Want to start taking some pictures...

[sms5]

These things are like 35 years old and I was wondering what i need to do to them to make them run at their optimal performance. I am really new to photography and have a lot of learning to do. I got these from my parents and want to use them but dont want to mess them up due to improper maintenance. thank you.

p.s. this place looks really great so far.

 

[ampguy]

If they appear to work ok, I would shoot a test roll to check out the meter and what, if any, adjustments you might want to make with the film speed adjustmnet. I'd try inexpensive 675 zinc air hearing aid batteries, and just turn the dial off 'A' when not using to conserve.

 

[zuikologist]

Those look great!

There are lots of helpful threads here on Canonets. Use the search facility. I think one RFF memeber (dmr?) documented dismantling the lens to clean a sticky shutter.

I would check if the meter and shutter work. Does the meter responds to light when a new battery is fitted (PX625 or equivalent) and the aperture set to A on the lens.

Also open the back of the camera, set to B and fire the shutter. If the shutter opens and you see light through the lens then at least you do not have the sticky shutter problem. Run a test roll through each and see what happens.


Even if the meter is DOA, the QL17 can be used in manual mode. Not sure if that is possible with the QL28.

Good luck. I hope they work for you.

 

[jlw]

These are good cameras if everything is working; you should be able to get nice pictures with them.

One other thing you might want to check before using them extensively is the condition of the light-sealing foam around the back door. Sometimes on older cameras this goes bad and turns into a gooey, sticky substance that can let light into the camera, ruining your photos. There are kits available inexpensively over the Internet that contain pre-cut strips of new sealing foam, so you can dig out the goo and replace it.

 

[dmr]

I think one RFF memeber (dmr?) documented dismantling the lens to clean a sticky shutter.

Well, I didn't really document it, I just told the tale of getting it to work. 🙂 You can probably figure out the procedure from those messages if you do a search.

If you need a light seal kit, one of our people here, Jon Goodman, sells a very good inexpensive kit all cut to size which is easy to install.

Yes, the new seals are very easy to install. Getting the old gooey ones out is a major pain! 🙂

 

[zuikologist]

Well, I didn't really document it, I just told the tale of getting it to work. 🙂 You can probably figure out the procedure from those messages if you do a search.

If you need a light seal kit, one of our people here, Jon Goodman, sells a very good inexpensive kit all cut to size which is easy to install.

Yes, the new seals are very easy to install. Getting the old gooey ones out is a major pain! 🙂

It was a memorable thread!

Good point about the light seals. Jon Goodman is definitely the man to contact if you need the seals. You can usually repair at least two or three cameras with one kit.

 

[airds]

Seals

Seals

Re the seals - replace them before they start to detoriate if possible - it's far easily removing the old ones in complete whole sections, and save cleaning up all that sticky black gunk, which is the worst part of the job :-(

Jon's instructions are available here as a PDF file

Then just stick in a roll of a good print film - I'd recommend Fuji Reala - and get it processed in a reasonable quality lab for great results.

(See my links below for some Canonet examples)

 

[sms5]

the light seals on both are shot actually and i need to get one of those kits... The seals are pretty much disintigrated and gooey, its kinda gross. but that is rerally the only thing i see wrong with them. They look like practically mint condition.