Canon LTM First impressions of the GIII QL17

[sweathog]

A few months back one of the regulars at the camera shop where I work brought me a bag of 35mm gear, as he was going completely digital (the fool!).
The gem in this bag was a GIII QL17 with half of the ERC attached. However, it was batteryless, and at the time I did not have the time nor money to sort it out. However, a friend of mine recently went to NY, and he turned up at work last Sunday with a B+H bag full of batteries for me, so I immediately set about shooting.

I have to say I really enjoy shooting with this camera, it feels right in my hands, and it looks so damned sexy. The meter is easy to read in most conditions, all the functions are laid out very comfortably and the wight seems right for this camera.
However, I am still having a bit of trouble focusing, mainly becaue I am not used to the focus ring being at the back of the lens, rather than the front, but I'll get over that (I'll have to, I've also got a gorgeous Olympus 35LC waiting to go which also has the focusing ring at the back of the lens). my one major grumble is that because of the focusing tab, it becomes hard to use if I have the ERC on (although that may just be because of my sausage fingers...).
The meter seems very competent too, I must admit I was surprised at how well it performed in situations where some of my other cameras would've blown highlights or shadows.
I haven't shot anything wide open or near wide open on the roll I've had back, but on the roll I'm dropping off soon there's some stuff at f1.7, f2.8 so I can't wait to see how they come out. So far I'm very impressed with capability of this lens.


Either way, I really enjoy this camera, it has been with me nonstop for a few days now, and I'm so glad I kept it.
Here's a few shots from the test roll, nothing exciting, but more to come soon.

More on my flickr QL17set.

 

[januaryman]

I love the Canonet. Nearly the perfect little take-along. Nice discovery, good photos.

 

[oftheherd]

Nice shots. I especially like number 3. It looks quite sharp as well as well composed.

I don't think you will find many people here who will argue about liking the Canonet GIII QL17. I have a couple which I like. They just don't get as much use as they deserve since I have other camera screaming for attention, and limited time for shooting. I am having a fling with MF folders right now.

 

[Maxapple88]

I just recently bought one dead shop at a used camera store. Unfortunately it broke two days later.. Its true, it is the perfect take along. I want mine back...

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

In many ways, it's the ideal camera. It's the camera I paid the least for and the one I have the fewest quibbles with.

 

[sweathog]

In many ways, it's the ideal camera. It's the camera I paid the least for and the one I have the fewest quibbles with.

This is one of the camera's I paid the least for; it cost me a grand total of nothing, which makes it even better!

I am having a fling with MF folders right now.

I hear you on that one; my Agilfold is seeing a fair bit of action at the moment, although the Canonet is going everywhere at the moment.

 

[Bingley]

Very nice shots, proving again what a sweet little camera this is. I've got mine loaded up w/ XP2 and will be taking it for a stroll this afternoon.

 

[camera.bear]

I'm glad that you're enjoying the Canonet G-III QL17. I've had mine for about a month and I really enjoy shooting with it. Your pics are really nice. Like the clouds. However, my Canonet lost out this weekend. A Minolta Hi-Matic 9 was delivered on Saturday and that's what went to the park with me today. Cheers and happy shooting.

 

[sweathog]

However, my Canonet lost out this weekend. A Minolta Hi-Matic 9 was delivered on Saturday and that's what went to the park with me today. Cheers and happy shooting.

I know that feeling, too well. Another thread has given me OM1n lust, so I'll probabl take that out soon. And I've got a roll sitting in my Agifold that I still need to shoot. And I have to finnish another roll in my QL17... So much film, so little time... Oh, and there's the 35LC too... What a chore 😛

 

[sweathog]

Just got back the second roll from my QL17. A few shots on here at f1.7, f2.8 and the like.

I've also noticed again that it really does handle tricky lighting well.

Well... there are limits to what it can tolerate.

Of course, that last image was an extreme test, but in most situations this camera handles itself so well (just reaffirming the common view).
Here's one more for good measure:

Now, I've got a roll on the go in there, but once that's done I'm going to pop the battery in my Olympus 35LC and see how that compares. It has a 40mm f1.7 lens (sound familiar), rates up to 800, but is slightly larger than the QL17. However, that Zuiko lens could prove to be a clincher...

 

[dmr]

I think you will continue to like this camera. The only real shortcoming is that it doesn't say "Leica" on it. 🙂 It will do 95% of what the high-priced ones will do at a couple percent of the price.

I've had one of mine for 3 years now, the gang here talked me into it.

There are some kind of picky quirks and limitations.

First is the limit of ASA/ISO 800. I've worked around that quite well.

Next is the lack of a match-needle exposure mode. It's either auto or dumb-as-a-rock totally manual.

The lens is sharp, but it does show a significant amount of astigmatism when wide open. Both of mine show about the same on this. This limits the usefulness for available-darkness shooting. Point-source lights become bright footballs.