Original QL Rangefinder Adjustment

[Fedzilla_Bob]

Hi all- I am looking for pictures of the location of the horizontal (infinity) rangefinder adjustment for the first version of Canon's QL 17, the original model.

Mine is a little off at infinity. I have been getting good focus with it. But I'll bet with the infinity set things could be even better.

Bob H

 

[captainslack]

Pardon me for hijacking your thread, Bob, but I've got the Bell & Howell version of this camera (it's Canonet 19 on top, but it's the same body) that's in need of a restoration. If anyone has any tips/links on general repair for this model, I'd appreciate it.

 

[Fedzilla_Bob]

No problemo. They are very similar in construction from what I understand.

 

[Fedzilla_Bob]

Bump it up! Until you can feel it!

Paraphrasing Elvis Costello

 

[Fedzilla_Bob]

Hey there G-man!- the cold shoe is firmly attached from the inside of the top cover on my model. The black plate underneath has no hole like the newer QL17 and the GIII. I'm not even sure if the screw is in the same position.

I started to turn a screw last night but stopped, as I was unsure that it was the correct one.

 

[Fedzilla_Bob]

Thanks!- I'll give it another shot. I actually had the whole top cover off last night. It's so easy to do I just went that extra step (or 2, or 3).

Since it was open I spent a litte more time cleaning the viewfinder area, it wasn't spotless yet. I will share pictures of the innards later tonight.

Thanks again-
Bob H

 

[Kim Coxon]

I must admit that the top is so easy to take off that I tend to to that to make any adjustments. With my eyes, I can see what I am doing then 😛

Kim

Thanks!- I'll give it another shot. I actually had the whole top cover off last night. It's so easy to do I just went that extra step (or 2, or 3).

Since it was open I spent a litte more time cleaning the viewfinder area, it wasn't spotless yet. I will share pictures of the innards later tonight.

Thanks again-
Bob H

 

[Fedzilla_Bob]

OK- I discovered something interesting. If I don't wear my glasses the image patch in my viewfinder matches perfectly. The glasses I usually wear out to the street are my driving glasses. They are progressives and the portion I see through the rangefinder with are for seeing at distances greater than 15 feet.

I am not sure whether I should adjust for that or adjust for the naked eye. It can wait, the images I have been getting appear to be in good focus.

In the meantime I do have a picture of under the top cover to share, along with a question or two.

Question "A"- looking at the attached photo, I am assuming that the screw (A) indicated is the infinity adjustment screw.

Question "B"- this should NOT be in this state, should it? I fit the shaft inside the slot, believing that is the right thing to do.

Bob H

 

[Kim Coxon]

The easy answer is to question B. This is the arm for the meter movement visblr in the finder. Yes the pin should be in the slot.

To answer question A, I am not 100% certain without lifting the top off one of mine but I don't think so. I think the one you want is the one to the left in your photo. If no one else chips in, I wil take the lid off mine tonight and confrm.

Regards
Kim

OK- I discovered something interesting. If I don't wear my glasses the image patch in my viewfinder matches perfectly. The glasses I usually wear out to the street are my driving glasses. They are progressives and the portion I see through the rangefinder with are for seeing at distances greater than 15 feet.

I am not sure whether I should adjust for that or adjust for the naked eye. It can wait, the images I have been getting appear to be in good focus.

In the meantime I do have a picture of under the top cover to share, along with a question or two.

Question "A"- looking at the attached photo, I am assuming that the screw (A) indicated is the infinity adjustment screw.

Question "B"- this should NOT be in this state, should it? I fit the shaft inside the slot, believing that is the right thing to do.

Bob H

 

[Fedzilla_Bob]

Thanks Kim- I'll bet G-man will nail it.

 

[Fedzilla_Bob]

Thanks Dave- I know I'm being overly cautious. Thanks for the verification.
How are you?