Description: ca. 1965
Out of production
The EE (Electric Eye) feature and viewfinder were made as small as possible and the internal construction was completely different from the original Canonet, making the QL17 a totally new model. However, it had a strong Canonet-like appearance.
The "QL" stood for "Quick Loading," a feature which made film loading quick and easy.
Summary: This is the camera that got me started with photography,,,,dad bought this CANONET QL17 G111 some 30yrs ago and he didnt know how to use it so i got to learn how.........
Lately i have been on digital and thought it best to just sell it off.
So i tested a couple of rolls just to make sure it is working........
and WOW..
Now i want to buy another QL17 !!!
want to see the shot that changed my mind?
http://tommyleong.com/QL17_01/slides/QL17_HP5_103.html
just look at the details in the background and the foreground....absolutely fantastic for a very low priced camera
Strengths: Most of the other reviewers have cover them,,so i just summarise them here
1.cheap new ( back then ) and cheap used
2.cheap repair n maintainence
3.high flash syn speed of 1/500 ( nowadays camera syn around 1/200 or 1/250 )
4.Very big aperture 1.7
5.Sharp and resolving lens
6.Works without batteries
7.small and solid/ takes a lot of knocks
8.shutter priority is good since it make sure you get that shake-free shot
(with a f/1.7 aperture, you are likely to get an aperture for any scene )
9.Silent shutter
10.PC syn cord....even more expensive cameras did not come with syn cord
11.
Weaknesses: 1. View finder difficult to use.LOng learning curve
2.no aperture priority
3.Easy to touch the viewfinder with your left fingers ...camera is too small
Similar Products Used: yashica electro something,, big n nice rangefinder,bright viewfinder too
Summary: I've acquired 3 of these on eBay, in the $30 to $40 range.
They all required new light seals (an easy do-it-yourself job). One needed a shutter overhaul, but they all got the CLA treatment. The much brighter viewfinder was the most noticeable improvement. I expect that they will go for another 20 years.
Strengths: These are tough, well made cameras. They have a lot of useful features such as film advance and shutter cocked indicators, exposure lock (press shutter release part way and hold), full manual option, guide number options for other types of flash units.
The shutter priority metering works well. The Canolite D flash also works well. The range finder focusing is very accurate.
The lens is as good as anything I have in 35mm. I also like the 40mm focal length.
In short, this is a reliable and well made film camera which consistently produces high quality pictures.
Weaknesses: The metering system locks the shutter and prevents an incorrect exposure. It does the same thing with the Canolite D flash. This is awkward at first, until you get used to checking the light meter needle. If it is in the white arc, it will shoot. If it isn't, you need to change the shutter speed (or move closer/farther away). If you don't like it, you can go to full manual where it is still possible to take a picture with the lens cap on.
Filter rings change the light meter readings (because they shade the light meter).
The shutter goes to a 500th of a second, and the lens stops down to f16. You will need a neutral density filter for very bright light conditions.
The ever ready cases are made from re-cycled paper. Someone should make a decent after market case for these.
Summary: I just received this little pearl of a camera having purchased a refurbished one on eBay, and it's a delight to use. Film loading is comfortable compared to fiddly Leica, it is lightweight, really quiet. The viewfinder is large and easy to use, the lens is simply astounding for anything at this price point. The 40mm f1.7 lens is the optimum for a bring-along-everywhere compact.
If Canon started a similar and new line of rangefinders today, they'd sell a lot.
Strengths: Big, bright viewfinder.
Lightweight.
Unobtrusive, quiet.
Excellent, fast, sharp lens.
Great focal length, 40mm: my favourite.
Cheap enough to bring along at all times with no worries.
Built-in quick-focus handle.
Blitz sync at all speeds.
Metering through filters - practically TTL (Why didn't this catch on for other non-TTL cameras?)
Weaknesses: Should have had aperture priority.
Shutter speed dial should have had a more solid grip.
Metering can be affected by lens thread size filters - I use a step up ring and 52mm filters which cause no problem.
