QL19 - Original Model

[wakarimasen]

I picked up one of these http://www.canon.com/camera-museum/...1965_ql19.html?lang=us&categ=srs&page=net&p=1 at a Camera fair yesterday for £1. I saw at the time that the aperture iris does not open or close and thought the price made it an ideal project! I just want to check that the iris doesn't need a battery to work before embarking on my first major repair. I assume that the problem is similar to the famous 'stuck shutter' issue although this works fine. Can anyone comment on this?

Also the battery chamber on this camera is nearly 1" deep which makes me think it didn't use a conventional 'flat' battery, but one more like that used in the Yashica Electro. Again, does anyone have any ideas?

Best regards,
RoyM

 

[ItsReallyDarren]

I have an original QL19 as well. Bought it for the same reasons too.

The cameras can be used in full manual with out batteries. Only the light meter and the shutter priority used any external power.

I haven't opened up the QL19 yet but have worked on a QL17 III. These are not a friendly camera to work on. If its just a sticky aperture/shutter blades problem those are fairly straightforward to remedy. Going further in the lens barrel gets tough. Have a bottle of lighter fluid or and a lot of ventilation and go slow.

As for the battery I remember they used a longer version than the 625 but still have a voltage of 1.35. Almost the length of two button batteries stacked together. You might be able to make shim to fit a single 675 zinc battery, small springs and foil might do the trick.

 

[wakarimasen]

woooooohoooooooo

One home-made lens wrench and some lighter fuel and it lives!

Now I just need to get a battery and test the meter.....

Thanks for the help

 

[wakarimasen]

...and the meter works too - with a modified Electro adaptor! All in all a bargain.