Contax-G system
The Contax-G system is a camera system from Kyocera , whose cameras G1 (introduced in 1994) and G2 (introduced in 1996) were miniature rangefinder cameras with autofocus . Production was discontinued in 2005 along with the entire Kyocera camera production. The G2 was a further development of the G1 and had expanded operating options and improved technical features.
The cameras enjoyed a good reputation and were the first attempt in decades to revive the area of high-quality viewfinder cameras with interchangeable lenses, previously only represented by the Leica M series. The lens connection was not compatible with either the Leica M connection or the old Contax rangefinder cameras (production stopped in 1962).
A special feature of the Contax G is the real image viewfinder. This adapts automatically to the respective lens focal length and continuously compensates for the parallax shift that occurs in the rangefinder technology (viewfinder separate from the lens). This means that for the first time it is also possible to use a real zoom lens with rangefinder cameras.
Both cameras had a focal plane shutter, an autofocus measuring device that also allowed manual focusing, motorized film transport, a rear wall that could be exchanged for a data back wall, and automatic exposure and flash.
Lenses
The construction of the lenses comes from Zeiss and comprises a total of the following seven lenses:
- Hologon 16 mm; 1: 8 (with viewfinder)
- Biogon T * 21 mm; 1: 2.8 (with viewfinder), 9 elements in 7 groups
- Biogon T * 28 mm; 1: 2.8
- Planar T * 35mm; 1: 2.0, 7 elements in 5 groups
- Planar T * 45mm; 1: 2.0
- Sonnar T * 90 mm; 1: 2.8
- Vario-Sonnar T * 35-70 mm; 1: 3.5-5.6; 13 lenses in 8 groups. Can only be used for the G2.
Technical specifications
G1
- Shutter: electronic, 16 s – 1/2000 s (X: 1/100 s)
- Self-timer: yes, 10 s
- Passive autofocus or manual focus using the focusing wheel on the top of the camera
- Exposure metering: aperture timer, manual, TTL flash exposure; center-weighted measurement
- Viewfinder: Real image with viewfinder window between 28 and 90 mm depending on the lens used
- Film transport: motorized, max. 2 frames / s
- Weight: 460 g
- Dimensions: 133 mm × 77 mm × 42 mm
G2
- Shutter: electronic, 16 s – 1/6000 s (X: 1/200 s)
- Self-timer: yes, 10 s
- Passive / active autofocus or manual focus using the focusing wheel on the front of the camera
- Exposure metering: aperture timer, manual, TTL flash exposure; center-weighted measurement
- Viewfinder: Real image with viewfinder window between 28 and 90 mm depending on the lens used
- Film transport: motorized, max. 4 frames / s
- Weight: 560 g
- Dimensions: 139 mm × 80 mm × 45 mm
equipment
- Data back panels GD-1 for G1, GD-2 for G2
- The data backplane GD-2 offered two options for data recording:
- Exposure of certain dates on the bridge between two shots
- Storage of certain data and subsequent exposure on the previously reserved images 1 and 2 of the film
- Flash units TLA 140, TLA 200
- The reflector of the TLA 200 device was adjustable to four focal lengths between 28 and 90 mm. The flash unit also worked technically on Contax SLR cameras, just as Contax SLR flash units can be used on the G cameras.
- Powerpack (power supply) P-8
- Various special bags, lens caps and filters