Canon LTM QL 17 Focussing Problems

[BigKid01]

Hello all,

I'm new to the classic rangefinder club and just enjoying building my own little collection at the moment.

I just bought a dirt cheap Canonet QL17 (not the GIII) as it had a stuck focus ring. Aside from that the camera is basically in mint condition. I managed to get the focus ring working with a bit of fiddling and liberal use of lighter fluid.

What I have discovered now is that even though the focussing ring moves smoothly, the lens casing moves in and out and the parallax correction is working the two images in the viewfinder are not moving together ie I cannot focus. It seems the focus is stuck on infinity and doesn't move. I noticed also that when the focussing ring was stuck it was set to infinity.

Any help would be grand.

Cheers.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=90468

Basic steps should apply for the QL17L, and probably the full-size model that proceeded that one.

If I had to guess, I would think the return spring or mechanism that controls the moving arm that swings a wdge shaped lens. This is responsible for the moving RF image.

Look at the third to last image in the thread, the wedge that swingsis the small perpendicular lens, near the philips head screw.

 

[BigKid01]

Cheers Brian!

Thanks for the quick reply. I'll check it out.

 

[BigKid01]

Well that link definitely helped me get the top cover off but I still can't really see why the focus lever isn't adjusting the rangefinder. When I move the focus lever none the glass in the RF mechanism moves.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Looking at the same picture as before, the bright screw closest to the mirror at 45degrees should move when the lens moves. That screw moves the arm that moves the glass. As you focus from close-up to infinity, you should see that mechanism move as the lens turns.

Check it out, and check back in.

 

[BigKid01]

Nothing is moving in that area. I guess there is some internal mechanism or linkage that's broken or disconnected. When I look at the focus ring mechanism in the repair manual its pretty complicated. I might save myself the chance of breaking things further and get a professional to take a look.

Thanks for the link and the images they were really helpful. I learned something today and that's always a good day.

Cheers Brian.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

It is unusual for a Canonet focus mount to be frozen up like that. Sounds like the camera was left sitting for a long time, maybe in some warm climate. You freed up the focus mount with lighter fluid, got some motion going. I suspect the same dried grease is affecting the RF mechanism. The lighter fluid used sparingly in the slot where the mechanism should be moving might free it up, but it might take more of a teardown to get to the stuck part.

A professional CLA will do wonders for the camera, but expect $75~$100 or so to get all working again.