NOW I KNOW why I needed this beauty !

[gliderbee]

Just got my Canonet; from the manual (translated from french):
".. it is possible to manually control speed and diaphragma to get special effects. With the Canonet G-III, it is possible to deliberatly make over- or underexposed pictures just like the more sophisticated cameras" 😀; how's that for a start ? I'm looking forward to my first roll of film 😛

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Manual control is useful for strong backlighting that will mess up the meter. Only downside of manual on the Canonet is that the meter turns off. I find it easier to partially depress the shutter release to "lock" the exposure. Come in close, get the reading, partially depress the shutter release, then frame the shot.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Just to add an example- Shot with the camera on automatic, but partially depressed the shutter to lock the exposure on the musician to the right. Otherwise, the sunburst could have messed up the exposure.