Canon L1 speeds

[SyPat]

This is a question for connoisseurs of the Canon L1. Like many of these cameras, this one has gone unused for a long time.

I undertook to disassemble it to proceed with the usual CLA.


Surprisingly, all speeds are about right (sometimes remarkably right). On the other hand, I have a problem with the 1/30 which behaves in a very unstable way by alternating sometimes a realization 1/30, sometimes B.

In the latter case, one can naturally no longer have access to the lower speeds.



The shutter mechanism of L1 is not like that of L2, nor like that of VI-T, -L. I suspect the setting should be simple, but I can't locate it. Any idea ?

 

[alexk-il]

Same issue here

Same issue here

Trying to fix a similar issue with my Canon L3. Unless you are out of luck as I am, shouldn't be easy for you.

First you remove the front/back cover

1. Remove the lens mount, mark the top position, pay attention to shims and their position
2. remove 4 screws on the cover and 2 screws on the mount ring that hold the front cover
3. Open the back of the camera normally
4. Gently pull the front shell towards the front to remove it. Done.

Clean the slow escapement mechanism:

1. Remove the bottom plate (two screws, one ring, straightforward)
2. Uncrew two screws that hold the slow escapement mechanism. There are 4 screws in total directly underneath the escapement mechanism. Two identical, next to each other, they don't do anything, are they spares? The other two hold the escapement.
3. Take it the escapement out
4. Soak it in lighter fluid for 15 min, shake, dry, lubricate. Maybe you need to wash off the lighter fluid with something else, not sure, google. 🙂
5. Done, put it back and screw everything in reverse order.

It didn't help my camera though. The slow escapement mechanism works fine, my problem is that it is only activated and starts ticking after I release the trigger. Strange...

***EDIT***
All fixed now. Removed the top plate and very gently lubricated all the obvious parts related to fast shutters speeds. Also gently lubricated the rotating parts on the bottom plate (don't touch tension screws though 🙂 )