Canonet 19

[Ralf]

Newbie question. I'm looking for a cheap way getting a useable rangefinder. I found Canonet 19 today in a jusk shop for $5. Cosmetically it is perfect, clean glass, no brassing, clear sings of very little use. However the shutter doesn't fire. Is this dependent upon the battery?? I'm not so worried about the meter as I have a handheld. Any views on whether this is terminal or not?

Ralf - Australia

 

[Fedzilla_Bob]

Hi Ralf- there is more than one possibility. You may have a stuck shutter. According to other reports here its common amongst the ql19 and ql17 cameras.

Or, it could be that it is set to auto and the shutter speed doesn't match the possibilities for the given ASA.

By your description it isn't clear- Is there a battery installed?

5 bucks for a QL19 isn't bad at all. If you are into tinkering it could be a fun project.

 

[unsharp]

The shutter is not battery dependent.

I have my QL19 at home, so I can not confirm, but I suspect that maybe the shutter will not fire if you have the camera in shutter priority mode without batteries in it (?). Someone else here will know. Did you try it in manual or shutter prio mode?

 

[Kim Coxon]

Hi,
If you cannot press the shutter, it is likely to be in A mode. If there is a click and you can wind on, the shutter blades are stuck. The likely hood is that the blades are stuck. The diapraghm will probably also be sticky and the seals will need replacing. All are relatively easy to do and for $5, it couls be a bargain or a parts camera.

Kim

Newbie question. I'm looking for a cheap way getting a useable rangefinder. I found Canonet 19 today in a jusk shop for $5. Cosmetically it is perfect, clean glass, no brassing, clear sings of very little use. However the shutter doesn't fire. Is this dependent upon the battery?? I'm not so worried about the meter as I have a handheld. Any views on whether this is terminal or not?

Ralf - Australia