50 usd for a canonet ql 17 giii that needs light seals

[BryceEsquerre]

The seller states that the camera is perfect (lens , body, shutter, etc...) except for needing light seal replacements. He wants 50 for it (via craigslist) so I could go purchase it in person. This will be my first rangefinder. I can get a 10 dollar kit from Jon goodman and have a canonet in perfect condition . I've seen prices vary on these. Would this be a good deal?


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[Andrew Moxom]

get it.... They can go for well over $100 on Fee-bay.

 

[ColdEye]

Yes that is a nice price. Add $10 for the seals and a new leatherette if you want and you are set.

 

[Aristophanes]

I just did the light seals on mine and re-touched the black interior with model paint. It was relatively simple to do and turned out fantastic. I used the Goodman seals and the instructions were spot on.

Sounds like a good deal for an excellent RF.

 

[narsuitus]

Would this be a good deal?

Yes!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/11336821@N00/5227629588/

 

[John Koehrer]

When/if you check the camera, test it on manual shutter speeds and f stops. Many of these will sound as if they're working but the blades aren't actually making an exposure.
It won't work at all on auto without a good battery.

 

[Mark_S]

A few years ago, for Christmas, I got my wife a new Canon digital camera. On New Years Eve, in Maine, we went for a snowshoe hike in the woods behind our house, she brought her new camera, I brought a Canonet QL 17 and we both shot some images in the woods. Before we got back, my wifes camera stopped working. We sent it in for repair, and were told that it was not reparable, that it had moisture in it, and the cold had damaged it, they further insisted that no camera could be expected to survive such harsh conditions. My Canonet still works fine, and I don't think twice about putting it in my pocket in any weather that I can deal with. The Canonet will provide better quality images than any new camera costing 10X the price, and will still be working long after the new camera has gone to heaven.

 

[Al Patterson]

Nota bad deal...

I've paid more for one that needed light seals, so $50 to $60 total isn't bad for an excellent camera.

 

[BryceEsquerre]

i got a bessa r2a with a 50mm color skopar instead

 

[pinkarmy]

i got a bessa r2a with a 50mm color skopar instead

bessa r2a with a 50mm color skopar for the same 50usd you mean?:confused:

 

[spacer]

As far as digitals go, after buying a 60D, I keep the XSi around in case I'm going somewhere camera un-friendly.
That's also my Rebel X's job on the film side, though I've had my A2E out in a decent rain with no ill effects.

As for the OP, I picked up my QL17 for $25, with decent seals but with a sticky shutter and inop meter. I sent it out for a $138 (with postage)
CLA and I'm pretty happy with it now. If you can pick yours up for fifty, and all it needs is light seals, Woot!