Summary: I've got the Canonet G-III QL17, which is quite a change from the 35mm and digital SLR's I usually use. I bought it to try the rangefinder experience without having to spend the amount of money needed for a Leica. For about $60, I got one in almost mint condition with replaced foam seals. Hey, if it's not for me I'm not out a lot of money! There are other options out there too, but I bought this one because of all the great reviews.
Many other reviewers have listed specs on it so I won't duplicate that, but will agree that the build quality is excellent. They don't build 'em like they used to! Even with the metal construction it's pretty light in weight.
Strengths: Small, lightweight and very quiet. Fast and sharp 40mm f1.7 lens. Built-in self timer, hot shoe and PC socket. Also as "B" shutter speed, light meter and shutter-priority auto mode.
Filters can be used, size 48mm. No filter factor correction required in auto mode - the sensor for the light meter is right next to the lens so it will be behind the filter.
Weaknesses: ISO ranges up to 1000, would prefer 1600 personally. Original mercury battery not available in US. Mercury-free solutions are available although they can be expensive and hard to find.
Similar Products Used: No other rangefinders.
Customer Service: Not on a 25+ year old camera - but good resources on the web including a free download of the instruction manual.
Summary: The Canonet 17 GIII QL is a highly-prized collectible which is also an unusually valuable professional tool. 1.2 million units were produced from 1972-1982. Initial price in Japan was 29,000 yen. Do the math. Build is pro level, and the lens is on-the-money.
Strengths: Built like a tank. I've wrung-out the lens--it's well above average. Perfect for flash-fill with flash sync over the full range of shutter speeds. This a 35mm, mini-Hasselblad in that regard. Use a small but fairly strong flash, such as the Pentax AF200S (GN80), with the white plastic diffuser to get Hollywood-perfect lighting. Take an exposure reading of your background + set your shutter speed and f-stop for that. Put the flash on auto, choosing an auto f-stop setting which corresponds to your camera f-stop setting or vice-versa. Experiment +write down your variations. One roll ought to tell the story. Just remember, automated photolab printers read your negative for an average. Study your prints and have the ones you've chosen reprinted lighter or darker, according to your taste. The leaf-shutter on this camera is worth its weight in gold because of this flash-fill capability. This setup is perfect for pictures of people doing what they do (environmental portraiture), either indoors or outdoors, and the lens is of professional quality. I suggest ISO 100 color negative film for best quality and ISO 400 or 800 for lower light situations. A small flash which can be bounced/swivelled is a help indoors. For other possibilities, the Canon has a PC outlet. You could, for example, rig a Vivitar 285 flash on a lightstand and connect it to your camera with a PC extension cord.
Weaknesses: The last GIII rolled off the line 22 years ago. I had to get my foam light-seal strips replaced. That cost me another $45, which was low. Most repair shops want $75+plus shipping, if not local. It is possible to buy these in kit form to do-it-yourself. "Google" for what you need. A guy on E-Bay also sells these kits for $10. My camera is almost pristine, but the meter is out. I got a small selenium-cell light meter (Sekonic L-158) to carry around with the camera. It's a bit "optimistic." If you're shooting with 400 film, set the meter at 200. I have a LunaPro meter with spot attachment, but why carry around a meter that's bigger than the camera? Those L-158s are about $50 new. I found one used for $7. It doesn't need a battery. Of course, any meter that works is fine. My concern in this case was size. I wouldn't let a broken meter on a GIII deter you from buying it. Having that leaf-shutter and semi-wide angle lens is very, very valuable, especially when you consider that you can stay with 35mm film, instead of dropping big bucks for a leaf-shutter Bronica, Hasselblad, Rollei or what-have-you, cameras that eat 120 film, which is relatively harder and more expensive to process. The quality of 35mm color negative film today is quite good indeed. Try Fuji Reala, Superia 100, Konica 160 for really great results. There is also at least one ISO 50 film out there (can't remember brand) that's even more highly regarded. Highly-controllable flash-fill is, I feel, one of the most important considerations in the production of expert photography.
Similar Products Used: Olympus 35SP, Stylus; Konica MT-9, C35AF
Customer Service: KEH Camera Sales + Repair in Atlanta, GA did a nice, clean job on my foam strips. (www.KEH.com)
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