Help! Contax G1 focus noise issue

Skycreeper

Member
Joined
Aug 11, 2024
Messages
38
Location
China, Chengdu
Format
Medium Format
The other day, my Contax G1 started to make weird noises when focusing.
When the camera is pointing downwards, there is a high pitch noise when the inner lens tube tries to retract after focusing. Sometimes it is not able to retract.
This is more severe with heavier lenses like G90. Feels like the focus motor gear is carrying too much weight.
I applied some watch oil to the focus gear area. I am not able to disassemble the camera so I applied through a hole behind the PCB (as shown in the image).



It did not help much, so I applied some alcohol (99%). However, it made things worse. Now even the G45 cannot retract facing horizontal, and the motor keeps running with high pitch noise.
What did I do wrong?
Any suggestions to rectify?
I intend to send to service as the last resort only as I have not found a good serviceman yet, and it always takes too long, plus a lot of back and forth.
 

4season

Member
Joined
Jul 13, 2015
Messages
1,981
Format
Plastic Cameras
Just guessing that there's a cracked plastic gear in need of replacement. I found this video which shows the mechanism in operation.
 
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