More problems w/ Canonet GIII 17

Q

qaiade

Guest
Well my Canonet is still broken. I havent been able to remove the rear element and I've done considerable damage to the ring by trying. The wierd thing is that the innermost ring and the outer most ring turn easily. So I loosened the outermost ring which caused the the lens to separate from the body. I noticed a screw (first photo) that appears to keep the middle ring in place. Should I remove it or will that cause more problems? Also after separating the lens from the body I forgot the position of the gray metal ring (photo 2) and now the body and the lens wont go together properly. Finally the aperture blades have rusted , can they be cleaned? i plan to dissemble the lens to figure out what is jamming the rings, but I thought I should deal with these issues first.
 
That looks like a real mess.!

I've never seen a Canonet do that! I wonder how the rest of the gearing is.
 
I removed the inner ring and the glass that came out, but there was still more glass blocking me from the shutter blades. I plan to remove the plate retained by the 3 screws, but I hope I dont have to take apart the shutter blades. Does anyone else's Canonet have the screw in the first photo. Mine was made in Taiwan R.O.C. It is a real mess and becoming quite frustrating. Im considering giving it all up and seeing if I can find someone to sell me a comapct 70s rangefinder on the cheap. Im eager to experience rangefinder photography, but Im beginning to feel foolish for spending as much as I did on a 30 year old camera and breaking before I ever got to use it. Then again, it would be quite satisfying to get this one back up to speed. Has anyone had similar problems with their Canonets? Help me!
 
I was using a non acohol lens cleaner, but it didnt rust until after I used 70% alcohol. Are you saying that removing the screw wont help me remove the central retaining ring?
 
Yikes! you have gone where few have dared! You'll never get the rust off those shutter blades I am sure. I wonder if it went swimmming sometime. I bet some of the folks here can use some parts from this one...If you want a rangefinder let me know. I have a mint condition Minolta Hi-matic 11 in perfect shape with UV filter, yellow filter, homemade lens hood, lens cap, nice strap, leather case, and a flash. Has sharp 45mm Rokkor F1.7 lens on it and I have just shot a test roll and cleaned the viewfinder which is bright and super easy to focus. This one of course is bigger than the Canonet but it works! Actually in my testing its lens beats the canonets. It is as good as the famous Konica Auto S2 lens. There is a review of a Hi-matic 9 in the review section by someone here the Hi-matic 11 has the same lens as the 9. If interested the whole kit is only $65 and shipping. Got pix if your interested. PM me
Rob
 
I have already tried using nail polish remover and it only loosened the outer ring. Ill try again though. Instead of 70% alcohol, what would you suggest I use to clean the shutter?

Rob, thanks for the offer, but Id rather not spend over $30 on another rangefinder right now. I think Ill be shopping around the thrift stores this weekend.
 
Egads

Egads

Those shutters blades are going to be trouble; it's also an ominous sign for the rest of the camera. I think you have a parts camera on your hands; I'd reconsider investing much more time in trying to revive it. It will become a timesink and there's no guarantee of even marginal success.

I think I would put some time into looking for another GIII. That effort will be well-rewarded!
 
I thought Ronsonol was dangerous. The rust in on the aperture blades and they still work. The photo was taken from the back; the shutter blades are stuck wide open revealing the aperture blades, but I suppose its a lost cause either way.
 
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