C41
Kodak Portra 400
Kodak Portra 400 is a professional C-41 color negative film known for flexible exposure latitude, natural skin tones, and fine grain.
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rangefinder-35mm
The G2 (1996) is the only autofocus 35mm rangefinder system ever sold. The viewfinder is a real optical rangefinder, but instead of a manually rotated focus ring on the lens, the camera reads focus electronically and drives an internal focus motor in the lens. The viewfinder zoom-shifts to match whichever G-mount lens is attached (16, 21, 28, 35, 45, 90 mm). Body is titanium; shutter goes to 1/6000s; AE is aperture priority or manual. Carl Zeiss made the seven-lens G-mount system specifically for the G1 and G2 — these lenses do not adapt to other rangefinders cleanly.
Reference
Recommended film stocks for the 35mm format your camera takes.
C41
Kodak Portra 400 is a professional C-41 color negative film known for flexible exposure latitude, natural skin tones, and fine grain.
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Ilford HP5 Plus is a flexible ISO 400 black-and-white film with classic grain and strong push-processing tolerance.
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Kodak Tri-X 400 is a classic black-and-white film known for strong tonality, visible grain, and documentary character.
Develop 35mm film
Labs in our directory that process 35mm film.
Before you buy used
About this camera
The autofocus rangefinder. Zeiss G-mount lenses, titanium body, and a viewfinder that zooms with the focal length.
| Field | Value |
|---|
| Format | 35mm |
| Mount | Contax G (autofocus only) |
| Years | 1996–2005 |
| Shutter | 16s – 1/6000s, electronic vertical |
| Flash sync | 1/200s |
| Meter | Center-weighted silicon |
| Modes | Aperture priority, manual |
| AF | Passive + active hybrid |
| Weight | 560 g |
| Battery | 2× CR2 |
The G1 (1994) was the first AF rangefinder; the G2 (1996) refined it with a faster autofocus motor, 1/6000s top shutter, and a real top-plate dial layout. Production ran until 2005 when Kyocera exited cameras. Seven G-mount lenses were made: Hologon 16/8, Biogon 21/2.8, Biogon 28/2.8, Planar 35/2 (rare), Planar 45/2, Sonnar 90/2.8, and the rare AF version of the 35/2.
The G2 was Zeiss's claim that an autofocus rangefinder could exist. It mostly worked. AF was fast and accurate for its era, though distinctly slower than a 1996 SLR autofocus. The lens sharpness was — and remains — exceptional. The Biogon 21/2.8 and Planar 45/2 are reference-quality lenses for landscape and street.
The G2 occupies a strange place: rangefinder feel, SLR-pace shooting, premium Zeiss optics, and a system that died completely with Kyocera's 2005 exit. Used prices have stayed reasonable because the G-mount lenses can't migrate to another body, so the camera-and-lens commitment has to be valued together. For working photographers who want sharp Zeiss optics in a small kit and don't need autofocus speed, it's still one of the best value deals in 35mm.
Carl Zeiss G-mount: Hologon 16/8, Biogon 21/2.8, Biogon 28/2.8, Planar 35/2, Planar 45/2, Sonnar 90/2.8 (and a rare Vario-Sonnar 35-70). Original TLA-140 / TLA-200 flashes. GD-2 data back. Power Pack P-9 (battery grip — rare).
C41
Kodak Portra 160 is a professional C-41 color negative film with fine grain, soft contrast, and natural color.
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Kodak Gold 200 is a daylight-balanced C-41 color negative film with warm color, moderate grain, and a classic consumer-film look.
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