Contax T2 focus issues

[papo]

Hello all, recently i had the chance to shoot with a friends T2 who kept telling be about focus irregularities so i shot a roll myself and as it turned out, there does seem to be some issues.

Prime example, i focused at something from the same distance and overall circumstances and once i had the green light (in focus) and once i didnt - how come? I kept having these issues where it kept giving me different focus results.

Also, i thought that setting the camera to Auto would solve or improve the issue but it didnt. Maybe this is a good time to mention that it was a nice and sunny day and used a Portra 400.

Whats your take on this?

 

[CK Dexter Haven]

Two potential issues.
1 / When you shoot, do you just press the shutter button in one motion? You need to half press, lock focus, and then continue to activate the shutter.

2 / It's possible that the AF module needs to be calibrated. I haven't had that problem with either of the T2s or the T3 i've owned, but i did have that issue with a Contax G2, and Fuji GA645i and zi. The obvious answer is #1, though, if you aren't aware of the need to focus+shoot in a two-step process.

 

[papo]

Two potential issues.
1 / When you shoot, do you just press the shutter button in one motion? You need to half press, lock focus, and then continue to activate the shutter.

2 / It's possible that the AF module needs to be calibrated. I haven't had that problem with either of the T2s or the T3 i've owned, but i did have that issue with a Contax G2, and Fuji GA645i and zi. The obvious answer is #1, though, if you aren't aware of the need to focus+shoot in a two-step process.

Hey, yes of course i did half press every time and it still wasnt in focus (i.e. was unreliable)

How does calibration work?

 

[CK Dexter Haven]

I do not know how the calibration thing repair works. Both ToCAD (at the time) and Nippon Camera Repair said they could do it for the cameras i discussed, but i think i only have had this done with one of the fuji AF 645 cameras i once had. The repair worked, but i sold the camera because i was always going to be paranoid about shooting a bunch of film while traveling, and not knowing if any of it was in focus until i'd paid a fortune to have it processed....

So, this was just your friend's camera? You haven't bought it? Are you just inquiring in order to help him figure it out, or are you wary of buying a T2 because of this bad experience? I don't think this is at all typical. I've had two T2s and a T3, with no focus issues.

 

[papo]

I do not know how the calibration thing repair works. Both ToCAD (at the time) and Nippon Camera Repair said they could do it for the cameras i discussed, but i think i only have had this done with one of the fuji AF 645 cameras i once had. The repair worked, but i sold the camera because i was always going to be paranoid about shooting a bunch of film while traveling, and not knowing if any of it was in focus until i'd paid a fortune to have it processed....

So, this was just your friend's camera? You haven't bought it? Are you just inquiring in order to help him figure it out, or are you wary of buying a T2 because of this bad experience? I don't think this is at all typical. I've had two T2s and a T3, with no focus issues.

Thanks for thew input. Yes it is a friends camera and i did try to help him here but also thought of getting one for myself. Something from the G Series is something i would rather get though 😀

 

[CK Dexter Haven]

The G has an amazing set of lenses. A beautiful camera, the G2. I had 3 or 4 of them, and always sold them after a year or so because i hate the viewfinder. But, the allure remains. The images from that camera —*i was thinking just yesterday of trying again! I'm some sort of idiot — not sure what kind, exactly.... I guess, if i try again, i need to think of the G2 as a large, interchangeable lens P&S camera, since it has that level of viewfinder. It'll give you sharper images and more control than a T2, so you just have to decide if the size of the camera is worth those benefits.