Contax G2 + Biogon T*28mm f2/8 lens. (1996) Titanium chrome .

The Contax G2 is a  interchangeable-lens camera sold by Kyocera under the Contax brand in competition with the Leica M7, Voigtlander Bessa R, and Konica Hexar RF. The G2 was introduced in 1996 The titanium-bodied G-series cameras do not use the traditional Leica M mount seen on many rangefinder cameras, but the “G”-mount, an electronic autofocus mount. Critics were quick to accuse the camera of not being a “true” (mechanical) rangefinder, since it used autofocus and electronically linked mechanisms. But the AF mechanism in the G-series does indeed use a twin-window system much like that of the older mechanical rangefinders — only in electronic form. The lenses designed by Carl Zeiss for the G-series quickly established it as a camera of worth: the original 45mm f/2 Planar was joined by a 28mm f/2.8 Biogon and a 90mm f/2.8 Sonnar; a 21 f/2.8 Biogon, 16mm f/8 Hologon, 35mm f/2 Planar and 35–70mm f/3.5–5.6 Vario-Sonnar were added later. The 45mm Zeiss Planar in particular gained renown as the second-sharpest 35mm camera lens ever tested by the Swedish test site Photodo— outclassing the Leica 50mm Summicron-M. The very high optical quality of the G-series lenses makes them excellent candidates for use with high-resolution digital sensors. Adapters are available for the Sony NEX and Micro Four Thirds digital cameras. Users should note that features such as auto-focus, automatic aperture, and full field of view may not be available when using an adapter. Compared with the original G1, the G2 has improved autofocus performance and higher top shutter speeds of 1/4000 sec in manual mode and 1/6000 sec in aperture priority mode. The manual focus wheel was moved from the top deck to the front, to about the same position as where the focusing wheel was located on classic Dresden and Stuttgart Contax rangefinders. The G2 auto-focus also has two focusing modes: continuous, which constantly adjusts focus as the camera is moved; and single, which is a safety mode, focusing as the focus button is pressed (or shutter release half-pressed), and maintaining this reading until the shutter is released. If the camera fails to find focus in this mode, the shutter cannot be released.

Contax G2

Type: 35mm AF rangefinder camera with focal plane shutter.

Picture size: 24x36mm

Lens mount: Contax G mount.

Shutter: Electronically-controlled vertical-travel focal plane shutter.

Shutter speeds: 16 sec to 1/6000sec at aperture priority auto exposure mode.

Sync contacts: Direct X contact provided with sync terminal.

Self-timer: Electronic self-timer with a delay of 10sec.

Shutter release: Electronic release , provided with a special release socket.

Focusing: Auto focus switchable to manual focus.

Focusing method:  Combination with base-line length reinforced type external passive AF/infrared active.

Autofocus modes: SAF (single auto focus) CAF ( continuous auto focus)

Exposure control: Aperture-priority auto exposure, Manual exposure , TTL auto flash control, manual flash.

Metering system: TTL actual exposure metering , External metering.

Power source: 2 3v Lithium batteries.

Dimensions: 139x80x45mm

Weight: 560 grams.

Contax  G  series  Biogon T* 28mm f/2.8 lens.

Number of elements :  7.

Number of components :  5.

Max Aperture:  F2.8.

Focal length : 28,4 mm

Negative size:                 24X36mm.

Angular field 2 w:  75º diagonal.

Mount: Contax G mount.

Aperture Mechanism:                Manual control.

F stop range: 2.8—4—5.6—8—11—16—22.

Filter:   46mm screw-in type.

Weight :  Approx  150 grams.

Distance range : ∞ to 0,5 meter.

Position of entrance pupil; 15,4 mm behind first lens vertex.

Diameter of entrance pupil: 9,9mm

Position of exit pupil :                13.5mm behind last lens vertex.

Diameter of exit pupil:              9.5mm

Position of principal plane H:  13.5mm behind first lens vertex.

Position of principal plane H’ : 15.4mm

Distance between first and last lens vertex:                 41.7mm