My ongoing Contax G1 rewind problem

[DownUnder]

An old problem with old cameras here. Reposting again in the hopes of getting some new input. Advice and/or ideas.

Short intro. I have two Contax G1s with the 21-28-35-90 combo). I no longer shoot much film but the G1 is both a classic camera and an absolute delight to use.

Both cameras function well, but one occasionally refuses to auto-rewind a fully exposed film and I have to press the manual rewind button on the bottom plate with a toothpick until the camera decides to do what it should have automatically done. A minor problem of sorts but annoying.

I'm looking for suggestions to resolve this.

How common is the rewind problem on these Gs? Is this repairable? Or will I just have to live with it and carry a box toothpicks in my kit?

Is this possibly a program problem? G users know these cameras have a limited number of functions that can be programmed, including the rewind with or without the film leader out of the cassette. Could this maybe be part of or entirely the problem?

While I'm writing this, another question - what are the problems other users of old Contax Gs have? Do they go on working fine but then suddenly expire mid-shoot? Or do they show signs and symptoms of problems before the last rites have to be administered?

I know we are dealing with cameras now considered as analog antiques, but they are good cameras, and I'm hoping for a little more time with them before my two kick the bucket.

Many thanks in advance for any advice.

(Added later) I posted this earlier this year but I then put the G1s away until now. A recent film count revealed +/- 100 rolls of '35 vintaging away in my film fridge, which my SO wants me to use in 2025 so we can then sent the said to one of the local charities. So yes, I'm reposting in the hope of maybe getting some new ideas and suggestions about the rewind.

I did try very very carefully cleaning the G1 'innards' with cotton buds dipped in a dash of Zippo lighter fluid. Also did the pressure plate. Results, zilch.

Interesting to note that when a used G1 turns up in one of the camera shops in Melbourne, it sells for up to AUD $600 (US $400). Not a bad price for an all-electronic beast manufactured in the mid-1990s. And those Zeiss G lenses are superb performers. I had the 45/2.0 Planar which is rated as one of the best standard lenses every made, but a buyer in Japan made me a huge offer for it and I sold it. Silly me. Stupid me...

 

[Doug]

Sorry to say I have not experienced your rewind problem... But I did buy a G1 in 2005 and made this note:
Having trouble with the shutter not exposing several frames each roll of film. The blanks are usually clustered in one area but intermixed with good exposures. Consistent problem after 7 rolls of film; 8th just came out of the camera and not yet processed. Irritating problem, because in several instances I specifically remember shooting a picture that turned out blank.

So I returned it to the seller and upgraded to a G2, and I still have two of those excellent cameras with the same lenses you have. Further note when preparing to ship the G1 back:
Packed up camera for return with no body cap, but did leave batteries in because I couldn't get the battery cover off! Just kept turning with little resistance. 'Nother problem!

 

[DownUnder]

I've not had this problem, but I someone I know did, a few years ago. He told me he intended to sell his G1 on Ebay as a spare parts or repair camera, but eventually he 'retired' it to a shelf. I can have it if I decide it will be useful to me for parts.

The #1 problem with Gs is the non-existence of spare parts.

Most G owners prefer the G2, which is a more recent (also an updated) camera. The G1 had a limited lifespan in the '90s. I bought into G1s at the time as the G2s were not available, and over the years I've got used to living with the 1's limitations. They aren't as good as the 2s but they are still good performers.

 

[DownUnder]

Reposting. I like my old cameras, and with my G1s I live forever in hope.

 

[p.giannakis]

I googled around and it seems that rewinding issues are quite common. That will make me think that the rewind mechanism needs some sort of service.

I have a somewhat similar issue with the 700si which rewinds the film at around frame 32. A repairman told me that if sensors which measure resistance when pulling the film get dirty, they interpret resistance as "end of film". Yours might be the opposite (Not sensitive enough?).