Canonet 19 stuck!!!

[georgemvg]

Hi all! My Canonet 19, the one with the film lever at the bottom, just arrived. I test it a bit without a film and I saw that the lens shutter was coming back really really slow. After 5-10 times it is stuck. The lever does not seem to go as nice as before. Anyway, maybe it all comes from the stuck shutter. Can I lubricate it myself? I could't find how to remove the bottom safety film cap lever. And I removed the first glass from the lens, the plastic meter ring and I stopped there. Any recommendations how to continue? And what is that bottom lever "R" used for. I can't find it out. Nice camera though, great heavy duty construction. The GSN works like new, but the Canonet is a tank!

 

[georgemvg]

Hi again! I removed the first glass of my lens and that is what I saw!



What's that?

Anyway, after removing that glass I had the brilliant idea to use WD40 to lubricate the shutter leaves. They move now, but not as they should. Any idea for a more proper lubricant or how to continue from where I am to open the lens and reach the shutter?

 

[bmattock]

Hi again! I removed the first glass of my lens and that is what I saw!

View attachment 55166

What's that?

Anyway, after removing that glass I had the brilliant idea to use WD40 to lubricate the shutter leaves. They move now, but not as they should. Any idea for a more proper lubricant or how to continue from where I am to open the lens and reach the shutter?

View attachment 55168

I do not know what you have in your lens there, but it almost looks like delamination, aka seperation. If so, the element is probably a lost cause. However, I really do not know what that is.

As to the WD-40, I have never tried that as a cleaning agent for a lens shutter, but I would have advised against it. It is a cleaner and degreaser, although people often think it is a lubricant. It does not completely evaporate to the best of my knowledge.

I use Ronsonol or Zippo liquid lighter fluid (also known as 'naptha' in the US). Sells for about a dollar at the check out stand of your local convenience or drugstore. It is highly flammable, so it should be used in a well-ventilated area. I would imagine it is not too good for your lungs to breathe the fumes in either.

Some advocate 'flood cleaning' using this liquid - I use a saturated q-tip and very, very, gentle cleaning motions on the shutter leaves, exercising them in and out and then burnishing them with a series of clean dry q-tips until no traces of lighter fluid remain after the lens shutter leaves (or aperture leaves, if that is what you are cleaning) remain. It takes a lot of patience and a very light touch. If you flood-clean, you should also remove the rear element, as it will become saturated with the fluid as well. One needs access to a proper spanner wrench to do this, typically.

I have been doing this for years, and my success rate is better than it used to be, but I still lose about 1/3 of my patients.

The only other method I am aware of is turning it over to a proper repair person for a CLA (clean, lube, adjust) which can be more expensive than the camera is worth - your choice.

 

[georgemvg]

bmattock, thank you very much for the information.Unfortunately, I have already used WD40...Do you know if the Zippo fluid will "destroy" the WD40 that is on the shutter leaves?

 

[Charles Woodhouse]

Hi,
sorry to say the best way to gum up a leaf shutter camera is to use any type of oil including WD40 on the leaves, and the best way to remove the oil without dismantling the shutter is to flush it thoroughly with lighter fluid after removing the all the lenses, and then dry the shutter with a hair dryer on very low heat.
Better advice would be to chuck away those aging leaf shutter cameras and buy a Canon rangefinder from the VT onwards, and a selenium light meter. If you are then looking for good cheap lenses I would look for black body Jupiters in 35mm and 50mm,etc.

 

[georgemvg]

I am about to buy my first Leica...(btw, IIIf BD or IIIf RD?). Those fixed lens cameras I have are mostly for collection, but I would like to work as well. I would have open it completely, but I don't know the way...Anyway, I will try the lighter fluid and let you know. Thanks again!

 

[Hibbs]

Yeah...I have one too like this, are there any online instructions for removing the lens? Any special tools required?

Any help would be most appreciated...

~hibbs

 

[Charles Woodhouse]

Hi georgemvg,
As a user, choosing between a IIIf RD or BD, I would opt for the red dial because of its geometric progression of shutter speeds, but as a repairer I would go for the black dial because of its slightly more sensible design. But if I didn't want flash synch yet wanted a screw mount Leica,I would go for a post 1946 IIIc every time.I regularly use one of my wartime IIIc's but the prices on them have suddenly taken off.
But my camera of choice for everyday use and for ease of servicing and repair is still the Canon series from the VT to the P.In fact the camera I usually choose is a VL2 converted to 1/1000 and with a VT trigger added to the bottom. Had Canon made a version of the 7 without a meter I would love such a camera, and am seriously thinking of making one if I can find the parts.I just hate the rangefinder vertical adjustment of the 7 and 7s. When I've paid off my 7sZ I'll find out if Canon improved this adjustment. Best wishes, Charles.

 

[georgemvg]

I love the the look of the Leica iii, it is for collection, not that I will not use it. If I see that is not for everyday use, I have the Canons in mind, as I cannot afford the M's. Anyway, I really really like it, so... I bought one!!!! Yeah!!! I am very happy, but it is not comming with a lens. Sould I ask here for a nice pair or open a new thread? I think I like the Summitar. I am only looking for a 50mm lens. Can I use a CV without any problems? I mean, I always see the M39 CV's mounted on Bessas and M's. Don't they fit on earlier Leicas?

 

[Charles Woodhouse]

I am a bit vague about the different models of modern Bessas and CV lenses, but I would be certain that all LTM CV's will fit any Screw Leica or Leica copy, and all M mount CV's will fit most M Leicas with the exceptions being some wide angles on the M5 and CL. With these two last mentioned cameras some LTM wide angles on M adapters are also a problem.
I hope you enjoy owning and using your Leica III - being a greedy collector I have 25 of them, many of which I've recurtained ,and all have been serviced, and I've used most of them. But I still prefer post VT Canons for regular use.