I love all the little Japanese rangefinders from the 50’s to 70’s, but it’s so hard to find them in good working condition without paying out the nose for them.
I use a Fujica Half which seems to be a similar camera. Really enjoy using it and helps to get more varied and interesting results than some of more technically sound cameras out there
I recently bought the original Demi but it had broken light meter. I am currently shooting in manual mode using it's coupled exposure settings (I'm yet to finish shooting my 1st roll). Is it possible to fix the light meter? I tried asking several camera technicians in my country but no luck as of now.
Just picked up one of the original demis in a job lot at auction, really looking forward to using it. Granted it’s not in perfect condition and needs some replacement of bits, the leather has gone and the light seal has since eroded but it should be fun to use
Excellent review of both the Demi models with one exception. Other than a quick 2 sec opening and closing of the original model Demi back you did not show the camera back inside and it’s main sales feature showing the half frame image mount size. Prefer the later version myself but a great comparison video.
Hi I watch all your videos and last night watched the one on cleaning the Canon QL 1.7 as I had purchased one a couple of weeks ago, it was in a fair state but certainly needed a clean as shutter blades weren’t opening I put a battery in and everything was fine, even the check light, so following along with you I stripped down and all went well reassembled but blades where still irregular and so I did a little cleaning and then the cocking lever that had been intermittent started to cock, touched a cotton bud on shutter leaves, but now when I cock the lever and release, the shutter fires on the return no mater what I set it on B 1,7 16 A when I cock the shutter it actuates on the return without pressing shutter release, any ideas as to why, if I set on f16 with rear door open and cock the lever on its return it fires and gives the correct aperture, does the correct on each one and speed. I’m baffled! Is it something you have experienced? Regards David
The shutter release lever in the shutter mechanism may be stuck, or the lever on the end of the self timer may be out of position, these are a little hard to get to, but if it was working before you took it apart, it means that something, somewhere was not put back the way it should be,
I recently bought a Demi EE17 with a stuck shutter inside the lens, I can't find any resources online about the teardown and repair process of one of these, however my search hasn't bested me yet.
You can access the shutter by removing the lock ring around the aperture ring, and then lifting out the aperture ring. The front lens element group can be removed by turning it leftwards. A little solvent will clean the shutter blades. If the shutter blades are sticky, odds are the aperture blades will be sticky as well. You can use solvent, like lighter fluid, and a cotton swab to wipe off the oil. The rear lens element group can also be removed, which will allow you to do a proper job of cleaning, but there is less room to work with.
@@japanvintagecamera8869 thank you very much, that's more help than anything I've found online on forums. It seems (at least outwardly) like the aperture is not stuck, so fingers crossed I can get it sorted with relative ease.
Thanks for this video - and your others. Much appreciated. I have a normal Demi that's in great condition but for one thing, when I turn the exposure ring it will often drift off the ISO setting because the clutch is obviously now weak. I can put some strong tape to hold it in position but would like to fix it - not destroy it! Do you have any suggestions?
Tape is the best option, and I sometimes find these cameras with tape on the dial. In regards to your Canon 7 screw issue, you may need to drill out the screws, but only drill off the tops, and lift the body shell away, you can then usually grasp the protruding ends with pliers to remove them. Replacement machine screws are available on Amazon.
I am missing in your video rear side with open door you opened for very short time. I never seen half size camera please next show it for longer time and more detail. Thanks
I love all the little Japanese rangefinders from the 50’s to 70’s, but it’s so hard to find them in good working condition without paying out the nose for them.
I use a Fujica Half which seems to be a similar camera. Really enjoy using it and helps to get more varied and interesting results than some of more technically sound cameras out there
Always appreciate your videos.
Neat little cameras. Thank you.
Beautiful cameras! Appreciate the informative presentation as always.
I recently bought the original Demi but it had broken light meter. I am currently shooting in manual mode using it's coupled exposure settings (I'm yet to finish shooting my 1st roll). Is it possible to fix the light meter? I tried asking several camera technicians in my country but no luck as of now.
Just picked up one of the original demis in a job lot at auction, really looking forward to using it. Granted it’s not in perfect condition and needs some replacement of bits, the leather has gone and the light seal has since eroded but it should be fun to use
Excellent review of both the Demi models with one exception. Other than a quick 2 sec opening and closing of the original model Demi back you did not show the camera back inside and it’s main sales feature showing the half frame image mount size. Prefer the later version myself but a great comparison video.
Do you have any sample photos to add to these video from the camera(s) you talk about?
Do you have the Aires 35-IIA by any chance I have one but can't find a tutorial on it
You know anything about the flash that is compatible with this camera?
Hi I watch all your videos and last night watched the one on cleaning the Canon QL 1.7 as I had purchased one a couple of weeks ago, it was in a fair state but certainly needed a clean as shutter blades weren’t opening I put a battery in and everything was fine, even the check light, so following along with you I stripped down and all went well reassembled but blades where still irregular and so I did a little cleaning and then the cocking lever that had been intermittent started to cock, touched a cotton bud on shutter leaves, but now when I cock the lever and release, the shutter fires on the return no mater what I set it on B 1,7 16 A when I cock the shutter it actuates on the return without pressing shutter release, any ideas as to why, if I set on f16 with rear door open and cock the lever on its return it fires and gives the correct aperture, does the correct on each one and speed. I’m baffled! Is it something you have experienced? Regards David
The shutter release lever in the shutter mechanism may be stuck, or the lever on the end of the self timer may be out of position, these are a little hard to get to, but if it was working before you took it apart, it means that something, somewhere was not put back the way it should be,
I recently bought a Demi EE17 with a stuck shutter inside the lens, I can't find any resources online about the teardown and repair process of one of these, however my search hasn't bested me yet.
You can access the shutter by removing the lock ring around the aperture ring, and then lifting out the aperture ring. The front lens element group can be removed by turning it leftwards. A little solvent will clean the shutter blades. If the shutter blades are sticky, odds are the aperture blades will be sticky as well. You can use solvent, like lighter fluid, and a cotton swab to wipe off the oil. The rear lens element group can also be removed, which will allow you to do a proper job of cleaning, but there is less room to work with.
@@japanvintagecamera8869 thank you very much, that's more help than anything I've found online on forums. It seems (at least outwardly) like the aperture is not stuck, so fingers crossed I can get it sorted with relative ease.
Thanks for this video - and your others. Much appreciated. I have a normal Demi that's in great condition but for one thing, when I turn the exposure ring it will often drift off the ISO setting because the clutch is obviously now weak. I can put some strong tape to hold it in position but would like to fix it - not destroy it! Do you have any suggestions?
Tape is the best option, and I sometimes find these cameras with tape on the dial. In regards to your Canon 7 screw issue, you may need to drill out the screws, but only drill off the tops, and lift the body shell away, you can then usually grasp the protruding ends with pliers to remove them. Replacement machine screws are available on Amazon.
@@japanvintagecamera8869 Many thanks for your reply. Will these screws be a metric thread?
I am missing in your video rear side with open door you opened for very short time. I never seen half size camera please next show it for longer time and more detail. Thanks
My wife just bought your Demi for my Christmas present. Can’t wait to take it out. She thought it was cute. HaHa.
Thank you!