What should I expect to pay?

[Kara]

Im on the hunt for a canonet, and after spending the week watching ebay, what kind of price should I realistically be looking to pay for one? And also what are the differences in models? Is there more to it then lens differences and personal preference?

Thanks in advance!

 

[airds]

Better keeping your eye on the 35mm Classifieds section and buying it from somebody here. Check the previous messages for prices.

 

[Roger S.]

You're best off on this forum as the people here will be more honest about the camera's condition.

I couldn't wait and got tired of duds, so I bought a $130 Canonet from Ken Hinkle. It's in AMAZING condition- the viewfinder is much clearer than my old ones, the aperture ring turns smoothly and the ISO ring doesn't break my nails when I turn it. I'm going to shoot my first roll on it tonight.

 

[dmr]

I paid about $50 on Ebay for mine (QL17 GIII) last year, and if I had to do it over, I would probably go with the advice here and buy from somebody here or somebody who has a good rep.

I got one of those "it looks fine but I don't know anything about cameras so it's sold as is" deals. It turned out to have a stuck shutter, a bent internal tab on the shutter speed ring, and petrified light seals. I got my baptism by fire in camera repair getting that thing working! Some Ronsonol and a light seal kit from Jon Goodman were all it really needed.

But anyway, the last time I checked Ebay, the used ones in take-yer-chances condition were going for around $50 or so and the ones that were recently CLA'd and working fine were $120 to $150 or so.

 

[Roger S.]

To answer the other part of your question- I have the QL 17 GIII which was the last (and greatest?) version. Older ones were larger, had a different metering system, etc.

Here's a timeline:
http://www.kyphoto.com/classics/canonet.html

Histories:
http://www.photoethnography.com/Cla...eset.html?CanonCanonetGIIIQL17.html~mainFrame

http://www.cameraquest.com/canql17.htm

 

[Kara]

Thanks! I was thinking about picking up a canonet 28 from a link I found in the 35mm classifieds for cameras by the box' - did a bit of a search round here for some info on it, and a lot of people mentioned they liked how the focusing worked on it, which is mainly my problem on my yashica. Any nay sayers on that camera?

 

[dmr]

Any nay sayers on that camera?

Well, I'm not gonna say nay, but I would definitely want that extra 1 1/2 f-stops.

One thing I'm finding out is that the QL17 GIII does show some astigmatism (thanks again for the gang here helping me identify what it was) when it's wide open. I don't know if the QL28 has that or not, but ...

Also, and maybe some of the others can chime in, but I seem to remember a few features missing on the QL28 model.

That's my opinion, anyway. 🙂

 

[Kim Coxon]

The Canon 28 is auto only and is really an RF point and shoot. I would go for one of the others where you have a manual option as well.

Kim

 

[dostacos]

Im on the hunt for a canonet, and after spending the week watching ebay, what kind of price should I realistically be looking to pay for one? And also what are the differences in models? Is there more to it then lens differences and personal preference?

Thanks in advance!

I have been bidding $50.51 as a max, this is about what they are going for plus or minus a few bucks,, you also might get one with the flash attachment for that price

just won one [see canonet QL-17 GIII story] got it for $41.17 next day turn around to greyhoundman for a CLA. he also tweaks them so they use 1.5V batteries. ANY evilbay camera should get some form of Clean Lube & Adjustment, If you can do it great, as for me I send 'em out and from what I have read, everybody that has had greyhoundman to the work has been happy.....

 

[filmgoerjuan]

Thanks! I was thinking about picking up a canonet 28 from a link I found in the 35mm classifieds for cameras by the box' - did a bit of a search round here for some info on it, and a lot of people mentioned they liked how the focusing worked on it, which is mainly my problem on my yashica. Any nay sayers on that camera?

I can definitely recommend the (new) Canonet 28 for use. It's got a great little lens and the focusing is easier than with those Canonet models that use a lever (like the GIII QL17). That said, the big drawbacks are the lack of manual metering (you see a scale of shutter speeds in the viewfinder, but aperature settings are a mystery) and the fact that if the meter goes, the camera won't be of much use (the non-automatic shutter speed setting is 1/30 of a second, which is a little slow to be practical for handheld). Be very careful buying Canonet 28s online as if they haven't been tested with a battery, you really won't know if they're going to work at all.

That said, I've enjoyed the photos I've taken with my Canonet 28 perhaps more than any of the other Canonet models I have (QL19 and GIII QL17).

 

[Kara]

So a clean GIII-QL-17 for $30 + ship would be a good deal?

 

[filmgoerjuan]

For a GIII QL17 in good condition, $30 is a great price!

 

[pixman]

Hi, I have a QL25 which I got from ebay. It had just been CLA'd and is in mint condition. I paid £39 for it and I am really pleased with it. It doesn't have some of the features you would find on the QL17 but it can be used in auto or manual mode. It has the 45mm 2.5 lens which is not too bad, it's quite sharp and has good contrast. Over here it is possible to get a modern battery for £7.95 (1.3v) The camera is nicely made and being the older (1965) type of QL, I like the larger size and weight. There is no hot shoe but there is a P.C. socket. No self timer either but I never seem to use it anyway. I have put quite a few rolls of film through the camera and I haven't had any trouble with it whatsoever. I think you will enjoy any of the Canon rangefinders that fit your requirements. Rod.

 

[dostacos]

Im on the hunt for a canonet, and after spending the week watching ebay, what kind of price should I realistically be looking to pay for one? And also what are the differences in models? Is there more to it then lens differences and personal preference?

Thanks in advance!

http://tinyurl.com/b8e8z ebay no bids at $30 closing fast not mine