Canonet QL17 GIII meter deflection

[Evildmp]

As soon as my QL17 is put in A mode, the meter needle deflects all the way to bottom. This suggests to me that there is a short circuit somewhere.

Any suggestions where this is likely to be?

I know that's a vague question, but if anyone has similarly found themselves with a camera with a pinched wire or something and can save me time painfully working it over with a multimeter I'd be overjoyed.

Thanks!

 

[Mackinaw]

You may want to post this question in the repair sub-forum. Lot of knowledgeable folks there.

Jim B.

 

[Frontman]

In A mode, the QL17 operates in shutter priority. You still need to adjust the shutter speed until the meter needle moves to an aperture setting in the viewfinder, if the shutter setting is too high or too low, the shutter will not fire.

If the meter is still bottoming out at all shutter speeds, then there may be a faulty connection, switch, or bad meter cell. You can check the battery chamber connections easily enough by removing the bottom cover. Connections or switches inside the lens assembly are harder to access, but you can get to the meter cell connections easily by removing the lens name plate and taking out the two meter retaining screws.

The Canon factory adjusted the meter in these cameras by using a small piece of ND film in front of the meter cell. Not all cameras required this adjustment, but if your camera did, and this film came loose (it is held on only with water soluble glue) the meter may be far off enough that the camera won't work.

Good luck with your repairs,