Canonet 28 Question

[Lruw]

I was able to find a used Canonet 28 for $5. I bought it on a whim. I was curious to know if you can use it without the battery. I get the shutter to fire when I manually set the aperture and film speed. "A," the electro eye setting, obviously doesn't work. Does anybody know if I could get decent exposures using the manual controls alone? I see differences in aperture size as I move the stops down, but the shutter speeds seem the same regardless of film speed setting.

I checked a couple of other websites first, but got mixed answers. The manual pdf didn't mention these specifically. The only clue I could find was that the film speed lever was in sync with the electro eye setting.

Thanks for the help.

 

[r-brian]

If my memory serves me correctly, the 'manual' mode is for flash only. The shutter fires at one speed, something like 1/40 sec. The aperture is set according to the flash. If you can live with just one slow shutter speed, then you may be able to use it. The Canonet 28 is basically a P/S camera, set it on A and fire away. I had one for a while (and presently have a Petri Computar 35 which is almost identical) but sold it because of the lack of controls. Here is link to the owners manual: http://www.butkus.org/chinon/canon/canon_canonet_28/canon_canonet_28.htm

 

[Lruw]

Yeah, I was hoping for more control. At least it was only $5. I wanted something I could carry easily.

I turned up one source that said manual shutter ran at about 1/30 which should be fine for 100-400 depending on aperture.

 

[filmamigo]

Yup, one speed (1/30) when the aperture is set manually. Which is REALLY too bad, because the shutter can flash sync at any speed.

The automatic exposure in mine is amazingly accurate, and the lens is great. I also love the 40mm focal length. So -- even with it's limitations, I have a hard time giving mine up.

 

[McFortner]

I've managed to use a 357 button battery in mine, but because it is a higher voltage the photos are a little over exposed. I guess I'll have to dial it down a stop and see how that works. Other than that, it's a good camera and I'm jealous of the $5 price you paid!

Michael

 

[EdColorado]

the 28 just uses the old 625 mercury cell so you can use dirt cheap hearing aid batteries in it. You just need an O-ring around the outside to increase the hearing aid battery's diameter. These batteries are the proper voltage Michael so your meter will be fine. They don't last long once you put them in the camera but for the price its not a big deal.