Canonet 19

[oftheherd]

I have had a Canonet 19 for quite a while. Got it off ebay, and I don't think I ever put a battery in it to test the auto-exposure, but the manual side works fine. It is about the size of the Yashica GNS or larger. Like most other fixed focal length RF cameras, I am just not that crazy about it/them.

Yesterday I can across another Canonet 19. This one the size of my Canonet 17. Apparently, there were a lot of them made. Who knew? I just assumed all were like the first one I got.

Probably many of you know about the Canonet 19 in Canonet 17 size. I just never did. I don't recall much mention of the Canonet 19 here in RFF, but have seen some. I don't recall any mention of two models so radically different in size.

There are some differences. The 19 doesn't close down the aperture on shutter release squeeze, and keep it closed until film rewind. It also doesn't have a moving frame window for close/far focusing.

When looking online, I find plenty of mention of the smaller 19, but not the larger. Anyone else have or know about both?

 

[farlymac]

I take it both cameras you are talking about are the older full size Canonettes. I had a QL17, and though it was quite nice, I just couldn't get used to it. Just a matter of personal preference. It is a good shooter though (see sample below).


11_Trying to survive by br1078phot, on Flickr

Only difference between the 17, 19, and 28 should be the lens if I'm not mistaken. Solid, well built, fairly easy to handle, but not with gloves on. I never did like the skinny rings on the lens barrel.

PF

 

[oftheherd]

I have two QL 17s. They are small and compact. The 19 I purchased about three years ago is larger. By quite a bit. It reminds me of what I recall of the larger Yashica RFs. Yet it is a Canonet 19. This later QL 19 I mentioned is the size of my two 17s. I would guess it is in the class with the 17 and 28 you mentioned.

Of course, what I need to do is get photos of them and post the photos so those interested can see exactly what I am talking about. I will try and do that tomorrow.

EDIT: I meant to mention, that is a sharp photo you have shown. I can't fault the Canonets for their lenses.

 

[farlymac]

Herd,

When the Canonets first came out, they were a normal size rangefinder, like the Yashica G series, requiring 55mm filters. The original ones had 'Quick Loading' in script just under the Canon logo. This was changed to a 'QL' badge in the next version. These included the 17, 19, and 25 models, which refered to their maximum lens aperture (f1.7, etc).

The last version Canonet is a compact camera, more on the lines of the Yashica CC, Konica C35, Minolta Hi-Matics A through G, and others. These have a badge that says 'G III', and the models were 17, 19, and 28. They take 46mm filters IIRC. You should always refer to your compact models as a G III (like QL-17 G III) when you are asking questions about them, as it confuses old farts like me, and you may get a wrong answer. Or you can say 'older/original version QL-17'when talking about the larger model.

Either way, both series are well built, good shooters, with the compact G III's being more in demand.

PF

 

[oftheherd]

Thanks farlymac. That explains it. The larger of my 19s indeed is a 55mm filter size. The smaller one needs some sprucing up. I first thought it didn't move the frame lines, but on closer examination, I find it is trying to, but not quite able to.

I am off until next year, so tonight I will try to put some photos up showing both of them. The smaller (newer) 19 has a much nicer case than the one I got with one of my QL III 17s. It too needs some glueing, but that will be the easy part.

 

[farlymac]

Herd,

Found this info on the cronology of the Canonets.

Chronological order of Canonets (according to the Canon Camera Museum)

January 1961Canonet December 1968Canonet 28
April 1963Canonet Jr. July 1969New Canonet QL17
October 1964Canonet S June 1970New Canonet QL17-L
March 1965Canonet QL17 March 1971New Canonet 28
March 1965Canonet QL19 May 1971New Canonet QL19
October 1965Canonet QL25 March 1972Canonet G-III 17
November 1965Canonet QL19E March 1972Canonet G-III 19

Your camera would be the New Canonet of 1971. And some of the earlier models were labled Bell & Howell due to marketing/import restrictions in the USA.

PF

 

[oftheherd]

Thanks farlymac. So yes, I have the Canonet QL19, and the New Canonet 19. I would have to look again to see if my latest acquired on is the QL 19 or the G-III 19. When I get home through the snow (how ever long that takes), I will post again, and try to include a photo.

Thanks again.

 

[oftheherd]

I looked, and mine is the New Canonet 19 from 1971 and however later. Nice little camera though.