Canonet QL17 Review - One Hour, One Roll

[@WillemVerb]

Dude this was one of the first cameras I ever shot. Super dope video and I’m excited to check out that new podcast.

[@bosmemet]

MY FAV KZbinR COMMENTING ON MY ANOTHER FAV KZbinR'S POST :)

[@mutiarapasha8630]

This is unexpected

[@Handy75]

Just learned the other day...in aperture priority, if you half press the shutter button it will lock in the exposure. Super helpful for those mixed lighting conditions.

[@grainydaysss]

That skeleton photo is amazing! I'll keep an eye out for the podcast

[@Jcthered]

Fancy seeing you here 😎

[@michael007ish]

This camera is so solid and really addictive to use. Such a great camera. Bought mine used for a steal about 10 years ago. It's never let me down.

[@HaydenCornelius]

I use the QL17 as my main shooter and love it!

[@mikewhiles4635]

Good review of a nice camera, a few points - on auto its possible to lock the exposure by half pressure on the shutter release, second the shutter release has a lot of travel so its good to have a shutter button screwed in and finally the range patch isn't a patch on a real Leica but it gets the job done. 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@andrews458]

I've owned a couple of these and they look amazing and the lens is really, really great, but the fact that 80% of comments here are "I have one but it's broken" or "just had it repaired", etc. does not surprise me. These things just seem like they were not built with the idea that anyone would be shooting them in 2019, but when you do manage to find one that works perfectly, it's great. The black ones cost a lot more but look so, so good.

[@atroche1978]

I just picked one up on eBay 2 weeks ago. Everything works great except for the lightmeter. The battery lead is extremely brittle.

[@weiyang6417]

Getting this camera repaired and I'm excited to try it out when it's fixed. It belonged to my father. Another camera he owned was a AE1. That thing is built like a tank and still works 30+ years later!

[@atroche1978]

One thing to mention when shooting color negative film with this camera is to use a lens hood. Especially when the sun is anywhere within 180° range of the front of the lens. If not you'll get some red flaring in your images. Obviously not so noticeable with b&w film, but nevertheless, it's still there. Never had the issue with the sun behind me though.

[@alex.shutters]

Interesting! I just picked one up yesterday but decided to take the hood off pretty quickly - I was finding it hard to turn the aperture ring with it on and it also was getting in the way looking through the viewfinder.

[@jeanguillaume4589]

@@alex.shuttersresults? Lens flare? Let me know. Super curious about that guys comment

[@markrestua1276]

Ive owned this camera for 2 years. I like the build and feels solid, but I find the lens to be soft between 1.7-2.8, beyond that its sharp.

[@thedondeluxe6941]

I used to have one of those. The lens a great! I sold it because I kept going for my Minolta 7S (highly underrated!), but I miss the QL17's pocketable size. Great little camera!

[@tandscarlson]

I remember using our family Canonet when I was 12 years old and our family moved to Japan for 7 months in 1971. Loved it.

[@pritush]

Above 5.6 f it’s more sharper and contrasty than my 35mm summicron, my first n definitely keeper for a long time . I’d have to say I bought it and started shooting film once I saw Matts podcast. Much appreciations 🙏

[@phoslurperr]

You can and apparently should in your case, adjust the parrallex (vertical and horizonta)l by turning screws under the cover under the hot-shoe and under the hot-shoe itself. Not sure if there is a trick for making sure you have it correct other than trial and error. Good luck!

[@thegreatvanziniphotos5976]

Loved mine. Still have it.

[@iampistolpete]

i just got mine refurbished happy to get it back soon!

[@atroche1978]

Can I ask where'd you take it to? Local place said they won't fix mine.

[@trsc32]

Short and simple. Nice I had a few of the QL17’s a couple years ago. I really wish I didn’t sell my black version...but I have a Leica now, so it makes up for it

[@BradleyJokerst]

Just found one of these today at the local antique mall for $15. Needs new seals and the viewfinder is a little dirty. But the glass looks good. Excited to see if I found a diamond in the rough.

