Contax G1 / G2 Question

[Chuck]

Hi all,

I've read that the G1 had to be modified [ software change I
think ] to accept all of the "G" series lenses. It was
identified as the "G1 / G2 modification " and implied that
without the mod some "G" lenses wound not work properly.
Does anyone know exactly what this was / is and ALSO if I
order a new G1 will it be " modified" ??

I asked B & H but they did not seem to know what I was
talking about. They did say that the 35/70 zoom would not
auto focus on the G1 though. This may have been a very old
mod and no longer applicable to "new" production G1's.

TIA

Chuck

[Godfrey DiGiorgi]

There's a ROM change necessary for the G1 to support some of the later
lenses (focus and framing control for the AF system). This is provided
free of charge if you buy a lens and your G1 has not already had the
updated ROM. There's a label or other indicator installed in the camera to
say which ROM it is equipped with.

For more information, and for details on the zoom compatibility issue, I'd
suggest contacting Customer Service at Kyocera/Contax/Yashica.

Godfrey

[Chuck]

Godfrey,

Thanks for the info. I assume if I buy the G1 with a 35mm or 45mm it would be
"fixed"..

Thanks again

Chuck

[Rob]

Chuck <ccen...@swbell.net> wrote in message news:<3C223415...@swbell.net>...

Early edition G1s cannot use the 35/2G lens without modification. I
believe that newer ones can. So, if you're buying a used G1, you need
to know if the modification has been made.

None of the G1s can use the 35-70mm zoom.

[Colin]

Chuck <ccen...@swbell.net> wrote in message news:<3C223415...@swbell.net>...
>

> I've read that the G1 had to be modified [ software change I
> think ] to accept all of the "G" series lenses. It was
> identified as the "G1 / G2 modification " and implied that
> without the mod some "G" lenses wound not work properly.
> Does anyone know exactly what this was / is and ALSO if I
> order a new G1 will it be " modified" ??

....
>
> TIA
>
> Chuck

The 21mm Biogon and the 35mm Planar do not work with the earlier G1.
Contax needs to upgrade the chip inside the G1 to make it compatible
with these 2 lenses. Without the modifications, the G1 works
perfectly with the 28mm, the 45mm, and the 90mm. With or without the
chip upgrade, the G1 can not work with the 35-70 zoom. Most likely
any new G1 you order would have the new chip inside. I personally
have one of these earlier G1 and it works perfectly fine with the
28/45/90 combo prior to being upgraded.

I hope this answer your question.

[dave]

A G1 with a green label in the film cannister bay inside the camera
denotes having the ROM necessary to use all the G series lenses EXCEPT
the zoom lens. (The G1 won't accommodate the G series' zoom lens at
all.) The green label is affixed in cameras with the "updated" ROM
regardless of whether the cameras were originally built that way at
the factory or upgraded later. A silver label in the film cannister
bay means you have the non-upgraded ROM. If you order a new G1, it
will have the ROM that supports the whole batch of G series lenses
(except, again, the zoom that only the G2 accommodates.) -Dave

[Phillip]

Chuck <ccen...@swbell.net> wrote in message news:<3C223415...@swbell.net>...

Hi Chuck
Personally I own an older version of the G1. So far the 28, 45 and
90mm lenses are fine with my G1. The new lenses that were introduced
at the same time with the G2 will need modifications from Contax. It
will take about a week turn around time for the ROM update. If you
call B&H again just ask them to open the back of the new G1 and check
for the green stick in the film holder compartment. If it is silver
then it's an older G1. If it is green then it's a new one. If you
don't have the need for the 35mm lens then there is no need for the
update. However if you buy a 35mm lens there will be a green voucher
that comes with the lens for the free upgrade. You have to pay for
insured shipping to contax. Another option is just to get the G2 :-)
Good luck.