Strange (?) problem with QL17

[LondonJ]

Hi... hope someone can help me here. I have a slight problem with my QL17 (the 'new' model but not the G-III). If the shutter is NOT cocked, then when I turn the aperture ring towards larger apertures (ie lower 'f' number), the diaphragm doesn't open up at all! But luckily, if the shutter IS cocked, the aperture opens up correctly (albeit slugglishly, but it gets there within about one second).

(Going the other way, the diaphragm always stops down perfectly, whether or not the shutter is cocked.)

I suppose that, currently, this doesn't really matter, as obviously I always cock the shutter at some point before taking a photo. But, can anyone explain this observation, and suggest if there is anything I could do to fix it, in case it develops into a worse problem?

Also, the rangefinder needs adjusting vertically, and I read that I need to adjust the screw behind the small circular plate on the back of the camera... but how do I remove it!? Do I need a special tool, or have I missed something really straightforward?

Many thanks
John

 

[vicmortelmans]

I didn't try it out in detail on my GIII, but I know that the diaphragma is not 1 to 1 linked to rotating the aperture ring... It's in some way triggered by cocking the shutter or by metering.

So I guess it's normal behaviour.

 

[Kim Coxon]

This is perfectly normal behaviour and the way the camera was designed to work. 😉

Kim

 

[BrianShaw]

John... I freaked out not long ago when I noticed this phenomenon. Keep playing with the camera (sans film) and you'll see that the aperture will be correct at the time of 'exposure'. As Kim sez: all is normal.