Canonet QL17 G-III noise during focusing

[MIkhail]

Hello

I have Canonet QL17 G-III rangefinder and I love it for size and portability. But recently I started notising that as I turn the focusing lever I can hear a noise and I can feel a bit of jerkiness. Noting I cannot overcome, but still. Camera focuses good, pictures coming out sharp.
It almost feels like bearing is going out. Is this a common or know problem? Is there a way to fix it yourself? It is probably economically wrong to send the $80 camera out for repair, I guess... Please share your solutions if you have any.

Thanks in advance.

Mikhail

 

[MIkhail]

So what should I do?
Thanks.

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

G-man to the Q&A rescue. Ta-ta-da!

I'd take what greyhoundman says about your Canonet as virtual gospel (--get it?). He really knows what he's talking about. Trust us.

 

[MIkhail]

I dont doubt it, it sound logical too. But I wondr if there is a solution, other than buying another camera.

 

[dmr]

The helical is a tight fit. It doesn't take much grit or lack of lube to starting making a noise or to seize up.

One thing I've noticed on mine, and I'm looking for the right word to describe it ... although the focus is indeed smooth, and it doesn't make noise or stick at all, and it's not what I would call loose at all, it doesn't have that "silky" or "thick" feel to it, like the Mamiya and the Pentax do. I'm not saying there's something wrong here, it's just something I've noticed.

On the second Mamiya (the junk parts one) I have taken it apart to the focusing helical, and it does have a very smooth and silky feel to the movement, even though there doesn't really appear to be much (any, actually) grease or oil on it. It's 2 pieces, one looks like brass, the other looks like aluminum and they fit together quite tightly. It fact it takes a bit of playing to get them to go together once they are apart.

I've wondered if the GIII had a different type of focusing mechanism. (I'm not curious enough to take it apart to find out.) 🙂

Oh well, no big deal, just something I've noticed.

 

[MIkhail]

O'k, I guess I will live with it for now. Maybe one day I will gather the curage to take it apart. Actually, I am a hypoid gear design engineer at Ford Motor Co by profession, beleave it or not. But I have no experience fixing cameras at all. However my work experience tells me that it will get worse with time, gears wear as they go. We'll see. It really feels like bearing with spalled outer race if you ask me... Rattling noise and movement, and not always but in a certain spots.