Bringing Canonet Giii QL17 Back to Life

grinnell said:
Bingo! I got a new Enercell battery and it works like a million bucks. Kind of an odd battery because it's labeled simply as '625' and while it says it's an alkaline battery it also says on the packaging "Note: Contains mercury. Dispose of properly". The battery itself has PX625A stamped on it. In any case, at least from an electrical standpoint it seems like I have hit pay dirt.

Now, time to shoot some photos!
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Nice! but don't forget to put in a new set of light seals. :D What film are you going to christen it with?
 
Your right, it does say on the pack contains Mercury. I have one I bought from Radio Shack. Got news for you. Unless your camera has some kind of drainage problem, as long as you keep a lens cover on so the meter wont drain, If you leave it on A like I do, that battery will last almost forever. I bought my Canonet in 2006 & I can only remember replacing the battery once. & I use the Canonet quite a bit.
 
I guess I should have stated that I'll go shoot some photos after I replaced the light seals which are on their way. Maybe next week for New Years? I also have some Kodak T Max 100 on order. When I was a kid if I remember correctly there was a black and white film with 200 iso but I don't see anything on Adorama with 200. Does it still exist? Always seemed like a decent compromise between the potentially grainy 400 and slower 100.
 
grinnell said:
I guess I should have stated that I'll go shoot some photos after I replaced the light seals which are on their way. Maybe next week for New Years? I also have some Kodak T Max 100 on order. When I was a kid if I remember correctly there was a black and white film with 200 iso but I don't see anything on Adorama with 200. Does it still exist? Always seemed like a decent compromise between the potentially grainy 400 and slower 100.
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Check out Freestyle for different B&W films..
 
Excellent news! If you don't feel like waiting for the seals you can tape all the seams around the back with vinyl electrical tape. I have both the gIII and the non, they are essentially the same except the GIII has a circuit board under the bottom plate that that isn't there on the earlier. There is also this one which is entirely different, bigger and 45mm. http://camerapedia.wikia.com/wiki/Canon_Canonet_QL_17_/_QL_19_/_QL_25
 
A friend gave me a Canonet QL17 GIII and it looks like it's locked up from the self timer issue. Is there a way to fix that or is it dead? The shutter doesn't fire and the aperture appears stuck.
 
The version with 45mm f/1.7 lens is the best in my opinion.

I used one for several years before selling it and have used the GIII but it simply does not impress me though it is capable of producing fine results since the 40mm lens is a fine performer..
 
Alowisney said:
A friend gave me a Canonet QL17 GIII and it looks like it's locked up from the self timer issue. Is there a way to fix that or is it dead? The shutter doesn't fire and the aperture appears stuck.
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I have freed up the selftimer by placing a drop into the mechanism via a needle oiler and working the lever..
 
Ranchu said:
Drop of naptha? I'd try that before oil...
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The problem with napatha is that it will spead out and dry the mechanism of most lube. This is usually the reason for sluggish or nonworking escapements. The oil will lube it and help free it unless the sticking problem is dirt or flakes jamming it..
 
grinnell said:
I guess I should have stated that I'll go shoot some photos after I replaced the light seals which are on their way. Maybe next week for New Years? I also have some Kodak T Max 100 on order. When I was a kid if I remember correctly there was a black and white film with 200 iso but I don't see anything on Adorama with 200. Does it still exist? Always seemed like a decent compromise between the potentially grainy 400 and slower 100.
Click to expand...

From Freestyle Photo:

http://www.freestylephoto.biz/category/2-Film/Black-and-White-Film?attr%5B%5D=1-3&attr%5B%5D=2-16

I have shot most of a 100 sheet box of 4x5 Arista-EDU Ultra 200. Love the film. Expose at ISO 100. Develop in Xtol 1:3 for about 8-10 minutes. The Fomapan 200 is the same film. Alas, these films are really ISO 100-ISO 50 to be honest.
Tri-X & HP5+ exposed at ISO 200 and developed in Xtol 1:3 are quite nice as well.
Have fun!

Wayne
 
Wow, the Arista-Edu 200 is cheap! Not sure if it's the fact that I have an income now or that prices are relatively lower but when I was a kid my hobby seemed to be really, really expensive.
 
A couple of points:
- The films have improved. I'll bet that 400 film B&W film now has the same quality as the 200 you shot when you were a kid.
- Self-timer lever on any fixed-lens rangefinder = self-destruct lever. Don't touch it.
- I think the Canonet QL17 Giii is a great camera, excellent lens, nice feel in the hands.
- You can always shoot it in manual exposure mode. If you don't have a light meter, there are a couple of iPhone metering apps.
 
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