Ql 17

[oscroft]

I've just won an auction for a QL 17 (the original, not the GIII) on eBay. I got it for £10.50 (about $19). That includes a cheap looking Cobra flash which I'll have to go to the trouble of throwing away, but I just wondered if that sounds like a bargain? How good is the original QL 17? (And yes, I know it would have been of more practical use to have asked before I bid for it, but I only saw the auction at the last minute and it had to be a snap decision).

Best,

 

[jky]

Alan, the QL 17 are nice cameras....
Small, quite hefty for its size, quiet & unobtrusive because of the leaf shutter (quiter than a Leica). And yes, $19.00 is a bargain for a well functioning unit - at least where I live. Make sure to check the foam light seals... it's an easy fix if they've begun to detiorate.
Cheers, j

 

[Silva Lining]

Hi Alan, Even if you have to replace the lightseals then £10.50 is a great price for a working QL17. I have one of these and a GIII version. If the lens is clear, the early version is just as good IMHO..

 

[Bill58]

Alan:

You gotta clean the inside of the viewfinder too w/ a cotton tipped stick (Q-tip) and window cleaner (Windex)--just the front/ rear glass only!

Good luck.

 

[oscroft]

Thanks all, your input is appreciated. I'll be sure to check the light seals (I pretty much expected I'd need to replace them) and clean out the viewfinder.

 

[oscroft]

Sadly, it turned out to be a dud - shutter not firing at all, and lens a bit loose (and a quite hefty dent in the filter ring - very likely the source of the problems). But fortunately the seller is a good guy and refunded me without even wanting it back. So I'm not out of pocket, but I don't have a QL 17. Oh well.

 

[oscroft]

They are known for stuck shutters. Take out the front lens and use a little Ronsonal on it. The little wobble in the lens won't hurt anything.

Thanks for the suggestion. I think it's probably too far gone (the shutter release feels very soft - as if it's just not connecting with anything, and the lens wobble really is quite wobbly), but I guess there's nothing to lose - I'll put it aside for one of those cold winter evenings. Oh, and Ronsonal, is that a kind of lighter fuel or solvent?

 

[oscroft]

Ronsonal is a lighter fluid. Zippo also makes it.

Great, thanks, I've got some of that.