Canonet QL19 Stuck Focusing Ring

[Mind the Mix]

The focusing ring on my QL19 is totally stuck and I'm planning to repair it myself. The other camera functions work just fine and the lens is in mint condition.

Can I access the focusing ring to look what's wrong removing the front element or I need to remove the whole lens from the assembly to the chassis of the camera?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

 

[johnnyrod]

The focus helix (thread) is at the back of the shutter. I'm not too familiar with that part but there is a rectangular plate on the front of the camera, hidden under the leatherette, the shutter is attached to it and it screws to the body. There will be some wires in there too though. IIRC you take the bottom plate off to adjust the focus - check there first as completely solid is unusual - could be something broken or jammed in it.

 

[dxq.canada]

If it is like the QL17 ... you can really get into it by removing the lens assembly from the camera body.
https://oldcam.wordpress.com/2017/01/01/ql17-the-final-frontier/

 

[johnnyrod]

Regarding the leatherette, is it not a tight fit under the focus ring? Or does it just meet the side of the focus ring? I have the same type on an Olympus I need to get into but last time I tangled with one of these types, I struggled with it.

 

[Jack Conrad]

If it were mine, I'd take a small art brush and dribble some naptha (lighter fluid)
into the focus helical from the front around the focus tab ring first. That might soften up the grease enough to work it loose without dismantling anything.

 

[dxq.canada]

Regarding the leatherette, is it not a tight fit under the focus ring? Or does it just meet the side of the focus ring? I have the same type on an Olympus I need to get into but last time I tangled with one of these types, I struggled with it.

From what I remember ... the leatherette goes under the ring, but it can slip under without disassembly.