Contax G2 lightmeter malfunction

[karateisland]

Hi all. I bought a G2 from a forum member in great condition. It was working beautifully and I was in love. Then yesterday, as I was shooting my fourth roll in as many days, the camera started acting weird.

When I tripped the shutter for the 8th frame of the roll, the camera sputtered out. I figured it was a battery problem, so I popped in a new set and turned it back on. Now, the light meter is returning nonsense readings--like 22"4, or 5"5--and then when I hit the shutter, the camera makes a sound (not the shutter sound) and shuts down the display.

Everything else seems to be working fine--including autofocus, the frame counter, and the shutter (when I use a manual speed).

Any ideas about what could be wrong? I tried taking out the batteries for half an hour and putting them back in, but it didn't do anything to help. I've tried using the other lens (no dice), cleaning the lens contacts on the lens and camera side, cleaning the battery contacts, and rewinding the roll to "reset" the camera.

I suspect it's going to need a repair, but I thought I'd check here first to see if anyone has any ideas.

 

[Steve M.]

Do you have a volt meter to ck the actual battery voltage? I've gotten batteries that had been on the shelf too long and didn't have the voltage that they should have had. Otherwise, it sounds as if you've checked all the things I would have checked on these cameras, especially the lens contacts.

 

[maigo]

Start with replacing the batteries with new, fresh ones.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[karateisland]

Do you have a volt meter to ck the actual battery voltage? I've gotten batteries that had been on the shelf too long and didn't have the voltage that they should have had. Otherwise, it sounds as if you've checked all the things I would have checked on these cameras, especially the lens contacts.

Good idea. I bought these from the local Rite Aid, so it's quite likely they were sitting around for a while.

The camera started working again this morning, unexpectedly (though I noticed the autofocus sounds louder than it did with the previous batteries?). I'll probably still buy some new batteries, and maybe get in touch with Nippon Photo Clinic about them giving it a once over.

 

[johank]

99% of all errors with G1 and G2 Cameras are with weak Batteries. Rest is dirt.

See that your spare Batteries are fresch and stored cold.

 

[karateisland]

Update, and a plug for Nippon Photoclinic: Tried new batteries, same problem. Sent the camera in to have them take a look. Included the 45mm lens and asked for a full overhaul of body/lens, since who knows how much longer these things will be repair-able?

NPC returned a $450 quote for repair plus full overhaul of camera and lens. All in all, very pleased with the price for bringing the camera to "as new" condition. (For what it's worth, they said the camera was liquid damaged. From what, I'm not sure, maybe my girlfriend's family wasn't careful around it when I left it sitting on the table by the lake when everyone was swimming?).

If the work at NPC is as good as everyone says it is, then we're lucky that they're the only game in town.