Finally got myself a QL17 G-III

[Kapa]

Have been wanting a Canonet QL17 G-III for ages after reading all the rave reviews of it. They are supposed to be one of the best selling Canon cameras ever, but you hardly ever see them come up down here in New Zealand. However last week one was posted on our local version of ebay (trademe) for a buy-now price of $50 NZD and it had just been posted. I clicked the button quickly. It's just arrived. Camera is in ex condition apart from light seals. Lens clear of fungus, shutter speeds seem ok. Plus it even had a battery in it 😀

 

[Sonnar Brian]

You'll want to replace the seals! Also might want to check for haze in the finder. The pressure plate removes easily from the camera back, and makes it easier to get the old goo out and new seals in. If you can do that, you could also pop the top and clean the VF if it requires. Unlike a lot of cameras, the hot shoe wiring is not soldered- makes it easy to work on.

You got a good price, especially with the lens and shutter in good shape.

 

[Kapa]

Yeah Brian, it was a pretty good price as the last time I saw one go here it was over three times the price. Have cleaned out the gooey seals and will replace with strips from a mouse pad. Viewfinder IS a bit hazy and rangefinder faint. How do you take film advance lever off...? Cheers

 

[sweathog]

Congrats on your new camera! I was given one of these a while back, but only recently managed to get batteries for it, and by God was it worth the wait! The auto mode is fantastic, the lens gives great results, and it looks sweet to boot.

 

[Mackinaw]

How do you take film advance lever off...?

This may help:

http://mattdentonphoto.com/cameras/canonet_repair.html

Jim B.

 

[januaryman]

Love them - if only the meter wouldn't lock the shutter if it seems out of range - but it's a simple step to take it out of auto and set it manually. I have two of these. And 2 Canon P's. And 2 Canon EF SLRs and 2 Canon AE-1's - A back up for every special camera I own.

 

[kuzano]

Check the voltage on the battery

Check the voltage on the battery

Since there are alkaline batteries that are identical in size and shape, check the voltage. The alkalines and a couple of others that fit are 1.5 volts, whereas the original PX625 was mercury at 1.35 volts. The 1.5 volts throw the meter off, plus the alkalines do not hold a flat discharge curve.

There are a number of solutions, but just bring this up as one often finds the wrong voltage batteries in this camera. Whatever you do, check it out with pics and/or an accurate light meter, as it may have been modified to new voltage.

Since you live in Au, you may still have the original mercury 1.35 batteries available.

 

[Kapa]

Yeah, have checked battery and it is a "Varta PX 625". Checked the meter against my Canon 30D and it does seem to be out a bit. This was in difficult lighting mindue. I've got a roll of Fomapan to put in it so shall check negs then. Anyone taken the film advance lever off a GIII...? Do you screw the silver disc under shutter button (anti clockwise)...? P.S By "Au" I imagine you mean "Australia". I'm in "New Zealand", you know those little/big islands off the coast.... about 3000 miles away..... 🙄

 

[Sonnar Brian]

The chrome ring around the shutter release/film advance lever simply unscrews. I use a rubber mouse pad, or a rubber gromet to get it off. That's the only tricky part. I keep the "stack" of parts for the advance lever together, and use an ice cube tray to keep the parts in order as they come off of the camera.

Just be careful of the beamsplitter, everything else cleans up nicely qith Q-tips and lens cleaner.

 

[sweathog]

Yeah, have checked battery and it is a "Varta PX 625".

The PX625s are 1.5v, what you ideally want is the Weincell MRB625, which is a zinc air 1.35v mercury equivalent battery.
Don't know about getting hold of them in NZ though.

 

[Kapa]

Thanks folks for all the help. My recently acquired G3 is all rearing to go. Took top plate off (no probs) and VF/RF sure needed a clean. Intensely clear VF now and RF seems pretty accurate too. Replaced seals and have loaded a roll of Ilford HP5. Won't hold out that meter is accurate and will bracket exposures like the amateur that I am. Cheers!

 

[dmr]

The chrome ring around the shutter release/film advance lever simply unscrews.

That's what they told me (you told me?) 🙂 back in 2005 when I got mine, and no matter what I tried I could not get it to budge!

I finally took the dremel tool and drilled two very small shallow holes in it and used a lens spanner to unscrew it.

 

[matthewm]

I just bought one myself.
It should be here in the next couple of days.

I had a Canonet 28 for a while, but the meter was busted and I didn't have the patience or know-how to fix it.

Enjoy. I hear they're a ton of fun.

 

[Kapa]

A sample shot from the first roll put thru the G3.... Yeah, gotta work on my composition ;-)

 

[Erik L]

A sample shot from the first roll put thru the G3.... Yeah, gotta work on my composition ;-)

get closer 😎

 

[Kapa]

Yeah..... "If your pictures arn't good enough........ your not good enough".... ;-)