Can you imagine if Zeiss / Sony kept this line going with modern AF and batteries...This thing would sell so well.

I have two Contax G1 bodies, one with a 45mm f2 permanantly attached, the other mounting the 28mm f2.8. Both are brilliant, the Zeiss 45 f2 breathtakingly sharp. Some people are critical of the G1's autofocus capabilities, but I've never had a problem. I've owned both bodies 17years and neither has a leaking LCD issue. I've never used either G1 with on-camera flash, although these days I do occasionally use the G1/45mm f2 combination in the studio, triggering mains flash units with a radio trigger. People are always blown away by the sharpness of the images this camera produces when I use it in the studio.

Thanks for the video. Over the decades, I have used the following rangefinders for film photography: Argus C3 35mm rangefinder with 35mm, 50mm, and 100mm lenses Minolta Hi-Matic 9 35mm rangefinder with fixed 45mm f/1.8 lens Canon Canonet QL17 G-III 35mm rangefinder with fixed 40mm f/1.7 lens Leica M6 35mm rangefinder with 35mm f/1.4, 21mm f/1.4, and 90mm f/2 lenses Fuji 6x7cm and 6x9cm medium format rangefinders Two Contax G1 cameras (one green label and one white label) with 21/28/45/90mm lenses. I cannot say that the G1 was my best rangefinder for film photography, but it was a solid second to my Leica M6. I preferred the Leica M6 for theatrical photography, golf photography, and shooting in audio recording studios because the M6 was not as noisy as the Contax G1 and the M6 lenses were faster than the G1. However, I really preferred the built-in motor drive film advance of the G1, the hinged back of the G1 verses the removable back of the M6, and the reasonable price of the G1. I was able to buy one G1 body with 28, 45, and 90mm lenses for less than the price of one Leica M6 body.

I've had the G1 and the three lenses for many years. Technically, it is a rangefinder, with two windows for the baseline and trig to get focus. It's just that the linkage isn't mechanism but electronic via a phase detect cell as with most AF systems. It's - meh. Now, when I used to do street photography with this camera it was focus by feel. Set the camera to manual focus. Rotate the focus wheel to infinity lock to calibrate. While looking at potential scenes I'd be estimating distance by eye and have the thumb wheel dial in focus by muscle memory. Catching the moment for the exposure is then just putting camera to eye to frame then button press to release shutter. This worked well enough if aperture is open no wider than about f4. These days, I have the 45mm f2 Planar adapted to my Panasonic MFT camera. It is a very good short telephoto. The sharpness, resolution and saturation is truly excellent, definitely worthy of the Zeiss name plate.

Great review! Made me want the camera even more haha

I’m not too concerned with it breaking or not tbh, I’ve shot over 100 rolls with my G1 and it will always be my favorite camera to shoot with. I’ve shot way too many good photos with it and I think it has more than earned it’s worth. Just keep shooting

If you’re interested in the contax g series and want to make this your everyday camera-here are some advice (I’ve been shooting the contax G1/2 since I was 15 in 2014). -the viewfinders suck and it’s dim, external viewfinders really help. Zeiss 28 is my fav. -the g1 is not far off from the g2 -don’t get the 90mm, it misses a ton. Stop down aperture if you do get one. -the 35mm is weirdly the softest lens in the lineup. I would avoid. -you can get them serviced in Japan and some places in Hong Kong. -LCD bleed will happen eventually. This cannot be fixed by anyone. Do not leave cameras in car, this increases risk. -you will easily have a full set over a small period of time; imo best in the g series: *16, 21, 28, 45, and tla200* -invest in the batteries. They aren’t super common in most places. Happy shooting. Nice video

Also can use the 35-70mm with the green label model. You should mention how to tell if you have a “green label” or not. Show where the label is, for instance. By the way, I absolutely love my G1 green label. Perfect travel 35mm film camera as well as a general carry-around camera for every day.

It was an amazing camera for me when it actually focused properly. The Hexar Af, although fixed lens was a much better camera to me. I still regret selling the Hexar. The G1 not so much.

The last shot of the lifeguard stand is great.

I love this camera and this 3 lenses! The 90mm is the best for portraits

I think I am going to go for one of their mechanical SLR's. Cheaper and wont break as easily.

Glad I never got rid of my Contax G1 (green label) nor my Leica M 6.

Lovely photos and video. I don’t shoot film anymore (I rocked a Nikon FM series camera), but I use a Fuji X-Pro series camera now, which I feel are the spiritual successor to the Contax G series. 😊

My favorite camera for the past decade. I currently own 3 of them and 1 broken one that came with one of my lenses that I plan to salvage for parts in the future in case one breaks. Great video! Also! STFU DONT DRIVE UP THE PRICES ON MY GO TO CAMERA HOW COULD YOU?! (Jk…kinda)

G1 was great but G2 was even better. I had all of the lenses and accessories with two bodies and was stupid enough when I sold it. 2/45 is amazing.

