 |
The Canonet G-III QL17 and its
contemporaries were the last of
the full-featured 35mm fixed
lens rangefinders. The G-III
QL17, Minolta Hi-Matic 7sII, and
Olympus RD are all full-featured
compact rangefinder cameras
which are considerably smaller
and lighter than their
predecessors. This ultimate
Canonet led the pack and was
manufactured starting in 1972.
The Olympus RD was introduced
in 1975 and the Hi-Matic 7sII in
1977.
contemporaries were the last of
the full-featured 35mm fixed
lens rangefinders. The G-III
QL17, Minolta Hi-Matic 7sII, and
Olympus RD are all full-featured
compact rangefinder cameras
which are considerably smaller
and lighter than their
predecessors. This ultimate
Canonet led the pack and was
manufactured starting in 1972.
The Olympus RD was introduced
in 1975 and the Hi-Matic 7sII in
1977.
| All images and content are the property of Wayne Young and Wayne Young Photography and may not be reproduced in any way without written permission. Thank You. |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
The G-III QL17 continued to lead the pack and was a popular choice well into
the 1980’s. Canon states that 1.2 million of these cameras were purchased.
In the early 80’s, the camera manufactures lightened the feature sets of
these cameras in the pursuit of smaller and cheaper models. This
diminishment continued until they became the auto everything Point and
Shoot cameras that were to last gasp of consumer 35mm film cameras.
These Point & Shoot cameras were then supplanted by Point and Shoot
digitals.
The Canonet G-III QL17 with its fast 40mm f/1.7 lens, shutter priority AE and
manual controls is definitely not a cheap Point and Shoot camera. It is a
solidly built, metal bodied camera with superb features, some slightly edging
the competition and some features unique to the G-III QL17. These unique
features include a Film Transport Indicator to show that the film is correctly
loaded and advancing. An indicator that shows that the shutter has been
cocked and that the camera is ready to take a picture. Numeric shutter
speeds plus simple exposure symbols for Sunny, Cloudy and Indoor
exposures. It has a parallax correcting viewfinder with moving bright lines,
not simply a set of close up lines. For these reasons, the Canonet G-III QL17
became the most popular compact 35mm rangefinder selling 1.2 million units
during its production life. The Canonet is still popular among 35mm film
enthusiasts and is still in high demand.
I have really enjoyed using the Canonet G-III QL17. It is a well laid out and
easy to use camera. The camera produces wonderfully sharp pictures with
incredible color.
Click the picture below to see examples from this camera on my Flickr.com
site.
the 1980’s. Canon states that 1.2 million of these cameras were purchased.
In the early 80’s, the camera manufactures lightened the feature sets of
these cameras in the pursuit of smaller and cheaper models. This
diminishment continued until they became the auto everything Point and
Shoot cameras that were to last gasp of consumer 35mm film cameras.
These Point & Shoot cameras were then supplanted by Point and Shoot
digitals.
The Canonet G-III QL17 with its fast 40mm f/1.7 lens, shutter priority AE and
manual controls is definitely not a cheap Point and Shoot camera. It is a
solidly built, metal bodied camera with superb features, some slightly edging
the competition and some features unique to the G-III QL17. These unique
features include a Film Transport Indicator to show that the film is correctly
loaded and advancing. An indicator that shows that the shutter has been
cocked and that the camera is ready to take a picture. Numeric shutter
speeds plus simple exposure symbols for Sunny, Cloudy and Indoor
exposures. It has a parallax correcting viewfinder with moving bright lines,
not simply a set of close up lines. For these reasons, the Canonet G-III QL17
became the most popular compact 35mm rangefinder selling 1.2 million units
during its production life. The Canonet is still popular among 35mm film
enthusiasts and is still in high demand.
I have really enjoyed using the Canonet G-III QL17. It is a well laid out and
easy to use camera. The camera produces wonderfully sharp pictures with
incredible color.
Click the picture below to see examples from this camera on my Flickr.com
site.
 |
| Phoenix, Arizona Photography Enthusiast Specializing in Portrait, Landscape and Fine Art Photography |
 |