Canonet QL17 unique shutter problem

nillvurt

Member
Local time
2:45 AM
Joined
Nov 15, 2013
Messages
19
Hi

I have a shutter problem that seems totally unique, I can't find any other threads discussing it.

My Canonet was working great (except lightmeter, so I was just shooting with the sunny f16 rule). Then it suddenly wasn't able to move into 1/500 shutter speed, the ring would stop right between 1/250 and 1/500. It might have happened because I changed the shutter speed with the shutter cocked, which apparently is a no no. I also noticed that it was no longer changing the shutter speed, it would expose just as long when set to 1/250 as 1/4 (bulb still worked). Then it started to open the shutter as I wound the film forward. I could see the blades open as I wound the lever and it would not cock the shutter. It seems like it somehow disengaged from the internal timing mechanism. I started to attack the lens from the front and took off all the front elements and got down to right above the shutter blades. But I am not able to get into the part where the shutter ring arm engages with the timing mechanism. Is there any way to get there and see what is going on? Has anyone had a similar problem?

I have another canonet for parts that has fungus on the lens elements, but the shutter mechanism works great. I am kind of tempted to switch the lenses out (which is a beast of a job it seems like). And then simply swap the fungus elements in the working lens for the good lens elements in the non working lens.

Any other suggestions are greatly appreciated!

Thanks

Daniel
 
Last edited:
I got it to work! It just took a day of figuring out all that had to engage when changing the lens and reassembling it after trying to reach the timing mechanism! I just put it a new light seal kit and I'm going to go try it out!
 
It might have happened because I changed the shutter speed with the shutter cocked, which apparently is a no no.

I haven't worked on Canonets but as long it has Copal shutter they all are very very similar. I haven't got to know Copals put any restrictions on speed change depending on shutter charge. Most probably nut ring weren't tightened to optimum and speed cam has moved from its position, locking speeds.

Hope you get it back working permanently for many many rolls.
 
Thanks! I couldn't find any of that, but just swapped out for a lens with working mechanism and switched the fungus elements out for the good ones, from the bad shutter lens…I think it seems reliable…
 
Back
Top Bottom