Canonet QL17 GIII Getting to the Shutter and Viewfinder for Cleaning (& Stuck Ring))

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btvarner

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Canonet QL17 GIII Getting to the Shutter and Viewfinder for Cleaning (& Stuck Ring))

Hi All,
I have opened a new thread for my question. I have followed the thread from 5/23/10 where Brian Sweeney provided a wonderful tutorial on how to disassemble the lens (From the front) of a Canon Canonet GIII QL17. That thread is found with images at: http://web.archive.org/web/20120721...finderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=90468

The instructions are great and easy to follow. I have however run into a problem that I would think would be relatively common. I cannot get the thin metal ring that holds the front element in place loose. I am putting enough pressure on the ring with a well made spanner wrench to the point where the tips are starting to bend! Image 8 on the above thread is the ring I am discussing.

So the question is- what substance can I use to attempt to loosen the threads on this very thin piece of metal? Can I use a very small amount of oil to seep between the threads and loosen the ring or as I suspect this is a bad idea as the oil would eventually migrate onto the lens?

I assume that if necessary I can just go in from the back and have the ability to clean the shutter and lens but I hate giving up on something.

Thanks in advance.............
 
Funny that the ring doesn't come loose, I always try to remove the front element group in one piece, but most times only the front ring comes off.

Do not try use oil to loosen up the front ring, it is better to use a couple drops of paint thinner. Many cameras use a drop of glue to keep the lens retaining rings from loosening up, paint thinner will loosen the glue.

Usually there is nothing to clean just behind the front element, most fungus or crud accumulates on the glass surface near the shutter. You can get to this by removing the rear element of the lens in the back of the camera. There are two sets of notches for a lens spanner, use the outer notches to remove the complete rear lens group, then open the shutter in the B setting, and clean out the lens.
 
How do you remove the front group in one piece? I want to get at the cemented pair underneath the front-most element, as there appears to be a large area of balsam separation
 
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