[@andrewfrost8866]

I love mine. Wish I'd bought it years ago!

[@Artix902]

I bought this in Japan on a whim cus I had a Polaroid Spectra and a Sony A37. Didn't even know how lucky I got cus I knew nothing about rangefinders, just that I didn't want to lug around 5 lenses to shoot. I love this camera!

[@ColinBloodworth]

The meter in mine has been shot for a while, but that's not a big deal. I need to have it serviced and this was a good reminder. You're right about the parallax issue. It takes a few rolls to get used to. Great video dude.

[@randallstewart175]

Back in the 1970s, my college roommate had this camera. I looked at it; I looked at my Nikkormat; I went "Pooh; Pooh" and wrote it off. About 15 years ago, as everyone was rushing to 8 meg digital, I picked up a minty one for $15. The lens is as good as the one in the Olympus RD, and together, they may mount the best fixed 40mm 1.7 lenses ever made. If you have a work-around for the missing 1.35 volt mercury battery required (and the meter works), it is the functional equal of nearly any manual focus, auto exposure 35mm camera out there today. Unhappily for those seeking one, these cameras in very good condition can run north of $200 today. After I finish adapting the meter, mine will replace my Rollei 35SE as my casual, walking around camera.

[@s.k.arthur6990]

camera's original battery(mercury, no longer sold) is 1.35volts You can buy 1.4volt button batteries. replace with - PX625 battery

[@CraigPrentisPhoto]

Great timing for me, Matt, as I bought this exact set up in a charity shop for £5 yesterday. I’ve replaced the light seals as they were shot and have stuck a short test roll of HP5 through to check it. Good to see your review and I may do one myself now.

[@germanboy5392]

I bought this camera when it was new....I was 12 years old. Worked my way up to a Pentax MX....

[@snakeriverscotto]

I love my QL17. It’s compact and capable!

[@ctrivin]

This was my very first film camera!!! I loved while it worked. Awesome video as always 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@adrianlong6701]

I’ve got a Yashica that’s pretty much comparable to this & I enjoy shooting that a lot. I can’t afford a Leica right now, so my Yashica is an affordable way of shooting a rangefinder. Great video

[@roadtowealth6057]

This is my first 35mm , and I am still learning photography in general. What do you mean by sunny 16 ? . Also thanks for this video it helped alot

[@jeanguillaume4589]

How’s the journey been?

[@minoanlight4545]

So, film is back? Good, welcome back, we truly missed you. :)

[@Jcthered]

Seems like a great little camera. Thanks for the highlight.

[@alex_srsc]

Man, I don't know if it was the 1h challenge, but you hardly missed on that roll. Fantastic stuff.

[@paulgreen6903]

At time frame...3:45....that s a real good 4X5 ( film ) shot. Ever thing in it , is proper. That would look good in an 8x10 print, matted white, with an glossy black 11x14 metal frame....Same with time frame....4:15.....NICE.

[@iComplainer]

i have this camera but haven’t shoot in it yet. bought it about 15yrs ago… i uhh should get around to it one day

[@cind9333]

i found this camera in my grandpa's drawer. he already passed away and so i asked my dad if i could have a use at it. Its rusty and dusty with a few stuck parts like the advance lever it wont close. looking at thid camera gives me such a nostalgic feel i might clean it and load in a film if some parts are fixed

[@jazazrielpamaran9092]

lezot.com/canon-canonet-repair-service/ There's a shop that will fully restore it to factory conditions for $150. My first film camera was a QL17. I think I'll be restoring it next week.

[@cind9333]

@@jazazrielpamaran9092 wowe thank you

[@DaveWilkinson5]

Great video Matt, I've got a Canonet Ql17 because I can't afford a M6. But I love this little camera and HP5.

