How to adjust RF on Canonet QL17 G-III QL

[PentHassyKon]

I've got one of these babies, unfortunately, the RF patch is waaay off visually. Appears to be off vertically and horizontally
Haven't shot with it yet and before I do, I'd like to adjust the RF so I'll know when it's in focus.

I know the RF can be adjusted w/o taking the top cover off, but I've heard it's easiest w cover off - so I was able to get the winder crank off so next step I know is the 3 screws then the cover can come off.

My question though is how to adjust - do I rotate/set the lens to infinity and adjust by turning the vertical and lateral so the RF patch is lined up? Which way to turn? Anything I need to watch out for, do's don'ts? Do I also check with lens set to say 1m? If so, I assume I measure from that circle with a line symbol (looks like a phi rotated 90 deg)?

Anyways, I'd like to eventually take some shots with this and compare the FOV and performance of the camera/lens against my just acquired Leica CL with a CV 28 Skopar

 

[kievman]

Here Some basic advice: For setting the rangefinder for distance. put the camera on a tripod or table, measure 3 ft or 1 meter from the film plane of the camera, look for the film plane icon on the top of the camera for your measuring starting point. At exactly 1 meter or 3 feet place some item you can focus on. once you have this set up, take the top plate off the camera. I have never adjusted canonets before, but I have adjusted other rangefinder cameras, and somewhere in that whole assembly there is one screw (On konica S2s its on the bottom on far left of the RF assembly) that will adjust the distance , Once you have found that screw, Set the camera focusing scale at 1 meter or 3 feet which ever one you chose, it does not matter, and then adjust the screw, Turn it very small amounts till you figure out which direction to turn, then its only a matter of making fine adjustments till you match up the focusing scale and the rangefinder patch. As far as the vertical adjustment goes it It usually a single screw too. just a matter of finding it. There are websites out there that have free PDF's you can download that show how to disassemble various RF cameras and there is always someone on ebay that is offering repair manuals for sale for various cameras. If you dont mind paying - Good Luck - Michael

 

[PentHassyKon]

BTW, do I have to check at infinity also?
Anyone out there that has done this on their QL17? Love to hear from y'all of your experience doing this.

Also, I'm curious - how does say, DAG and Sherry of Leica-dom do this when they do a CLA? I'm curious if a ground glass is involved to really check the film plan focus.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Unless you suspect the lens' focus scale is off, and I've never seen a Canonet do that, best to set focus using infinity. You need to set vertical alignment first, then horizontal. Use an object at ~100ft for infinity. On a Canonet, that should be good enough.

I'll have to look at one of my parts cameras to determine the vertical setting. I suspect the beamsplitter is out of alignment on your camera. The horizontal alignment is a screw, and is best done with the top off. For getting it off, I use a rubber mat to get the screw over the wind lever off. Take the rewind knob off by opening the back and holding the shaft down. The rewind knob just unscrews, normal direction.

 

[PentHassyKon]

I was already able to take the wind lever off but stopped there before going too far as I wanted to know what to expect before hand.
Is there any reason that I wouldn't be able to adjust this? I'm somewhat concerned - IIRC when I first received the camera about 2 yrs ago, the patch was somewhat right-on. Now it seems to have moved.