[EXPIRED] WTB Canon(et) QL17 working

Great little camera - the Canon 40/1.7 lens reminds me of the Panny 20/1.7. I owned two of the little Canons over the years. The first one I sold but I do not remember what happened to the second.

 

You might want to look over on RFF if you don't find it here.

 

I have a bunch of those fixed lens RF cameras. Fun stuff. They come in two basic types. There are larger bodies ones like the Konica Auto S2 (about the size of an SLR) and the smaller ones like the Canonet. The QL17 is a nice little RF. One of my favorites is the Konica Auto S3 with an insanely sharp 38/1.7 lens. Fans compare it to the 40mm Summicron C. I wouldn't go that far but it is really nice. Another terrific camera is the Olympus 35RC with a sharp and contrasty 42/2.8. Try looking at Cameraquest, Stephen Gandy has put together some great information about the smaller fixed lens RF cameras here.

Camerquest focuses mainly on the compact RF cameras you can also get into the larger bodied ones which are often cheaper have wonderful optics and for some folks (me included) are easier to handle. I would suggest looking at cameras like...

Konica Auto S2
Konica Auto S1.4
Konica Auto S
Minolta Hi-Matic 7S
Minolta Hi-Matic 9
Canonet Q17 (larger cousin to the QL17)
Yashica Electro 35 GS and GSN

Kevin

 

Tripped over one on eBay:

Canon G-III Canonet QL17 Rangefinder W/40mm f/1.7 lens - eBay (item 260681636111 end time Oct-27-10 08:38:27 PDT)

 

wow... i got mine for $80 i think. battery door flakey though. I'd shoot more with it, but most of my developer is now pretty old, heh. Though, the focusing patch sorta sucks. Not sure if it's the way the camera is or just old... but my friend's ZI is worlds better.

 

In the past few years the Canonet Q17 GL's seem to be going for more then they are probably worth (with the all black ones going for insane prices due to rarity). They are great little cameras but there are a lot of great little RF cameras from that period. If you are set on a Canon the the larger bodied Canonet Q17 or Canonet S is IMHO as good (or better) a camera and can probably be found for less.

For the money the Hi-Matic 7S and the Hi-Mastic 9 deliver a lot of bang for the buck. You can find one in good shape for around $50. I like the Olympus RD quite a lot. It has shutter problems so good ones tend to be pricey.

 

Found one on RFF

Rangefinderforum Photo Equipment Classifieds - Canon 50mm 1.8 ltm and GIII QL17 - Powered by PhotoPost Classifieds

Saw this one earlier today. I have a Minolta 7SII myself and love it.