Canonet Go-Around Solution For Stiff Speed Ring

[ruben]

The speed ring in my user Canonet GIII is quite stiff. It was. This was partly due to the non protruding tooth of the ring itself, making it to slide between the fingers.

The right solution to this problem is, I guess, to send the camera to a fixer and get a very very smooth speed ring, smooth enough to overcome the bad basic design.

But since I do not have such facilities, I had to go around and here is what I did. I took out the rubber band of an old Zuiko 50, and cut two fitting pieces for sticking to the speed ring. I glued it with EPOXI glue (that one with the two parts to mix) since the Canonet ring is not plastic but made from aluminium.

And the result is satisfactory. I would not lie to you telling that the ring became ultra soft, but has sensibly improved for changing speeds.

Cheers,
Ruben

PS
After getting to the street and the camera pending from my neck, I find that the fixing is much better than what I assumed in the above lines. This is due to the fact that at real situation I embrace the speed ring with my left hand, from below the camera, with thumb and index. I am very happy.

 

[ebolton]

I like them stiff so they stay where I set them. To change film speeds on my Canonets, I use the screwdriver blade on my Swiss Army knife. It engages the slight notch on the end of the tooth as if it was meant to go there. Keeping a little pressure in with the knife, you can turn it easily. Works much better than using what is left of my fingernails.

Ed

 

[ruben]

Hi Ed,
If you happen to have a Canonet you are not happy with, due to a too much loose speed ring, well, then we can negotiate something.

Cheers,
Ruben

 

[ChadHahn]

My speed ring was too stiff. I put a few squirts of lighter fluid in the ring and rotated. After a few applications it was good as new. Probably old grease has hardened.

Make sure you get a lighter fluid that contains Naphtha.

 

[ruben]

My speed ring was too stiff. I put a few squirts of lighter fluid in the ring and rotated. After a few applications it was good as new. Probably old grease has hardened.

Make sure you get a lighter fluid that contains Naphtha.

That's interesting. First because I was never sure that what causes the stiffness is immediately within the ring.

Secondly, because my experience in diluting grease is that the new mix of old grease and new diluter, will re-harden after a short while.

But this experience is not based on using lighter fluid. I am tempted to try.

Cheers,
Ruben