choice. Can´t wait for this one to arrive!

[@AdamEronenPiper]

I had seen and heard of these, but this is the first time I'v been shown how they work. And now I know. Thank you.

[@mike.thomas]

And I agree with you: the G1 is one of the most under-appreciated cameras in the 35mm film world.

[@mike.thomas]

Very nice review, Brian. These cameras are *very* well designed in terms of shootability -- in my opinion some of the best thought-out features ever on a camera. For example, you don't actually have to half-press the shutter button to capture the current exposure when clicking in the exposure lock. Just point the camera where you want to meter and then click the lock into position.

[@oldcamreview]

In the viewfinder,there is a small focus "framing" box in the center and a distance indicator at the bottom. It works well. Not perfect or as exact as a split-image rangefinder, but it does work. Thanks for watching!

[@myoung48281]

The AF on my G1 is..amazing...it focuses in darkness. The AF is equal in speed to any other camera I have and is faster than my canon 5D.

[@jeannesmicrofilm6561]

I bought it last week on eBay about $300, not new looking at all , but , I am doing testing when I receive the battery from Amazon tomorrow, the lens is 45F2, more expensive than camera. Feel I like it a lot already

[@alant8140]

Awesome review, thanks man! I'm really tempted to buy this

[@hashimshata]

My all time favorite street foto camera...

[@YummyPork]

Fantastic camera! It was a great travel camera (vs and DSLR). The feel of the camera, the fit and finish... it's all quality. Auto-focus is quirky but once you figure out what it needs (vertically oriented line of contrast), it works fine. I bought one used with the 45/2 in 2001 for $500. Looks like I can get that for the camera and lens now... So, besides being a great camera, it's a great investment :-) I think the availability of adapters for the G lenses is driving prices up a bit.

[@sergeserenkov4733]

Judging from this video AF is definitely faster than my Canon 50D w 50mm 1.8

[@Narsuitus]

I use two Contax G1 bodies with the following lenses: Zeiss 90mm f/2.8 Sonnar Zeiss 45mm f/2 Planar Zeiss 28mm f/2.8 Biogon Zeiss 21mm f/2.8 Biogon One of my G1 bodies is the white label version. The other is the green label version. The white label version of the Contax G1 rangefinder only accepted the 16mm fisheye, 28mm, 45mm, and 90mm lenses. The green label version also accepts 21mm and 35mm lenses. The white or green label is located in the film chamber of the G1 body. I really prefer the G1 viewfinder over the Leica M6 viewfinder. I prefer the operational quietness of the Leica M6 over the operational noise level of the G1.

[@JacobSever]

Any chance you want to offload one of the bodies for not an astronomical price? Haha

[@Narsuitus]

@@JacobSever No, I would not even offload one for an astronomical price; but thanks for asking.

[@oldcamreview]

It is a "Zing" strap. Thanks for watching!

[@ScisMacGillicutty]

Lovely, underappreciated camera. The availability of adapters to allow the lenses to be used on some of the digitals are driving prices for the lenses up how, alas. I got mine with 28, 45, and 90 mm lenses. Wish I'd gotten the 35! Ah well.

[@ProfessorOwen]

I'm thinking I should just skip the Contax T and Olympus XA and just go for this. What do you think? Maybe a Leica CL.

[@adventureofed]

oh I hope you bought the T 8 years ago

[@jeannesmicrofilm6561]

It’s lots of history here , wow

[@oldcamreview]

Correct. Not all film cameras can read DX coded film. Thanks for watching!

[@thechuggs8997]

Does the auto shutter do well with places with Low light? Or should you set the shutter manually?

[@SuperPussyFinger]

Great review.

[@vandenkevin]

Wht a beautiful camera.

[@acidsnow5915]

great video! i think i just might buy a G1

[@marcmesserlibe]

Hey! I was wondering which brand the black shoulder strap is. Looks nice!

[@JacobSever]

Watching this 10 years later...and hearing you talk about "cheap" and "reasonably priced" has me so sad. Functional bodies are like $300 and body + lens combos are sitting around $650-$1,000 on the Bay right now. :(

[@Nerdzombiedisco]

Anyone know the custom function code for leaving the film leader out? Thx.

[@myoung48281]

I got one, love it

[@htolas]

Is it true that there are no longer any spare parts for the autofocus mechanism?

[@GeorgeStar]

Thanks for the great review. How many rolls per battery?

[@adventureofed]

ahahah mine is about 50

[@BalabongChaja]

good review

[@TheAndiandfriend]

Can you make a review for the bessas rangefinder please?

[@theliaoguoman]

Does keh ship their items to Canada ?

[@357mview2]

Are they use the M mount!!!!

[@dohmany]

Hey Brian, if you can do your reviews when the film is not inside, that would be great. I believe it's not the first time you have done it...anyway, thanks!

[@ilovecats748]

I can get the body cheap and then I saw how much a 45mm F2 Planar was...5 times the price of the body!!!!!

[@canturgan]

So you liked it then. Hehe.

[@awwsheeet]

im selling one if anyone wants a g1

[@matthewlin145]

The flash sync is 1/100

[@celestialvonnoodleson]

if only they where still that cheap.....😭