G1 focusing/shutter problem (both AF & manual)

[msakamoto]

I just a got a G1 w/45 lens from KEH. It takes great shots WHEN the shutter actually clicks. It takes FOREVER to auto-focus in anything but clear light. Even more, when I set it to manual focus, I STILL get shutter lag as well as NO shutter release if it doesn't sense a clear auto-focus. Does this make sense at all? Could I be committing some awful first-time G camera user faux pas that I'm just not aware of? Or do I have a lemon? Heelllppp..... (Thanks in advance...!) :bang:

 

[jano]

Getting the G's to focus is always tricky and takes some practice. Try to find veritcal lines, and areas of contrast. Once you get used to it, the focus is quick.

The camera won't shoot until you get focus. I don't remember whether the G1 had a continuous focus or not, but if it does, set it to that and you can shoot even without focus confirmed.

Shutter lag? Not sure on that one.

 

[alliv]

Use fresh set of batteries. Shutter should always fire in MF mode. If not (and batteries are fresh) - your camera needs repair. My G1 focuses ok and I use AF most of the time, just aim the center of viewfinder to some vertical/high contrast line, press half-way, recompose and shoot.

 

[Socke]

I had the same problem when my G1 was "new". The seller reported it hadn't been used for at least two years and that may have been the reason.

Wether in auto or manual focus, I had to press the shutter very carfully and as vertical as possible to release it. Sometimes the shutter released several seconds after I pressed and released the button!

I got the camera with fully depleted batteries, the picture on ebay showed it turned on and it was on when I got it. So I presume it wasn't switched off when the previuos owner died.

After some exercise it got better and now there is a small but reasonable shutterlag from focusing.

 

[jaap]

I had the same problem when my G1 was "new". The seller reported it hadn't been used for at least two years and that may have been the reason.

Wether in auto or manual focus, I had to press the shutter very carfully and as vertical as possible to release it. Sometimes the shutter released several seconds after I pressed and released the button!

I got the camera with fully depleted batteries, the picture on ebay showed it turned on and it was on when I got it. So I presume it wasn't switched off when the previuos owner died.

After some exercise it got better and now there is a small but reasonable shutterlag from focusing.

What is for you a small shutterlag? is it a 1/2 second ?

 

[Socke]

When I focus very close it may be around 1/2 a second, usualy the lag is barely noticeable. When I first got the camera it was more like 2 to 5 seconds! I have to wait until it's back from Kyocera to test it.

 

[Socke]

Here is my first complaint

 

[alliv]

My G1 is a battery eater. With new batteries it lasted about 20 rolls and then stopped working without any warning. So don't rely on 'baterry low' warning, keep spare set always at hand

 

[jaap]

The guys in Hamburg are great. My focusing wheel on my G2 turned once very very heavy.
They repared it under garantee. And i never had the problem again. With that great little machine called G2.

 

[msakamoto]

Thanks for all the feedback

Thanks for all the feedback

I'm sending it back to KEH today. It clearly isn't always functioning as it's supposed to, even with the fact that it's not as advanced as the G2 (Oh, for that extra $250 in my wallet to spend on film gear...).

BTW, KEH was very cooperative in arranging my return. They even accepted my exchange of the 45mm lens with dust in it that was only "bargain" grade. (Dust monster, more like it.) I would definitely recommend buying used anything from them as their quality grading standards are quite high compared to most.

Thanks,

Michael
😉