Contax G2: issue with 28mm and 45mm

[Paulrave]

Hi there, just looking for any advice prior to sending my G2 and two lenses to the repairers.

Right...the 35-70 zoom and 90mm work fine. But a couple of days ago I mounted the 45mm Planar, switched on the camera, then nothing. No viewfinder readout, no AF noises, nothing. I tried the 28mm Biogon, and exactly the same.

However if I half mount the lenses - stopping before they click into place - then turn the power on, I get a viewfinder readout. If I then click the lens into the locked position the VF readout stays on, but there’s no AF happening when I half depress the shutter and the shutter will not fire if I press it all the way. Having got the VF working with the above method, if I then switch off and back on again, I get nothing, not even the VF readout.

It’s exactly the same with the 45mm and 28mm, while the zoom and the 90mm are fine.

Does anyone have idea what might be going on please? Or even a home fix for someone who’s hopeless with screwdriver? Grateful for any steers, as I’m terrified the electronics have gone permanently and unfixably haywire, which has been a background concern since I bought it as I’m someone who normally shoots older mechanical cams.

 

[Rob-F]

You might try cleaning electrical connections on the lenses and body.

 

[Rangefinder 35]

Ialso think that cleaning the electrical "tabs" that are within the body connect to the lensmight be a culprit here. Clean it with "electrical" contact cleaner sprayed on q-tip.
Good luck...

 

[Godfrey]

Also, check that the lens mount flange bolts on body and lens are snug. I've seen such behaviors on other cameras and found that the lens mount bolts were just slightly loose.

G

 

[Paulrave]

You might try cleaning electrical connections on the lenses and body.

Thanks for the suggestion. Unfortunately I am on holiday in the middle of nowhere in Finland without access to anything appropriate like clean alcohol unless you count vodka 😊
But yes I’ll clean the contacts as soon as I can thanks.

 

[Paulrave]

Also, check that the lens mount flange bolts on body and lens are snug. I've seen such behaviors on other cameras and found that the lens mount bolts were just slightly loose.

G

Thanks I will give that a go.

 

[Bolo Kukus]

This may or may not be helpful to you, but I had a similar problem years ago with the Zeiss 45 and 90 lenses on my G1.

Both began focusing erratically, many images I took in Bali in 2004 were blurred and the lenses made odd noises when I put them on the camera and after a while stopped working entirely. It was my one and only camera on that trip and I was greatly annoyed as I had dance photo sequences to shoot and found myself camera-less - someone local kindly loaned me a Canon SLR with a standard lens and I was able to photograph the dance sessions, but that malfunctioning G1 greatly annoyed me, given the small mint I had paid for the camera and lenses (bought new).

I recall there was a camera shop in Melbourne with a repair person trained by Zeiss in Europe. He was not young then and has probably now retired. He cleaned and checked my G1 and the lenses and later told me that while mounting the lenses, I had somehow damaged the 'pins' connecting the electronics from the lenses to the camera. Apparently this was (is) a common problem with the Gs.

He also told me he had to unbend and clean the pins on the camera and the lenses, but fortunately he was able to get them unbent without having to replace them. The final bill was not small, but that G1 and the two lenses have worked fine since.

This may or may not be your problem. I hope it's something you can get fixed as I believe spare parts for the Gs are no longer available. Best of luck to you.

 

[Paulrave]

This may or may not be helpful to you, but I had a similar problem years ago with the Zeiss 45 and 90 lenses on my G1.

Both began focusing erratically, many images I took in Bali in 2004 were blurred and the lenses made odd noises when I put them on the camera and after a while stopped working entirely. It was my one and only camera on that trip and I was greatly annoyed as I had dance photo sequences to shoot and found myself camera-less - someone local kindly loaned me a Canon SLR with a standard lens and I was able to photograph the dance sessions, but that malfunctioning G1 greatly annoyed me, given the small mint I had paid for the camera and lenses (bought new).

I recall there was a camera shop in Melbourne with a repair person trained by Zeiss in Europe. He was not young then and has probably now retired. He cleaned and checked my G1 and the lenses and later told me that while mounting the lenses, I had somehow damaged the 'pins' connecting the electronics from the lenses to the camera. Apparently this was (is) a common problem with the Gs.

He also told me he had to unbend and clean the pins on the camera and the lenses, but fortunately he was able to get them unbent without having to replace them. The final bill was not small, but that G1 and the two lenses have worked fine since.

This may or may not be your problem. I hope it's something you can get fixed as I believe spare parts for the Gs are no longer available. Best of luck to you.

Thanks Ozmoose, that’s helpful.

 

[raid]

I have two G1 bodies and three lenses: 28-45-90. I have not had any issues like you have described. The 45/2 is very special. I got a second one that someone had adapted to Leica M mount.

 

[Bolo Kukus]

Most Contax G users know a few important basic points about these cameras -

One, be ultra-careful when putting on or removing a Zeiss lens from the body. Line up the two red dots as accurately as possible. Rotate the lens gently. Don't force anything. The electronic pins are fragile and can be easily bent. This from my repair person in 2004. I've followed his advice and haven't had any problems.

Two, you can do almost everything with only the 45/2.0 Planar, with its truly superb lens. In fact you may not need another lens, which is good as they cost a small mint. A second best choice for me is the 28/2.8 Biogon which lives on one of my four G1s. Now and then I use the 35/2.0 Planar which oddly is often criticised but I've found it to be an excellent performer.

Three, the images from the Zeiss 90/2.8 short telephoto will never, ever satisfy. The 90 is the weakest link in the Zeiss G lens series. Focus it with great care. Stay absolutely still when you press the shutter. Expect nothing and avoid being disappointed. Now and then a good image will pop up. By some strange process as yet unexplained. I almost never use my 90.

A fourth (and just as important) point is that spare parts are no longer available for the G1 and G2. Fortunately, they are tough cookies and if something minor malfunctions, a CLA may save the day. Otherwise buy another used body and go on using those wonderful (Zeiss but made in Japan) lenses.

My G1s are my favorite cameras. The mid-tones in my B&W negatives blow my mind.

Again, best of luck to the OP in resolving the problem with his G2. Consider a used G1 if your G2 can't be fixed.

Just my suggestions.