How tough is it to take off the top of my GIII?

[fishtek]

I've got a cracked front viewfinder glass, and would like to replace it. Does anyone know of an existing "tutorial" for taking off the top and replacing said glass? It doesn't impact the function, so if it's a serious bit of labor, I'll leave it alone.

TIA!
Don

 

[dmr]

The big tricky part is loosening and removing the thing (I don't know the correct name for it) that holds on the film advance lever.

They said you can loosen it with a jar opener or rubber stopper, but I had to take the dremel and drill two very tiny holes in it so I could use a lens spanner on it. Mine was REALLY stuck.

The rewind crank unscrews counter-clockwise (anti-clockwise) if you hold the inside part with needle nose pliers or something.

Hope this helps. 🙂

 

[pingle]

It's not too hard. I found instructions on the internet... I don't remember where... but it's not that hard. To remove the ring that holds on the film advance arm, I just put a rubber band arounf the thing, and then grabbed it with some pliers and twisted. Just be careful: various bits might come out (washers and stuff).

This might help:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pingram/1538772906/

(click on "All sizes" to get the full size)

 

[fishtek]

I'm guessing that the top outer ring is threaded, and holds the film advance lever down onto a squared shaft, eh? There's not much room to grip, and I guess there's lots of possibility for seriously scraping up that top ring. I'll think about this'n for a while before I take a run at it.

Thanks for the info, eh?

Don

 

[fishtek]

Thanks, Pingle! The schematic is bound to be useful.

Regards!
Don

 

[undies]

Let us know how it goes. There is a bug (as in, an actual insect) inside mine somewhere. The second time I used my GIII he crawled out of a hiding place and into the viewfinder space while I was framing a shot; yes, it was terrifying! 😱

I never saw him again but I'm sure he's still in there, somewhere.

 

[fishtek]

No kidding? Your camera has a resident housekeeper? Hmmmm.... I wonder what it's eating?

Actually, I'm leaving on vacation on Friday morning, taking my OTHER Canonet (QL17)(NOT the GIII) and a handful of film. I'm still getting used to the metering variations, and need to experiment for a while. Not sure I can trust the meter yet, 'specially with the battery being different than the original power rating. It's OK...I'm convinced that EVERY machine has differences in character that only show up after considerable use.

I'll post some results in 11-12 days.

Regards!
Don

 

[brett]

I managed to discombobulate my Canonet 28 without issue. The only tricky bit was prying the shutter button off so I could get the winder lever out of the way.... and a $9 screwdriver kit from Radio Shack. ;-)

... But since the bug is probably named Mort by now, if s)he is not bugging you any longer... let sleeping, er, dogs, lie.

 

[Kim Coxon]

Having sorted out the glitch on the website, you can get the service manual for the GIII from my website here:
http://www.pentax-manuals.com/repairs.htm

Kim

 

[fishtek]

Thanks, Kim...

Thanks, Kim...

for a BRILLIANT resource for us.

Now I'll have to find a "donor" body for the piece of glass.

Slainte'!

Don

 

[Ballen Photo]

Having sorted out the glitch on the website, you can get the service manual for the GIII from my website here:
http://www.pentax-manuals.com/repairs.htm

Hi Kim, I found a "few" very interesting items on your site. (Jupiter 9). 😀
Yes, Thanks for posting.
-Bruce