Canonet QL25 shutter problems

[malkav]

Hi all, I just received my lastest evilBay acquisition, a QL25. I went through the usual "just received my new toy" testing, and battery (to make sure the meter works) insertion phase . The meter, and film advance works. 🙂 The shutter on the other hand doesn't fire. 🙁 Could this be the infamous gunked shutter problems of other canonets?😕 If so can anyone give me a little help?

Please, and Thank you.

Ed

 

[Kim Coxon]

Yup, sounds like time for the ronsonol. 😉

Kim

 

[malkav]

I'll have to go buy some Ronsonol. Is the lens disassembly, by chance, the same as other canonets?

Thanks, Ed

UPDATE:

I got the ronsonol, and disassembled the lens to the shutter blades. I used a Q-Tip to apply the fluid, and the shutter fired! Yea!!! I worked the shutter a few times, and it stuck again. So I repeated the application, and the same thing happened again, I will reapply again soon. I also noticed the aperture blades get stuck at f/16 so I set the shutter to B, and put some fluid on them also. They're still sticking. About how long does it take for the ronsonol to fully evaporate? Also did I goof when I used the ronsonol on the aperture blades? Last question for now. How should I leave the camera to allow the fluid to evaporate? Face down, face up, or just sitting normally? Sorry for all the questions, and thanks for any helpthat can be given. Ed

 

[Kim Coxon]

Clean the blades, and fire the shutter a few times. Let it dry thoroughly overnight and try to fire again. It may well stick if you have not yet removed all the oil. The solvent thins the oil thus freeing the blades but once it drys out the problem returns until you have removed the oil. 😉 I had a QL19E that took about 25 cleanings before it stayed free. :bang:

Kim

 

[malkav]

Thanks for answering. Should I leave the camera in the upright postion (sitting normally), facing lens up, or lens down to dry?

Thanks again, Ed

 

[malkav]

Lighter fluid on lens

Lighter fluid on lens

I've noticed that I am getting the ronsonol on the rear lens element when I have "wet" the aperture blades. Is this a bad thing? I know it's a stupid question, but this is my first shutter degunking, and I don't want to fubar the lens, the camera, or both. :bang:

 

[malkav]

OK, I have flooded the shutter on this camera with about half a bottle of Ronsonol(using Q-tips not pouring it in), and let it dry. Shutter is still unresponsive after drying, but one touch of Ronsonol, and the shutter opens. I have no idea if I am totally wreaking this camera, or if it could have been a lost cause to start with, and now a candidate for "File 13".

Ed

I edited this because I came off like a whiney little baby. It was the frustration, I guess.
Thanks.

 

[Dean C Williams]

Ed, if you're going to do it this way, (with lighter fluid), you will just have to keep at it the way you are doing.
The fluid won't harm the rear element, but it will have probably taken some light oil with it onto the glass, so you'll need to clean it. You can probably get to it well enough once you get the shutter and aperture going OK. Or, you can take the rear element group out the back of the camera.

I know it's a popular "fix" to swab the blades with lighter fluid, especially with cameras that aren't considered valuable, but sometimes you just have to do it right, and take the shutter out for a good cleaning.

I would leave the camera sitting up to dry, (in the position you would normally use it).

 

[malkav]

Thank you for the encouragement, and suggestion on removing the rear element. I guess I was just frustrated.
Thanks again,
Ed

 

[malkav]

Success! They're free!!!

Success! They're free!!!

Huzzah!!! The shutter clicks, and the aperture blades move!!! I have gone through all of the shutter speeds, and aperture numbers with no problems. I have clicked the shutter around 75 times w/o problems. Now to reassemble everything. "WARNING" Pessimism coming. I will get it back together, and it will stop working.🙄 Which would be just my luck.🙄 If that happens it's a display camera for looking at only.
Thanks to everyone for their help.

Ed