G.A.S. Leads to New GSN! Now, for some repair advice please...

[Michael W]

After only 4 months from picking up my 1st two Canon QL-17's, I came across a GSN for sale here in Jerusalem for 100 shekels (about $22 US). Needless to say I just couldn't pass it by! It looks very good cosmetically, but does seems to have a few of the same problems as others have experienced on this forum. Here is the rundown:

Battery light works and shutter fires. Slow/Over lights work, however, the Slow light stays lit till after the shutter fires, while the Over light turns off after depressing the shutter button more than 1/2 way. Bulb setting works. Seals have evaporated.

Shutter speeds do not seem to be increasing smoothly as aperture is closed. For example, from f8 to f8.5, it will go from quick click to 20 seconds (or more). Hard to tell, but it is probably firing at 1/500th most of the time.

It has the not-quite-as-loud-as-my-doorbell buzz when depressing the shutter at certain speeds.

Bassed upon my reading of previous posts, it seems like the most likely suspects are the Pad and Contacts (probably on the lens).

So, based on the above, what would you do first, second, etc...

All the best,

Michael

PS - Is one of the side effects of G.A.S. the incredible urge not to sleep or eat until you've fixed the thing - even though you've got 6 other perfectly functioning cameras to shoot with (including my 2 Canon QL-17's)?.

 

[Michael W]

Still has an original PX32 6 volt in good condition. Camera was well cared for, and even has a nice fitted Yashica case.

 

[Michael W]

YIPEE! Another POD replacement with the pin method! All shutter speeds seem correct now, and it has that satisfying clunk. There seems to be now to (hopefully) minor issues:

1) The red over light only comes on when the trigger is slightly pressed, and goes off by 1/2 way pressed. It also has the buzz. The orange light works as it should.

2) The lens seems loose. It wiggles slightly from the aperture ring forward, and also back to the rear element. I Broke the lens down till the gold contacts (which I figured might need cleaning anyway), but don't see any way to tighten it up. From the foucs ring back it is solid to the body.

Any ideas on these last 2 issues?

All the best,

Michael

 

[Michael W]

Yes, only red light - no yellow.

 

[Michael W]

Thanks!

Just one more thing as I reassemble the lens. How do I reset the B - AUTO - Flash ring?

 

[Michael W]

Just got it - cute with the little ball bearing thing. Also, I took some before and after digial macros of the POD replacement which I'll post on a new thread.

Thanks so much for all you help!

All the best,

Michael

 

[Michael W]

OK, she's all put back together and new seals have been installed. I wonder though if my lense wobble is excessive. It's hard to quantify, but if you set the lens so the red focus line is over the decimal in 1.5, it will wobble from there (one extreme) to directly over the 1 of 1.5 (the other extreme). Is this amount of wobble +/- normal?

 

[jon_flanders]

YIPEE! Another POD replacement with the pin method! All shutter speeds seem correct now, and it has that satisfying clunk. There seems to be now to (hopefully) minor issues:

Just curious as to where you heard about the pin method. I think I might have started this trend........its a claim to fame of sorts.

 

[Michael W]

Yep, from your post off of this board. Maybe from now on we should all be calling it the Flanders Method! I posted before and after shots in my gallery. Thanlks a million for the great idea!

All the best,

Michael

 

[jon_flanders]

Yep, from your post off of this board. Maybe from now on we should all be calling it the Flanders Method! I posted before and after shots in my gallery. Thanlks a million for the great idea!

All the best,

Michael

Well, after making a hash of the camera covering, the internal wires and everything else on a GSN, I thought of the pin.

Desperation is the mother of invention.