canonet vs NEX

[zb3]

Well i recently bought a Canonet GIII to take on my motorcycle trip for the next two months. I had it CLA'd and just ran a test roll of print film thru it to double check before I leave. Film was a Walmart Fuji 400 asa color film. I took most of the shots with my NEX3 as well to compare later. I hate to say it but there was more realism and depth to the prints from the Canon than the digital prints from the NEX. I have not owned a rangefinder before but I enjoy the little Canonet. I got it to primarily shoot B&W. The little camera is a keeper. Just thought I would give my two cents.

 

[xxloverxx]

Definitely a keeper if the shutter's working (mine jammed after just over a roll).

 

[FrankHarries]

if you start to develop yourself, you will give the Nex 3 the second place, shooting b&w.

 

[peter_n]

Excellent lens on the Canonet. A very underrated little camera.

 

[Speedfreak]

I hate to say it but there was more realism and depth to the prints from the Canon than the digital prints from the NEX.

What lens? What aperture? How did you process?

Good that you like the results, but without a little background, your comparative statement is worthless for anyone else.

 

[bugmenot]

Expecting a digital picture to be perfect right out of the camera is a bit much. Any "realism and depth" can be achieved with the right process and digital workflow. There are plenty of tutorials available everywhere (like SLRlounge.com) that can help somebody just getting started with digital photography.

Also, it does depend quite a bit on what lens and settings you used. Just saying ...

 

[oftheherd]

Expecting a digital picture to be perfect right out of the camera is a bit much. Any "realism and depth" can be achieved with the right process and digital workflow. There are plenty of tutorials available everywhere (like SLRlounge.com) that can help somebody just getting started with digital photography.

Also, it does depend quite a bit on what lens and settings you used. Just saying ...

Probably true. But that doesn't take away anything from the Canonet. In proper working order it is a fine little camera to carry around and gives wonderful photos. I also have one but I don't shoot that much RF. But there are times when I want a camera, and it is the one I reach for.

Congratulations on your purchase, and intelligence to get it CLA'd right away. It should serve you well. They were a marvel in engineering and convenience when made.

 

[zb3]

I am aware of the digital process and workflow. I am just tired of that process. I have achieved wonderful results working with RAW and can also tweak the camera for good JPEGs when I don't want to work from RAW or process JPEGs as well. The film prints (We have a good lab in town) was just a heck of a lot easier and less time consuming for my hectic life right now. I have decided to just shoot film for the motorcycle trip. One camera for color and the other for B&W. I do not even have to worry about recharging batteries! It will be nice to get away for awhile. My digital with resulting workflow will be there when I get back.

Lenses used on the NEX varied from the kit 18-55 (F5.6 -F8) to Minolta, Takumar, Vivitar legacy lenses shot at the same apertures as well as shallow DOF (not possible with NEX kit lens). For a comparison I shot the NEX at 400 asa to match the film speed loaded into the Canonet.

Thanks for all of the replies, Wayne

 

[btgc]

I have decided to just shoot film for the motorcycle trip. One camera for color and the other for B&W. I do not even have to worry about recharging batteries!

Right, you gain freedom to stay overnight at a nature or places without electricity. Still remember story told by Avotius about trip to remote places in China - while he used GSN through whole week (?) his mates learned DSLRs don't keep charge indifinitely long. Sure, there are ways to keep digital charged on trips but you decide what is you want to spend time for.

 

[2WK]

My buddy uses a canonet (most of the time) and his shots are amazing. I agree it is a very underrated camera with a fantastic lens in a tiny package. Here is his site:

http://www.nils-k.com/

 

[btgc]

I agree it is a very underrated camera with a fantastic lens in a tiny package.

Umhh...I thought...it's overratted? No, seriously - prices it used to fetch (still fetching?) suggested it stands over rest of Japanese rangefinders, but it even doesn't have metered manual mode (if memery serves me well). I mean - it's quite OK camera, just like any other fixed lens rangefinder of era but for some reason it got hyped like Yashica T4 and people started to hunt Canonets while other RF's of same class remained in shade. Well, this is all terminology 🙂 Your friend made some good pictures.