[@OperationBlueprint]

Thanks Matt great timing. I've been looking at buying one of these!

[@heatherweather367]

i just got this camera, i'm now looking forward to shooting more with it

[@jeneva]

I just got one of these and I'm looking forward to camping and taking some good shots. What do you recommend I have my settings at for cloudy partly sunny? :)

[@ishbelDunsmore]

I don't have this camera, but I'm sure you could meter using the sunny 16 method, so you'd probably set it to f11 if slightly cloudy, shutter at the film box speed (e.g. 200 iso = 250 shutter speed). Again, don't have this camera but maybe this might help?

[@JakeBorchenko]

Great little video Matt!

[@cymbaline87]

You should really check out the Olympus 35 SP....beautiful camera with an exquisite lens.

[@bigal2643]

4:30 my fave photo.

[@Bikeshredder]

Hello. Some users note's, that using movie film (like Kodak Vision, or Fujifilm Eterna) in this camera leads to a breakdown of the film transportation mechanism. Do you have a similar experience or what do you think about it?

[@scenicedge]

I used to sell these in the 1970''s (which dates me). Was, and is, a great rangefinder film camera! Where else can you get an f1.7 in a rangefinder with a big name manufacturer for a reasonable price? Thanks for reviewing.

[@gothampops]

Great video Matt. It’s a fun camera.

[@michaelpetersenfilm]

Hi Matt, I thought this model is parrallax corrected so I would expect the frame lines to move when focusing and then to be quite accurate?!

[@adamk3591]

just picked one of these up for 25 bucks so stoked to shoot with it.

[@VivaLaFilm]

Love this new format of video! Awesome little review :) I got one my self and I did find the composition to be not very accurate and specially the focusing patch on mine it’s so faded it made it really hard to focus! so, I only put one roll trough it.

[@michaelbway]

You’d mentioned sunny 16 in this review, but for the life of me, I wouldn’t know how to begin shooting indoors without a meter like you did in the coffee shop. I saw big windows spilling in light but I would probably not shoot if it were up to me. Too scared I guess. You have any tips for shooting indoors without a meter?

[@chrissotelo489]

Mike Way I was thinking the same way!

[@seansims2475]

Looks pretty comparable to the Olympus 35 RC. Any thoughts on how they compare?

[@md-lc8gq]

35RC cons: Tessar design lens with 2.8 aperture. Pros: Smaller, shows both aperture and shutter speed in the vf

[@TwangThang57]

I own both. I find the ergonomics and viewfinder much better on the Canonet. The Canonet is much more intuitive in my hands. No need to tell you which one I grab first.

[@BlueMontanna]

I found my grandpas old one. Where did you find film and get it developed. Would love to start using mine.

[@Elimnio]

those photos are really stunning! The nice tones and saturation are coming from the film that was used or from your development?

[@addictedgamerschannel4800]

Hi loved the video. What battery should I get for the camera

[@samuelhatch5882]

I have one of these that my dad passed on to me. It sits on a shelf with a seized up shutter. :( I need to find a repair shop!

[@alexbonarski1512]

You can find a Canonet repair service on Etsy

[@samuelhatch5882]

@@alexbonarski1512Hey thanks for the advice! I'm gonna send it out tomorrow for repair.

[@JP1050x]

QL17’s are fun cameras to shoot. They have sharp lenses that are ideal for black & white film. Definitely, not in the same class as a Leica camera.... I’m not sure what makes a lot of folks think otherwise.

[@PasqualeEttorre]

looks like it's a really cool camera and you can have fun even if it's fully mechanical

[@vedostuu]

Nicely done! limitations are for good!

[@srad.]

loooove these shots

[@vvvody]

Thank you for this review!!!

[@kevinmarcus625]

Hey, Matt if you had to choose between this camera or a Canon P which one would you choose?

[@foundry37]

I live your channel dude. I have a QL17 that I really want to get CLA. Any recommendations for reliable repairs in Ohio/Pa area?

