Contax TVS and Contax T2 problems

[kkdanamatt]

I have two really mint condition Contax compacts, but both have problems. The TVS makes only a clicking sound when the battery is inserted, but nothing else. The T2 loads film and rewinds, but won't fire the shutter. Most of the time the T2 lens will not extend. The counter registers properly when the film is loaded. I tried installing a brand new CR123 battery, but that did not help.
I think most repair shops will charge about $150 each to repair these cameras, but to me that cost would be prohibitive.
Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Karl

 

[Andy Kibber]

The cameras are ten years old or more, so it's not surprising that they've developed problems. Especially if they we're used much (or used too much!).

$150 to repair both cameras or each? Where are you located? There may be better, cheaper repairpeople out there. I've had good luck with LeZot Camera Repair in Vermont.

 

[sepiareverb]

Contact TOCAD or Matt.

Tocad does excellent work at very good prices on Contax equipment. Matt is also very quick and does magnificent work, but I'm not sure he works on compacts.

 

[awilder]

If you use these cameras a lot, I suppose it's worth considering repair even at $150 each so they'd be good for several years. It wouldn't hurt to get an estimate first to help make up your mind if they don't charge you very much for the estimate. Sadly you can probably buy them used and working for what the repair costs given the dropping prices on most film based cameras.

 

[sepiareverb]

Sadly you can probably buy them used and working for what the repair costs given the dropping prices on most film based cameras.

The TvS likely, the T2 not likely. Prices are still high on those, and with good reason.

 

[awilder]

Really? I bought a nice TVS about 4 or 5 yrs ago for about $230. Eventually sold it within a year. About 2-3 yrs ago, I bought a TVS III from KEH for about $260 in mint condition but eventuallly sold it. The TVS III was a much better performer in comparison but I eventually sold that too. I can't imagine prices are going up on these babies. The only one that really maintains a high price now is the T3. Having owned the T2, T3, TVS and TVS III, I found the T3 to be the best picture taker by a wide margin followed by the TVS III.

 

[chestrunz]

Hopefully the fact that this is my first post won't dissuade folks from offering some advice.

I just picked up a Contax T2 for cheap. But when I put it into AF mode and test-fire it, the "L.T." in the viewfinder blinks and it seems to shoot in bulb mode with the same long shutter speed, no matter what aperture I set it to. If I turn it to flash mode, the shutter speed is much slower.

I've put a new battery in there, and that didn't do anything. I'm hoping this is something I can fix, and not have to spend $150 on (which I don't have right now).

Any suggestions, tips, or recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

Cheers,
Scott

 

[pinkarmy]

bought a Contax T2 from a "i-have-no-battery-to-test" seller after hearing toooo many good words...
camera received with its cover hidden--BAD sign.
I cleaned the battery compartment (it looks really clean but i cleaned it anyway), popped in a fresh 123,
the lens moved for around 1.5 sec, the lights inside the view finder blinked a bit. the LCD counter flashed on and off and then died down,
the whole symptoms looks just like an old Nintendo pocket game player or a Casio electronic calculator.

i open the top and the base plate, it looks...well, just like an old Nintendo pocket game player or a Casio electronic calculator!

i thumbed the main switch/focus dial for some time, it seems like the dial went crazy, bad contact may be?

the camera feels so good in hands but can it be fixed?
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