Kat
Well-known
Hi,
After having given up search of my sister's old canonet last year, I found it in the least likely place today--my own drawer (used to be hers, but she thought she had left it in another house). I can't for the life of me figure why I never saw or noticed it before. Anyway, it turned out to be a QL 19, old version, I'm guessing, it's a little bigger than my Minolta HiMatic 9. Anyway, the condition isn't too great, I see spots on the metal of the body, but the lens look very clean, it had a skylight filter on. I played with it for a while, the shutter seems to work fine, except that at 1s it seems to stay open a little too long. The VF/RF looks dirty and it's a little hard to see the patch.
Anyway, I do have an "unknown condition" GIII coming, and several other RFs so I don't really need another, but this camera was used to take my childhood pics, so for sentimental and historical value, I figured I could at least give it a shot to get it working again.
Anyway, do you guys have any tips on how do I clean up the RF/VF?
What's safe to use to clean up the body?
Also, does anyone have the manual for this? I have the one for the GIII, but the design of the newer camera seems different from this one.
After having given up search of my sister's old canonet last year, I found it in the least likely place today--my own drawer (used to be hers, but she thought she had left it in another house). I can't for the life of me figure why I never saw or noticed it before. Anyway, it turned out to be a QL 19, old version, I'm guessing, it's a little bigger than my Minolta HiMatic 9. Anyway, the condition isn't too great, I see spots on the metal of the body, but the lens look very clean, it had a skylight filter on. I played with it for a while, the shutter seems to work fine, except that at 1s it seems to stay open a little too long. The VF/RF looks dirty and it's a little hard to see the patch.
Anyway, I do have an "unknown condition" GIII coming, and several other RFs so I don't really need another, but this camera was used to take my childhood pics, so for sentimental and historical value, I figured I could at least give it a shot to get it working again.
Anyway, do you guys have any tips on how do I clean up the RF/VF?
What's safe to use to clean up the body?
Also, does anyone have the manual for this? I have the one for the GIII, but the design of the newer camera seems different from this one.
Last edited:
rbiemer
Unabashed Amateur
I can't help much with the repair/rehab questions you have but here is a site that should help you with the manual: CLICK ME! . Since there are two(or three? not sure) QL 19 cameras, I'm not sure which of the manuals here will be the one you need but likely one of them is for your camera!
The owner of the site is very helpful.
Hope you get the QL up to speed.
Rob
The owner of the site is very helpful.
Hope you get the QL up to speed.
Rob
Kat
Well-known
Thank you so much for the link to the manual, Rob. I edited my post as apparently after putting in a zinc air battery, the meter needle moves (haven't checked accuracy) and the shutter works on auto. Only the slow speeds and the self timer seem problematic, not major issues for me.
Judging from the pictures in the manuals, it looks like I have the "early" QL 19 version.
Here she is...
Judging from the pictures in the manuals, it looks like I have the "early" QL 19 version.
Here she is...
juggler
Established
That's a ncie looking camera...
For cleaning the RF/VF, can check Matt's tips on cleaning his Yashica GSN at http://homepage.mac.com/mattdenton/photo/cameras/electro_inside/
But I suggest better not cleaning the semi-transparent mirrors with the yellow focus patch at all. Or else it may be ruined.
Good luck!
For cleaning the RF/VF, can check Matt's tips on cleaning his Yashica GSN at http://homepage.mac.com/mattdenton/photo/cameras/electro_inside/
But I suggest better not cleaning the semi-transparent mirrors with the yellow focus patch at all. Or else it may be ruined.
Good luck!