Contax G2 confirmed

[Mark_Bishop@ipc.co.uk]

I was browsing through Compuserve's photography forum last night and I happened
upon the first official confirmation and specification for Contax's G2. As
expected, it has a *much* improved focus system (I made the mistake of buying
one of the first G1s - it was dreadfully inaccurate), but it also gains a faster
winder, better viewfinder, faster top shutter speed and flash sync. And there
are two new lenses out - a 21mm f/2.8 and a 35mm f/2.

The message was posted by Blake Ziegler, who I understand is 'Mr Contax' in the
US, and has been widely credited as the inspiration behind the G1 project. I
reproduce it here in full for any Leicaphiles that may be tempted, with the
thought that if Leica has any aspirations in this area, they had better act
quick.

Here's Blake's posting in full:

>>>
Hello Don,

   You're right, the G2 is no longer a rumor!  It's here.  (Well, we will
begin shipments the end of September.

List Price:       $2250.00    (List Price on introduction of the G1: $1928.00)

Shutter Speeds:   16 sec to 1/6000 sec in AV Mode
                  1 sec to 1/4000 sec in Manual

X Sync:           1/200 sec

Viewfinder:       Larger, brighter, and no crop parallax correction system
                  0.57X, 90% of image in viewfinder

Diopter Control:  Built-in, 0.3d to +2.0d, Add-on diopters available

Metering Range:   EV1-EV19, (ISO 100, f2)

TTL Flash ISO Range: ISO 800 max.

Focus System:     Passive and Active IR focusing system works together to
                  acquire focus and shoot very rapidly.
                  CAF, SAF, Manual Focusing Modes

Body Material:    Titanium

Chassis Material: Copper / Silumin Alloy

Motor Drive:      4 FPS, 2 FPS, Single, Self-timer (10 sec) and Multiple
                  Exposure

Two New Lenses for G Series:     Carl Zeiss T* Biogon 21mm f2.8, 90 degree
                                 angle of view

                                 Carl Zeiss T* Planar 35mm f2.0, 63 degrees
                                 angle of view

                                 *  If you already own a G1:   When you
                                 purchase either of these new lenses you
                                 will receive a coupon to upgrade the CPU in
                                 your G1 at no cost.  Simply send in your G1
                                 to:

                                 G1 Update
                                 Nicholas Cheremsak
                                 Contax, USA
                                 100 Randolph Road
                                 Somerset, NJ 08875-6802

Blake
CONTAX, USA
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