Help with 2 QL17 G-III's with minor problems

[Michael W]

Hi! I've just purchased my first 2 QL17 G-III's, and could use some advice. Both are in great condition.

One has a problem in that the shutter will occasionally stick when you press the release. Once you get it firing, it will keep firing with no problem. I opened the bottom and discovered that when it is stuck, a slight bit of pressure on the part that slides horizontally when the shutter release is pressed will start it working again. Seems to be most likely a clean & lube issue(?), if so, what is the best way to approach?

On my second GIII. everything works fine exscept that the film advance does not lock after the shutter is cocked. I removed the bottom plate and found a small wire spring was not hooked to the hinged piece on the bottom of the wind gear. After I reset, the lock worked for a few exposure, but now seems again to have gone, though I can feel it catch just the slightest bit? Any ideas?

Any help would be greatly appreceiated.

All the best,

Michael

 

[Kim Coxon]

Hi Michael,
The best way to clean the blades is to go in through the front. If you search the posts here you will find several discussions on it. Basically, you need to take the silver locking ring off. The front bezel and meter plate will come out and then you can unscrew the front element. If you are lucky, it will all come out in one. If not the front group will separate and then removing the middle group can be a swine. Again several threads on this. An aleternative is to go in the back but this is more difficult to access.

The film advance problem is more difficult to answer. I had a QL19 which suffered from the same problem. The operation is like a set of dominoes, where one operation has to be complete before the next takes place. A malfunction in many of the steps could cause this. Does the camera suffer from any other symtoms? On mine the problem also meant that the diapraghm didn't close down in auto mode although it did in manual.

Regards
Kim

 

[Michael W]

Thanks for your answer. Is there any chance the stuck shutter could also be related to the mechanism in the lower part of the camera, since a little nudge on that horizontal sliding piece gets it firing again. Once I get it firing, it will work non-stop until it sits again for quite a while, like overnight.

On the second camera, the diapham does stop down in auto, and all other functions seem to work fine.

All the best,

Michael

 

[Kim Coxon]

Hi again,
I am assuming the mech in the lower part of the body is the self timer. In that case the answer is a very definate yes. These are prone to sticking but are relatively easy to clean. If the timer arm is dispalced at al, it puts a gate in front of the shutter operating cam preventing it from firing. If there is a problem here, whatever you do don't try to force it. This can do untold damage. There is also an interlink between this and the M/X selector for the flash. You should not be able to select the self timer unless you have X selected. I have had a couple where people have tried the timer to see if it would help but have forced it because it was in M and bent the cam which operates it. It then becomes somewhat more than an amatuer repair. If you need the manual for the camera, you can download it free from my website at http://www.pentax-manuals.com/manuals/range/range.htm. I am hoping to get the Canonet repair manual in which case I will try and post it.

Regards
Kim

Thanks for your answer. Is there any chance the stuck shutter could also be related to the mechanism in the lower part of the camera, since a little nudge on that horizontal sliding piece gets it firing again. Once I get it firing, it will work non-stop until it sits again for quite a while, like overnight.

On the second camera, the diapham does stop down in auto, and all other functions seem to work fine.

All the best,

Michael