Canonet QL17 GIII vs Yashica Electro 35 GSN?

[jtzordon]

I've found holding the GSN and focusing a bit irritating. I would prefer the right-hand side to be a bit longer. Either I have to focus with just the one finger on the ridged piece on the focus ring or I find my fingers hitting the hand supporting the camera.

The focus ring on my Canonet has a bit less resistance, so it's quicker to focus for me. The RF is also more contrasty and easier to focus with in dim light; I've cleaned both VF/RFs. So far I haven't really had a use for the GSN that I wouldn't rather use the Canonet for; fill-flash during the day is about the only thing I can think of, GSN being much quicker with it's aperture priority AE.

 

[Zepofan]

I personally would go for a small frame QL17. I have done some research into the lens problem with the GIII's. There appears to have been a problem with the coatings/glass on the lenses starting with their production. Evidently not very sterile conditions.

When you say "small frame OL17" you are meaning? I am currently looking for a QL17 and have never heard that expression before.

You don´t happen to have a QL17 for sale? 😀

 

[impact07]

I have both, actually 2 GSNs. I prefer the Canonet simply because mine WORKS. I have yet to hold a GSN that actually works. Stupid pad of death. Anybody wanna fix these for me?

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

When you say "small frame OL17" you are meaning? I am currently looking for a QL17 and have never heard that expression before.

Small frame OL17? Me either.

I think what he meant was precisely that: a small frame QL17 rather than a full-frame may have performed better, according to his observations. I may have lucked out, then, because mine rocks, full frame and wide open.

 

[dostacos]

I also have a canonet and a GSN. Actually I just "won" a second Canonet on evilbay. That one looked like it was NEVER used. It came with a box, never ready case [not bad but not great shape] all the paperwork, and a nice nylon padded bag for under $50. [I got it and shipped it off to greyhoundman to do his magic on the battery chamber]

I got the second for my youngest son. I will probably get another for my 2nd son for snowboarding. AND here comes the point, the canonet is [to me anyway] less awkward, able to shoot without batteries, you know what the settings were when you shot, and can be carried over the shoulder/under a coat for a looooong time. The Yashica is much heavier/bigger and would not be as comfortable to carry for long periods. My second son wants to take cameras snowboarding and his MESUPER is too bulky especially if you FALL on it 😀.

On the other hand, your milage may vary. As was mentioned up stream buy both they are cheap enough 😎

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

Frame refers to the body size.

Ahhhhh... Never thought of referring to the camera body as a frame.

 

[ErnestoJL]

I have a GSN (as well as some other Yashicas) and found that the RF is not as good as I supposed they were (all of them were cleaned) . The Canonet I have today is the old (big body with full set of speeds) QL 17. It´s RF is far better than the Yashicas and focusing is a lot easier and faster, even in difficult situations.
Yashicas VF/RF seem (IMO) to have been poorly designed and focusing sometimes becomes a nightmare, specially in dim light with bright spots (internal reflections and poorly contrasted RF Patch).
There is a big diference in VF/RF design between both cameras (colour and contrast of the RF patch) which makes the difference.
Differences in every camera abilities are the reasons why I keep both.

Ernesto

 

[Zepofan]

Frame refers to the body size. There was the QL17 large, and then they switched to a smaller frame(body) for the next in the series.

Thanx a lot for clearing that. Now I just have to find one.


😎
Zepofan - on his way into the deep evilbay...

 

[Frank Granovski]

I have both, actually 2 GSNs. I prefer the Canonet simply because mine WORKS. I have yet to hold a GSN that actually works.

For me it was the other way around. I had come across 2 QL17 G111's, but both of them were not working. I never bothered to buy them. 🙂

 

[James Burton]

I find that focusing is way faster with the Canonet.

Several people have noted this. Be aware that this is because the focus has 1/8th of a turn throw. i.e. 45 degrees between closest focus and infinity focus. This limits focus accuracy, but since it has a short RF base anyway I don't suppose that matters. It not only means you can focus quickly by eye, but it is also easy to guess focus. It has a monster focus tab too 🙂

Thanks,
James

 

[Zepofan]

.... I have done some research into the lens problem with the GIII's. There appears to have been a problem with the coatings/glass on the lenses starting with their production. Evidently not very sterile conditions.

How bad/common is that problem? There are a couple of QL17 GIII on ebay that looks nice but maybe I should wait for a non GIII? 🙄

 

[davidbivins]

I have multiples of both. I'll try not to be redundant with regard to previous posts unless I have a strong opinion.
* I use both for quick street photography, relying on their metering. When I'm doing my own "eye" metering or using a meter, I use my Canon L1 rangefinder.
* I prefer the Yashica - my main axe is a GTN, but I used to usually use a GSN. The GS/GT is pretty much the same without a hot shoe.
* The Yashica is wonderful for low-light photography because of the insane shutter speed length. Mine have taken exposures far beyond 30 seconds, btw. That's the published spec, but I think it can be much longer. Not sure if it's accurate beyond 30 seconds, but I shoot b/w negatives, so it matters a bit less.
* The Canonet sucks in low light in automatic (shutter priority) mode. The slowest shutter speed is 1/4 second, and if you're using its meter, it just won't let you take a photo if it's not going to be a "correct" exposure. That being said, you can't take a photo with the lens cap on! With the Yashicas... um, yeah, I have some blank frames in my archives.
* The Canon has a wonderful flash in theory - the Canolite D. These are readily available. They adjust intensity based on distance from subject. No need to dial in a guide number or do any math. So indoor photography is a snap. I don't find that it's perfect though, but that could be a defect in the Canonet G-III that I usually use.
* I think the Canonet's lens is a little better wide open. I find the Yashica's breaks up a bit at the edges of the frame once in a great while. But I like the overall contrast and look better with the Yashica.
* The Canonet slips into a jacket pocket, the GTN does not (especially if you use a shade). It's not like carrying around an SLR though. I've never felt fatigued carrying it unless it's an all day excursion, in which case I'm also carrying a bag for film, etc.

I also use an Olympus RC, somewhat dented, and it's a champ. It's super-compact, significantly smaller than the Canonet front-to-back and side-to-side, with a really nice lens (though slower at f:2.8). It's also shutter-priority or manual. I don't even have a strap on mine so I can truly slip it in a pocket. It's often my choice when I'm walking my dogs.

In summary, the Yashica G series and Canonet QL17 G-III are best when used to their advantages--shutter-priority or aperture-priority. I prefer to set aperture when shooting on the street to control DOF, but it's pretty easy to adjust on the Canonet due to the viewfinder info which lets you know the aperture selected. So you can turn the shutter ring and adjust aperture if you'd like.

If I'm going to meter (i.e. if I have the time to meter--I'm not good doing it in my head), I'd rather use a rangefinder without a fixed lens. That's why I use my Canon L1 the most, especially when going to a photogenic destination or photographing a family event. I can carry a bag with my 15mm, 28mm, 50mm and 85mm and do whatever's needed with the best lens I can afford.

If you look in my poorly-maintained gallery, you'll see the Canonet at work on The Gates. Many of the others were taken with the Yashica GSN.

One last note: it's really difficult to find a Canonet everready case in good condition. They did not hold up well overall. It's easy to find a Yashica case in good condition. Though rightfully-dubbed "neverready," they're somewhat essential to block the battery test button from being pushed when you're not using it. I've burned through batteries due to the camera back being pushed up against something, and the case helps prevent that. I keep the bottom on anyway to protect the camera bottom.

Sorry so long - hope it helps.