[@TreyPiepmeier]

I love my QL17 G-III, but I've just about retired it because its frame spacing is so inconsistent. I get lots of slightly overlapping frames. It does this even after getting a CLA, so I don't know what else to do about it.

[@cinnabark]

Great video! Kinda curious with your ilford hp5 street photography, what speed do you go to when you use the b&w film and is there any tips in shooting the canonet with ilford film? Many thanks!

[@NBartrina]

Great camera. I have one. Good, good pictures I take. Good video , as always.

[@Mike_cuomo]

short and sweet video matt, i need to pick one of these up. but they always go for way too much, know any other alternatives that have just a normal light meter? i already have a yashica electro 35 but i want something small like this!

[@khuongdb]

Fantastic review man. I've purchase my Canon 3 days ago, cant wait to get my hand on this. Anyway, I cant find your podcast on Spotify, will you consider putting it on there .

[@SunburntPrints]

Great images with the theme of lines. Tempting to dust off my own ql17!

[@javiermulo1328]

What battery model does the camera use?

[@wcwendychapman]

Hi Matt, Thanks for the quick review. I just purchased this camera for travel. How would I shoot 3200 speed film with it? I might like to have it for a trip to NYC in September but am not sure how to compensate for the limits on ASA. I was thinking of using Delta at ASA 1600 or even 1000. Thanks for your response.

[@kabelchaos3398]

So the podcast is not on Spotify?

[@johnnysnaps7882]

I like that podcast name pretty cool concept and play on words

[@TheGodlypig]

I have a canonet 28 but i find that recently the focusing mechanism has been difficult to use, is this a unique problem to me, and will practice make using the mechanism easier?

[@SteveBrokaw]

Matt, nice review ... thanks

[@ericthestone]

Hey Matt, how do you frame your shot with the Canonet? I got the QL19, since the frame line isn't a complete rectangular, how do you know where the frame ends on the right hand side "where the light meter bar displaying the aperture"? Hope you understand what I mean.

[@AI-Hallucination]

Looking for one.

[@beaupfeifferrecordings]

top shots matt sleek little camera

[@lionelkzhe]

Hey Matt. How did you compensate/adjust the canonet's shutter priority mode to expose properly with normal LR44 batteries? As far as I know the camera used the 1.35v mercury batteries which are discontinued.

[@bhop0073]

I can't speak for Matt, but I used Wein Cell 625 batteries in mine. It's 1.35v zinc-air. Never had an issue other than it not lasting as long as regular batteries.

[@smalltalk.productions9977]

great camera. a question for those who know more than me: without an accurate meter and relying on the sunny 16 rule, is there then any chance of taking advantage of the f1.7 glass and create images with a shallow depth of field? thanks for the effort and the sharing. thumbs up.

[@randallstewart175]

If the "Sunny 16 Rule" were as easy and accurate as this and other videos imply, few meters would be needed or sold. Actually, unless adapted to your location, climate, and time of year, "sunny 16" can be widely inaccurate. As for your question, the Rule merely states that in a full sun lighting, the correct exposure is the film speed reciprocal at f 16. (If film speed is ISO 400, then 1/400 @ 16.) Once that exposure is determined based on actual lighting conditions, then any equivalent exposure can be derived. Ex.: 1/100 (ISO 100) @16 = 1/400 @ 8. to use aperture at 1.7, you'd use very slow film in dimmer lighting. Buy a meter.

[@gregoryh8313]

Hey! Nice vid. I was gifted the same camera but it needs a serious overhaul. Lens is foggy. Do you know where, possibly around Chicago to get it repaired? Thanks

[@jakeb4597]

Gregory H Have you heard of Central Camera? They do repairs. I get my film from there

[@sgasis319]

I have got one recently, what is the safest setting to get a get a good exposure. There is a battery compartment but what type of battery is to use? Please help!🙏

[@BaldrikRock]

Hi! I think that if you use the "sunny 16" rule you will have a pretty decent exposure! The battery is a PX625, but they are no longer manufactured. The px625A exists as a substitute, but you have to be careful because it has a slightly different voltage, and that makes the exposure meter offer a slightly different measurement than the real one. In that case, you have to shoot a roll to see and correct the exposure!

