Canonet QL17: Cleaning viewfinder

[Sukashii16]

Hey everyone. I just bought my first RF, a Canonet QL17 40mm from ebay and I'm working on fixing it up. The blades were sticky but I think I've loosened up the lubricant just by shooting it at various speeds and warming the camera. I'm replacing the light seals with a kit (ebay as well).

One thing I can't figure out is how to clean the viewfinder from the inside. It's kind of foggy. If anyone can suggest how to open it up and the best way to clean it, I'd appreciate it very much.

[Bill58]

Use ONLY windex or other window glass cleaner on a Q-tip. Don't touch the diagonal split beam prism glass or VF mirror--just the front/ back glass!!!!!!!!!!!

[Spyderman]

I think I've loosened up the lubricant just by shooting it at various speeds and warming the camera

That's just what you think. Sooner or later it will stick again, unless you do a deeper cleaning of the blades (after removeing lenses). And be warned, that it will stick again in the worst moment - like a wedding, or UFO sighting

[Sukashii16]

Originally Posted by greyhoundman

here is a good site for disassembly.

http://rick_oleson.tripod.com/index-30.html

I'm having trouble getting the shutter release and film rewinder off. Do you have any tips? The diagram just says "RH" which I'm not sure what that means.

[Trius]

I've not disassembled this camera (though I now have one in waiting), but normally the rewind crank comes off by holding the film cassette fork inside the camera (obviously the camera back needs to be open or removed) and turning the rewind crank "backwards", i.e. anti-clockwise. You can hold fork by inserting a screwdriver into the centre of the shaft.

There are some other Canonet repair threads here, so you may want to do some additional searching.

[dmr]

Originally Posted by Sukashii16

I'm having trouble getting the shutter release and film rewinder off. Do you have any tips? The diagram just says "RH" which I'm not sure what that means.

The "RH" means a standard right-hand screw thread. The "leftie-loosie rightie-tightie" kind. I hold the shaft with some small pliers and just unscrew the crank counter-clockwise (anti-clockwise) by hand.

This next part comes from the perspective of the GIII model so YMMV if yours is not the same.

On mine the shutter release is inside the film advance lever circular thing.

They told me to try stuff like a washer, a rubber jar opener, something with friction.

Nope, would not budge, period!

I finally ended up drilling two very small holes, actually more like indentations, in the circular chrome ring and then using a lens spanner. Even then it took a lot of "ooommmph" to get it to move the first time.

Hope this helps.

[Bill58]

"RH" means counter- clockwise to unscrew.

[Sukashii16]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I was able to take off the top late and cleaned the viewfinder with a half and half water, alcohol mixture. I also just finished putting in some new light seals. I can't wait to shoot a roll on this camera.