QL 17 scratches film - remedies please?

[Bluesman]

Guys/gals - what makes the Quickload mechanism scratch my film as it passes? For every perforation of the film, the film base (facing the back of the camera) gets a vertical band of scratches, 10mm high and 1 mm (or so) wide. The entire film is affected. Between perforations, the film is fine. Emulsion side looks fine to mee.

I guess it´s from the middle part of the QL mechanism "flap" - the middle steel tongue should tuck under one of the rolls/roller pins when the back closes. Mine obviously doesn´t do that properly and scratches film. Is this a case of too much pressure applied on the QL flap due to some light seal being too thick? The camera has had CLA by the previous owner and is top notch otherwise. This is the first roll thru it since I bought it.

Advice, please?

TIA & cheers /Richard

 

[Bluesman]

I found it myself, but thanks for looking. Found it by watching what happens when you close the flap....

This camera was probably reassembled in a hurry. The "tongue" that connects the backplate to the QL mechanism should run inside the slots of the "flap", not outside. Outside the slots = film side of the flap = film damage.

I fixed it in 30 secs by loosening the pin that holds the tongue to the backplate, and reinserting (sliding in) the metal tongue the proper way, inside the slots. It´s a perfect fit. Pin reinstalled and hopefully no more film damage. A completely different feeling to winding too.

Pic of bad way to mount the tongue:

http://homeweb.mah.se/~lurija/canonet_QL_error.jpg

Anyway, thanks for looking 🙂 /Richard