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Is it true that there is a design flaw in the G camera that makes it impossible to focus the 90-mm. lens at its maximum aperture and closest distance?

The last "The World's Best 25 Cameras" issue of Photo Technics stated that the rumor of a design flaw was untrue. 

What are the principle differences between a Leica rangefinder camera and the Contax G camera?

The Contax G cameras are focused using autofocus technology. Leica cameras are focused manually.  Contax G cameras have electronically controlled, metal focal plane shutters, Leica cameras have mechanically controlled, rubberized cloth focal plane shutters. The Contax G cameras have automated or semi-automated ancillary features such as film advance and rewind and shutter cock. These features are manual with Leica cameras with the exception of TTL flash that is automated with both current camera systems.  

Is the G2 autofocus more accurate than of the G1?

No. The G2 autofocus is faster than that of the G1, but it is not more accurate.  

Do the focus brackets move along with the Parallax Correction?

No. The focus brackets do not move. The construction of the G cameras is such that the position of the focus brackets in the viewfinder is not parallax corrected. The focus brackets remain where you see them in the viewfinder and must be brought to the point of interest for focusing.  

Does the light metering area move along with the Parallax Correction?

Yes. The light sensor is in the camera’s throat and the metering area is corrected for parallax correction. The light meter area moves with the Parallax Correction.  

To what extent is the G camera light meter center-weighted?

Contax states that both the internal and external meters derive 60% of their readings from the center-weighted section

The camera will not set the ISO automatically.  What's wrong?

If you have manually set a film speed, you must return the camera to the DX mode before it will automatically set the film speed.  

What is the difference between SAF and CAF?

In SAF, Single Autofocus, mode the shutter will not release until the camera signals that it is able to focus.  

In CAF, Continuous Autofocus, mode the camera will continue to refocus the lens as the viewfinder focus brackets are moved, and the shutter will release whether the camera has or has not focused.  

Can I use the G camera TTL for fill flash?

Yes.  With the flash mounted but not turned on, meter the scene and lock that exposure using the AEL lever. Turn the flash on and use the exposure compensation dial to dial-in the reduction in flash exposure you desire for the fill ratio you want to use.  

Can I use the G camera TTL for Key flash?

Yes.  With the flash mounted but not turned on, meter the scene and lock the exposure using the AEL lever. Turn the flash on and use the exposure compensation dial to dial-in the increase in flash exposure you desire.  

The batteries in my camera are good, but it will not turn on.  What's wrong?

Is there a rewound roll of film in the camera?If so, it will not turn on.  

The film is at its end, but the camera won't rewind.  What's wrong?

Films lengths vary. It could be that the film will not advance far enough for a full frame.  If so the camera cannot complete its advance cycle. Push the manual rewind button as described in the owner's manual.  

When I try to focus my G camera, I hear a noise, but the lens doesn't move. What's wrong?

Remove the lens and remount it.  If this does not solve the problem, remove the lens again and while remounting it, hold the lens release button down while you are mounting the lens.  

In Bulb mode, how long of a time exposure can be made before the batteries fail?

In Bulb mode and with the exception of the timer in the film frame counter, the camera's functions are turned off to extend battery life, but there are no data as yet which are available to answer the specific question.  

I want to set my camera to zone focus or a predetermined focus distance. How can I do that if there are no markings on the lens barrel?

Switch your camera to manual focus mode.  As to turn the manual focus wheel, watch the LCD screen on the top of the camera.  You can preset the camera to focus at distances up to 14 meters. 

Can I use the Exposure Compensation dial to control separately on the same film frame both the overall exposure level and flash level?

Yes.  With the flash mounted but turned off, dial in the compensation you wish to use, meter the scene, and lock the exposure using the AEL lever. Turn the flash on and dial in the flash compensation you wish to use. 

I want to set a focus distance manually, but the focus distance is greater than that available on the camera’s LCD screen.  What distance should I set?

Set the distance to infinity and then stop down the lens aperture until the nearest object you wish to be more or less sharply focused in within the DOF for that aperture.  A good description of why this is the best choice is given by Harold Merklinger at: http://fox.  nstn.  ca/~hmmerk/DOFR.  html

What is Parallax Correction?

At closer distances, the scene viewed through the viewfinder is not the same as that seen by the camera’s lens. This is a result of the fact that the viewfinder lens is above and offset from the lens axis. The G cameras employ an automatic parallax correction feature that adjusts the image in the viewfinder to that seen by the lens. 

While the image is parallax corrected, the focus brackets are not.  The focus brackets remain where you see them in the viewfinder, they do not move.  The meter area is parallax corrected and does move with the parallax correction. 

Why are some of my photographs out of focus?

The principle reasons for out of focus photographs are: use of the CAF mode, use of the Focus Lock button, incorrect placement of the focus brackets, and use of an aperture setting that does not allow for adequate Depth of Focus for the desired Depth of Field.  For additional information see the Focusing The G Camera article at this site. 

What is the difference between the terms Depth of Field and Depth of Focus?

Depth of Field refers to the distance in a scene that you wish to be more or less in sharp focus.  Depth of Focus refers to the ability of a lens to produce more or less sharp focus over a certain distance. Photographers routinely use the two terms interchangeably. 

What is the fastest shutter speed I can use with a flash?

I have read everything about carefully placing the focus brackets, moving the camera parallel to the target to lock focus, using an aperture that will give adequate Depth of Field, and my photographs are still out of focus. What’s wrong?

Try the following. Select a flat target on which the camera can focus, switch to manual focus mode, and focus on the target. Read the focus distance from the LCD screen on the camera’s top. Physically measure the distance from the target to the film plane marker on the camera’s top plate. Do the two distances agree?

One G camera had his camera serviced twice for focusing problems and was still dissatisfied with the camera’s focusing results. He performed the above comparison and found out that his camera was 18% in error in determining distance. He had to return his camera for a third service before it was finally adjusted correctly.

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