Advice on Canonet QL-17

[hans siddharta]

Dear All,

I have a Canonet Ql17. But unfortunately I rerely use it, and when I checked it this morning, a web of fungus is grown inside the lens :-( (well, I really don't know if it is grown or not, but the fact the fungi are there)
What should I do?
- Take it to the repair shop to clean the lens?
- Try to clean it by myself? I think with good guidance (from you guys) and proper tools, it could be done, couldn't it?
- Put a film in it, use it, and check whether it affect the pictures or not?
- leave it in my bottomest(sp?) drawer, and buy another one?
- just forget about it?
fyi, i have other cameras to use, (ehm) m6ttl, rolleiflex automat, and lomo lc-a
Any advise, comments, or insults if you really must, is appreciated.
btw, I am going to test it and check the result anyway ;-)
regards
hans

 

[sfaust]

I would just run a roll or film through it and check the results. If you rarely use it, it might not be worth fixing just yet if it isn't affecting your photos much. Then you can use it for a while and decide if you want to invest the funds to fix it, or sell it off. You may find you really like using it, in which case it may be worth a fix.

If you do decide to sell it, and its a GIII, let me know. I am looking for a camera for parts for one of the QL17's I have.

 

[rover]

Set the camera out in the sun and let the sunlight shine through the lens. The UV rays from the sun supposedly will kill the fungus and at least stop it from spreading more.

 

[JohnL]

Set the camera out in the sun and let the sunlight shine through the lens. The UV rays from the sun supposedly will kill the fungus and at least stop it from spreading more.

Remember to open the back first!

 

[wierdcollector]

If the fungus has grown on either the front or rear lens element and you can access it, try some vinegar on a Q tip swab to both kill and remove the fungus. It usually does a pretty good job. If it is between the lens elements you're probably out of luck, sorry.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

If the fungus is still active, it should clean out. Fungus dies, turns acidic(?), then damages the coating over time.

Priot Post on Opening the Canonet and Flood Cleaning

Ronsonol Thread, CLA of Canonets

 

[Russ]

If the fungus is still active, it should clean out. Fungus dies, turns acidic(?), then damages the coating over time.

Priot Post on Opening the Canonet and Flood Cleaning

Ronsonol Thread, CLA of Canonets

Brian

My camera repairman, told me to use Isopropyl alcohol, instead of Ronsonal. He said that the Ronsonal evaporated too quickly and leaves debris behind. When I tore into my Hi-Matic 7sII aperture and shutter assembly, I found this to be true. The Ronsonal was a temporary (1 hour) fix, while the alcohol fixed it permanently.

Russ

 

[hans siddharta]

Hi All,

Thanks for the replies.

Finally I put a film in the camera, and as much as I can expect, I am not sure but I guess flare came out in some pictures. (please kindly see below and tell me is there flare in the picture?)
Well, I've already decided that fungus cause the flare in the picture 🙂, so I've ordered a lens spanner to open and hopefully clean the lens. Will update you guys in the near future.
cheers
hans

 

[Rob]

I have done a few shutter cleanings and the Rosinol is a good
cleaner but you need to flush the shutter out with alcohol or
you may get the shutter to work a while then stop. I have also
had to thoroughly clean the shutter blades with alcohol, then
let everything dry and then I use a small amount of thin oil on
the bearings and work the shutter until it runs smoothly.

 

[pshinkaw]

Go to your nearby hardware store. (With urban sprawl it should be pretty close) and invest in some rubber chair leg tips (also known as crutch tips). Get all the the sizes. These can be used to remove and reinstall the lens retaining rings and some of the flat screw-ins like caps on wind levers. Some of them will require a spanner, but rubber chair tips give you fewer chances to scratch the lens. The tips can be cut by removing the centers and this will give you additional diameters to work with.

-Paul