Contax Authorized Repairs

[DNG]

Contax G1 CLA?

Contax G1 CLA?

Where is the best place to have a Contax G1 given a compete service CLA.... and what should I expect to pay in a ball park kind of way?

Thanks.

 

[Bob Michaels]

Where is the best place to have a Contax G1 given a compete service CLA.... and what should I expect to pay in a ball park kind of way?

Thanks.

There is nothing to lubricate or adjust on a ContaxG. They have no helicoid for focusing, only a motor; no mechanics to the film advance, only a motor; no mechanics to the rewind, only a motor; no rangefinder; and an electronic shutter.

TOCAD does seem to have one fixed price for everything. It used to be $185 as I remember. For that they would wipe off the exterior, blow any dust out of the film chamber and return it to you.

 

[scottgee1]

DNG, whatever you do, avoid Camtex in Vancouver BC. They may repair Contax but the cost is very high. I posted my experience here:

http://photo.net/neighbor/view-one?subcategory=1&neighbor_to_neighbor_id=348620

Sorry I can't be of more help . . .

 

[DNG]

Should I consider a G1, or is it too risky to own for one with no large amount of disposable income to attend repairs every few years?

 

[Bob Michaels]

Should I consider a G1, or is it too risky to own for one with no large amount of disposable income to attend repairs every few years?

I have had a G2 for 11 years and a G1 for 10. (G1 is my favorite and got much use) They are the most bulletproof and low maintenance cameras I have owned. The G1 needed one minor repair to tighten up the tension on the manual focus knob, G2 nothing.

I did send the G2 to Kyrocera for what I thought was an autofocus problem. They cleaned the viewfinder exterior glass and it worked perfectly.

I love my ZI cameras but I certainly cannot say the same for them.

 

[DNG]

I found a place, not sure where it is in the UK I think
But here is the text, about a Contax G1 repair/cla

"
Yes we can still repair these and the rough cost of repair will be £120 inc VAT

All the best


Miss Emma Lupton
Product Sales Manager
Alpha Digital Services Ltd
111 Loverock Road, Reading
Berkshire, RG30 1DZ
Direct Dial: 0118 9337007
Fax: 0118 9587950
www.alphadigitalservices.co.uk

Anyone have experience with them? lately?

I think I can get a G2/45mm for under $900.00
But a G1/45mm leaves me the room to have a CLA done as soon as I get it so I sent it off, and still the funds needed after I get an upgrade with my m4/3 body.

 

[tlitody]

I found a place, not sure where it is in the UK I think
But here is the text, about a Contax G1 repair/cla

"
Yes we can still repair these and the rough cost of repair will be £120 inc VAT

All the best


Miss Emma Lupton
Product Sales Manager
Alpha Digital Services Ltd
111 Loverock Road, Reading
Berkshire, RG30 1DZ
Direct Dial: 0118 9337007
Fax: 0118 9587950
www.alphadigitalservices.co.uk

Anyone have experience with them? lately?

I think I can get a G2/45mm for under $900.00
But a G1/45mm leaves me the room to have a CLA done as soon as I get it so I sent it off, and still the funds needed after I get an upgrade with my m4/3 body.

Never used them but they are the people that Contax UK gave servicing to when Contax UK shut down. Infact I think they are on the same industrial park and maybe even the same building as Contax UK were. I suspect they ex Contax people.

The address given on the old contax UK site is the same and it included "Kyocera House" in it.

 

[DNG]

Good, Now what currency is it? GBP, ??

 

[tlitody]

Good, Now what currency is it? GBP, ??

yes they will use GBP. UK Sterling.

Reading is about 35 miles West of London on the north side of the M4 Motorway.

 

[sevo]

I suspect they ex Contax people.

Sort of. Yashica seem to have sourced out their support and repairs ages ago, to one exclusive partner per region or country - many of their former subcontractors carried on after Kyocera got out of cameras.

 

[DNG]

I thought so, about $198 USD, But, will I need to pay the VAT, living in the USA?

 

[Bob Michaels]

DNG: I suggest you learn what can be cleaned, what can be lubricated and what can be adjusted before you send a ContaxG off for a $198 CLA.

Many years ago I sent a G2 to Kyrocera / Contax service for adjust / calibrate the autofocus. Several weeks later it was completed with the fixed rate $185 repair cost. Then I talked to the Contax tech on the phone. He told me that he cleaned the fingerprints off the viewfinder window. He said he did not set pricing, just fixed cameras. He was the one that told me there is nothing adjustable in those cameras as well as nothing to that would ever need lubrication. He said cleaning could only be exterior cosmetics.

 

[ReeRay]

I own both a G1 and a G2 and have done so for many years. I use both extensively and have never had the need for service or CLA. That's why I bought them in the first place.

Both work flawlessly and I've no doubt they'll continue to do so for years to come.

p.s. prefer the G2 though.

 

[DNG]

Thanks Bob... That is interesting, in that nothing can be adj... very unique design...I may go for the G2/45mm kit..

I am selling M5, (Bubba), and a ZM 50mm f/1.5 C-Sonnar (f/2.8), both in excellent condition. and both work great to fund a m4/3 upgrade, and replace the M5 kit. I use digital 90% of the time. But, I love shooting film time to time.

I will have them up in the classified this week, I will sell as kit (preferred), or separately.

 

[Bob Michaels]

Thanks Bob... That is interesting, in that nothing can be adj... very unique design...I may go for the G2/45mm kit. ........................

Remember the ContaxG series are totally electronic. Film advance and rewind is by peizoelectric motors, not mechanics, focus is by piezoelectric motor and there is no rangefinder. It many respects they are very similar to your Panasonic G1.

FWIW, I do have G1 & G2 bodies plus 21mm, 28mm, 35mm, 45mm & 90mm lenses, all with lens hoods, as well as a ?100 flash that I seem to not be using. They are on consignment at a friends used camera store here in central FL. I forget the prices but they are matched to the current market. Let me know if you are interested.

 

[DNG]

Well, You know I want the G2/45 so Not sure on a good price, but, I'd Trade the M5 body (3Lug Black, 136x, 28/90, 35/135, 50/75) for the Contax G2/45mm kit, I can get 800.00 for the ZM 50mm f/1.5, so that is more than enough for the Panny G3 body... If that is acceptable?

 

[Bob Michaels]

Well, You know I want the G2/45 so Not sure on a good price, but, I'd Trade the M5 body (3Lug Black, 136x, 28/90, 35/135, 50/75) for the Contax G2/45mm kit, I can get 800.00 for the ZM 50mm f/1.5, so that is more than enough for the Panny G3 body... If that is acceptable?

I sent you a PM.

 

[hugivza]

I tried contacting Henry Scherer to find out where I was on his list, no 12 at last count. His website gave a server error when trying to access the status list, and an email to Henry bounced back. Does anybody have any ideas what might be happening, hopefully server problems?!!

 

[scottgee1]

They are on consignment at a friends used camera store here in central FL.

😱

There's still an actual 'camera store' in central Florida?! Lucky you!

 

[japancamerahunter]

How do we ship lenses directly to Kyocera Japan for service?

For all people who need Contax and Kyocera servicing, drop me a line. I work with Kyocera Japan directly and have close contact with them. I can deal with all of your repairs.
Thanks
Japancamerahunter