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Contax G1

Manufactured by Kyocera Co., Kyoto, Japan

Model : 1996, (produced between 1994-96)

35 mm film Rangefinder camera

BODY

Lens release: via a button on front of the camera

Focusing:

1) Auto: open-loop (non-TTL) autofocus system, single or continuous,

w/ AF illuminator

2) Manual: via a calibrated manual focus wheel on the top plate,

w/ two scales for different lenses

Shutter:Electronically controlled vertical travel focal plane shutter

speeds: 16-1/2000 in auto and 1-1/2000 in manual

Manual shutter speeds are on the same dial as the Auto position, w/ exposure compensation

Exposure meter:TTL Aperture Priority Autoexposure,

center weighted average metering, or manual

AE Lock: With main switch or half release

ABC Lever: The built-in Automatic Bracketing Control

Viewfinder:Real image viewfinder, coupled with mounted lenses (zoom rangefinder).

Display Panel:Photographic data in large LCD panel in the viewfinder.

Film loading:Auto loading and advance to first frame , reads DX speeds, ISO 25-5000

Film Speed/Down Button: The DX contacts can be manually overridden here in order to set a particular ISO 6-6400

Winding:Auto with built-in motor

Drive Mode Selector: single exposure, continuous shooting, self-timer, or multiple exposure

Frame Counter: Auto-resetting, additive type

Re-winding: Auto rewind with mid-roll rewind possible

Diopter adjuster: built-in on viewfinder eyepiece

Flash sync: max. 1/100

Self timer

Hot-shoe

Strap lugs

Body: Titanium, top, bottom, front, and back covers ; Weight: 518g w/strap

Green stickered:inside the film door, means it takes some G2 body lenses

Special flash gun:TLA140 or 200, TTL direct flash control

Back Cover: opened by back cover release knob, detachable

Battery: Two 3V lithium batteries (CR2), Auto Battery Check

Engravings on the bottom plate: Kyocera, Japan and serial no.

Serial no. 044111

LENSES

Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* 90mm f2.8, AF, Contax G system mount ,

5 elements in 4 groups, Filter thread: 46mm, serial no.7612036

Focus: 1m to inf., red T* means multicoated

Aperture: f/2.8 - f/22, Diaphragm: Manual and uncoupled, 8 straight blades

Weight: 252g

Carl Zeiss Planar T* 45mm f/2, AF, Contax G system mount, 6 elements in 4 groups, Filter thread: 46mm, serial no.7805661

Focus: 0.5m to inf., red T* means multicoated

Aperture: f/2-f/16, Diaphragm: Manual and uncoupled, 6 straight blades,totally

Weight: 182g

Black finish lenses are actually made for black version Contax G2.

+ lens and body caps + UV Filter + original leather strap

 

A short history of Contax G series:

In 1994, Contax introduced an apparent oddity that a new line of interchangeable-lens rangefinder cameras that did not use the established Leica-M or Leica-screw lens mounts. The new camera, the Contax G1, used the "G" mount, an electronic autofocus mount.

The Contax G is the world's most advanced 35mm rangefinder camera system. It was a rich man's camera, that costs thousands of 1990s dollars.

With seven interchangeable lens, AF rangefinder camera establishes a new product class and combines the flexibility of an SLR camera with the portability and ease of use of a compact camera. The lenses made by Kyocera under license from Carl Zeiss and their performance is naturally superb.

In 2005, Kyocera announced that it would cease all activity related to the manufacture of Contax cameras.

more info: Ken Rockwell, Mike Butkus manuals, Camarepedia

Photos by the camera

 

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Uploaded on November 11, 2009
Taken on October 9, 2010