Contax G2, weird frames, please help

LeicaFoReVer

LeicaFoReVer

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Yes. Seen this. Some kind of shutter problem. Sometimes I have it quite bad, sometimes just one or two frames, sometimes none... Tried changing batteries (as some forums suggest), cleaning lens contacts... Nothing helped.

Actually, if you pay attention, you can hear that for those failed shots shutter sound is quite different - shutter opens with the delay when film is already transported to the next frame.
 
Oh dear as I was afraid of. Any service man can do something? Or totally random unknown cause? Haven't realized any different sound. Do you have links to those forums? Maybe one suggestio might help to my case?
 
I actually contacted one recommended Contax repair service in Germany describing the issue - they replied that they had no spare parts anymore (thus I assume it must be shutter related).
 
LeicaFoReVer said:
So what will you do? Live with it or?
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I live with it. Losing a few shots a roll is not a big deal. Annoying, but what can I do - selling as faulty is not worth, getting another one is probably not worth either - you never know when (or if) this can happen to another G2...
 
valdas said:
I live with it. Losing a few shots a roll is not a big deal. Annoying, but what can I do - selling as faulty is not worth, getting another one is probably not worth either - you never know when (or if) this can happen to another G2...
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Valdas, I checked it without film and fired shutter maybe 50 times but didnt notice any different sound. Do you think this means it is ok or mine is without any sound indication?
 
LeicaFoReVer said:
Valdas, I checked it without film and fired shutter maybe 50 times but didnt notice any different sound. Do you think this means it is ok or mine is without any sound indication?
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It could be OK, but it could come back. Sometimes I have several rolls with no issues and then it comes back. Try to shoot with the back door open (without film). When it happens, you will see that the shutter won't open or it will open too late. Then you have "art" :) See below one of those shots:

41399851010_eb0c75ae21_b.jpg


The worst is when shutter completely fails to open, then you don't have a "drag" but a completely empty frame. I had those too. I learned to remember which frame failed and then when film is finished I would put the same roll, would wind the film forward (shooting with lens covered) to those failed frames and shoot them again :)
 
valdas said:
It could be OK, but it could come back. Sometimes I have several rolls with no issues and then it comes back. Try to shoot with the back door open (without film). When it happens, you will see that the shutter won't open or it will open too late. Then you have "art" :) See below one of those shots:

The worst is when shutter completely fails to open, then you don't have a "drag" but a completely empty frame. I had those too. I learned to remember which frame failed and then when film is finished I would put the same roll, would wind the film forward (shooting with lens covered) to those failed frames and shoot them again :)
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haha, no shots being wasted :D

Well sounds like I will have something similar I mean the frequency. I hope I can feel or hear it so that I don't miss a moment in an important occasion because when you don't feel it, it would be the worst. As long is you realize, you can shoot again the same frame. You see what I mean.:(
 
Exactly jawarden. I cant describe how I am disappointed. I had 2-3 G bodies and got rid of them due to focusing failures. And I was hopeful and determined to get a faultless G2. And I have been very content with my G2 setup and used it more than M6 so far for the last 5 years without any issues. Until yesterday I am introduced to a brand new chronic failure by this setup. I am just hopeful that mine gives a sign when this failure happens (like valdas's case) so I can continue using it. Otherwise I wouldnt like to carry a setup with a random failure potential that can fail without I realize.
 
I had a G1 and G2 and they were the best cameras I ever owned. The G2 started having intermittent issues that the authorized service center (I think they were called coserv or something like that) couldn't fix, so I divested. I ended up getting a Zeiss Ikon (another wonderful camera) which is now also an orphan with parts drying up. What can you do, this is film photography today. Enjoy while you can, and when the time comes the time comes.

The nice part is you got five years out of that rig, which is pretty good considering the age of the camera and the amount of technology in it.
 
jawarden said:
.. What can you do, this is film photography today. ..
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Not at all. This is just reflective of old electronic kameras. Which is why it is much better to either buy cheap electronic film kameras, or mechanical ones.

I do sympathize with the OP, G2s are gorgeous kameras with fantastic lenses.
 
Maybe,just maybe ,you have inadvertently knocked the drive knob? I did this once many years ago and I thought the G2 was over. I looked and discovered I had moved from S to multi mode. This is probably not your problem but it's worth looking at the selection mode.
I love the G cameras I have 4!
DM
 
rangefinderG said:
Maybe,just maybe ,you have inadvertently knocked the drive knob? I did this once many years ago and I thought the G2 was over. I looked and discovered I had moved from S to multi mode. This is probably not your problem but it's worth looking at the selection mode.
I love the G cameras I have 4!
DM
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Wow a glimpse of hope for me. I will check. Do you mean if it was in midway between two modes?
 
It's easy to do just knocking it away from your usual setting. I did once and got multiple exposures. Only when I got home and looked at the mode did I realise what I had done.
DM
 
Huss said:
Not at all. This is just reflective of old electronic kameras. Which is why it is much better to either buy cheap electronic film kameras, or mechanical ones.
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I agree that cheap electronic or mechanical is a great way to go, and if you look at the OP's list of cameras you can see he's already gone that route as well (as have I). But that route does not offer the capabilities or user experience that his G2 does, which is why he's bummed about these problems, just like I was.

What can you do, that's film photography today; You can buy a "modern" high quality, highly capable electronic film camera like the G series and hope to get some years of use out of it before electronics or parts availability kills it, or just bite the bullet and get a vintage/cheap/mechanical that you don't really want.

I do think you can still buy the G series and have them "pay for themselves" with enjoyment and excellent negatives over time, but you have to be realistic about what you expect from the experience, and for how long, and what you're ultimately paying for it.
 
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