Canonet 28 - how to hold shutter open inspect lens?

jay moussy · Jun 13, 2022

A Canonet 28 (late model, not QL) landed on my lap yesterday.

After fitting it with hearing aid battery to check functionality, I would like to check the lens carefully.
Any way to enter a "secret mode" to hold shutter open even for a split moment?

If not, what would be the best film choice to gauge any possible lens haze?

Any other Canonet tips welcome!

AgX · Jun 13, 2022

There is a variety of Canonets. But I assume you gut a version that only got program-auto and half-auto, but no B-setting.

You have to inspect the lens with the shutter as backdrop. You may experiment a bit with viewing- and lighting angle.
But as additional control in front of a black backdrop is advisable anyway, you do not lack that much. But for instance fine fungi-filamants wil be invisible.

But I see no other chance, aside of partly disassembling the camera and and by some trick or another to set B.

gone · Jun 13, 2022

I've been able to ck this by doing what AgX suggested. Might need a light source to help w/ that, even a flashlight as long as it doesn't make so many reflections that it doesn't work. In that case, if it's an AE camera, hold your hand over the shutter to get it to fire at the very slowest speed. Then hold the camera up to your eye w/ the back open and your head sorta crammed in there and fire the shutter. Might be enough time to see what's up.

For what it's worth, I've never had any haze or fungus issues w/ small rangefinder cameras that had fixed lenses.

Donald Qualls · Jun 13, 2022

Flash mode gives a fixed 1/30. If this is the same feature set as the first Canonet 28 version (i.e. pre-QL) that may be the best you'll get. Perhaps you could connect a flash, set up "night shot" on your phone, turn room lights down/off, and fire the camera after the phone prefocuses on the rear lens element? Flash seen through the lens should give plenty of light. If not too much.

jay moussy · Jun 13, 2022

I just got the camera, so initial casual inspection did not show any gross flaws.
I will go with the flashlight method and call it a day.
Film test should help, and I will try different subjects, strong, well-lit patterns perhaps.

Other: what makes the rangefinder operation so smooth on these, almost feels like it's fake!

Donald Qualls · Jun 13, 2022

jay moussy said:
Other: what makes the rangefinder operation so smooth on these, almost feels like it's fake!

I don't know, but it seems they're all this way. I have a 28 and a QL17 GIII and they're both like autofocus.

cramej · Jun 13, 2022

Cover the meter cell with tape or your finger. It should hold the shutter open for the maximum 1/30".

xkaes · Jun 13, 2022

If the slowest speed is 1/30 -- you can check this by searching BUTKUS for the user manual -- you are stuck. If it can produce a slower speed, set the ISO at the lowest and cover the meter cell, as suggested and fire it with you on one side and a flashlight on the other.

I doubt that this will tell you more than a close examination of the front and the rear with a flashlight and magnifying glass -- after all the lens is pretty simple, at the most five elements.

Chan Tran · Jun 13, 2022

I think you worry too much cheking the lens.

jay moussy · Jun 14, 2022

All is well , there was just something like a watermark film-side which cleaned up.

Came with camera a UV filter with a polarizing one stuck together, so, I am trying the freezer method right now!

faberryman · Jun 14, 2022

I think I would worry about what the images look like rather than what the lens looks like. You are probably not going to be able to do anything about the lens anyway. I had a Canonet 28 way back when and I thought it was a pretty good little camera.

Canonet 28 - how to hold shutter open inspect lens?

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