Canon Canonet QL17

[alvin_lim5]

I just found an old Canonet but the aperture does not seem to be working. Even

though i turn the aperture ring, the blades just stay as it is.

 

Also, when I try to focus, it does not seem to of any use; the image is still

fully focussed. I am wondering is it worth repairing it or are the above normal

(which I doubt it).

[winfried_buechsenschuetz1]

On the QL17 (and many other cameras with auto-exposure) the aperture blades close to the selected value only when the camera is cocked and when you press the shutter release.

 

You will always see a sharp image in the viewfinder of a rangefinder camera. What matters is the image in the yellowish field in the center of the viewfinder image. If lighting conditions are not too dim you should see a "double image" in this field when turning the focus ring. If the shapes of both images match precisely the camera is focussed correctly.

[johnny_martyr]

winfried is completely absolutly wrong. this is a rangefinder. the blades are always sitting

just where you put them. and no camera closes its blades when cocked. all modern slr's

(no rangefinders) stop down at the moment of exposure.

 

the canonet series is prone to sticky aperture blades alvin. you'll need to pull that lens

apart and drop the tiniest amount of camera oil in there.

 

as far as the focus, yeah, do you know that an rf doesn't 'focus' you have to line up the

double image in the finder?

 

everything is worth repairing.

[johnny_martyr]

oh and by 'in there,' i mean at the pivots of the blades!