Contax G1 won't focus 90/2.8 Sonnar

[Sanjay Sen]

I recently acquired a Contax G1 (green sticker) and three lenses: Biogon 28/2.8, Planar 45/2 and Sonnar 90/2.8. The body and lenses were all purchased separately. While the 28m and 45mm work fine, the 90mm will not focus at all. I've tried focusing at all apertures, near and far, but without luck. I cannot even focus it manually although when I attach the lens to the body, the viewfinder does show the correct frame for the 90mm. The shutter does NOT trip with the 90mm lens attached either, not even in manual focus mode. Functionality with the two other lenses are just fine.

Do you think this is a problem with this particular 90mm lens?

Any ideas or insights you may have on this would be much appreciated.


Thanks in advance.


Regards,
Sanjay

 

[Bob Michaels]

Your testing certainly indicates the focusing problem is unique to your 90mm lens. It sounds to me like the camera body and the lens are not communicating.

Try cleaning the contacts on your 90mm Sonnar and see if that solves the problem.

Those 3 lenses (also the 21mm Biogon) are optical wonders that I believe are as good as any lens made.

 

[splitimageview]

There is a very common, known problem with the Contax and the 90. Maybe your camera or lens has something else wrong with it, however. I came across your posts on APUG, did you inquire with TOCAD or KEH about repairs?

 

[Sanjay Sen]

The contacts on the lens are clean, but I still wiped them and tried - no luck there.

I haven't contacted TOCAD or KEH yet, but will do so. I was trying to find out if anyone had similar experiences with any of the G series lenses, or with the 90mm lens in particular.

Thank you for your replies.


Regards,
Sanjay

 

[kdemas]

I have two of the 90s and they work great on my G2s. My first thought was the contacts as well, though you mentioned they look fine.

Best of luck on this, strange.

Kent

 

[Sanjay Sen]

It would have been great if I knew of someone near me who had the 90mm lens - I could try that on my G1 to be definite that the problem is with the lens (which I hope is the case). I just hate the idea of sending off the new-to-me camera as I haven't really used it yet.