Canon LTM How often does you film door pop open?

[Soothsayerman]

How ofter does your film door pop open ruining film? For some reason that I cannot figure out, it has happened to me three times in the last 3 months and it never ever used to happen.

I've checked the latch mechanism on the film door and it works properly but somehow, when my camera is slung across my shoulder, it gets opened and I cannot seem to figure out why :bang:

I recently was just finishing a roll of ektar and had about 3 frames left when the door pops open and the film just rolled out of the camera. This is with my canonet ql17gIII and this recent episode has just about frustrated me to the point of getting rid of the camera after having it for years! Argh!

 

[Gumby]

Nope, never had that happen. Check the latch mechanism again... it seems to be malfunctioning. Also consider that the light seals are impoper (too thick) or were installed wrong and putting too much pressure on the hinge.

 

[capito]

Happened to me a few times, but only when I let my cameras drop down. I am a klutz.

But shouldn't that not happen at all, because it defeats the basic requirement of a camera to be light tight?

 

[lmd91343]

Never a problem. But I've probably had only 40 rolls through it.

 

[crawdiddy]

Maybe your Canonet has been Holga-ized?

 

[xxloverxx]

Never had any film door pop open on me unintentionally *touch wood*.

Edit: oh yeah, there was that time I thought I was taking the back off my Mamiya and accidentally pressed the other button. Luckily I lost nothing as I had my palm pressing against the door and shut it before it opened enough to let any light in…that was at 6:30am.

 

[Soothsayerman]

Well... I'm going to have to figure this out then. I just got it CLA'd at Essex so who knows...

Thanks for the replies!

 

[ully]

No, never, duct tape is a wonderful thing.🙂

 

[Vickko]

I took a close look at my Canon 7s. The "hooks" at the door closing side don't actually hook over the little studs. It is more like the tips of the hooks engage the studs. I bet your camera is the same. The door feels like it is locked, but if I pull on it, it just pops open.

I don't know if the seals are too high (I just renewed the seals), as I can't get the door any more "closed".

So, maybe it is the way that Canon designed the door hooks.

Vick

 

[Gumby]

ISo, maybe it is the way that Canon designed the door hooks.

I sincerely doubt it.

 

[jan normandale]

I had a Canonet GIII QL 17, no issues. I suggest you check the door latch mechanism with out loading a roll. It may not be closing properly. It's a great camera. Good luck!

 

[leica M2 fan]

I have many cameras and have had through the years and have NEVER had one open on me. My little Canonet QL17 Glll is as solid as any of the others. When I change seals I always make sure there is nothing around the latch. Wish I could be of more help.

 

[reala_fan]

Yes, I have a GIII that pops open, too.

It's a spring that holds the door latches - it has worn out. Replace it and you'll be good as new.

If you cannot find the part...some flexible velcro will work too 🙂

.

 

[bhop73]

My film doors have never popped open on any of my cameras, even my Holga.

 

[Darshan]

Never. (I use 3 film cameras with back door loading)

Dan.

 

[nikon_sam]

I'm the only loose latch that's caused a roll of film to be exposed while still in the camera...
It's happened at least once this year...

Whatever mechanism being used to latch and open the rear door should have to move completely up and then down to open and close...make sure that when you close the door you can see this happening...watch this with the door open and then again when it closes...inspect all the components related the the latch for wear...maybe try to open the rear door without unlatching (just not hard enough to damage it)...

 

[sig]

I replaced foam and had a DIY 'service' on a Minolta Himatic E. The combination of too thick foam/felt and wrong assembly of the rewind lever (also used for opening the door) made the back door pop all the time.

Fixed with less foam and the correct assembly of the rewind lever

 

[Mark A. Fisher]

You said you recently had a CLA; perhaps they installed new seals which have not yet been thoroughly "seated". That's where I'd look first. I put new seals in mine and it was a bit snug at first, but after a few rolls thru the camera the door closes much more easily. I've never had any camera pop open, and I shoot with 10 or 12 Holgas on a regular basis!

m

 

[charjohncarter]

I use that blue masking tape on my doors, one time was too many.

 

[Gumby]

Yes, I have a GIII that pops open, too.

It's a spring that holds the door latches - it has worn out. Replace it and you'll be good as new.

If you cannot find the part...some flexible velcro will work too 🙂

.

There's another potential thing to check... the sealing material on the hinge end. Too thick and it puts too much pressure on the hinge, which puts too much pressure on the latch, whcih casues the spring to not position the latch correctly, which causes the door to pop open.