dourbalistar
Buy more film
My friend recently inherited a beautiful Contax T2 with data back from his mom (another story for another day). We were playing around with it just after the new year, and noticed that the last available year on the data back was 2019! After that date, it rolled back to 1987. Anybody else notice this? 
So that got me wondering... are there are other data backs that are similarly affected by the Y2020 bug?
So that got me wondering... are there are other data backs that are similarly affected by the Y2020 bug?
rangefinderlove123
Established
The service for these cameras ended in 2015...
jawarden
Well-known
My friend recently inherited a beautiful Contax T2 with data back from his mom (another story for another day). We were playing around with it just after the new year, and noticed that the last available year on the data back was 2019!* After that date, it rolled back to 1987. Anybody else notice this?
So that got me wondering... are there are other data backs that are similarly affected by the Y2020 bug?
That's odd, I wonder why they chose 2019?
Larry Cloetta
Veteran
The Kyocera service for these cameras ended in 2015.
I have had zero difficulty getting Contax cameras serviced in the States after 2015 by Nippon PhotoClinic in NYC, as often noted by others.
That won’t last forever, but they still have most, (obviously not all) parts needed to effect most repairs. At a price.
The idea that repairs for Contax cameras suddenly became impossible after 2015 is a canard.
Though I doubt I’d worry about the date on a data back if it cost much to fix, as I actually wish time would stand still.
Larry Cloetta
Veteran
Just checked the GD-1 data back on my G1 which is the only Contax I have with a data back, and same thing. It shows month, day, and two digits for the last two digits of the year, and it only goes up to 19. And there is no way I know of to go back to 01 and count up to 20.
Guess they assumed no one would be using these cameras that long. Or something. Anticipating Camerageddon.
Guess they assumed no one would be using these cameras that long. Or something. Anticipating Camerageddon.
Huss
Veteran
Huh my Rollei QZs have data bax but I never put batteries in them. Now
curious to see how far they would go.
curious to see how far they would go.
Huss
Veteran
Also wondering the same w my F6 but that prints between the film images.
valdas
Veteran
My Rollei AFM 35 has a built in data function. The year goes to 2040, although the display does not have first two digits, just ‘40
And mjuII has ‘30, after that goes to ‘96...
I think that's pretty cool. Obviously not if you want the date on your photos, but cool in the sense that you're using it longer than they thought you would.
plummerl
Well-known
So, with the G2 data back (GD-2), it looks like software engineering got their act together. My GD-2 uses a 2 digit year, from 00 - 99! As long as you can remember what century you're in, it's good forever!
PaulDalex
Dilettante artist
I have been long in doubt about the RTSIII, which has a data back. A few days ago two CR2025, which I ordered at Amazon, arrived and right now I made the test.
The year starts at 1994 and arrives to 2019!. If you try to pass 2019 it reverts to 1994.
Appalling to say the least!
I took the battery off and gave up the data back. I thought I could set 00 and interpret it as 2020. But who cares. Forget it!
The year starts at 1994 and arrives to 2019!. If you try to pass 2019 it reverts to 1994.
Appalling to say the least!
I took the battery off and gave up the data back. I thought I could set 00 and interpret it as 2020. But who cares. Forget it!
dourbalistar
Buy more film
Well, it seems quite a few other cameras have this date bug, including several other Contax models! If I remember correctly, my friend's T2 also uses a two digit year. After 19, it restarts at 87, which is also a bit odd since the T2 was released in 1990...
dourbalistar
Buy more film
No idea...
Either Camerageddon, or actual Armageddon.
What a shame! :bang:
maxmfoto
Newbie
Just checked my Yashica T4 data back ..and it's today's date, 1987.
Godfrey
somewhat colored
A year range from 1987 to 2019 means they just used a 5-bit counter for the year in the date accumulator. 32 years would certainly be seen as 'more than enough' time for any point and shoot camera's life span.
Huss
Veteran
Take a selfie. Maybe it'll be like the portrait of Dorian Grey.