[@joanmichel]

just got this camera fixed today. ahh small world.

[@atroche1978]

May I ask where you got it fixed? I need my battery terminals rewired. Thanks.

[@joanmichel]

Bert T. Lezot in Vermont

[@wessamhamadneh9877]

Really Solid Camera...amazing !!!

[@samueljamespillar]

My favourite camera.

[@eraserone1]

what song is playing in the background tho

[@adamhymel2386]

The mannequin shot was dope!!

[@Noname304y2u2]

I use mine all the time, great cheap camera!

[@dirtywater5336]

Does this camera take a weird battery that's not made anymore? If so, is there an equivalent?

[@Aephylis]

Dirty Water Yep there is, I use a Wein Cell PX625 1.35V battery in mine that pretty much perfectly replicates the original mercury.

[@ricardomdzar]

Battery replacement?

[@Meza707BoundedCC]

What’s a good price to pay for one?

[@graham_white]

Meza707BoundedCC the giii is hard to find under 100 in good shape. But if you don’t mind just the QL (or even the 2.8 version) you can get them for half that. I Picked up a 2.8 for $10 at a thrift store but the 1.7 is much preferred obviously.

[@ruffprophetproductions]

dslr scans?

[@eldelchristianto]

dude, what size of the batteries? i found my grand dad canonet lol

[@RunningDigger]

man I do have a question. I have a ql17 and mine won't change the metering whenever you change the ISO settings. Did you have this problem while using your friend's?

[@XavierAncarno]

Did you check the battery connection. I own the Ql17 and Ql19 and the battery post are cursed with corrosion . If you notice oxidation take some steel wool and white vinegar.

[@KevinEscobarCo]

You have really nice hands! Such a breath of fresh air. All these other reviews show people with badly bitten nails or dusty, crusty hands. SUBSCRIBED!

[@yasha8951]

Very well exposed shots!

[@zulufoxphoto3822]

I have been shooting off and on with my QL17. I have tried to like it. I just can't ever get into a flow where the pictures just work. It's a capable camera, it just doesn't work in my style of shooting.

[@jonlouis2582]

Same here, spent a small fortune getting mine repaired, and I hate it.

[@karlbailey2113]

skip to 0:50 for the review

[@filmerdennis]

Lens is soft in my experience, and RF patch is tiny with no contrast. Cool camera, but not for everyone.

[@bhop0073]

RF patch isn't much smaller than something like a Leica, it just doesn't have as crisp of an edge so it might not seem as big. The contrast varies depending on the camera. I've had a few of these over the years and some of the patches were nice, while others were barely useable. Also the sharpness of the lens has also varied between each. Maybe you just had a bad copy? I will agree it's not for everyone though.

[@Lastman737]

Nice video! 📷

[@Dre_On_Film]

New Heat!

[@PeterKirkeskovRasmussen]

If you liked the QL17 you should really try out the QL25! The QL25is much better built and the viewfinder/rangefinder is much better, IMO. :)

[@jlwilliams]

Never understood all the love for these over the very similar Konica Auto S3, Olympus 35RD, Minolta Hi-Matic 7S2 etc. They all have non-interchangeable but reasonably sharp semi-wide-angle lenses, mediocre rangefinders, slightly tinny build quality and painfully unevolved metering systems. Any of them were capable of taking decent pictures, but it's hard to find one now that hasn't suffered from years of neglect and/or no-longer-available mercury batteries. (One plus for the Minolta is that it uses still-obtainable S76es.) Yes, they're quirky fun to use, but in all honesty your phone will take better pictures than any of them.