The Canonet QL17 GIII was the last of Canon’s fixed lens rangefinders. Manufactured sometime in the 1970’s, it has a 40mm lens and aperture priority automatic exposure. The QL designation indicates a quick-loading film system, while the 17 indicates a maximum aperture of f1.7. The Canonet range also included a QL19, QL25, and a Canonet 28 (f2.8) which was not quick loading.
Shutter speeds range from B to 1/500 set with a ring on the lens barrel. When in automatic mode a needle in the viewfinder indicates the selected aperture. Manual exposure is also possible without the meter, and the shutter will fire without a battery. Focus is via a lever on the left side of the lens barrel.
My example is a thrift score of which I’m particularly proud. I found it in the display case of a newly opened store for $4. It has a small dent on the filter ring but is otherwise fully functional.
It had however gone missing for a while. When I finally located it (in my daughter’s camera bag!) it had a partially exposed roll of 400ASA color in it. We took it along on last week’s Fairchester Hose Haulers excursion.
REFERENCES:
Camera Wiki
Manual
All Canonets at eBay. Prices are all over the map, so shop carefully.
Results may be delayed as my schedule is crazy this week.
Notes from Mosquito Hill 