QL-17 ASA lever stuck

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stubbie

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Just purchased a QL17 GIII from ebay... last time I do that! Was stated to be in very good working condition and payed quite a bit (US110). The viewfinder is very foggy with the RF patch almost totally non-existent. The ASA lever is stuck - have tried to move it with a screwdriver only managing to scratch the camera... any ideas anyone? Also, is it at all possible to "fix" the viewfinder and RF patch? It's a real shame because otherwise I love the camera - it feels great in the hand, is small and light but still feels sturdy.

Many thanks.
 
Hey stubbie - don't give up on it yet! I struggled with the film speed selector on mine for a while as well. You don't describe in much detail how you've tried to change the setting, so you may not have tried this: I found that the only reliable way of changing the setting was to depress the selector with a fingernail (there is a notch on the selector to help with this). Once the the selector is depressed, which is tricky because its so small, the setting can be changed easily.

The vf and patch can be easily fogged by fingerprints or other markings on the exterior of the vf lens as well as the eyepiece. I've used a q-tip with just a little water (don't want any leaking into the body) to clean this, and have noticed marked improvements in vf brightness and patch clarity.

It is possible to clean the vf and rf. I just had mine CLA'd by Mark Hama here in Georgia. He has a fantastic reputation, and is a very nice person to do business with. After the CLA, my rf/vf/patch was much brighter and easier to focus than before. Even with the cost of a CLA and your eBay price, you'll have a very nice 35mm camera with a great lens for less than the cost of most decent low-end digital Point & Shoots.

Good luck!
 
I'd try to send it back. Did his ad state a return policy? NEVER buy a camera where there is no clear return policy. I got a bad Kiev, seller had a policy, returned my money AND the shipping costs! He even offered to pay the costs to return the camera to him! If that camera ain't what he said, drop him an email and tell him what's wrong.
 
I had this happen- it was grime from age. I used a LITTLE Lighter fluid, a drop on the ASA selector. Worked it, sopped up the fluid with a Q-Tip.

If you scratched the camera, do not be surprised if the seller will not take it back, or at least will not give full purchase price.

The top plate comes off fairly easily on the Canonet. If you are handy with small screwdrivers, this is a 30 minute job (at most).
 
Stubby,

I paid $135 for mine, but it was warrantied. The seller was very helpful and understanding and accepted my return because of mechanical film advance issues. I actually went through two different QL17 GIII's, both of which had been CLA'd, but both had a problem advancing the film - kept tearing the sprocket holes in the film and jamming. A real shame because the lens is FREAKING amazing on that little camera. Probably worth you fixing it. I sort of wish I had just fixed mine instead of returning it. But from what I"ve read, for all the optical quality these cameras are pretty tempermental mechanically.
 
The film guide plate and rollers were bent. It happens very easily. If you open the camera and the back is forced out too far, film transport will start being a problem.
Canonets should not be opened to where the back is more than 90 degrees.
 
I tried my luck on eBay for one of these, but the glass was etched and I gave it away. Nice little camera design save for that ASA lever. I especially hated it because I have thin fingernails. Trying to work that lever mostly snipped grooves in my nails.
 
Thanks very much for all your help. Will try the lighter fluid today. Am going to keep this one regardless and try and find another QL in better condition one day as I really like it.
 
Got it working! Thanks everyone - the lighter fluid worked a treat and it's now set permanently for 400 🙂

Now I have one more stupid question and then I will leave you all alone and just take pics... The shutter seems to work but everything is in slow motion. It's definitely not the self timer, but when I click the shutter there is no "click" per se - just a long delay and then the iris opens for what seems like a half second exposure. It doesn't matter whether I shoot automatic, manual and what shutter speed is selected. Film is defiantly loaded correctly (well I think). Any ideas anyone? Very weird! Thanks.
 
Mine, which had sat in a closet for more than 25 years, did the same thing at first. Once I put a couple of rolls through it, the shutter seemed to come to life.
 
This can also indicate that the shutter needs to be "flood-cleaned". The front optics have to come out, and a couple of drops of Ronsonol go in. Try working and using the camera, see if it clears up. If not- it needs to be "flood-cleaned". If that does not work, a more substantial breakdown is required.

In general- picking up 30 and 40 year old fixed-lens RF's is a gamble on Ebay. Best to look for some on the camera forums from people who use them.
 
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