Advice on Contax G2 back-button focus (focus lock)

[rajmohan-fotograf]

Hello folks,
I just bought a Contax G2 with 45/2 and 90/2.8 lenses. Although the lenses get a lot of love in various fora, the G2 is a more polarizing creature.
I must say I love it, but one issue cropped up after a couple of hours of shooting. The focus lock button, which I use to focus, worked well for a few shots and then stopped working. Now the button does nothing. Has anyone had or heard about this issue? Could it be a problem with the contact between the body and lens (although the half-shutter-button-press still focuses the lenses), or is it something else? Am I missing a simple solution (perhaps a setting that I have inadvertently modified)?
Thank you very much for any help or advice!
Raj

 

[furcafe]

Bummer, I also rely heavily on the focus button. Not a common issue AFAIK (have had a G2 kit since 2000), but not implausible now that they're getting very long in the tooth, electronics-wise.

 

[rajmohan-fotograf]

Thanks - I was hoping that it was just a setting that I had altered without realizing it, because it was working fine and then just stopped working mid-shoot (the first roll!!). Oh well, that's life - at least the shutter button focus still works.

 

[CK Dexter Haven]

Other than the obvious — it somehow got switched to MF, or somewhere in between detents?

 

[rajmohan-fotograf]

Thanks - I've tried flicking the focus mode between the SAF and CAF modes and even the MF, but the back button does nothing at all in any of these positions.

 

[CK Dexter Haven]

From where did you purchase the camera? You've only had it for a very brief period? No chance of returning it to the seller? This seems like an important feature for you. If you can't simply get a new body, check to see if ToCad is still repairing them. Maybe they can give you an estimate? Maybe they offer a fixed-fee repair service? I used them for AF calibration on a G2 once. Reasonable pricing and a fairly quick return.

 

[jawarden]

That focus lock button is a great thing and I used it always when I had my G2. I'd send that camera back if you can and try again. Good luck!

 

[rajmohan-fotograf]

Thank you, CK and jawarden - I'll see if I can return or get it repaired.

 

[xyz3450]

sadly, I think that tocad has stopped repairing contax. A recent announcement.....

 

[burancap]

...and another company in NY has picked up the service.

 

[rajmohan-fotograf]

Would you happen to know which company has taken over from ToCad? Thanks.

 

[Joe Vitessa]

KEH repaired my G1 several years ago. Did a great job.

 

[burancap]

Would you happen to know which company has taken over from ToCad? Thanks.

From this recent thread: http://rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=147755

Effective April 1, 2015 ToCAD America will cease service of all Contax equipment.
Beginning April 1st, please send all Contax units for repair to:
Nippon Photo Clinic
37 West 39th Street, Suite # 401
New York, NY 10018
(212) 736-4663

 

[rajmohan-fotograf]

Thank you very much, Jeff! I'll try Nippon Photo Clinic.