Production of the lens continued unaltered when Contax released the G2 in 1996, and up until 2005 (when Kyocera stopped production of the G series) the 45mm Planar would remain that camera’s standard kit lens.īut if you’re conflating this kit lens with the kit lenses of today, stop it this thing is nothing like the plastic zooms commonly packaged with many of today’s digital cameras. The lens was unanimously heralded as a marvel by the photographic press a miraculously sharp lens comfortably in the conversation for best resolving power of any standard lens ever brought to market. Super quick history lesson – the 45mm F/2 G Planar debuted alongside the original Kyocera-made Contax G1 autofocus rangefinder camera back in 1994, and though we were all fairly distracted by Orenthal James’ speeding Bronco and figure skaters being clubbed with crowbars, people noticed. Yet this split isn’t so much a reflection on the lens itself, rather a product of the times we live in, and if we can overcome or sidestep the one failing of the G 45/2 we’ll be shooting one of the best legacy lenses ever made.
Never before have I used such a dichotomous lens. It’s helped me make some of my favorite images in years. The Carl Zeiss Contax G Mount Planar 45mm F/2 prime lens is, without bluster, amazing.