Canonet QL19 GIII and ASA 800 film

[jayfixit]

Changing to ASA 800 film doesn't really seem to have an effect on the metering. If I start with a slower film setting, keep the camera at the same light source, and rotate the film setting to faster film, the needle doesn't change past ASA 400. Because of that, is there any reason to shoot ASA 800 film in this camera?

 

[fishtek]

Nope...somethin' ain't right. I get about a 2.5-stop difference when I do the same thing with my GIII. If you're doing the test by looking at a lamp, for instance, I'd try it outside in daylight, as being closer to "normal" exposure. If you shoot 400 film at 800 ISO, it's gonna be WAY different than it's supposed to be. Each stop is worth half or twice the value of the previous stop, depending if you're moving to close or open the aperture. Empirical observation (try it and see what happens) is always instructive...

Regards!
Don

 

[jayfixit]

Hmm...just tried it again. It appears as if every film speed up to 400 creates a change, and then it makes a big jump to 800. The ones in between 400 and 800 don't have an effect. For example. At ASA 400, the aperature is f/8.0. Then, a slight movement toward ASA 800 and it jumps to f/11.

I guess the film speed lever needs cleaning or adjustment perhaps. I shot two rolls of 400 speed film, and they came out good, so I guess it was set ok. I'll make sure to watch the needle when setting my film speed.

I'll have to look into this, and fix it. Thanks for your response!

 

[dmr]

You most definitely have something wrong.

Unfortunately I don't know what it is. 🙁

Is the battery fresh?

 

[jayfixit]

The battery is fresh. I just went through each film speed stop from 25. There was a big jump from 320 to 400. I'm almost positive it was on the proper 400 "detent" when I shot the 400 film over the weekend. It doesn't make sense there would be this big jump, and everything would turn out ok??? I'm guessing that it's not adjusting after 400? I'll have to figure out how to get the lens apart enough to look at this.

 

[diwolf]

Canonet : Problem film speed setting at 800 and exposure

Canonet : Problem film speed setting at 800 and exposure

Hello Jayfixit

I had the same problem with the canonet ql17gIII

Suddenly and with no warning I couldnt set the film speed above ASA 400 to ASA 800

I disassembled the cam and took the film speed setting ring out. Under it, there are little copper wires/arms. These are responsible for the right setting and the largest was bent inwards.

I dont know how that happened, yet, as the lens was not wobbling or similar.


best regards, Dietmar

 

[Mephiloco]

I've been toying with my meter all day, got it spot on at 200, then at 100, then kept adjusting so it'd be right at other speeds. All the slow speeds are spot on, but I just realized my problem is the resistor controlling asa speed. Going from ASA 25 to 800 changes exposure from 1.7 to 4. Thinking there should be a huge difference going umm.. 5 stops

 

[TWoK]

f/8 -> f/11 is 1 stop
ISO 400 -> 800 is 1 stop

It sure sounds like it is working fine to me.

Also, I'm not sure what EV the meter in the Canonet is good for, but I'd be surprised if it is very accurate wide open at ISO 800, but I could be wrong.