Question from New QL17 G-III Owner

[sircarl]

Just got a QL17 G-III that I won on eBay. Never having used this camera before, I am puzzled by what I'm seeing when I look through the viewfinder. The rangefinder patch is a faint, very vague, yellowish rectangle. I do see the image edges come together inside the patch as I turn the focusing wheel, but it's not the easiest thing in the world to make out. And there's a slight bluish tinge to the viewfinder generally. My question is: Is all this normal? (Or at least, the best I can expect from a camera this old?) Maybe I've been spoiled by the superb viewfinder image on my RF645!

 

[jamiewakeham]

Probably needs a clean. My GIII is a dream to focus; much, much better than my CLA-d Zorki 1, for example.

I misread your address for a moment then, and was about to suggest that we met up for a pint tonight to compare them! D'oh...

Cheers
Jamie

 

[dmr]

Just got a QL17 G-III that I won on eBay. Never having used this camera before, I am puzzled by what I'm seeing when I look through the viewfinder. The rangefinder patch is a faint, very vague, yellowish rectangle. I do see the image edges come together inside the patch as I turn the focusing wheel, but it's not the easiest thing in the world to make out. And there's a slight bluish tinge to the viewfinder generally. My question is: Is all this normal? (Or at least, the best I can expect from a camera this old?) Maybe I've been spoiled by the superb viewfinder image on my RF645!

Mine does have a very slight bluish tint with a yellowish tint to the rangefinder coincidence section, but overall it's very bright and easy to focus as long as there's detail in the subject to focus on. I suspect yours is just a bit dirty. I use mine for low light situations mainly and don't have too much of a challenge getting it focused.

 

[JoeFriday]

mine is the same as Denise's.. the different color tints helps to aid quick focusing.. but it sounds like yours could benefit from some cleaning

 

[sircarl]

Thanks, all, for your helpful responses. I just shot a roll and dropped it off at my local lab. In addition to the hazy viewfinder (worse outside), I found that the ISO lever was nearly impossible to turn and the film did not wind on properly. I'm eager to see the prints, but it looks like this particular camera is a dud. So back to the seller it goes, unfortunately.

 

[Andrew Sowerby]

I think that whey buying any old rangefinder camera you should budget for a CLA. Makes a world of difference. I just got my QL17 back from G'man and the viewfinder is much better. Hopefully your next QL17 (if you get another) will work out for you!

 

[dmr]

You might just ask Greyhoundman how much he would charge for a good once-over. If it works enough to take pictures, it's probably just in need of some TLC.

 

[Austintatious]

These old GIII's all need a CLA. When that is done, you will have a camera that is a pleasure to use.
The Greyhoundman works magic on 'em. Do not hesitate to invest in this. They are nice cameras!

 

[Rob]

When I find the GIIIs the viewfinders are pretty bad, cleaning them makes an amazing difference in brightness and then it is easy to focus. Yes they all look bluish in color.
You have to push in the Iso lever, then move it. Did you get the film over to the starting mark correctly? The QL system works well. Get the Canolite D flash for easy flash exposures.

 

[sircarl]

Rob,

Yes, I did push in the ISO lever -- or rather, tried, nearly breaking my fingernail in the process. It's virtually jammed. As for the film winding, I inserted a 24-exposure roll and was taking pictures until the camera's frame counter reached 32, when the film advance lever froze. I have a feeling the first 8 shots were lost (will find out when I get the prints back today) -- but why would the camera not advance the film to start with and then advance it? I realize these cameras may need servicing to operate properly. But I'd rather not start with one that has so many strikes against it.

 

[sircarl]

P.S. Sorry, but I'm new here -- who is Greyhoundman?

 

[Tyler Durden]

Rob, thanks, i didnt know how to move the iso lever, ive had the canonet ql19 gIII for about 2 weeks... I use it in manual mode only, so the iso lever didnt really matter to me, but i thought it was broken before...
thanks 😉,

 

[Andrew Sowerby]

Greyhoundman is a fellow on the forum who fixes cameras.

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/member.php?u=949

I just got my QL17 back from him and he did a good, quick job of replacing the light seals, cleaning the VF, fixing the quick-load system, etc. for a good price.

Edit: Sorry, I just noticed that you're in the UK. It's probably not going to be worth your while to send a QL17 to him for a tune-up.

 

[sircarl]

Thanks everyone for your comments. I just got back my first prints, shot on Fuji Superia 400 and blown up to 5X7. Really pleased with the results -- sharp, but with a nice tonal range, and excellent wide open. (I was right -- the first 8 shots went AWOL somehow.) So it looks like I'll be hunting up a new QL17. That is, if I don't get an Olympus 35 RD instead, which I've also had my eye on! Decisions, decisions...

 

[dmr]

P.S. Sorry, but I'm new here -- who is Greyhoundman?

He's the resident GIII guru here. I'm surprised he hasn't jumped in this thread. He often times jumps in when his name or GIII appear in the threads. 🙂

 

[sircarl]

The final upshot of my Canonet purchase is that the eBay seller is refusing to give me a refund for a camera she described as "in excellent condition." Why am I not surprised? This is a seller who had zero feedback, since she just joined, but I was in a "oh give the kid a break, I was there once too" mood. Dumb, dumb, dumb. Now I'm stuck with a Canonet that is less than wonderful. Paid 72 bucks for it too, on the strength of that "excellent" rating. Another sad eBay tale.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

The Canonet's usually need a simple cleaning. The ASA selector needs a LITTLE 99%Isopropyl Alchohol put on it and then worked back and forth. The top needs to be popped and the finder cleaned. The before/after is amazing once this is done. If it is working, the camera is most likely in EX condition. But, like almost every 30 something camera, it needs a little care in its old age.

You need a set of jeweler's screwdrivers to get the top off. And usually a big rubber band to get the top off over the film advance lever. Another on my list of camera to photograph up again.

 

[dostacos]

I would also suggest a trip to Greyhoundman, not only will be probably be able to bring it back to life, [actually I bave never heard him NOT be able to bring one back, and his prices are VERY reasonable] he can tweak it to take modern batteries.

the cost of the CLA and shipping may well be the same as buying another canonet that will also need a CLA.

 

[sircarl]

Brian -- you're a braver man than I am. I've looked at the Canonet repair manual. There's no way ol' butterfingers here is going to try to take the camera apart!

Dan -- the cost of shipping the camera back and forth across the Atlantic probably makes a CLA by Greyhoundman impractical, even if his prices are reasonable.

I'm thinking now I'll just try to sell the camera (with an honest description of its flaws), either here or on eBay. It would be a sensible purchase for someone who can undertake the repairs himself.

 

[dmr]

The final upshot of my Canonet purchase is that the eBay seller is refusing to give me a refund for a camera she described as "in excellent condition." Why am I not surprised?

This is one reason I seldom play e-bay roulette anymore. 🙁

This is a seller who had zero feedback,

Is negative feedback an option?

Paid 72 bucks for it too, on the strength of that "excellent" rating. Another sad eBay tale.

And, $72 would not be bad at all for one in excellent shape.

Doesn't Ebay have some kind of dispute resolution service?

I mean, clearly it's fraud to advertise something in excellent shape when it's in barely usable shape, but the climate and culture of the on line auctions is such that it's almost impossible to get any satisfaction.

People get ripped off for thousands on that site and they can't get their money back, just ask Jorge. 🙁