Canon Canonet QL19 : good camera?

[phthenry]

I was under the impression that the canon canonet cameras were very desirable cameras because they give you full manual control and sharp pictures. But when I check out the prices on ebay, I see that they sell for as little as 5 dollars, when even more basic rangefinders seem to command a higher price. For example, this cannon canonet didn't even sell:

http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270268923579&ssPageName=ADME:B:WNA:CA:1123

Are there different types of canonets? I would love to get the canonet if everything I have read about them are true. Right now I use a scale focus Rollei, and I would rather an actual rangefinder camera. I should also point out that I don't need for the light meter to work on the canonet, if it is the non-functioning meter that is keeping the price down.

 

[cjm]

The QL19 is quite capable of great pictures. IMHO, it's as good as any other fixed lens 35mm rangefinder camera. The low price is probably due to its larger size but smaller f1.9 lens as opposed to the smaller and faster f1.7 model.

 

[airds]

Canonet

Canonet

Think cjm is getting his Canonet ranges confused - that looks like a 1971 to me and is according to it's specs at Canon Camera Museum is exactly the same size & weight as the more popular and easier to find GIII QL17, both at 120 x 75 x 60 mm, & 620g

You should have gone for that deal as the flash (although not 100%), instruction book, lenscap, all add value. No one uses these camera cases (yuk)

There is plenty info in this forum about them - only problem is modern equivalent, non-mercury battery (everyone has their own ideas about a replacement ....) and the blades may stick with lack of use (also plenty info easily found to cure it) but being in these camera cases for storage would probably indicate it's in good cosmetic order.

Don't worry though there will be another along shortly on ebay or in the RFF ads section.