Can u do another video on flash photography on this one? Im kinda confused on how does it work….Thanks!!!

I've just purchased the 45mm f2 but not received it yet and I'm going to use it with an adapter for my x pro 3, my question is, how do I manual focus with the camera as you mention you can't focus with the dial on the lens, which I was unaware of.

Make me wana pull the trigger found a whole g1 set with complete lenses flash etch for 700 jus waiting for the guys reply

Trying to decide between going for the G2 (for the 4000/6000 shutter speeds) or the Contax S2b but mainly just want to prioritise sharpness and image quality - if anybody’s got any experience with the CY mount 50mm 1.4?

The biggest problem with these is that they are ALL electronic. Getting them repaired is ALMOST impossible and they one has a $400 brick. They were pretty and beautiful and the lenses are superb. One just never knows when they go south.

I love how much people diss the camera like so what the auto focus is bad Ok and just take the picture that’s the joy of photography is you taking the photo not the camera taking the photo

If you used film camera's ... or rangefinder. It was like a rangefinder from the future. That was not a rangefinder. It shot a laserbeam spit out rolles, did paralax. Now If you are scared of electronics, It can get moody and will bzzzz you with lenses like a camera R2D2. If It would die ... I have another one .... If It isn't that important for you, you don't have a backup. Now all film body's have Loco prices, It's still cheap. What's expensive is eroding Leica S sensors ... I have 2 sinds 2005. Not a problem. They were intensely used. Shotting 5 rolls every day. My main Yashica T4, get's stuck sometime. It was heavely abused. Spare T4 and a Mju II never got any use. The Trip 35mm The original Pen F, and some lenses. I only use It to look cooler than them. Some with the Ultramatic from V SLR with Leaf shutter. I shot 2 OM's for work Nice system. 24mm - 135mm Pentax ES Takumars 35mm - 135mm Had one M, but It got slow use. Or get's, I still use It. Bessa and a Leica Now I use 3 Sony's. They shoot the Contax lenses. 45mm and 90mm Also M VM 35mm 1.7, 50mm 1.5, Summicron 50mm, Summar 50mm, Summarit 50mm 1.5, Tele Elmarit 90mm 2.8, 90mm M Elmarit Leica R 35mm Elmarit Rom, 50mm Summicron V1, 50mm Summicron V2, 80mm Noctilux Rom, 100mm Apo Macro Elmarit M42 Zeiss Jena 75mm 1.5, 100mm Macro Planar f 2.0 MF Pentax 3 645's Not going to say all the lenses. A Fuji GFX It's mostly like the Matrix. Call assistent. I need battery's, lot's of them. Also lenses, give me 50's, all of them and camera's That's more 50mm than the other glass combined. I know those models will be shot, with an unusual amount of different lenses, from the same distance. They will think why is he taking those close ups but calls in the assistent every 5 minutes with a body ready with another 50 But none has ever done this before! That's exactly why It will work. Needing only 3 hours, but working 12 ... I don't have a Canon anymore. They all died, broke I only worry about the electronics with Canon. Also they brake 1D MKII, was on tripod doing a 7 day stop motion, someone bumped It 24-70L was in 3 peaces and peaces were shattered. 1D MKII, split in 2 from doing stop motion ... falling 1m. Any camera can break. Use It then use a working one ... A lot of G issue's are fixable.

overpriced in general.. the electronic is random & the camera can stop working for no reason. As i love to say for those little things "it falls it dies..." would certainly be one of my choice for streetphoto if it was still affordable or repairable for a fair price.. Can't wait to see the analog trend go down to maybe get this little beauty...

Camera bait is always good bait but the answer to the title is a strong no, for "most people". A camera with either good manual or auto focus alone will be a more useful tool than a camera that does both poorly. The G1 bodies are rarely sold without a lens and cheap for a reason. Because people getting into the G system never want to go back to the G1 if they can help it. Which is a shame because the body and lenses are well made with great features and excellent optics. The G1 autofocus just doesn't work well enough to justify the virtual absence of manual focus. It's ok for basically how you used it: very slow paced casual photography in a bright environment. The G2 redeems the G system somewhat and I love using mine despite the disadvantages of a rangefinder that relies on autofocus. I only wish Kyocera's Contax branch had lasted long enough to make a G3 with (electronically) rangefinder coupled manual focus, which, besides being hilariously convoluted and overengineered, would easily push it into one of the greatest advanced 35mm film cameras ever made alongside Nikon F4/F5/F6, Nikon 28/35 Ti and Minolta TC-1. You should consider another Contax, the AX SLR for another video. It features my favorite focusing innovation of any camera: instead of focusing with the lens the camera moves the film plane instead! Allowing you to autofocus with manual focus lenses on the C/Y Mount, which has many high quality native Zeiss lenses! A digital version of this would be killer. Imagine using any manual lens on your modern BSI sensor mirrorless camera with autofocus! Hope you check out the G2, my favorite 35mm camera.

no. bcs if its electronics goes its good bye

No.