Contax G1 Camera Review: Compact, Underrated & Ready for Adventure

Having owned a near-equal count of digital and film cameras throughout my 20+ years of photography experience, the titanium-bodied Contax G1 camera remains one of my most cherished picture-making devices–film or otherwise! Though the trend of inexpensive and higher-end 35mm film point-and-shoot cameras is an easy one to join in on, I’ve found myself coming back to the G1 rangefinder for its ability to swap out a variety of prime Carl Zeiss lenses and add on a high-powered external flash. Plus, I just like the tactile feel of a full-size aperture ring and dedicated shutter dial.

The underrated G1 may not be as popular as the Contax T2 or T3, or even its bigger brother the Contax G2 (arguably one of the best film cameras ever made), but it’s certainly a valuable piece of kit when you consider its lower market value than all three cameras just mentioned. Read on to find out more about this often slept-on rangefinder system and decide for yourself if it’s a while addition to your camera cabinet.

History of the Contax G1

Japanese corporate giant Kyocera is the parent to two other brand names familiar to many film photographers, Contax and Yashica. In 1994, the Contax G1 35mm film camera was released offering the simplicity of a compact rangefinder camera (compared to a bulkier single-lens reflex prism + mirror system) with the convenience of an autofocus system and interchangeable lenses.

Building on the fixed-lens 35mm Contax T and T2 cameras, the addition of its first autofocus interchangeable lens platform sought to capture the attention of professional and more serious hobby photographers. Putting the G1 in further perspective, consider its place within Contax’s various 35mm film rangefinder cameras:

• Contax T 1984, manual focus 35mm rangefinder released in 1984 equipped with 38mm f/2.8 lens
• Contax T2 1991, autofocus 35mm rangefinder point and shoot with 38mm f2.8mm lens
• Contax G1 1994, autofocus 35mm rangefinder compatible with interchangeable G-mount Carl Zeiss lenses: 16mm f/8, 28mm f/2.8, 45mm f/2, and 90mm f/2.8
• Contax TVS 1994, autofocus 35mm rangefinder point and shoot with 28-56mm f/3.5-6.5 zoom lens
• Contax G2 1996, autofocus 35mm rangefinder compatible with all G1 lenses and additional 21mm f/2.8, 35mm f/2, and 35-70mm  f/3.5-5.6mm zoom lenses
• Contax T3 2001, autofocus 35mm rangefinder point and shoot with 35mm f/2.8 lens

Contax G1 Specs and G-Lenses

The G1 shoots 35mm film and is built on an aluminum frame and finished with its characteristic titanium body exterior. Without a lens attached, it’s very similar in size to the popular Contax T2 (with an added 5 ounces of weight.) Viewing the body from overhead, you’ll find a manual shutter dial with speeds ranging from 1/2000 to 1 second. Though a manual focus dial is present, very few occasions have ever come up where I’ve felt that function was useful. In most instances, I like to operate my G1 with focus and shutter speed set on auto and manipulate the lens’ aperture size and the body’s exposure compensation ring to find my exposure.

Four Contax G mount lenses featuring Carl Zeiss glass are compatible with the G1: an ultra-wide 16mm f/8, a wide 28mm f/2.8, a near-straight 45mm f/2, and a long 90mm f/2.8. Whether you’re shopping for a complete kit or assembling one yourself, you’ll most likely want to go with the 28mm or 45mm Carl Zeiss lens, depending on your preferred angle of view. My personal kit consists of the 45mm and 90mm lenses with the external TLA140 flash, which rarely sees much use.

G1 bodies may also be modified to use another series of G-mount lenses intended for use with its larger, more expensive brother, the G2, which came to market just two years after the G1’s 1994 release. Following a tedious and manual firmware modification, the camera body can use a user-favorite 35mm f/2 Carl Zeiss lens and an ultra-wide 21mm f/2.8. Cameras modified by Contax’s technicians will wear a green label film loading instructions instead of the default silver, saving considerable hassle to shoot with the coveted G 35mm f/2!

Contax G1 User Tips

One of the Contax G1’s most well-known shortcomings is its focus accuracy, a feature of considerable improvement in the G2 that helps it fetch a resale price often $1,000 more than our humble G1. While it’s tough to provide a simple fix-all that will ensure every frame on your roll is in perfect focus, it’s important to explain how the camera’s focusing process works:

Begin by centering the viewfinder on an area in your frame you want in focus, then depress and hold the shutter button halfway so that the focusing mirror can match its distance. While still holding the shutter button down halfway, reframe the viewfinder to the composition you want and depress the shutter until the shutter fires. Rush this process, or lift a finger when you shouldn’t, and you’ll likely miss focus. And, if your subject is in motion, there’s not a high chance of the G1 catching it in focus.

Buying a Used Contax G1

If you’re shopping for a Contax G1 body, there are only a few things you’ll want to look for as you browse online—via websites like KEH or eBay—or in-person at your local used camera dealer. In 2024, depending on its condition, you can expect to pay anywhere from $300 to $500 for a a Contax G1 body.

LCD Screen: While switched on, check for definition in the small LCD panels. It’s not unusual to find one that’s beginning to fade or “bleed,” but it’s less than ideal to have one that limits your ability to read the shutter count or autofocus mode.

G2 Lens Upgrade: If the film loading decal inside the body is silver, you’ll be limited to the core 16mm, 28mm, 45mm, and 90mm G lenses. But, if you find one with a green label, it’s been converted for use with the 21mm and 35mm lenses intended for the Contax G2.

Body Condition: Most obviously, look for any significant signs of physical abuse–titanium is a very strong metal, but try to avoid any G1 camera bodies that have physical proof of a hard life.

Final Verdict: Should You Buy a Contax G1?

Considering the all-time high price that some of the more popular plastic-bodied 35mm point-and-shoot cameras are fetching these days, the value proposition of the Contax G1 is relatively high! Some users may shy away from the heavier weight and extra bit of bulk that comes with an interchangeable lens system. Still, others prefer the solid feeling of a camera with some heft hanging over their shoulder.

If your available budget prevents you from building a G2 kit, start with a Contax G1 and upgrade to a snappier focus system and lenses as you go. If you look around enough, you should be able to track down quite a few G1 kits (typically with the Carl Zeiss 28mm or 45mm Contax G lens) for under $800. A Contax G1 camera body typically sells for between $400-$500 from retailers like KEH.

Sample Images by the Author

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a rangefinder?

Instead of providing a true, through-the-lens view through the eyepiece, a rangefinder uses a separate window that accurately approximates the view of your lens. The benefit of this drawback is a slimmer camera body and lighter carry weight than a single-lens reflex.

How to change ISO on Contax G1?

Setting the ISO on the Contax G1 is relatively straightforward–press the small ISO button until the number on the LCD matches the film you’ve loaded (or another speed if you’re purposefully modifying your exposure) and get shooting. Or, cycle the ISO setting until it reads DX to read the barcode on the film canister to match its speed automatically.

What is the history of Contax G1?

Japanese camera company Kyocera started the Contax G system with the release of the Contax G1 in 1994, following the release of the still-popular Contax T2 in 1991. Only two years later, the Contax G2 was released with improved autofocus and manual focus systems, faster shutter speed options, and an expanded line of Contax G mount lenses.