CONTAX T2 black out!

[jmcaimi]

Hi, I work mainly with ContaxT2 and I have four all in quite good conditions. But three of them have the same problem, which I know many Contax T2 users have encountered.
Despite using fresh CR 123A batteries, the camera SHUTS OFF RIGHT AFTER FIRING THE FLASH. It doesn't happen every time, but randomly from a couple to four or more shots per roll. The only way to make it revive is to reset it by mounting off and on again the battery.
Some theories say that is the protection circuit kicking in to protect the camera from static electricity. Maybe, but to me it doesen't fit very much with my experience, and this would be a very nonsense circuit. Other theories talk about cleaning well the contacts. Mine are cristal clear (I even used some CRC contact cleaner recently).
If some smart guy out there has a solution to this problem I (and all the Contax T2 users) would be forever grateful! Thanks
Jean-Marc

 

[Richard S. (rich815)]

I have two that I've had for quite a number of years and have never had this issue with either.

 

[jmcaimi]

Thanks for the reply Richard. You've been lucky. Or maybe I'm very unlucky with these cameras! Or maybe my body magnetic field is not-compatible with them. I'm starting to build sci-fi theories.

 

[Stephgrout]

What’s up man! I’m not sure if you’re still active here but I have that same problem! Did you every figure it out?

 

[koraks]

Welcome to Photrio, @Stephgrout
I'm sorry to hear about your problem. @jmcaimi was last seen on here back in the summer of 2020.

As to the problem and its possible causes: have you verified the suggestions jmcaimi offered (even if he didn't see very confident about them himself)?
Especially the contact issue seems a good candidate to me. Keep in mind that contacts inside the camera body may also be part of the problem, but cleaning the visible/accessible battery contacts would be a good first step.
Also, what kind of batteries do you use? Not all batteries may be suitable when using flash, since recharging the flash unit may induce surge currents that will drop the battery voltage if the battery happens to have a high series resistance. In principle any non-rechargeable Lithium battery type 123 from a reputable manufacturer should work.

 

[Stephgrout]

Thank you! I just joined today and saw his post so I haven’t tried them yet. I use energizer 123 lithium batteries. I’m afraid to put CRC contact cleaner in such an expensive camera, I’m gonna use a dry q tip and lightly brush it, and also my air squeezer and see if that works! I’ve worked around it by shutting the camera off my self after every flash photo so I don’t give it the opportunity to shut off

 

[koraks]

I’m afraid to put CRC contact cleaner in such an expensive camera

Yeah, I'd be hesitant as well. Also with the compressed air; it would be annoying and possibly even problematic to have any dust or grit that has found its way into the camera drift around the place.
Your batteries sound fine to me.

Give it a try with the q-tip. I often use q-tips soaked in alcohol for this kind of thing and then see if I can remove any visible dirt that way.
Do you actually see any fouling on the battery contacts at all? If there's none to begin with, it's probably not going to help much cleaning them (won't hurt either).

 

[Stephgrout]

Last time I check it all looked fine, someone also once recommended trying to flick the battery contact upwards as it maybe be too low but that’s extremely dangerous. I’m gonna try and give it a clean when I get home from work