Contax 645 Issues - Desperate for Help (already been to Nippon)
*Thank you in advance*
History: I’ve used this camera for a year and a half without issue, hundreds of rolls of film.
ISSUE #1: FILM COUNTER/FILM BACK
Shooting a few months ago, 4th roll of film got to frame 14, then the film counter advanced to frame #26 out of nowhere. I thought maybe the roll was finished early, but I opened the filmback and the film was exposed.
This then never happened again until a few months later, once more at random.
ISSUE #2: SHUTTER?
Shooting a month ago. Camera works perfectly in day light. Then while using Profoto Strobes, I get what someone called “ghost image”-where the subjects are in focus but looks like they have a second version of themselves almost like a subtle double exposure/motion blur.
While shooting, I could hear the shutter close and remain close for significantly longer than it should, and then open back up.
On another shoot, it shut for what seemed like 15-20 seconds.
ASSESMENT:
I went to Nippon for Issue #1 (film counter/film back). They tried to “re-create a hundred times” but could not and labeled the film back as good and the camera as good-tossing it up to a “freak situation”.
I then went back once Issue #2 happened. They did not formally asses it this time, but the technician believed there was an issue with the circuit board, since the camera works as it should in daylight without strobes.
SOLUTION?
They offered to rebuild the camera by taking it apart.
I’m worried if I buy a new one, issues like this can come up, but I absolutely love this camera and am unsure what to do. Any advice or help would be greatly appreciated!
