Canonet QL17 - At Last!!

aoresteen · 06-26-2012

I have finally gotten my abused Canonet QL17 back from repair after a 15 month wait. It had lots of interior water damage and a bad meter. I got it off eBay and of couse the seller had no idea that there was water damage. I can't recall exactly what I paid for it but it was in the $85 range.

While it was away being worked on I tracked down the scarce Canonet Hood 5 for it.

So I try to figure it out and nothing works. After puzzeling over it for 20 minutes I discover that there is no battery in it! So I have to order a new 625 alkaline battery (1.5v) for it (the meter was calibrated for a 1.5v battery). So it will be a few more days before I can run some film throught it.

It's a sold hefty camera. It's not a GIII but the earlier QL17. I hope the lens is as good as the reviews say.

Contarama · 06-26-2012

I regret giving mine away. The lens is fantastic with the right film. It will work without the battery. Check out Butkus for the manual...

visionlog · 06-26-2012

Well, I love mine! It's a bummer that you paid 85 for one in such poor condition but at least it's okay now. Shame on that seller, though. Hopefully the repair people got it right and you'll get to enjoy years of service.

Dwig · 06-26-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by aoresteen

I... It's not a GIII but the earlier QL17. I hope the lens is as good as the reviews say.

Although it doesn't seem to have been ever officially termed a G-anything, it is almost a G-III or perhaps a "early version G-III". The original generations were on a much larger, heavier chassis. I've owned one of these and a couple of "true" G-IIIs and expect you'll enjoy this one.

This one is a match to the "true" G-III (same body, lens, shutter) with only a few small differences. There is some difference in the meter, though the only external evidence is the battery check. Also there is no safety switch on the PC terminal. If a high voltage, old style electronic flash is connected via a PC cord the voltage is present at the hot shoe contacts. I nose or finger brushing the hot shoe under such conditions will be very uncomfortable. Modern flashes use low voltage sync circuits and with them it's not an issue.

venchka · 06-26-2012

I was given a GIII in need of new seals and a CLA. $100 and change later it was working. I ran a roll of film through it. Sold it for $65. I guess I'm too picky.
Enjoy.

Wayne

ebolton · 06-26-2012

Hmmm, it should work fine without a battery, except for the meter. Be sure it fires on the manual aperature settings.

-Ed

aoresteen · 06-26-2012

Thanks all. I was trying to check the meter that is why I said it wasn't working. It does work on manual.

I just may run some film through it using my hand held meter.

David Murphy · 06-26-2012

I'd like to know who takes 15 months to repair a QL-17 - so I can avoid them! I've had more than one repaired in less than a week.

gb hill · 06-26-2012

Living in Orlando you shouldn't have to order one. It's a common battery. Radio Shack & Batteries Plus has them.

btgc · 06-26-2012

I've never seen this hood before....Sigma DP2 have of similar shape, without cutout.

farlymac · 06-27-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Murphy

I'd like to know who takes 15 months to repair a QL-17 - so I can avoid them! I've had more than one repaired in less than a week.

With as much water damage as the camera had, it probably took a while for the guy to track down all the parts to fix it. Which means buying another one to strip out, but not paying too much for it so that there is no profit in it. This is an earlier version of the G III, so there weren't as many made, and the internals are somewhat different.

PF

lam · 06-27-2012

Great camera,

I've picked up a few of these and all were great fun to use.
Esp. in black!

Mr_Flibble · 06-28-2012

I was given a GIII in the last X-mas give-away. It was missing a couple of screws, aperture blades were stuck.
Only thing I couldn't fix (yet) was the meter, but the camera worked fine in manual mode. Great lens too.

I'm sure the QL-17 will bring you plenty of joy now that it's in working order!

sanename · 06-28-2012

I'm going to have a play with one that I found in my grandfather's closet this weekend.

What film would you suggest to have a go with?

Frontman · 07-01-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by btgc

I've never seen this hood before....Sigma DP2 have of similar shape, without cutout.

Canon made two hoods of this type, the Canonet hood #4 and the #5. These hoods are hard to find, and often cost more than a good Canonet. The hood can be reversed and mounted on the lens for storage.

Frontman · 07-01-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by aoresteen

Thanks all. I was trying to check the meter that is why I said it wasn't working. It does work on manual.

I just may run some film through it using my hand held meter.

Remember that the meter will only work when the aperture is set to A. The QL17 is a shutter priority camera when used in Auto mode, and the shutter will not fire if the light is too bright or too dim for the selected shutter speed.