How would you file this QL17?

[Argenticien]

Greetings all,

Let me first say, I'm new here. Thanks for all the years of posts that I've studied over weeks to help choose my first RF. The information here is fabulous!

So, that first RF is a QL17 that I recently acquired on the 'bay. (Specifically, this one.) I thought it was a so-called "new" QL17 model, meaning not the original larger one, and obviously not the GIII. However, my camera has not got the "film wound-up indicator" (that's the right-most small window below the winding lever, i.e., item #19 on the third page of this manual from Kim's excellent site). It also has no battery-check button. (See picture of camera's back in the above-linked 'bay listing.) Per the manual, both features are explicitly supposed to be absent on the "new" QL19 but present on a "new" QL17 like mine. I certainly won't die without either of these functions but I'm just curious: have I misread anything, or does the lack of these features seem like this QL17 is an odd sort of midway-between model?

Thanks for any observations. Test roll is in camera and I'm enjoying the RF experience!
--Dave

 

[Sonnar Brian]

It is the original compact model, the QL17 "new". It is not the QL17l ( for "luxury") that followed. The differences are as you noted. The QL17l has a battery check that uses the meter needle. The GIII uses a lamp, and has the different styled rewind knob. Some other subtle differences, such as a metal light baffle on the viewfinder rather than plastic on the GIII. You camera is not as numerous as the GIII.

 

[camera.bear]

Dave,

Check out the Canon Camera Museum on line. It is a great place to look at information about thier cameras. Here is a link to the Canonet line.

http://www.canon.com/camera-museum/camera/film/series_net.html

 

[Argenticien]

It is the original compact model, the QL17 "new". It is not the QL17l ( for "luxury") that followed. The differences are as you noted. [...] You camera is not as numerous as the GIII.

Thanks, and I think I get it. I've read a lot about differences in models but found the write-ups on the "L" less clear-cut. Anyway, I love how (in defiance of what they teach in econ) this variant is cheaper even though less numerous than the GIII, due to the cult status of the latter. I laughed all the way to the "Buy It Now" button on this unit after getting tired of being outbid on GIIIs, since I didn't need the GIII's minorly different features anyway. It figured, the only GIII recently listed that was nearby enough for me to pick up, and so avoid shipping costs, was black (even more cultish), and so went for $277. Argh!

 

[bmattock]

It figured, the only GIII recently listed that was nearby enough for me to pick up, and so avoid shipping costs, was black (even more cultish), and so went for $277. Argh!

Black cameras take better pictures. Ever buddy knows that.