Light-weight Metal body Compact body Well balanced Battery Check if you can get batteries for it Fast Lens Continuous aperature setting

Limited range of ISO speeds for auto operation Rings for aperature, shutter speed a little stiff and flush with rest of lens body to use easily( minor problem) I can''t see the aperature numerals on the right of the viewfinder for some reason( only for auto setting which i will rarely use if i can find a battery) NO explanation for blue color of some numerals to the right of Aperature setting for shutter speed priority and for the shutter speed of 1/30? ( e-mail me at WaterRat13162@aol.com if you know the answer to this)

I just bought my Canon QL17 G-III from a ritzcamera. I can say that this camera handles extremely well. NO backlash from the shutter. NO mirror blackout to deal with. Continuous aperatures( like you can turn the aperature ring and you will see the aperature close down to whatever size you like non- stop down to f16). Light weight but feels like a tank. Compact with a whole lotta space to grip. Large focusing lever. Easy to load(If you remember that the back takes a stiff push to close and that the film rewind knob is all the way down, i messed up and fogged a few frames!). Will write a more comprehensive review once i get my first roll from this camera developed.

Customer Service

not needed

Similar Products Used:

Fujica V2

Inexpensive, quiet and an outstanding lens. The QL film transport system is fantastic.

The meter uses a mercury battery.

Mine's a Canonet QL17 GIII. The lens is fast and SHARP. The leaf shutter & lack of a mirror flopping around inside help with razor sharp images. It has a nice, bright parallax correcting viewfinder. The QL film transport system is fast & reliable. Film loading is basically drop-in. The camera's only real drawback is the mercuy battery that runs the meter. Zinc-air replacements are available, and the shutter is completely mechanical, and operates without a battery. This is one sweet little camera. If you're looking for an inexpensive rangefinder, the QL17 GIII needs to be at the top of your list.

Customer Service

You're on your own with this one.

Similar Products Used:

Zorki & Kiev rangefinders.

I have the QL17 G-III. It has a fast (40mm f/1.7)and very sharp lens, no distortion, no vignetting from f/4, good rangefinder and clear viewfinder, very silent operation (no screaming motors and slapping mirrors), old-fashioned heavy all-metal construction, classic design.

No AF, of course.
HEAVY metal construction (almost 600 g)!

Ideal for very high-quality results in low light, low noise situations. Try it at night with the latest Fuji ISO 800 print film!
Four stars because I like this ageing beauty.

Customer Service

no need

Similar Products Used:

Fujifilm DL Super Mini,
Nikon SLR's F801 and F100

Good lens, manual override, many nifty features (film advance control, "ready" signal)

Meter is off in manual mode, one battery terminal is poorly riveted

Probably the most advanced of all fixed lens rangefinders ever. Has many features not found on other cameras. Manual metered mode would have been fine. In general, it's the first choice among the many, many rangefinders of that era. Most others do not come close. If you buy a used one, check for a)oily shutter blades, b)rear door foam, c)loose and/or corroded battery contacts, d)correct adjustment of rangefinder. An overhaul will cost around USD50. There are dealers selling overhauled items, they are more expensive than ebay, but you know what you get!

Similar Products Used:

Revue400SE (similar to Minolta Hi-Matic7SII) and many other rangefinders

Sharp en brilliant lens
Good value for money
Quiet and easy

Metering not TTL
No light value compensation (must be done with ASA setting)
No built in flash.
Battery not everywhere to be found.

If you are a reasonably experienced fotographer you will be pleasantly surprised like I was how well this seemingly simple camera performs. After some dissapointment with the mju's (the photos' were often out of focus and otherwise not very sharp and/or brilliant, this was a satisfying comeback to nice pictures. I think it outclasses the beloved, but malfunctioning rolley T35 I used before the mju's. Even non experienced people should be able to make fine pictures, (if they know how to focus with the somewhat awkward rangefinder). Remember though, that if you wantto flash you must buy a seperate flash, preferably Canolite D. It's suitable for low light (1.7 lens model I own), as a holidaycamera, on a day out with friends or just as your only camera if you don't need close ups ! I (we) use it as the camera for our holiday and daily life pictures (beside Nikon FM with non AF AI lenses for slides and Macro). I am no expert but must say I like the pictures this camera makes as much as those with my Nikon lenses ! The 'good old' go out and buy one is correct here. (Or maybe I should have kept this secret for myself ;-) )

Customer Service

Still not needed but buy at a good store and they can do a lot for you.

Similar Products Used:

Olympus pen, Rollei T 35 Olympus mju and mju zoom (first models)

Very fine lens. 40mmf1.7 Made of Lanthanum glass as the 35mm Leitz Summicron of that era. Compares well with the "posh point&shoots" of today.

No manual light metering. Battery availibility. I bought an adapter to use MS76 type batteries. That solved the problem...otherwise use Zinc-Air batteries.

Truly a classic fixed lens rangefinder. Be careful about buying on line. Excellent photographic results. I have had mine over 20 years with no problems at all...With the new 800 speed color neg. films...have fun. I like it with Ilford XP-2. This lens tests out about as well as the Leitz 40mm Summicron that was made for the Leica CL. Now, if it just autofocused... .

Similar Products Used:

Minolta Hi-Matic

excellent, fast lens.
quality construction.
manual control of aperture/shutter if desired.
easy to find very cheap

uses hard to find mercury batteries.
no metering in manual mode.
care needed when buying online (old ones often have problems with light leaks etc.)

I was pleasantly surprised at the crispness and quality of the lens. It takes some outstandingly sharp photos, comparable or perhaps even better than many modern cameras. The camera is easy to use, and I like the way it can be handled manually, and the light meter (if using batteries) is still accurate to this day. Focusing is straightforward and accurate. It's also rugged and durable, and because of its cheap availability, I won't be too worried if it dies and I need another one!

Customer Service

not needed

Similar Products Used:

Yashica Electro 35G and Yashica Lynx

Incredible f1.7 lens - really!!!. Compact size. pro features. Full aperture and shutter speed control. Bulb mode.Manual mode can be used without batteries and a hand held meter. A great photography learning tool. Puts most of today's compacts to shame. More control and better pictures than my Rebel 2000.

requires mercury battery. A zinc air or aljaline substitute can be used. Not made anymore - why not, Canon?? Most canonets are at least 20 years old.Require new light seals - easy fix. Cheaper to buy another one on Ebay than to get one repaired

buy one on ebay for about $75.00 and you will be blown away. The best of the 70's rangefinders and a collectible. Grab one before the market price goes wayyy up - the Konica Hexar costs about $600.

Customer Service

None required.

Similar Products Used:

Stylus epic, Rebel 2000.