- Canonet G-III QL17
Infobox camera
camera_name = Canonet G-III QL17
type =35 mm rangefinder camera
lens_mount = integrated
focus = Coupled rangefinder with parallax compensation, 0.6x magnification
exposure =shutter priority autoexposure
flash = External hot-shoe, PC connector
frame-rate =
dimensions = 120 x 75 x 60 mm, 620 gThe Canonet G-III QL17 is a coupled-rangefinder, leaf-shuttered, fixed focal length 35mm camera first manufactured by Canon in 1972. It features fully shutter-priority automatic exposure and fully manual shooting modes.
The Canonet G-III is the third generation of "Canonet", following the original Canonet and the New Canonet.
The G-III features a 40mm f/ 1.7 with 6 elements in 4 groups. The integrated lightmeter provides shutter priority and manual modes. The sensor is located on the forward part of the lense, which allows use of filters without manual compensation of exposure. The Canonet can use standard flashes, or the Canonlite D which was custom-designed for the Canonet.
Lightmeter
The lightmeter uses a PX625 mercury battery, which is now discontinued. The alkaline version can be used, but the different electric tension, different discharge curve, and absence of electronic compensation circuit, induce a defective exposure metering, between a 1.5-f-stop at the beginning of the life of the alkaline battery, and a 1.5-f-stop underexposure and the end.
Furthermore, the mercury battery has a life-span of several years, compared to a few months for the alkaline battery. These defective measures are tolerable with negative colour or black-and-white films, but are more noticeable with Slide films.
Many users will use a 1.4V hearing aid Battery or adapters featuring Schottky diodes allow use of SR-44 battery with better results. A Zinc-air battery can also be used reliably.
External links
* [http://www.photoethnography.com/ClassicCameras/CanonCanonetGIIIQL17.html Canon Canonet GIII QL17] by Karen Nakamura
* [http://www.flickr.com/groups/ql17 Canon Canonet G-lll QL17 group at flickr]
* [http://ludens.cl/Electron/mercreg/mercreg.html On finding substitutes for mercury batteries]
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