Canonet QL19GIII problem

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HeywoodIndustries

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Hey all,

I've been lurking here for a while now while I decide on which rangefinder to invest in - leaning towards a Bessa R4A - but I decided to pick up a cheap QL19 from ebay that seems to have a bad case of fungus.

So how easy is it to remove the lens and try to clean it?

The ebay seller is willing to give me a refund, but I'm hoping for some cash back and a camera I can fix if the fungus isn't too bad. About halfway through a roll, so I'll find out how bad it is next week.

Cheers

Jez
 
HeywoodIndustries said:
Hey all,

I've been lurking here for a while now while I decide on which rangefinder to invest in - leaning towards a Bessa R4A - but I decided to pick up a cheap QL19 from ebay that seems to have a bad case of fungus.

So how easy is it to remove the lens and try to clean it?

The ebay seller is willing to give me a refund, but I'm hoping for some cash back and a camera I can fix if the fungus isn't too bad. About halfway through a roll, so I'll find out how bad it is next week.

Cheers

Jez
Click to expand...

If the fungus is behind the front element, just unscrew it. You can clean the lens, and the one behind it, with a 50/50 mix of grocery store ammonia and drugstore hydrogen peroxide. it will literally dissolve the fungus in seconds. Some people prefer using Ponds cold cream (I never understood why that would work, but apparently it does). The thing is, then you have to clean the cold cream out of everything. Seems to me it would be a LOT messier.

If the fungus is behind the rear element, you will have to make a special tool to remove it. A standard lens wrench won't reach the slots on the ring. Most people who work on these things grind the tools out of putty knives. Just grind it so it is wide enough to engage the slots and make the end concave, so it doesn't scratch the lens.
 
Nice shots. As for lens condition - I picked up a Canon LTM 50/1.8 that was is rough shape with LOTS of cleaning marks on the rear element. I was shocked at the mess it seemed to be in (also an ebay purchase, but not jiri_e). When I got the film back the photos were remarkably good. Now, if I were offered a lens in "bargain" or "fair" condition, I wouldn't hesitate to take a chance on it.


 
HeywoodIndustries said:
Thanks for all the advice, but the good news is... the fungus doesn't make a bit of difference.
Click to expand...

This is commonly the case, and would seem to indicate the fungus is on one of the elements nearer the front, as rear element fungus is more likely to soften the focus a bit if it's very heavy.

Bottom line... these IIIG canons are plentiful and cheap... certainly cheaper than any fix, even your own time, if you value time. The closer to retirement or death you get, the more you are likely to value your time. I'd buy another.

I took one of these Canons apart one time. Getting the lens assembly out entirely is a huge task. I have had the front element out, which was do-able, but made me realize that just getting another was far easier. I've had about 12 to 15 of these and other than rear seals, the bulk of them have been great shooters without any service.

You lucked out. Shoot it or bag it. Don't waste time on it... just an opinion. I buy these in working condition all the time for under $50.

I had a black one (The one that sells often for $400 to $600) that had a very tiny amount of fungus. I took it to local camera tech. He told me he wouldn't touch the camera without doing a complete rebuild... His Quote $600. There are techs who offer CLA's for closer to $100, but I've never been tempted to do such on these.
 
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