Impressed by QL-17!!!!!!

P

plexi

Guest
I got a Canonet G-III QL-17 a couple of weeks ago, and finally got around to try it...
The lens is amazingly sharp! It handles easy, and dare I say, it`s rangefinder patch is better than my Bessa R!
The viewfinder is a bit hazy, is there any way to clean it?
It underexposes slightly with a alkaline battery, but I`ll compensate with the ISO next time around...
This got to be the best $30 I`ve ever spent! :)
 
Excellent shots, love the second. I have one too and think it is one of the best values around, alot of them available just like the Yashica GSN so if it breaks you can always find a replacement. I like the 40mm focal length alot, it feels more "natural" to me.

Todd
 
Great pics! I also like the second one best - thanks!

I think that the Canonet QL-17 GIII is a FANTASTIC CAMERA!

However (and once again), don't overlook the Minolta Hi-Matic 7S and 9. I'm telling ya, guys - fantastic lens, great rangefinder. Bigger than the Canonet, though. But trust me, you want one.

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks
 
great shots and yes, i like that second one a bit better too.

mine needs a good cleaning, the vf is a bit cloudy and i notice it flares quite a bit also.
going against the flow but i'm thinking i prefer my oly 35 rc to most of the rf's that are out there. it's a bit slower but the lens is so sharp.
and by the way, i still have a minolta 9 sitting here waiting for a good home.

joe
 
The Canonet is fairly easy to "pop-the-top" and clean. I will be cleaning several next week and will pull out the "Digital camera" and write down the steps. I have done one before, it was a 45 minute job using the good-ol "give it a dumb look" technique. The silver ring over the advance lever comes off using a piece of rubber to grip and turn. I used a mouse-pad. Under it is a retaining ring that requires a spanner. You can make them by filing pliers if you have to. After that it is just small screwdrivers.

I will follow up this thread next week.
 
hey brian,

i have a konica c35 that is in a few peices. i bought it from ebay and when it arrived the meter was dead. i decided to keep it and make it my 'learn to fix cameras' camera but soon the terror took over and now it sits quietly in a baggie in my hall closet.

if you would like it for a project let me know and i'll send it your way.
it might make a nice easy camera for nikki to play/learn with.

joe
 
Plexi, I'm impressed with the sharpness! The second shot in particular is a standout.

May I join you in celebrating? I just received a QL17 GIII via the RFF Swap Meet and I'm running my first test roll through it today.

(Richard pls note -- it has been annointed by a coffee shot) :)
 
bmattock said:

However (and once again), don't overlook the Minolta Hi-Matic .. and 9. I'm telling ya, guys - fantastic lens, great rangefinder. Bigger than the Canonet, though. But trust me, you want one.

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks
Click to expand...

And I am selling one, thanks for allowing me to hijack an endorsement Bill.

But really, I am selling a Himatic 9, which if I don't sell I will be happy to keep, because the lens is great.

I do have a Canonet too, which I also love and which also has an excellently sharp lens. Its viewfinder is not as bright as my Bessas', but very good.

It must be great having a willing model. My son is only about 30% of the time. I have been often tempted to buy a second Canonet to hold in reserve. I am sure I will grab another some day.
 
i have two hi-matic 9's--neither of them work. one has a stuck shutter, the other has an aperture ring that spins loose.

i prefer only my konica auto s3 to the QL17. they're both just amazing cameras.
 
I fear the day when Nikki might get tired of having her picture taken. Hopefully, that never happens. If it ever does maybe I can tie it to a weekly allowance. Remember, clean your room, do dishes, pose for camera...

As for now, she will ask me to get a camera to take her picture.
 
Brian Sweeney said:
I fear the day when Nikki might get tired of having her picture taken. Hopefully, that never happens. If it ever does maybe I can tie it to a weekly allowance. Remember, clean your room, do dishes, pose for camera....
Click to expand...

See my gallery shots of my boys typically result in reduced chores for them or increased amount of skateboard time, small price to pay (un)willing participants!

Todd
 
Thanks guys!

Brian: I`m looking forward to your cleaning lesson:)

Gene: Congrats! I wasn`t expecting too much from this little(but heavy) camera, boy I was wrong.....
 
plexi said:
Gene: Congrats! I wasn`t expecting too much from this little(but heavy) camera, boy I was wrong.....
Click to expand...
Thanks Amund,

I have the illustrious Monsieur Mattocks to thank for this trade. He sure keeps some beautiful gear in stock :)

Gene
 
Todd,
Beautiful shots of your sons and nieces. In the shot of Tay and Sam: Sam looks like he could jump out of the screen at any minute.
 
Great pictures Amund !! Specially the second one, glad you're experiening the Canonet syndrome :D

I remember feeling the same when I got my first slides from it, amazing lens. Of course there are others, but I had a hard time putting my G-III again in working condition, so it's sort of special to me...

I've yet to put new light seals on a G3 QL19 I bought some months ago. Curious about how the slightly slower lens on it performs.

Tsk... Richard doesn't know what he's missing by not having one of these little marvels ! :p
 
I just found this on the web; I downloaded and used their Canon 7 manual to repair the "Canonator 7".

Page 1 is the one you want; I will still make notes and take some Digital Images as I clean one. I love the detail on these pictures.


Canon GIII QL17 Repair Manual
 
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