Advice on accquiring a Canonet

[Runz]

Hi,

I have been tempted to get a rangefinder for quite sometime and finally decided on a canon canonet. Canon rangefinders are hard to come by in Singapore so I will most probably have to get it from Ebay. Does anyone have any advice regarding this?

I have narrowed my search to Canonet QL 17 or GIII QL 17 since they seems to pretty much alike. Does anyone know the difference or have other recommendations? My budget isn't high, perhaps around US$50.

Btw, it seems that QL 17 was made in Japan and GIII QL17 was made in Taiwan. Is there a quality difference?

All comments deeply appriciated. Thanks!

 

[wamjam]

Hi,

I have been tempted to get a rangefinder for quite sometime and finally decided on a canon canonet. Canon rangefinders are hard to come by in Singapore so I will most probably have to get it from Ebay. Does anyone have any advice regarding this?

I have narrowed my search to Canonet QL 17 or GIII QL 17 since they seems to pretty much alike. Does anyone know the difference or have other recommendations? My budget isn't high, perhaps around US$50.

Btw, it seems that QL 17 was made in Japan and GIII QL17 was made in Taiwan. Is there a quality difference?

All comments deeply appriciated. Thanks!

like any other camera, watch out for the focusing rings, viewfinder, shutter, meter and lens. make sure they're in good, smooth working condition. plus, the light seals!...although all of these factors, if problems are only minor, can easily be fixed.

the GIII17 is more compact compared to the QL17. the latter is a bit heavier. where it's made is not really that important at least for me. the GIII is the more popular one but again, the choice is still up to you.

 

[40oz]

look at the pictures carefully, and try not to bid on ones that look rough. You probably don't want the cheapest ones, as they won't be the best examples. Skip the flash, it'll only add to the price. The case is not something I'd pay extra for, but it might be a good sign if the case comes with it.

 

[JMP]

the GIII17 is more compact compared to the QL17. the latter is a bit heavier. where it's made is not really that important at least for me. the GIII is the more popular one but again, the choice is still up to you.

This isn't quite true. There were two "phases" of Canonets which have nothing to do with the lens choices or gradings (QL is just Quick Loading). The second phase of Canonets is smaller. You can get QL17s from both phases, though the GIIIs are always from the smaller, second phase. The QL17 GIII is supposedly a "grade up" from the QL17, though the differences are very minor (the battery check button illuminates a light on the GIII, whereas it makes the meter needle move on the regular QL17). I could sell you one of my Canonets (a QL17-smaller version and a QL17 GIII, both fully functional, one in slightly rougher condition)- PM me if interested.

 

[cosmonaut]

I have bought two QL-17s on ebay. Don't buy from people with hundres of thousands of feedback. Try and find someone that doesn't sell much. E-mail them a few questions regading the camera and if they don't answer don't bid no matter how tempting. You will get a feel for how honest they are in their e-mails. And be patient. If they say. I know nothing about cameras it probably don't work. Also get then to check all shutter speeds. The second one I got the shutter stuck below 1/15. The man I bought it from tested a roll of film before he listed but didn't check the lower speeds. But I got ot working.
Cosmo

 

[Runz]

Hi,

Thanks for the advices and tips! Will keep them in mind. Hopefully, I can soon get a canonet for my shoots. Thanks again!

 

[winklee98]

Use some caution.

Use some caution.

Hi,

Thanks for the advices and tips! Will keep them in mind. Hopefully, I can soon get a canonet for my shoots. Thanks again!

Hello
My advice would be to go for the QL17 GIII. It may cost a bit more but it is far the most popular and most in demand and holds its resale value.
There are many for sale on e-bay and many will have bad lens, either haze or fungus usually on the front lens, but sometimes also on the back lens. Always ask the seller about the lens condition, otherwise you may end up with a nice looking camera with a bad lens. I buy and sell a lot of cameras on e-bay and know this to be true.

Winklee98

 

[jody]

Also consider a Ql 19 if you find it. 28 s can be had cheap best used with a battery but mine is sweet.