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What Can You Do With a Canonet QL-17?

Canon launched the Canonet QL17 rangefinder camera in March 1965. This compact 35 mm lens shutter camera is small enough to fit in a coat pocket. The QL17, sometimes known as the "Poor man's Leica," offers an economical alternative to higher priced rangefinders. The initials ̶0;QL̶1; refer to ̶0;quick loading.̶1;

Quick Film Loading
- The Canonet loads with 35 mm film for a 24 x 36 mm negative size. An advantage of this model is the quick loading of film without winding the film leader around the take-up spool. Gently pulling the film leader across the opened back to the alignment mark and closing the camera cover advances the film.
Automatic and Manual Settings
- The QL17 has an autoexposure system with shutter priority. The PX625 mercury battery, no longer available in the United States, powers the autoexposure system. Canon̵7;s ̶0;Electric Eye̶1; works with the shutter speed, film speed and aperture for automatic exposure. Releasing the aperture ring from the ̶0;A̶1; positions allows manual adjustment of the aperture to any setting from f/1.7 to f/16. Canonet users can still operate the camera with manual settings that require no battery power to activate the mechanical shutter.
Lens
- The Canonet produces wide-angle images with its one standard lens. The Canonet QL17 has no interchangeable lenses. The Canon SE 45 mm f/1.7 lens contains six elements in five groups. This lens features a low profile with tightly spaced rings that adjust the settings. The shutter speed adjusts as a dial on the lens. Shutter speeds range from one-quarter to 1/500 second.
Viewfinder
- The QL17 features a bright-line type viewfinder with a parallax correction mark. Canonet users see an exposure indicator that warns of underexposed or overexposed images. Users also see a double image that unites as one crisp image when the focus lever adjusts the lens elements.
Available Light Photography
- Film speed ranges from ISO 25 to 400, suitable for bright to low lighting conditions. The ̶0;Bulb̶1; setting allows long exposures, such as for night scenes. A cable release and tripod minimize camera shake. Changing the aperture setting from ̶0;A̶1; manually sets the aperture at any f/stop required for this exposure. The ̶0;B̶1; for ̶0;bulb̶1; setting is on the shutter speed ring and sets with the help of the bulb setting lever.
Flash Photography
- Cordless flash photography is possible with the optional Canolite D flash unit. This unit powers with two 1.5 volt alkaline batteries. The Canonet includes flash synchronization with adjustable speeds up to 1/500 second. The automatic flash control circuit sets the correct aperture to the shooting distance.

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