Contax G
In the early 1990's, Contax introduced an apparent oddity: a new line of interchangeable-lens rangefinder cameras that did not use the established Leica-M or Leica-screw lens mounts. The new camera, the Contax G1, used the "G"-mount, an electronic autofocus mount. Critics were quick to accuse the camera of not being a "true" (mechanical) rangefinder, since it used autofocus and electronically-linked mechanisms. But the AF mechanism in the G1, and later the G2, does indeed use a twin-window system much like that of the older mechanical rangefinders--only in electronic form.
The lenses made by Zeiss for the G-series quickly established it as a camera of worth: the original 45mm f/2 Planar was joined by a 28mm f/2.8 Biogon and a 90mm f/2.8 Sonnar; a 21 f/2.8 Biogon and a 35mm f/2 Planar were added later. The 45mm Planar in particular gained renown as the sharpest 35mm camera lens ever tested by the Swedish test site Photodo -- outclassing even the illustrious Leica 50mm Summicron.
A successor to the G1, the Contax G2, has improved autofocus performance and a higher top-speed of 1/4000 sec. The manual focus wheel was moved from the top deck to the front, to about the same position as where the focusing wheel was located on classic Dresden and Stuttgart Contax rangefinders.
Despite the advanced technological sophistication of both the Contax G1 and G2, and the truly outstanding performance of the lenses designed by Carl Zeiss, the Contax never even began to challenge the position of Leica as the tool of choice for professionals seeking an interchangeable lens rangefinder camera system.
