Canonet QL17 Flash

[Lab77]

Hi,
I've just received my QL17, which is my first rangefinder, and I received the Canolite D. But, the flash doesn't work. I have put fresh batteries in and I don't hear a charge sound 🙁 So, my question is what is the next best flash to get for the camera, or is it worth repairing the Canolite?

On another note, I've run 2 films through the camera, Ilford HP5 Plus and Portra 400, and I can't wait to get them developed. I think I'll develop film myself a little later. Here is my new baby.


Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[madNbad]

There is an indictor light of when the flash is charged, is it lighting? Try moving the the apatuire ring to the blue numbers on the right side of the lens and then try the flash. You can find any number of older flashes for a few dollars so repairing the Canonlite may not be worth it. Good luck with it.

 

[Dwig]

The Canonlite D isn't worth repairing if the repair is beyond cleaning the battery contacts.

I would recommend getting a small conventional automatic flash to use with the camera set manually to the flash's prescribed f/stop. Alternately, you could get a manual flash and use the camera's blue guide number settings.

 

[farlymac]

Likely the flash is dead. Most of the D's are these days. The charge capacitor goes bad, and unless you want to fix it yourself, it's not worth the trouble. There are plenty of older small flashes by Vivitar, Sunpak, and others that will work on the camera.

PF

 

[mwoenv]

I'd swab the contacts with lemon juice or vinegar, even if they look clean, just to make sure it's not a film on the contacts. Try turning it on a bunch of times because if it hasn't been started in a long time, and it could be decades, the capacitors need to be formed again.

Once I got a nice Vivitar 283 in a film camera deal and thought it was dead. After turning it on one last time, I accidentally dropped it several inches onto a table and it started up! Just lucky, but it has been fine ever since.

 

[Lab77]

Thanks for the advice. I think I'll buy a 3rd party flash for it.

Any ideas for a good light weight flash?

**AMENDMENT**
I just got a Metz 20 C-2 off ebay for £16.00. Used only 3 times. Not a bad price I thought.