Reviving a Canonet 28

[cmedin]

I got a Canonet 28 off evilbay recently for a whooping $4.99 (including a flash). The mechanics seem nice and sound, shutter sounds nice and looks fine though I have absolutely no clue how you test/calibrate the meter on this thing. It runs in shutter priority by default and shows the aperture selected but that's obviously insufficient for testing the meter. Any suggestions/advice on that one?

The rangefinder patch had sharply defined edges but was very weak. Took off the top (good thing I looked it up: the ring by the winder arm unscrews clockwise), and popped the little plastic cover over the rangefinder. Cleaned the elements with some lens cleaner and lens tissue, which helped brighten things up a bit but it was still weak. Then I remembered something I read here a while ago (I think it was Ruben who wrote about it) regarding darkening the viewfinder to get a more contrasty rangefinder patch. I didn't have any ND filters sitting around, but I do have a set of filters for b/w photography, so played with those a bit. The red filter, while darkening the viewfinder quite a bit (though it was still usable in dim indoor lighting) made an amazing improvement: the rangefinder patch was suddenly very sharp and contrasty, and focusing in poor indoor conditions was a snap! I'm going to look for some slightly lighter red gel filters tomorrow, and see if I can cut one to fit the viewfinder window.

Now I'm working on the light seals (geez, Canon went for serious overkill with these), and since I have the top, bottom and back off the camera I'm considering touching them up a little. 😉 Will post pictures if it turns out like I'm hoping.

Amazing how much enjoyment five bucks can get you these days, ain't it?

 

[gb hill]

I read where the Canonets are really tricky on light seals. I'm glad mine are new. I won't have to worry about it for a long while. I just did my Yashica GSN and it was a piece of cake. When you "get r done" (couldn't help it, I see your in Atlanta)😀 I was stationed at NAS Atlanta, in Marietta in 82 got out and stayed til 85. Couldn't handle it any more and left. Go to that place near the stadium that has the great hotdogs & onion rings and take some pictures. I can't remember the nane of it but it was a good place for photos. Let me say this, I loved the place but back in those years I was pretty crazy, and I needed to leave. Oh! btw did you ever go to that place at the river where everybody got naked and jumped off the rocks. Can't remember the name of that place either.

 

[cmedin]

I'm a relatively recent transplant to the Atlanta area (I'm a Swede actually) and haven't really ventured into town a lot; I tend to stick to the 'burbs, but I
ll see if I can figure out the places you're talking about. 🙂

 

[Kim Coxon]

the Canonet seals are not that difficult. Jon goodman does a very good kit which contains enouth material for at least half a dozen cameras for about $6. He will also supply a cuting list/instructions for the Canonets.

Kim

 

[cmedin]

I have Jon's kit and it is indeed great. Funny though how where most camera mfgs seem to go for the two strip seals + hinge seal, Canon went all out on these things. 🙂