Contax TVS - Electronics issue?

[aaronmacdonald]

I have been using a (second hand) Contax TVS camera for about a year now, but recently have had some strange problems with it and finally it looks like it might be pooched.

Sometimes, especially when using the flash, the first shot taken after being turned on would cause the shutter open but not close. If I couldn't hear the shutter close, I would turn the camera off and turn it back on and then it would make a funny clicking sound -- I'm assuming it was something to do with shutter, as the camera would expect it to be closed when it turns on. The next shot I would take, however, would be fine. After a while of this, it now refuses to turn on. When the power/zoom lever is moved to ON nothing appears in the LCD screen (the second frame counter screen is working) and the shutter with not trigger. I've put a fresh battery in, but it was no use. I was still able to rewind the film back into the canister.

Has anyone else experienced this type of problem with the TVS? Any insight would be helpful. I love using this camera, and would probably pay to have it repaired, so if anyone could recommended a good place to get a Contax repaired that would also be helpful (I'm located in Toronto.)

Thanks,

Aaron

 

[sarabiasaurus]

Hello, I was doing an internet search for the problem my Contax TVS developed, and I found your problem to be very similar to mine. Actually I've narrowd down to an autofocus issue, whenever the AF kicks in the camera turns off, and only by retracting the lens to the OFF position the shutter is activated and the film advances. At first it was more frequent with higher focal lenght (aprox. above 40mm) but now it happens even with the lens at its widest.
Have you found a solution yet? I live in Mexico, and the chances of getting it repaired here are very slim... and with the money it would cost me to send it to the US I can almost buy another used one. So, I really don't know what to do, I think it's an excelent camera to let die, yet I am somehow limited by budget.
Thank you very much for your time

 

[awwsheeet]

ive been using the tvs iii for a while with no issues. my t2 once fired with the flash and froze but that never happened again.

 

[elekm]

My camera does the same thing. When turned on, it emits a rapid series of clicks. Haven't investigated further. I'm a bit upset, as this is otherwise a nice camera.

Just another reason to avoid electronics when it comes to camera.

 

[Jack Wiegmann]

Hey there. There is an issue with the CONTAX Tvs that plagues every copy. The flat flexible cable that connects the shutter to the body folds tightly when turned off, and over time, snaps or desolders from the lens/body. The LEICA MINILUX is plagued with the same issue, and has been repaired. I've found the part number, COPAL AEL-1011, and a supplier in China who can provide the cable. They're on eBay I believe if you search AEL-1011. Unfortunately, the job is a tough one, and back in the day wasn't even attempted. Entire lens units were replaced, rather than just the cable. I scanned a copy of the manual to aid anyone interested in fixing their own Tvs. Please let us know if anyone ends up successfully fixing their camera! The manual only details removing the lens unit from the body. Past that, it's all on your soldering skills.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rThdxWiBgYvZaD2PoVJqGq6FdHHQjm32/view?usp=sharing

Included is an image of the entire lens unit. As you can see, the top is just 4 easy solders.

However, when looking at the part, you can see the other extension jotting out from the cresent. That's where I'm afraid that the repair will get dicey. Good luck!