Canonet QL-17 GIII question

[Russ]

Hello Fellow RF snappers

This camera does not have the "flash-matic" feature, so why does it have guide #'s on it's aperture ring?

Thanks
Russ

 

[Wayne R. Scott]

Russ,

I believe that the guide numbers work with the Canolite flash that was designed for the QL-17 GIII. I don't have my manual at home with me so I may be mistaken.

Wayne

 

[Russ]

Russ,

I believe that the guide numbers work with the Canolite flash that was designed for the QL-17 GIII. I don't have my manual at home with me so I may be mistaken.

Wayne

Wayne

Thanks! I will just use it & flash in manual mode. Don't have the Canon flash.

 

[Huck Finn]

When used with its companion flash, the Canonite D, & set at "A," the Canonet GIII QL17 is switched over to its automatic flash control circuit; the proper f/stop corresponding to the shooting distance is automatically set. The shooting distance is set by manually focusing the lens.

The camera also has a socket on the left side for conventional type flash units. The guide numbers on the aperture ring are provided to be matched with the guide number of the flash unit.

 

[Huck Finn]

BTW, you can find a downloadable Canonet manual here:

http://members.fortunecity.com/canoneos/manuals/canonetql17.html

 

[SolaresLarrave]

Russ, the guide numbers are to use only with non-dedicated flashes... and they're a bit old... 🙁

However, you can use a flash on this camera as long as you stick to the basic rules: small apertures at close distances and wide apertures at longer/further distances. Just set the camera in manual, pick a shutterspeed, focus and set the f-stop according to the distance between you and your subject.

While the Canolite comes in handy because it sets the lens aperture automatically (and what a delight it is!), there is one big drawback: it always fires full power. With an automatic flash like a Vivitar 283 you can regulate the light output. That's some silver lining!! 🙂