Can be found easily, compact, easy to load, automatic or manual override, and equipped with fast and sharp lens make it one of the best and affordable rangefinder camera ever made. Some people call it poor man's Leica.
Photo from: theunderdahls.com
Canonet QL17 G-III is the last Canonet series of produced by Canon, which manufactured from 1972 to 1982. The “G” in the camera designation stood for “Grade Up” which referred to the quality improvement. The “III” indicated the third-generation Canonet series, following the original Canonet QL17 and the New Canonet QL17 (taken from canon.com)
I bought mine cheaply, around €20, from a flea market in a good working condition with clean lens. I was surprised by its compact size compared to other rangefinder cameras. One thing I like the most is its 40mm 1:1.7 lens which is much faster than the lens on my other cameras. Along with self timer, I am able to shoot portrait and self-portrait without having much distortion. Usually, I treat this camera the same as my LOMO LC-A+ in terms of fast operating by using automatic mode (shutter priority) and zone focusing (the layout of focusing lever is also the same as LC-A+). However, I can also switch it to manual mode and focusing precisely with the rangefinder. Inside the viewfinder, coincidence rangefinder and the automatic parallax correcting frame can be seen on the middle while light meter reading for the aperture is shown on the right side.
For film loading, a brilliant system called QL (quick loading) installed so I can simply put the film leader on the sprocket, close the back cover and I’m ready for shooting 40 frames from a roll. No need worrying the film won’t advance because there is a sign that confirming film movement and a sign that turns red when the shutter is ready. Automatic mode for ISO 25-800 is operated by using a 1.3v mercury battery (battery checking function is also available). It is not so easy to obtain the specified battery, but hearing-aid battery is said to be suitable as an alternative. I prefer choosing used LR44 battery from LC-A+ because the voltage is almost the same (I guess) and I don’t really care about a little under or overexposed metering and I usually conform the meter reading with sunny 16 rule.A rangefinder camera like this is known to be used for street photography and made popular by Leica. If you don’t want to spend much money on a Leica, Canonet QL17 G-III is the best choice for you whatever your style is, automatic or manual, day or night, bokeh or sharp lover, panning or motion stopper, zone focus or rangefinder, for street or portrait.
22 comments
trash-gordon-from-outer-space
Such a beautiful camera. And also a pretty gallery.
riki_87
yeah nice Canonet!
vicuna
A fantastic camera and I'm so happy to have this camera in my collection! :) I fully agree with you about the fast shooting, the quick loading, the possibility to shoot 40 pictures on a 36exp roll and the amazing sharp 1.7 lens... a true jewel of photography! I used it by night with Fuji Press 800 and it gave some stunning results.... http://bit.ly/9yHPkz and http://bit.ly/aL4QfE
stijn_b
Interesting camera, I didn't know about the fast shooting and loading capabilities. Thanks for that! Guess I've got another camera on the wanted list : )
nicolas_noir
Lovely gallery, but 18 would get you arrested over here! Love the long shadow on 25! Great review!
superlighter
very precious gallery! I have one in my collection but sadly didn't work at all, however...a fab paper weight!
stouf
Glorious B&Ws !
wuxiong
Great camera. I've been wanting it for years. But it seems that its price is still too high here in used camera shop in China...wuwuwuwu... Like your photos::))
-a-l-b-e-r-t-o-
I know it's a great camera and your gallery is fantastic
falsedigital
I got lucky and found this camera in practically mint condition at a thrift sale for only $4. Crazy eh? It's a great camera for sure. One of the best fixed lens rangefinder cameras. Nice gallery, happy to see you use it well :D
adi_totp
I got this from my grandfather :D really great review :D :D
adi_totp
Love no 12 :D
paramir
great review and gallery!
zulupt
Great review & gallery!!!
nerdcist
thanks everyone
kylewis
Fantastic review and congrats on Camera of the week!
frenchplaymo
Great review..;and now I want one Canonet more than ever!
stickyvinny
Great review!
stormer
These are GREAT cameras. I don't know why lomography.com does not have a camera section for them.
tamsoam
Great article man. I 've just got mine today from the french ebay !!! load first time with tungsten. My christmas present so happy !!! thanx to make me wait impatiently with your review.
see ya maybe when i'll developp my first film. X tungsten i choosed. first with that too !!! :)
110isnotdead
I will totally second the "poor man's Leica" moniker given to it. I inherited mine from my mom (she is still living, mind you). I took it to the grand canyon last winter and got some amazing shots. And it totally held up to the below freezing temps that we encountered (seriously it got into the mid 20s after the sun set).
Great article, can't wait for more.
110isnotdead
Hey does anyone who uses this know how to get the double exposures. I'm not sure how to do it since it doesnt have a MX switch. THoughts?