G1 ROM Upgrade

[sixkilo]

I've searched around on the web and can't seem to find an answer to whether or not a 'silver label' G1 can be presently upgraded to a 'green label'?

Basically my concern is this, if I buy a silver label G1 what can I do (if anything) to get it upgraded to make use of the 21mm and 35mm lenses?

 

[BTMarcais]

If you're in the USA, get in touch with TOCAD, they have taken over parts distribution and repair for the contax cameras. I know they have some parts available for the G-series, I'm not sure if the ROM upgrade is still available as a service, but I'd contact them and ask. They were pretty speedy replying to my email last time around about a part I needed.
Good luck,
-Brian

 

[wlewisiii]

At this point, though, I would doubt it. If Tocad can, I'd be interested in hearing that as well. But my gut level feeling would be that the only way now would be to swap the rom out of an otherwise dead G1 green lable.

Let us know if you find out anything,

William

 

[sixkilo]

I ended up calling ToCAD and asking them about this service. They said that it would run me $40. This is only for upgrade, a full CLA would be another $173 on top of that.

Aside: I'm surprised no one has reverse engineered the EPROM on the G bodies and made public versions available. At first I was convinced that a search would come up with dozens of DIY upgrade methods...

 

[wlewisiii]

Only $40? Very interesting... 😉

Thank you for the information, could come in handy sometime.

William

 

[jvan01]

You should be able to find a greenlabel G1 fairly easily for probably the same price as an unmodified G1.

 

[splitimageview]

Green labels usually go for a bit more.

In Japan, the green label upgrade is free. 😉

 

[wlewisiii]

The ones I've seen tend to be more than $40 more so a nice cheap unmodified G1 becomes all the more temping. If I find one already done for less, so much the better but it's good to know otherwise.

William

 

[jvan01]

I read that late-era production G1s were all green-labeled and compatible, so one should be able to find a good deal without a problem.

 

[Bob Michaels]

When Contax USA still existed, they would do the green label upgrade for free if you told them you had a lens that required it.

It appears there are very few G1's that were produced before the new ROM software and have not yet been upgraded.

 

[BTMarcais]

I have to say I'm surprised at how low the cost of the upgrade is, even taking into consideration the free upgrade contax usa used to offer (like bob said). I'm glad TOCAD still makes this service available.
-Brian

 

[JapanExposures]

It appears there are very few G1's that were produced before the new ROM software and have not yet been upgraded.

I see a lot of them here in Japan, but perhaps these are early adopter cameras. I doubt that they are a collectible though 😉

The ROM upgrade is free or inexpensive because there just isn't that much work involved. The ROM upgrade is applied through the DX contacts, so there is nothing to take apart or similar. My understanding is that Kyocera (in Japan at least) do some shutter and AF testing at the same time.

 

[jfretless]

Thanks for the info! I just emailed Tocad to confirm pricing, etc...

This is a lot cheaper than buying a green label G1, which are at the cheapest on Ebay are $250, body only. I was considering buying a green label and then selling my silver label. $40.. can't beat that.

John

 

[Traut]

Don't tell anyone else. OK?