Jammed QL17 shutter - again

[Bluesman]

Ok, guys,
I had this QL17 arriving from an auction site. Naturally, its shutter is stuck, and the self timer too. Before I claim a partial or total refund, I need to know if this is an easy fix or not.

So:

I just spent 2 hours sifting thru Canonet shutter-related posts, but couldn´t find a clue to what the issue is with stuck shutter vs self timers and how to fix it. All I found was "- search the forum" and someone that finally managed to find some old post by greyhoundman about this - but no link to the post itself.

Please, have mercy - tell me? What´s the deal, how can I fix it? Or..how do I generally fix a shutter on a QL17 (not GIII)? How do I know it´s a self-timer-inflicted issue?

Yes, I know - disassemble the rear element etc etc - but this self timer thing, where´s the solution/fix?

Pretty please?

Cheers /Richard

 

[Kim Coxon]

Hi,
It is sometimes better to take out both the front and rear groups to clean the shutter properly. The self time mech is accesible once the front parts come off the get to the front group. Usually a good clean wii solve the self timer problem providing it hasn't been forced. Quite often, if it has been forced, the linkage buckles. If this has happened, the only real solution is the disable the timer by removing the buckled link. If the self time has been set and hasn't released then the shutter will not fire so this may be the problem with the shutter. If you get really stuck and want a good working early Canonet 17, drop me a PM and I can probably help.

Kim

 

[mpt600]

www.kyphoto.com/classics can be very useful. My own Canonet suffered from a stuck shutter; the aperture would stop down when the release was pressed but the shutter wouldn't fire. Cured by a clean up, I think this is quite common. But your self timer problem may have something to do with it, or maybe it's just two seperate problems.

 

[Bluesman]

Well, I put it through a few cycles today, wiggling the self timer for 5 minutes, in small movements, while pressing the shutter on and off. Finally - the timer/shutter gave a life sign and completed a cycle. From there, it was gymnastics. It now works on all speeds, every time, and is accurate. BUT: it turns out that this camera needs a good firm pressing all the way down before it trips the shutter. I really need to press the trigger *all* the way down - but then it fires alright.

Can this - small but annoying - issue be resolved easily?

Edit: funny: a cable release doesn´t trip the shutter at all. It just makes the shutter button wiggle, and simulates that it fires - I can do a rewind and press the cable release again...no shutter opening. Back to manual shutter button, everything is OK - if I press down hard and all the way.

Cheers (much happier for the moment) /Richard

 

[warren1960]

I have the same problem, but without the self timer connection . . . my self timer lever is unarmed, but the shutter won't trip.

It WILL trip if I take the bottom plate off and push the linkage with a screwdriver. In fact I can get the shutter button to work fine this way for a few cycles.

The most common answer to the stuck shutter question is to clean the shutter blades, but mine are clean and snappy. It seems like my problem is similar to Richard's.

 

[benno]

My ebay QL19 just started with this behaviour too. Shutter and aperture blades look clean but neither move.

 

[Kim Coxon]

Unless you buy a Canonet from a "known" source, it is almost certain that it will require some form of atention. At the very least it is likely to need new seals and most likely the shutter will need attention. When I was "collecting" Canonets, I used to look for good cosmetic ones where the owner was honest or knowledgeable enough to admit the problems. I would then service them having got a camera at a very cheap price. All others go for more and still need the same work. 😉

I must have a sort through and put the last few in the classifieds.

Kim

 

[zuikologist]

Kim - looking forward to the sort through : )

 

[Bobfrance]

I too have a Canonet with a stuck shutter from ebay.

There seems to be enough of us.
Perhaps we should have our own forum? The "Canonets with stuck shutters" section.
😉

I may attempt to fix mine over the long winter months.

Bob.

 

[ltketch]

I too have a Canonet with a stuck shutter from ebay.

There seems to be ennough of us.
Perhaps we should have our own forum? The "Canonets with stuck shutters" section.
😉

I may attempt to fix mine over the long winter months.

Bob.

Maybe you should start a class action claim against Canon...1Ds Mark III all round as compensation!!!!!! 😀

 

[benno]

I stripped my camera right down as far as I could without a lens spanner and couldn't fix it. I think the problem lies in the lens, but perhaps not with the actual blades - they're perfectly clean.... ?

 

[Kim Coxon]

The slightest amount of oil even if it is not visible will cause the shutter to stick. It could be another problem but unlikely, they do tend to be fairly reliable.

Kim

I stripped my camera right down as far as I could without a lens spanner and couldn't fix it. I think the problem lies in the lens, but perhaps not with the actual blades - they're perfectly clean.... ?

 

[Kim Coxon]

Bob,
I won't be able to do it till November time ish, but if you get stuck drop me a PM and I will try to sort for you.

Kim

I too have a Canonet with a stuck shutter from ebay.

There seems to be enough of us.
Perhaps we should have our own forum? The "Canonets with stuck shutters" section.
😉

I may attempt to fix mine over the long winter months.

Bob.

 

[Bobfrance]

Cheers Kim, that's a very kind offer.

I'll have a go at doing it myself and making a lens spanner first. I got the camera for next to nothing so I don't mind tinkering with it. If I get it working - that's a bonus!

If you get a box of random bit's sent to you in the post - you'll know why. 😉

 

[Bobfrance]

UPDATE...

Success! I managed to get the shutter freed (with some advice from Kim).

I recommend everybody to have a go. it's very satifying when it works. 🙂

 

[dmr]

UPDATE...

Success! I managed to get the shutter freed (with some advice from Kim).

Congratulations! 🙂 Welcome to the "I Fixed The Camera" club! 🙂

I recommend everybody to have a go. it's very satifying when it works. 🙂

Back in early 2005 I fixed a sticky GIII shutter with the help and encouragement of the fine people here. The blades were stuck and some internal things were bent. It's been working fine ever since. I know the feeling. 🙂