Shutter not snapping...

[Carterofmars]

I just bought a Canon G-III QL on e-Bay a little over a month ago. I paid a princely sum but didn't mind as I was getting a CLA'd Canonet. I've used maybe 5 outings (maybe 2 rolls shot each time). Today I loaded for an hour or so of street action, shot one roll, and after reloading the shutter won't snap. I keep advancing the film, I've tried manual and Auto; no dice.

I unloaded the film and tried unloaded; nothing. At first the plunger was depressing, but there was a point that after cocking I pressed the shutter release but it wouldn't go down. End result is I cock the arm, press the shutter release down, but nothing. Shutter isn't opening.

Brand new Wein Cell installed.

2 Questions if I may to the community:

1. Any suggestions?

2. Shouldn't a camera that was recently CLA'd last longer than a month?

Thanks for any thoughts.

 

[colyn]

Did the seller provide proof of CLA??

If not he/she may have said so just to get a high sale price.

I see it everyday on eBay "recently CLA'd" but when you ask for proof they clam up or get mad for questioning their honesty..

 

[Carterofmars]

This was the contents of the auction....



....Canon CanonetQL17 GIII Vintage Classic 35mm Rangefinder Camera...in BLACK.
and here is a nice one....It's not new but looks very good.

....Less than 5% of all the QL17GIII cameras were made in BLACK, so it's kind of rare....


...Enjoy a Vintage Classic camera....this is a quality Canon QL17 GIII with f/1.7 super fast lens...in excellent working condition.....This camera has been checked.... cleaned.....and adjusted...... new light seals installed.... and the viewfinder and lens is CLEAN and fungus free....There are No Dents and No Dings.

............Everything works........ and It is ready for your roll of film....So, if you are looking for a QL17 GIII that works,........This is it ...and....it comes with a warranty.....
....Comes with...
.......... Canon Camera Strap......
......... Canon Lens Cap..........
.......... UGC 1A Filter........
........ Battery....
.........and online instruction manual...
+ ------ FREE SHIPPING IN USA---------

...(you won't get all these extras with most of the cameras listed.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Warranty......No Fine Print..
.......Try this camera for 14 days and if you are un-happy with it, just return it for no hassle replacement or refund less shipping charges....
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
**..MY BEST ADVICE.........because there are so many of the Canon QL17 cameras that have a Fungus or Haze on the lens,.... stuck & oily shutters & apetures,...dirty viewfinders.... and require new light seals,.....don't buy a camera unless it comes with a warranty and you can return it.....or.... have time & money to have it serviced........These are great working cameras after they have been serviced...........{Why do I tell you all of this......because most sellers don't know anything about the QL17 GIII camera ....or won't tell you about the problems with their camera ......and you will buy it because it's cheaper .......and you will end up with a camera that doesn't work properly....... a paper weight.}
**Most of the QL17 cameras sold on E-bay require service........they came from Garage Sales, Flea Markets, Estate Sales & Yard Sales.....that is why they are selling cheap .........because they need service before they will work properly ........and if you don't believe,......... just buy one.........and when you see that it doesn't work.......contact me for service & repairs...

*** Buy the Best, I was only Sorry when I didn't. ***
..... I take trade-ins of Canon QL17 GIII only.....camera must have good lens without haze or fungus, working condition is un-important....Can we work out a trade.....? Or...... do you have a QL17 GIII you would like to sell....? Contact me.

...I leave feedback after the transaction is complete and feedback has been left for me......

 

[vidgamer]

Even if it was properly serviced, I get the feeling that many of these cameras can break at any time. I mean, it's great if they keep going, but there's no guarantee. Or, it could have been CLAed, but something still wasn't attended to properly. It doesn't necessarily mean that the seller was lying.

But that's the thing that bugs me about eBay -- some people probably lie, some people don't, most probably don't know if there is something wrong, and I won't pay that much for things because I have to assume (for multiple reasons) that I'm going to be disappointed when the item isn't in the condition (as nice) as described. I've had mixed results from auctions (often things are fine!), but I don't know a better way to find some of these items.

So, when people pay over $40 for a QL17 GIII or well over $100 for a black, CLAed one, are they factoring in that it may not be in pristine condition? I guess that's why KEH sells the QL17 for $200 or something. You could take your chances a couple of times at auction or go with a more known quantity. Or, go for something less popular that might work better..... Although, I did pick up a Canonet 28, but it was pointed out in another thread that it isn't that good. At least it works. And was cheap.

