Quick fix for loose lens / zoom creep

got kinda annoyed that the EFS 17-85mm keeps getting loose when facing downwards so found a quick fix for it. a common problem for this lens. not the best solution but it works. idea is just to use an elastic band hold the zoom so it doesn't drop loose by itself

all you need is a small black hair elastic band easily found at a dollar store and put it around the lens

hair elastic band 

falling loose 

set half sitting over the zoom ring

other half over the black ring where the word macro is, above the focus ring

and it's done

might not work for heavier/longer lens as there is limit to how much the hair elastic can hold

sort of modified the one on instructables. that one teaches you to slip one end into the gap of the focus ring. i tried it with another lens and when i zoomed, the whole elastic ended inside the gap. the autofocus will not move and you can hear the motor working. had to spend time using tweezers to get it back out. just make sure it doesn't fall into the gap. thicker elastic may work as well as i'm not slipping the end in the gap, i just used the materials mentioned on instructables

Repair Canon Squeak

When I got my A-1, it unfortunately had the infamous Canon squeak. Seller didn't mention it so I had to repair on my own. I got one of the kits on ebay since I had no idea which oil was the best to use and that I wasn't sure where to get the syringe. Instructions came with the kit but I also researched before hand. The method I used is only one of the several ways there are but of course most people recommend to get a full CLA (too expensive tho. ~$100).

-the kit; some oil spilled when I got it but its more than enough for just one repair

-have to bend your syringe to around 45°

-dismantle the front cover and the screw in the upper left where you insert the syringe

-making sure the tip is facing downwards, insert a small drop of oil

-test how much oil the syringe lets out before inserting into the camera

-fire a few shots to see if the squeak goes away, if not, repeat

- tilt the camera to make sure the oil moves around

and no more annoying sounds!

Repair Canonet 28 Light Meter Problem

My Canonet meter was not working when I got it and i thought the battery that came was dead. So I ordered the new batteries (PX 625) and still didn't work. Ends up like most other electronics, it was something to do with the electric flow. It looked fine without disassembly but the negative connector came loose off so of course electricity didn't flow through. So I took it apart to fix it and instructions are as follows.

remove the 2 screws to take the bottom plate off

remove the 2 screws that hold the battery chamber

this is the negative connector that's loosed up, glue it back to the battery chamber with super glue to get the result on the next picture

then put everything back together after the glue has dried

and it's fixed and ready to go

-as suggested on the discussions, I also added a piece of small foam between the battery chamber and the body wall to secure it

-you may want to clean the contacts first it see if that's your solution

-it is also easy to put the battery in the wrong direction so remember to double check

-also check the solder point of the battery wire, if it's corroded, solder in a new one to keep the camera working

Some references and more solutions if this doesn't help:
Discussion on flickr about the problem
Discussion on photo.net about the problem (I followed Winfried Buechsenschuetz's instructions)
Camerapedia about Canonet 28