Canon QL17 GIIIproblem *strange*

[garythegit]

Hello O wise men of the Rangefinder forum! I have yet another problem for you all! (it seems the lucky streak I've been getting with old cameras has run out)

Problem:

The QL17 GIII arrived and I wound and fired it with no problem. The shutter fired crisp and responsively.

I loaded up with film and took it for a spin and after half a dozen shots, the shutter release started to feel 'soft' as I pressed down until finally the shutter just didn't fire at all!! I can still wind the film on but nothing happens when I press the shutter release all the way down.

As far as I know it's not the actual leaf shutter that's the problem for it fired ok and very crisply before I put any film in it. Maybe something in the shutter release mechanism???

Would really appreciate some help here! Thanks!!

 

[JoeFriday]

are you using it in Auto mode? and is the battery good?

 

[dmr]

Hello O wise men

Ahem! 🙂 🙂

I loaded up with film and took it for a spin and after half a dozen shots, the shutter release started to feel 'soft' as I pressed down until finally the shutter just didn't fire at all!! I can still wind the film on but nothing happens when I press the shutter release all the way down.

I'm not an expert, but I had a similar problem with an as-is QL17 GIII last spring, in that the wind-release mechanism worked fine, but the shutter would not fire. Yes, it had a "soft" feel to it at the time.

My guess is that the shutter is just beginning to stick. I might suggest that you take the film out and exercise the shutter to see if it will start working or if it remains stuck. Some others like Grehoundman will probably chime in here with more expertise advice, but if it remains stuck, it may require some disassembly and cleaning.

How comfortable are you with taking the thing partly apart?

 

[garythegit]

I really don't get how the shutter can start sticking *after* firing fine for at least 30 shots (i gave it a bit of an exercise when I got it this morning) but I think it must be it. I shoot totally on manual and the apeture blades look fine opening and closing. It's just the shutter leaves. When I wind the film advance crank the window beneath it goes red and therefore denoting that its ready to fire. But I press the shutter release and it goes all the way down and nothing happens but for the cocked window to go white.

I suppose if I need to I can take it partially apart as described in the many guides here but I just wanted to run it pass you guys first before I get the tools out!!! It's such a nice camera with hardly a scratch and it would be a shame if my bumbling hands ruin it!!

Oh and i've been winding and shooting it all afternoon and it's still not snapping! 🙁

 

[garythegit]

I was working the shutter a bit while watching tv and just to see if it will work for the other shutter speeds I changed it to B and now it won't come out of it! 🙁 I will open the leatherette tomorrow but have I damaged the shutter mechanism in any way and what should I look out for now when I lift the cover off??

Oh and sorry G'man but I can't see the shutter release in those tech drawings just the wind lever lock! 😕

 

[dmr]

I changed it to B and now it won't come out of it! 🙁 I will open the leatherette tomorrow but have I damaged the shutter mechanism in any way and what should I look out for now when I lift the cover off??

This sounds very close to what mine was doing when I first got it. It would not fire, I set it to B to see if that worked, then when I set it back it did not feel right and then stuck. The original thread is here:

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4716

The speed dial jamming was due to somebody forcing the ring and bending the tab attached to it. This I didn't see until the lens was disassembled. That thread is here:

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4858

Once all of this was un-jammed, some Ronsonol to the blades of the shutter freed it up. This thread is here:

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4891

All of this was done thru the front of the lens assembly. I didn't have to mess up the leatherette at all! 🙂

One thing I would do is find and download the full service manual. I forget where it is, but it's on one of those camera sites. If you can't find it, PM me and I will e-mail it. It's several pages of huge .TIF files, exploded diagrams and electrical schematic and such.

Anyway, I hope this helps and I wish you luck. 🙂 My repair would certainly not have been successful without the help and encouragement of the great people here, to whom I really owe one! 🙂

 

[garythegit]

Thanks for all the pointers guys but I can't find any tools anywhere!! Drill bit is easy to find but no pin vise or the pointed wrench thingy, can't even find any bloody tweezers! Just too specialised for the shops in my neck of the woods! 🙁

G'man looks like i might have to try your superglue trick. Am i correct in thinking that the glue needs to go on the bottom of the black ring that held the front lens in?

Any other suggestions that does not involve drilling would be welcomed too!!

 

[dim]

...
One thing I would do is find and download the full service manual. I forget where it is, but it's on one of those camera sites. If you can't find it, PM me and I will e-mail it. It's several pages of huge .TIF files, exploded diagrams and electrical schematic and such.

You can find the service manual here.

Hope it helps.
Dimitris

 

[garythegit]

I've got the service manual but it's no good when I can't get the middle lens off. It's no good. Just failed on the superglue method. I think I might as well bin it 🙁 Just a nasty ebay experience I suppose... my search for a working QL17 carries on.. please let me know guys if you have one up for sale! At least then I won't get ripped off like this!

 

[garythegit]

I really appreciate all your help guys, but I think I might just put this poor thing away for now and wait for the day when I have the right tools (and funds) to fix it. Quite upsetting really as I really wanted a Ql17 and had paid $40 for it (which I can ill afford as I'm a pennyless student). I suppose I'm just not skilled enough for fixing canonets just yet and it's so difficult finding the tools here in Glasgow! I wish I lived in the US sometimes 🙂

 

[TPPhotog]

What happened to that wonderful street market in Glasgow where virtually everything anything could be purchased nice and cheap? Be very sad if that has gone 🙁

 

[dim]

Here is an e-store for photographic tools.

Do not give up, give it a try.

 

[garythegit]

I think you are talking about the barras Tpphotog, it's quite a dodgy area these days and most of the goods are stolen. It's well known to the police (my gf's dad is with the force). Last time I went it was mostly DVDs (pirate), phones and dvd players on sale (hmmm i wonder) As for microtools, with $40 for some wrenches I simply cannot afford that! I suppose I can save up for another canonet when I have the chance.... cheers!

 

[TPPhotog]

Yep the barras sounds about right 🙂 Been way too long since I was north of the border so I guess many things have changed 🙁

G'Man is right as always, bit by bit I'm building up my tool kit after taking his advice as I need each piece by piece LOL 😀

 

[airds]

Tools in Glasgow - easy!

Tools in Glasgow - easy!

>> it's so difficult finding the tools here in Glasgow! I wish I lived in the US sometimes

Tons of places - the easiest would be to try Maplins at St Enoch's Square or at the city end of Great Western Road. And any of the other electronic components supply places too - are RS Components (usually trade though) still open too? And Crockets the Ironmongers (West Nile Street), etc, etc, etc.

And there was a very good traditional tool SHOP near the Barras too, come to think of it.

 

[dim]

While trying to get to know the site I found this ("Canonet central lens element removal").
I thought that might be useful to you.