 

[btgc]

I believe no one who has really CLAed camera don't put up such description. Or this is rare case of linguamania.

If person like me (read - with basic skills though without years of work and tons of cameras behind) has cleaned and adjusted camera and owner happily reflected this in listing, this doesn't mean that work were done properly. I have Lynx 5000 which I cleaned, used couple of warm months and in first cold month aperture got stuck - simply because aperture blades weren't perfectly clean. They were acceptably clean though I can't say I did CLA on camera. So cla differs from CLA. I could shamelessly state I did CLA though it would be same "AS IS" camera because I can't warrant it will work as new otherwise term CLA looses it's meaning.

 

[colyn]

Many so called "CLA's" are nothing more than a few squirts of lighter fluid and a drop or two of oil. It may get the camera working again but for how long??

 

[vidgamer]

That sounds like more of a technical cla...

 

[Carterofmars]

Well the seller expressed his sorrow for the breakdown, and asked me to ship back to him so he can have repaired. This is good, but my confidence in this seller is a bit shaken. Not sure if I should send to Essex Camera Repair myself and just pay and be sure it's done correctly.

 

[vidgamer]

Either way, it's good to hear that the seller went beyond his obligation! That was nice.

 

[hef]

How much are these Canonet's going for..? Like a Canonet QL17..

 

[tonyj]

You pay for the CLA to be done at a repair shop of your choice, and you have a camera that you can be comfortable with. Let someone else handle the problem, including paying, and you may not be quite so comfortable. You end up being the third party with little leverage.

You could ask for a transferable CLA warranty if the previous owner has the job done. That way if it functions incorrectly you can return it to the repair shop.

Or, you have the repair done and submit the bill to the previous owner .... if he/she agrees.

Good luck!

 

[januaryman]

Wow! I almost bid on this very item. But I already had one black Canonet, so I decided to keep my money. Sorry it was a bust for you. I would also have contacted the seller anyway and discuss the problem. Let him fix it.

This was the contents of the auction....



....Canon CanonetQL17 GIII Vintage Classic 35mm Rangefinder Camera...in BLACK.
and here is a nice one....It's not new but looks very good.

....Less than 5% of all the QL17GIII cameras were made in BLACK, so it's kind of rare....


...Enjoy a Vintage Classic camera....this is a quality Canon QL17 GIII with f/1.7 super fast lens...in excellent working condition.....This camera has been checked.... cleaned.....and adjusted...... new light seals installed.... and the viewfinder and lens is CLEAN and fungus free....There are No Dents and No Dings.

............Everything works........ and It is ready for your roll of film....So, if you are looking for a QL17 GIII that works,........This is it ...and....it comes with a warranty.....
....Comes with...
.......... Canon Camera Strap......
......... Canon Lens Cap..........
.......... UGC 1A Filter........
........ Battery....
.........and online instruction manual...
+ ------ FREE SHIPPING IN USA---------

...(you won't get all these extras with most of the cameras listed.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Warranty......No Fine Print..
.......Try this camera for 14 days and if you are un-happy with it, just return it for no hassle replacement or refund less shipping charges....
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
**..MY BEST ADVICE.........because there are so many of the Canon QL17 cameras that have a Fungus or Haze on the lens,.... stuck & oily shutters & apetures,...dirty viewfinders.... and require new light seals,.....don't buy a camera unless it comes with a warranty and you can return it.....or.... have time & money to have it serviced........These are great working cameras after they have been serviced...........{Why do I tell you all of this......because most sellers don't know anything about the QL17 GIII camera ....or won't tell you about the problems with their camera ......and you will buy it because it's cheaper .......and you will end up with a camera that doesn't work properly....... a paper weight.}
**Most of the QL17 cameras sold on E-bay require service........they came from Garage Sales, Flea Markets, Estate Sales & Yard Sales.....that is why they are selling cheap .........because they need service before they will work properly ........and if you don't believe,......... just buy one.........and when you see that it doesn't work.......contact me for service & repairs...

*** Buy the Best, I was only Sorry when I didn't. ***
..... I take trade-ins of Canon QL17 GIII only.....camera must have good lens without haze or fungus, working condition is un-important....Can we work out a trade.....? Or...... do you have a QL17 GIII you would like to sell....? Contact me.

...I leave feedback after the transaction is complete and feedback has been left for me......