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Before purchasing a Contax G system,
what other 35-mm. rangefinder cameras should I consider?
Hasselblad, Konica, Leica M, and
Voigtlander. How well does Contax G equipment hold its value?In the U.S., used Contax G equipment in
excellent or better condition is offered for sale at prices which are
approximately on a par with prices for new gray Contax G products. Is Contax G better than Leica M or is Leica M better than Contax G?Both camera systems are including in
Photo Technics listing of "The World's25 Best Cameras." In the end and
after all has been said, the choice between the two is a matter of individual
preference. Is Contax G equipment expensive compared to other competitive camera systems?Considering the photographic quality of
the Carl Zeiss G mount lenses, Contax G cameras and lenses are genuine
photographic bargains compared to other competitive camera systems. The
exception is the CZ G 16 mm. Hologon lens. For Contax G accessories such as lens
hoods, lens and body caps, filters, hood caps, and the TLA 200 and TLA 140 TTL
flash units, the prices are very expensive, sometimes outrageously so, compared
to the competitive third party alternatives. Is one mail order camera store about the same as another?No. Mail order camera stores vary in
their business practices. Attractive low prices may disappear when handling and
shipping charges are added. You may have to wait for an unacceptably
long period of time for your unbelievably low priced order. Some firms use a
"Bait and Switch" technique. Some firms sell gray goods without
notification. If the very first thing said to you is, "What is your credit
card number and expiration date?", you are in for a difficult time. Hang up
and use another store. Which mail order stores add the least in shipping and handling to the prices they display in their ads, promptly ship your order, and offer genuinely competitive prices? In the United States B&H Photo at http://www.bhphotovideo.com/
and Samy's at http://samys.com/cgi-bin/webcart/webcart.cgi?ENTER=YES. What is a gray camera or lens?A gray camera or lens is a product that
has arrived for sale to you through a distribution channel other than that of
the official distributor for your country. A gray camera or lens can be exactly
the same as what you would have gotten had it been distributed by the official
distributor. It can be slightly different, but in the majority of cases not
significantly so. It can be significantly less expensive or only marginally so.
If you intend to buy a new gray lens and own a G1 body that has not been adapted
to use the 21 and 35 mm. lenses, be certain to determine whether the lens comes
with the certificate that will allow you to have your G1 body updated without
charge. In any case, a gray product is not warranted by the official
distribution for your country. If it needs warranty service you must return it
to the person or store where you bought it, or pay the full cost of repair for
the official Contax distributor to repair it. Are the black Contax G kits
collector’s items?
No. My photographic experience is with an SLR or a rangefinder camera. What must
I be most aware of as I move to using the G camera?
The Transitioning To The G Camera article at this site gives user
perspectives answers to your question. I am thinking of the G camera as my first interchangeable lens 35mm camera
system. Is the G camera a good choice as a first system?
The majority of interchangeable lens camera systems are designed assuming the
owner will have a basic familiarity with, insight into, and experience with a
number of photographically important concepts. Using such a system for the first
time is very much an experience with a steep learning curve. While the concepts
are not all that difficult to learn or to practice, there is no need to make the
experience any more difficult than it need be. Some camera systems make the experience easier than other systems. The Contax
G camera owner’s manuals are less than average in content, detail, and some
important information is omitted completely. The translation of the owner’s
manuals into different languages is often poor and/or unclear. Contax does not
offer any support such as the Nikon School or the Canon CDROM course. There are
no Contax sponsored newsletters, user Q&A forums, and email questions are
generally not answered. Contax G camera technical support is for all practical
purposes nonexistent. In the absence of such very important Contax-sponsored support, a completely
candid assessment would be that the G camera is not a good choice as a first
interchangeable lens camera system. Exactly what is the warranty situation with gray G camera products?Some gray G camera products arrive with an international warranty card, some have no warranty card at all. Always ask the terms of the warranty before you purchase a gray G camera product. A warranty is a contract between the seller and the buyer where the seller’s responsibilities are spelled out. With an international warranty, Kyocera Corporation promises to repair or replace G camera products for a period of one year from date of purchase that demonstrate a failure in workmanship or materials. If there is no warranty card, you must ask the seller for his warranty terms. One national Contax distributor has no responsibility to honor the warranty issued by a second national Contax distributor. Distributors honor only the warranties where they are the original seller. Among other things, this policy is meant to discourage the purchase of gray G camera products. |
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Purchasing
