Canonet QL17 GIII - Broken Rangefinder Patch?

I recently acquired a Canonet QL17 GIII and I suspect there is an issue with the orange viewfinder patch. This is the first rangefinder I've owned so I'm not quite 100% confident in assessing the issue.

The secondary image that you're supposed to line up with your composition by turning the focus knob will not move right to left, leaving it impossible for me to focus the image. When I turn the focus knob the frame in the viewfinder moves as you would expect for the purpose of parallax correction, but the orange patch does not.

This may be easier to understand with a video, however I don't have the required number of posts to link to a video. There is a :36 second video on YouTube titled "Canon Canonet QL19 frameline parallax correction and light meter indication". If you watch this video you'll see that as the focus is adjusted the orange patch moves right to left to line up the two images of the vase, this is not the case with my camera.

Is this something that can be fixed?

Sure it can be fixed. It’s probably something in the rangefinder. But considering that Canonet’s are a dime-a-dozen, it may make more sense to buy a "new" one instead of spending your money on a repair.

Jim B.

Thanks for the response, Jim. I'd actually like to hang on to this one if possible, it's one of the less common black models and a one-for-one replacement can run for as much as $250.

Sounds like something in the linkage. If it were me, I'd start by pulling off the top cover and watching the RF mechanism as the lens is turned. Either you'll see it moving in part or not at all. It part is moving, figure out how it's supposed to connect the lens to the mirror. If nothing's moving, you'll have to open the camera up further, probably pulling the lens and front plate off, to see where the problem is.

Note that I'm not specifically familiar with the Canonet, but the basics of an RF mechanism aren't all that different in concept from model to model.

Yes, the linkage is under the top cover. Luckily it's very easy to remove.
Unluckily it's also very easy to scratch. If you've got the JCII screwdrivers they fit correctly.
Neither Phillips or Reid & Prince do. The easiest part to damage is the wind cap holding the advance.

Mike Zacks, (Zacks Camera repair, 791 Hope street, Providence, RI) recently did a CLA on a GIII for me, and I am very happy with the results. I was at his shop earlier today, and he has both a black and a chrome GIII for sale. You might consider contacting him for your repair, or to purchase one of the used cameras. His phone number is 401-273-7247.

Looking at the front of the camera as if you were going to look into the lens, turn the focusing ring/lever and look into the left-most window of the viewfinder array. This is the secondary RF image patch. Can you see that mirror moving inside the window?