ca. 1961
Out of production.
This is Canon's first intermediate-class, Lens-Shutter 35mm camera. With shutter speed-priority autoexposure, the came
ca. 1961
Out of production.
This is Canon's first intermediate-class, Lens-Shutter 35mm camera. With shutter speed-priority autoexposure, the camera could take nice pictures.
I have dragged this cheap little camera all over the United States and Europe and it has performed quite well. Lens is above average. Have had some problems with focus/rangefinder mechanism, but still minor. I bought this camera because it was cheap, lighweight, and had a good reputation. When in Europe, others were shooting cheaper auto-focus cameras with print film. I shot my little canonet28 with slide film and polarizer and blew them all away.
Strengths:
Lightweight, fast and contrasty lens, tough, cheap, simple to use, one of the few rangefinders able to use a polarizing filter!
Weaknesses:
Rangefinder problems, batteries discontinued (mercury), manual controls mode not connected to light meter
Rating Reviewed by: John W(Unregistered User)
(Casual)
Review Date November 23, 2003
Overall Rating 5 of 5
Value Rating 5 of 5
Used product for More than 1 year
Visitors rate this review 4.50 of 5,
2 votes
Review 2 of 10
Price Paid:
$75.00
from eBay
Summary:
I bought the QL17 GIII from eBay. The camera is in perfect working order, rangefinder is clean, meter is right on. I found there is not much difference between a 1.4v zinc air battery or S76/SR44 silver oxide battery, of course you can adjust the film ASA numbers if needed. The battery is not an issue for me. A good camera even by today's standard.
Strengths:
Light, small in size. AE lock by half-pressing the shutter, flash synchronizes at all speeds. Quick load of film. Optics are very sharp.
These cameras haven't stood the test of time very well. It's getting very hard to find one with good light seals and no fungus, and the rangefinders invariably need adjusting if they've never been touched since new.
Strengths:
Cheap, fast lens, easy to use, leaf shutter.
Weaknesses:
QL19 lens is rather soft - worse than most compact cameras. They're beginning to fall apart by now. The leaf shutters are great when they work, but eventually they jam and a professional repair is uneconomical. I've tried a QL19 and two QL17s. The QL19 worked perfectly, but the lens was too soft so I sold it on. The QL17s were only fit for the scrapheap. Watch for the "mercury battery problem". An alkaline won't give correct meter readings and Wein cells cost a fortune and run down in a couple of months.
Rating Reviewed by: Mike Johnston(Unregistered User)
(Expert)
Review Date January 3, 2003
Overall Rating 5 of 5
Value Rating 5 of 5
Used product for 1 to 3 months
Visitors rate this review 5.00 of 5,
2 votes
Review 4 of 10
Price Paid:
$0.00
Summary:
A nice, quiet little pocket camera that has a lot going for it, even today. The one to get is the Canonet QL-17 GIII, which cost about $60 on eBay--as another reviewer said, about the same price as a Leica lens cap. That's the biggest advantage of the Canonet--they're all over the place and they're dirt cheap. I like the 40mm focal length, always have. The lens is outstanding; if you need a better lens, chances are you need medium format. The camera is quick and easy to learn and use. It's a great stealth camera, in that nobody thinks you are a serious photographer when they see it. The results are excellent. The one big drawback of the camera is reputed to be the mercury battery it requires, but the readily available 625A alkaline 1.5V battery you can get at any drugstore works just fine. Really a non-problem. Overall, a strong 4, but value pegs it up to a 5. Buy two or three, get 'em serviced, and never worry about having a camera with you--leave one in the car, one at home, one at the office. Lost or stolen? No big deal, just pick up another. No insurance needed.
Strengths:
Lens, size, quietness, price, availability, ease of use, short focus throw, focusing lever, quick loading, decent viewfinder, uncluttered finder, AE lock with half-press of shutter button (it took Leica till 2001 to add this feature to the M7, and for just the difference in price between the M6 and M7, you can buy a dozen Canonets. Kinda makes you wonder).
Weaknesses:
Shutter release is a little stiff for my taste--I would prefer a smoother and lighter release. Unmetered manual mode. Shutter priority--ideally, I prefer aperture priority. Camera won't fire on A when metered value is outside of the camera's range.
Similar Products Used:
Leica M6, M3, M4, CL, IIIc, Minolta CLE, Olympus RFs (most all of them), Minolta Hi-Matic, Konica Hexar, Konica Hexar RF, Konica Big Mini, Nikon 35Ti, Contax T2, others.
Within 5 minutes of collecting this camera, my young son had used it to test his Action Man parachute. It didn't work. Yes, it was a roman candle from ten feet.
However, I think the floor was hurt more than the Canon, as the pictures are A1 quality. So much so that I've since purchased another for my mum.
Strengths:
Strength
Weaknesses:
No real manual override.
Similar Products Used:
Yashica Lynx 1000
Yashica Electro 35 MC
Action Man Camera Set
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