Canon LTM Thrift store find: QL17

Canon M39 M39 screw mount bodies/lenses
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Krasnaya_Zvezda

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Well, it finally happened to me. Looking in a thrift store, I found what appears to be an excellent QL17, not a mark on it, complete with case. Shutter speeds look good, lens is scratch-free and beautifully clear. Of course, I won't know until I put a battery in it if the meter works or not. I've only had it for a half-hour, haven't located a manual yet, but here's a question. When I cock the shutter, I can change the aperture as I choose----say I shoot at 5.6. Once I fire, if I close the lens down to 16, it won't open up again until I cock the shutter again. Then I can set it at whatever I want. Is this normal, maybe due to the fact no battery (although I can't see why that would make any difference). I'm really excited about my $9.99 buy, I hope there's not a killing flaw lurking here.
 
I'll bet that whatever flaw there is, you will get plenty of good advise on what to do.

It seems that the QL series of rangefinders sits in a kind of "ease of care/repair" sweet spot.

Congrats!
 
The older model Canonets ( like the QL17 with 45mm lens) tend to have sticky diaphragm blades. A little cleaning with denatured alcohol should dissolve enough gunk to make them move freely.

-Paul
 
This one has a 40mm lens. Serial number is 691078. Is the SN such as in FSU cameras, 1st two digits denote the year? As I said, the odd thing about the aperture is that it moves very freely, as long as the shutter is cocked. Otherwise, it only moves one way. ???
As you said, Bob, I'm sure I'll get the answer here, I have no doubt about it.
 
The following is a shot in the dark. Is the shutter speed ring set to "auto?" Also, have you opened the battery compartment? I wonder if there is a weak battery in there giving the camera just enough juice to limit the reaction to your settings?

Just a thought.
 
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greyhoundman said:
"When I cock the shutter, I can change the aperture as I choose----say I shoot at 5.6. Once I fire, if I close the lens down to 16, it won't open up again until I cock the shutter again. "

This is normal on the newer QL17 and GIII versions.
If you take it to f16 and then back to f5.6, then cock it. It should then open to f5.6.
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It does exactly that. Woo-Hoo! Guess it's ok! Hey Fed Bob, thanks for the suggestions, but I see that you saw the above answer, too.
I appreciate all the fast responses, you guys are great.
I assume you are all guys, the percentages are with me on that one.
 
Hi,
The aperture is designed to work like that. It opens up when the shutter is cocked and on auto, it closes down to the correct aperture when taking a photo. If you need the manual, try here www.pentax-manuals/manuals/range/range.htm

As far as I know, the serial number does not give the year of purchase. Try here http://www.canon.com/camera-museum/camera/series/f_net.html

Regards
Kim

Krasnaya_Zvezda said:
This one has a 40mm lens. Serial number is 691078. Is the SN such as in FSU cameras, 1st two digits denote the year? As I said, the odd thing about the aperture is that it moves very freely, as long as the shutter is cocked. Otherwise, it only moves one way. ???
As you said, Bob, I'm sure I'll get the answer here, I have no doubt about it.
Click to expand...
 
I want a thrift shop in this part of SoCal. Too bad, it's what i get for living and working "in the burbs."
 
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Congratulations and welcome to the Canonet addiction, they breed like rabbits.

Personally I prefer my vodka diluted with lime ;)
 
JohnS said:
I have a scanned copy of the owners manual PM me if you would like me to email you a copy.

John
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Thanks, and PM sent.
 
johne said:
Just curious, why dilute the vokda, vodka, wodka, [oh hell! you know.]? Just curious. Johne
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Mainly for taste; 2/3 potato vodka, 1/3 tonic in an old fashioned, or (preparing for groans here) diet Sprite. The sugar in the real Sprite leaves an unpleasant stickiness. Drinking vodka and diet sprite is like having a taste directly from some vodka glacier in Siberia.
Another reason for diluting: If I want to drink for 10 hours, I can't go full bore that long, I'd fall out too quick.
 
GROAN... :)

I think what makes so many sodas so bad is the use of corn syrup. Coca Cola used to be great until they adulterated it with corn syrup. Not that I would add vodka to a Coke.

Scary thought.

Make mine with Cranberry Juice cocktail, the kind with Splenda. Can't deal with Apsartame.
 
Fedzilla_Bob said:
GROAN... :)

I think what makes so many sodas so bad is the use of corn syrup. Coca Cola used to be great until they adulterated it with corn syrup. Not that I would add vodka to a Coke.

Scary thought.

Make mine with Cranberry Juice cocktail, the kind with Splenda. Can't deal with Apsartame.
Click to expand...

Bob, didn't we have this conversation once before? I'm having a serious deja-vu type feeling about this.
Anyway---- just threw a 1.35v Wein cell into the Canonet, and everything looks great. The light seals might be a bit dodgy, but I'm going to find out real quick---probably shoot up a roll tonight/tomorrow.
 
Nah, we talked about Martinis :), that was where you enlightened me about Monopolowa.

Man, it sounds like you have found a sweet deal in the QL17 GIII you located. Looking forward to the results. Throw a roll of the Kodak 400 uc in there.
 
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Fedzilla_Bob said:
Nah, we talked about Martinis :), that was where you enlightened me about Monopolowa.

Man, it sounds like you have found a sweet deal in the QL17 GIII you located. Looking forward to the results. Throw a roll of the Kodak 400 uc in there.
Click to expand...

Yes, now I recall the martini thread. Hey, I get thirsty when you and I get on a topic together!
Don't know exactly what the difference is, but this is not a GIII, at least it doesn't say that on the front. Just 'QL'.
I've loaded up my standard "first roll in the camera" film, Fuji Superia. I'll see if I can get some shots up by the weekend.
 
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