Contax G2 active AF not working

[ganso]

Hi.

I've just bought a Contax G2 in eBay, and after a first test roll I realized I had lots of problems with close focusing.

My G2 doesn't lock focus on close plain walls, subdued light, and I have to try and try and try when I'm focusing on people faces, till it really locks focus.

When it works, I'v tried to wall the IR emitter with my finger, and it always works. All of those test make me thing that only the passive focus system is working.

I don't think I can return it now. Can you give me some advice? I've tried cleaning the IR focus window with my glasses cloth and a Lenspen, but it's just the same.

Thanks in advance.

 

[jajong]

Hi Ganso,

Sorry to hear about the problems. You may want to check if the batteries are fresh and the contact surfaces are clean. Another thing you might try is cleaning the lens and body contacts. Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Jan

 

[ganso]

Hi.
I've just cleaned all contacts and I've still got the same problem. I will try to find new batteries tomorrow, although I'm not sure if IR system is more battery dependant than automatic advance and rewind, for example, which works flawlessly.

Thanks for your help, anyway.

 

[Rangefinder 35]

When you focus close, the lens extends out of the barrel. I had similar problem once: all my 90mm shots at infinity were not sharp. Turned out the focusing motor was weak. I sent it to ToCAD. 4 weeks and $180 later came back. It's perfect now.

 

[ganso]

I returned the camera, and the new one works just fine 🙂
Thanks anyway!