repair/cleaning questions from newbie

[kim a]

Hi Everyone-
So glad to have found this site after inheriting a Canonet G-III 17 a couple weeks ago. Step one was completed-- tried an alkaline 625 battery, and the battery
check light came on. Now this is getting exciting! By the way, the back of the package for the alkaline said that the product contained mercury????? Huh?

So now I need some advice on step two. I know the foam seal will need replacing. Have gotten several estimates ranging from $40 to $65 for that, and up to $100 for a cleaning and lube. I am wondering if I need to have an adjustment for the meter to be calibrated to a 1.5 V? I am new to all this,
and want to keep the cost as low as I can. Would love to see it up and running.
From my untrained eye, and going over a manual I found on the web, it seems
to be in pretty good shape. Then I looked at many of your galleries. THAT was
it. I was mesmerized by the images. I cannot even describe the quality that
grabbed me. Wow.

Any further advice on usage would be greatly appreciated. Thanx for your help.
kim a

 

[kmack]

Welcome, you're in good company with your Canonet.
Light seals are a simple DIY project, Look for the llight seal kit from interslice on ebay.
His kit is very easy to use and he is a member here.

 

[kim a]

diy kit

diy kit

Thanx Kevin-

I knew I was in good hands here. Does the DIY light seal kit also have
instructions for removing the old stuff safely and effectively? I am all for
DIY, but have never done anything like this before. Love the idea of fixing some of it myself!
Kim a

 

[jpbob100]

Look HERE.

 

[vicmortelmans]

I'm going to buy it as well. My canonet QL17 GIII is definitely in need of a seal replacement!! Seems like a good deal indeed, this interslice. When I'm getting up to it, I may as well clean the resistor contact at the bottom of the lens that is responsible for the automatic flash 'metering'... Now the meter is jumping up and down like crazy when I touch the focus ring in flash mode, and I assume the contact is dirty.

 

[kim a]

repairs, cont

repairs, cont

Thanx for all the great advice on the DIY light seal kit. I am going to get one.
I am wondering what you guys thought of my other questions in that first post.
Do you have to get the meter system re-done to work with a 1.5 V battery?
And should I have the camera cleaned and lubed? Like I said, I inherited it, and
am not sure the last time that it was used. It looks really good inside, but I do
not know what all to look for. I wonder if I should take a gamble on shooting a
roll of film and seeing how the shots come out.......this is a great site. I am so
excited to get my Canonet out and shooting! This is a nice challenge.
Kim a

 

[Kim Coxon]

While the top is off to clean the finder, it is relatively easy to adjust the pot so the meter works with silver cells.

Kim

 

[kim a]

Whoa...whoa.....don't forget you are talking to a newbie, here, guys! I have
never opened up a camera top before. This is probably what scares us newbies into paying someone else to do this stuff. I would not know how to clean things off safely.....I am sure there are posts with this info on it. I appreciate your
patience with me. All this is a little overwhelming to the beginner.
Kim a

 

[Kim Coxon]

Best to start with the seals and when you are happy with that we can talk you through it. Several members here were just the same and they had the take the lens out to clean and unstick the shutter. The top is much easier.

Kim