Canonet GIII
QL17不但具备完善的全机械手动曝光功能，并且提供了那个年代旁轴相机前所未有过的自动化性能，体现着佳能一贯追求的尽可能提高拍摄速度和拍摄成功率的设计思路。完全可以从Canonet
GIII
QL17上感受到佳能当年在相机自动化上所作出的种种尝试和努力，这也符合1970年代的摄影科技潮流，那就是不断向着电子化、自动化迈进。
QL17虽然不是什么名贵的机器，不过也可称得上是一代名机。40MM定焦镜头，F1.7大光圈，在弱光下也能够小许随心所欲。由于经典的外形，全机械手动操作，不需要任何电力也能操作，可以作为极限条件下的备用机。定焦不可更换镜头加上全手动操作。可以练习一下摄影的基本功。一直打算收藏一台，这次在香港终于淘到一部成色让自己很满意的。标价一千多，同样的徕卡至少六千多，拍出好照片说不准是相机好还是技术好，所以还是选择了这部平民徕卡。
外型上面来说也是充满了70年代的风格，方方正正，全金属机身。那个年代所产生的东西是我最喜欢的，从相机到各种仪器工具。80后的人所拥有的都是电子和塑料充斥的东西，金属时代的1970，是最精致最值得珍藏的年代。而我手上拥有的这一台是QL17的第三代，产地是台湾，第一代是日本制造但是由于体型比较大而且偏重，所以排除在我的选择范围内。
佳能 CANON QL17 主要特点：
全金属结构、做工精细，刻字美观
特有佳能QL (Quick Loading, 快速装片) 系统
6片4组双高斯结构镜头，CANON 40mmF1.7
光圈：F1.7—F16无级调节, 快门：1/4秒—1/500秒＋B门
电力检测、安全装片指示、快门上弦指示
感光度调整范围：ISO25--800
测光联动范围：EV3.5-EV17
滤镜口径：48mm
对于胶片旁轴，徕卡一直是多数人的终极目标。不过现在对我来说是太过奢侈了，毕竟只是偶尔把玩。这只Canon Canonet QL17
GIII最可爱的原因一是小巧，二是有测光（虽然需要的1.35伏625型电池现在已经很难买到），三是有速度优先，成像嘛，今天冲出在香港试拍的胶片效果超出我的期望值，根本看不出是这么一个古董相机拍出来的片子，维多利亚港夜景照片颗粒细腻，扫街图片、人像特写、自拍都无可挑剔，色彩和解像力都可以接受。只是个别照片由于拍惯了EOS自动相机忘了对焦还有一两张光圈快门忘了调整曝光有点不准，36张的卷出片26张，已经很知足了。
QL17
GIII拿在手上总体感觉是“艺术品一件”，1972年开始生产的机器，有先进的快装系统QL（quick
load的简称），先别说拍片，拿在手上就喜欢它了，觉得可玩性极强。在数码时代高速量产图片的进程中，不时把玩一下，也好调整一下心态，多一些思考的时间。
Canonet G-III 17
Quality Compact 35 Rangefinder
1972
Though probably the best selling fast lensed
compact 35 RF,
today the G-III 17 mostly goes un-noticed and unwanted at camera
shows.
Yet,
the G-III 17 has many features which
current production cameras in its price range don't have: a sharp
fast 40/1.7 lens, user selectable rangefinder focusing, and flash
sync at all speeds.
It is one of the nicest of the
'70s compact Rangefinder genre.
The G-III belongs in the elite small group of compact 35
Rangefinders with faster than f/2 lenses, combined with automatic
exposure with manual over-ride.
It competes with the Leica
CL, at far less cost. In size the G-III 17 is comparable to the
Leica CL, but of course without interchangeable lenses.
Its specifications are pretty nifty for its
genre.
So nifty in fact, the G-III
became a best
seller
with over 1.2 MILLION SOLD from 1972 to 1982 per the
Canon web site.
This probably makes the G-III the best
selling 35mm
rangefinder with built in meter OF ALL TIME.
The Canon web site goes on to explain that the 'G'
stood for 'grade up' in quality improvement, and the 'III' for the
third of the Canonet series.
A similar, less
expensive, and harder to find Canonet G-III 19 was also made with a
5 element 45/f/1.9 lens.
The Plus Side
40/1.7 focusing to 2.6 feet, sophisticated design with six element
in four optical groups, and rare earth glasses
Nice .6x Rangefinder/Viewfinder with Parallax compensating
frameline, something very rare in compact RF 35's.
This is one of the few small 35 RF's with parallax compensating
framelines.
Hot Shoe
Battery test: press the button on the back, if it lights, the
battery is OK
Shutter priority Automatic Exposure with lock beyond its
limits
The AE chosen f/stops are shown in the finder
1/4 to 1/500th leaf shutter, with flash sync at all speeds
B is accessible by depressing the large chrome lever on the
focusing lever side of the lens
Self Timer is activated by first advancing the camera, then moving
the small chrome lever on the focusing side of the lens upward,
then releasing the shutter release
Meter EV range 3.5 to 17 at ASA 100
Manual over-ride, alas with no metering.
Very smooth, comfortable, large advance lever
Large, easy to grip rewind lever
AE exposure lock, just depress the shutter release slightly
Quick 45 degree lens focusing action
Canon fast 'QL' Quick Loading film feature, very advanced for its
time.
Correct film loading window:
If the red bars in the window
below the lever advance move, you have the camera loaded properly.
However, a rotating film rewind lever as you advance the
film tells you the same thing
PC connection with protective plastic cover.
CDS cell on the filter ring, so filters will automatically be
compensated.
Threaded cable release in shutter button.
With its Canolite D flash, flash operation becomes automatic when
the camera is set on 'A' because the f/stop changes with the
focused distance.
This mechanical system can be superior to
electronic systems, since it can't be fooled by subject
reflectance.
The same idea was used on the GN 45/2.8 Nikkor
and the Topcon 50mm GN lenses.
Remember you don't
have to have the Canolite flash to use the GN feature.
Just
adjust you super duper SLR flash to a manual setting on 1/32th
power (or whatever) to equal the Canolite's output.
Use the Guide number Flash control IF you don't have a Canolite D
Flash. .
Set by the Guide numbers in METERS at ASA 100 on
the far right of the lens scale (28, 20, 14) for camera controlled
flash and manual flash units.
Please note it is
possible to select a fixed flash output to match the above guide
numbers with many different flash units.
This mechanical system can be superior to electronic systems, since
it can't be fooled by subject reflectance.
Another Flash Method is to set the f/stop & shutter speed of
your choice, and then simply adjust your auto exposure flash to
that f/stop.
Note this is NOT for TTL flash operation.
This method uses the flash sensor ON the flash (for flash
units so equipped).
If you have a flash for your
SLR, it may have this capability.
The battery off switch is effectively the lens cap, or a camera
bag.
With the metering cell in on the filter ring, a lens
cap means no light to the metering cell, which means no current
flow through the metering
