Yasica GSN vs Canonet QL17

[doraemon001]

Dear RFers,

I am planning to buy RF camera at used market.
At this moment there are 2 candidats in my mind, they are Yasica GSN and Canonet QL17.
Since I am very new in RF world, any opinion on these 2 choices?

Thanks and regards.

 

[phototone]

The Electro35, GSN is an aperture priority automatic exposure camera, with no manual over-ride. It has a 45mm f/1.7 lens that is tack sharp.

The Canonet QL17 is a shutter priority automatic exposure camera with full manual operation also. It has a 40mm f/1.7 lens that is tack sharp.

 

[parks5920]

You really cannot go wrong with either one, just watch out for the sky-rocketing $$$, they're really in demand on E bay. Good luck.
JP

 

[doraemon001]

Thank you for the replies guys.
From now on ... start to search...

Regards.

 

[TPPhotog]

I can't comment on the Yasica GSN, but I recently purchased a Canonet QL17 and instantly became hooked. They are very liberating after using SLRs for almost as long as I remember.

 

[peter_n]

Same as TPP - I'm a recent convert to the Canonet. The Yashica doesn't have manual so I didn't consider it. I only use the Canonet in manual mode and don't use the internal meter. The lens is terrific - just to show a couple of examples from a recent vacation trip, the attachment on the left below was taken at f2.8, the one on the right was f8.

 

[doraemon001]

Thanks guys for sharing.
It is really helpful.
I almost decide to buy Canonet for the manual feature.
I am just wondering, in case of Yasica GSN which is said has aperture priority, can we take action/moving photo?

Regards.

 

[wlewisiii]

Personally, after owning both, I prefered the GSN over the Canonet by a large margin.

The canonet was far too small for me to hold and focus comfortably. The lack of a manual mode on the GSN was never an issue for me though. Just use whatever is there. For example if you need a faster shutter speed for an action photo, just open the aperture more and the shutter will speed up. Both are equal, to my eye, as far as the lenses were concerned as well as in build quality. The only thing that I considered superior on the Canonet was the Quick Load system as it really was slick.

Hoping this blather helps,

William

 

[Wayne R. Scott]

Well, I have a very odd way of making decisions about stuff like this. Let's see, if my wife and I go out to supper and have a nice steak dinner and a few drinks we will easily drop $50 for the meal. Next day what do you have to show for it? Nada.

So, if I am trying to decide about a couple of $50 range cameras I will either buy one and see if I like it, then buy the other and compare or I will sell the first one if I don't like it and try something else. At least that's what I tell my wife. From the looks of things around here I have been heavy on the buying and very light on the selling. 😉

I like the compactness of the Canon QL-17 and the quick loading. I am not overly fond of the aperature controls. I like the lens. I think I like the 40mm focal length a little better than the 45mm focal length. I think I like it about 5mm better.

I like the Yashica's focussing and lens. I am not fond of its size as it is a little bulky. I like its weight as it feels like a real camera.

My suggestion is to buy both and see which one YOU like best. I think they both make pictures.

If you actively seek them they will show up. I paid $15 for my QL-17 GIII from a thrift store with the flash, 4 rolls of film and two camera cases. They thought the shutter was stuck. It simply had a dead battery and was on "A" mode. My GSN I got out of our local camera store's junk box for $2, they said you can not get batteries for it any more. Yea for me!!!.

Wayne

 

[doraemon001]

Well, I have a very odd way of making decisions about stuff like this. Let's see, if my wife and I go out to supper and have a nice steak dinner and a few drinks we will easily drop $50 for the meal. Next day what do you have to show for it? Nada.

So, if I am trying to decide about a couple of $50 range cameras I will either buy one and see if I like it, then buy the other and compare or I will sell the first one if I don't like it and try something else. At least that's what I tell my wife. From the looks of things around here I have been heavy on the buying and very light on the selling. 😉

I like the compactness of the Canon QL-17 and the quick loading. I am not overly fond of the aperature controls. I like the lens. I think I like the 40mm focal length a little better than the 45mm focal length. I think I like it about 5mm better.

I like the Yashica's focussing and lens. I am not fond of its size as it is a little bulky. I like its weight as it feels like a real camera.

My suggestion is to buy both and see which one YOU like best. I think they both make pictures.

If you actively seek them they will show up. I paid $15 for my QL-17 GIII from a thrift store with the flash, 4 rolls of film and two camera cases. They thought the shutter was stuck. It simply had a dead battery and was on "A" mode. My GSN I got out of our local camera store's junk box for $2, they said you can not get batteries for it any more. Yea for me!!!.

Wayne

Hi Scott,

It's good idea to buy both, since I have no experience on RF.
I live in Japan, and when check internet auction here, the price for QL17 is around JPY 3,000-5,000, and GSN is about the same (1 USD = JPY 105).
Do you think it's good price?

I've read in this forum that some members got the camera from junk store with very cheap price.
Hmmm..I wish I could get too...

Regards.

 

[wlewisiii]

Stick as close to the Y3000 end as you can for either, I'd say. I wasn't looking for thrift shops when I was in Japan (once upon a lifetime ago) but if you can find something like that, it might be helpfull. Then again at 22 and fresh out of the US Army I wasn't looking for cameras either... <lol>

William