Time and tide wait for no man, but cameras wait!
Time flies, doesn’t it? Some cameras have been left behind by the times before they had a chance to keep up. I was instantly smitten with the Contax G1 the first time I laid eyes on it. And it’s not just the camera’s aesthetic appeal that makes it a steal—it’s also incredibly affordable.
The G1’s compact body is really beautiful with the Contax 28mm lens, which makes it a favorite of mine! The G1’s sleek, streamlined design is really beautiful, with a silky touch and curved corners. The G1’s sleek, streamlined design is absolutely gorgeous! It has a silky touch and curved corners that just make you feel good!
Protection systems
I forgot there was still film in the camera and was about to open the back cover to take a look. The Protection systems quickly rewound the photos, taking them all the way back to the film bin to protect them. This automatic camera feature is really handy. It protects not only a roll of film, but also the time and effort you put into taking the photos.
Autofocus
Leica created the rangefinder camera, but they never made an autofocus version. Zeiss did that instead. I was surprised to find that the 1994 Contax G1 focuses faster than the 2012 Fuji Digital Xpro1. It’s another thing that caught me off guard. Don’t ever think that film cameras are obsolete because the technology is outdated. They just don’t have digital negatives, but otherwise, they’re still technologically advanced.
Manual Focus
The G1 hasn’t forgotten about the manual focus feature. The most important spot on the top of the camera is reserved for the manual focus indicator disc, which is a physical one. Setting the focus manually is quicker than using an autofocus system, which is great for taking quick snapshots. I mainly use the G1’s manual focus for focusing on items inside the glass, and I don’t use it that often. If I needed to focus manually, I’d probably go with a Leica.
LCD bleeds
One common issue with the g1 is that the LCD bleeds. It can be pretty minor, or it can be so severe that you can’t even look at the number. This is a significant problem, especially for people who own a lot of cameras and can’t remember how many shots are still in there if they’re left unused for a while.
Viewfinder too small
Another downside of the Contax G, especially when compared to a Leica camera, is that the viewfinder is on the small side, making it less user-friendly for people who wear glasses. If it had a bigger and brighter viewfinder, I think it would be even better.
Conclusion
I’m not a simple Leica user, and I’m not a staunch Contax user either. I use them interchangeably. Depending on my mood, I usually take the Contax with me when I’m traveling to an unfamiliar place. On familiar streets, I tend to use a slow-shooting Leica. They have different personalities, and I have different moods.
The G1 was introduced in 1994 with the G2 joining it in 1996. In 2005, Kyocera retreated from the camera business and announced it would cease all activity related to the manufacture of Contax cameras at the end of the year, effectively spelling the end of the G system.
