For those who own a Canonet QL-17/QL-19/Olympus RC/RD...

mindcircus · Oct 5, 2009

Hello, I am thinking of buying one of these cameras, but I'm really concerned about the absence of light metering in manual mode. Here is my question: Can I set the camera in auto mode (or shutter priority/aperture priority) and use the reading of the light meter in manual mode? It would be really helpful if I avoid carrying a handheld light meter...

Thanks in advance!

asp.artist · Oct 5, 2009

yes. In the auto mode, you pick the shutter speed, and the camera picks the f-stop. And you can see it in the screen.

Anscojohn · Oct 5, 2009

The Canonet GIII QL 1.7 is shutter priority, with complete manual as well. With the ASA and the shutter speed set and the aperture ring on "auto" the needle in the viewfinder gives you the aperture which it will shoot at if you continue to press the shutter release. You can use that reader to set whatever aperture you wish.

mindcircus · Oct 5, 2009

So, if I've understood correctly, the only problem is that you have to switch auto mode to manual every time you want to light meter, am I right? It doesn't seem so annoying to me...

Xmas · Oct 6, 2009

Yes, but if you were in a hurry you can also shoot in auto. You only need the manual if the meter is not going to cope with e.g. a back lit sceane.

In manual most will switch off the battery drain.

Noel

P C Headland · Oct 6, 2009

I know it doesn't directly answer your question, but one of the reasons I went with the Ricoh 500G is that it meters in manual mode. That and the fact that it works in manual meterless mode without a battery.

They're often available cheaper than the cameras you list. Typically you'll need to replace the light seals on them.

The meter indicates the aperture, and is visible in the viewfinder.

I've got some example shots from the 500G in my gallery.

mablo · Oct 6, 2009

I have an Olympus RD. I lately discovered that even when I set the camera to shoot manually it still meters. I mean, If I manually dial in let's say f/1.7 and 1/250s the RD propably uses the 1/250s but won't use f/1.7 if it's not necessary so I'm not able to deliberately ruin my photos. I haven't yet made up my mind if I like the feature or not.

januaryman · Oct 6, 2009

I use the Canonet a lot. If there's a lot of sky in the shot, I drop the nose till the camera meters mostly the trees/buildings, whatever, then I set the aperture to the reading I get (displayed in the viewfinder). This process of manual aperture-setting takes it out of auto. It's not very difficult or even very bothersome to do so. I'm not sure why this is even an issue.

Xmas · Oct 6, 2009

januaryman said:
I use the Canonet a lot. If there's a lot of sky in the shot, I drop the nose till the camera meters mostly the trees/buildings, whatever, then I set the aperture to the reading I get (displayed in the viewfinder). This process of manual aperture-setting takes it out of auto. It's not very difficult or even very bothersome to do so. I'm not sure why this is even an issue.

I think you can lock the meter on a half pressure of the shutter? So you dont need to take it out of auto...

Noel

mindcircus · Oct 6, 2009

Thanks a lot, about your answers. P C Headland, I can't find many information about Ricoh 500G, but I will have it in mind. I've read though it doesn't have as sharp lens as canonets...

One more question though... Do you have any problems using an alkaline battery (PX625A) instead of a mercury? My minolta SRT gives +1 stop in its readings, but that's not really a problem.

P C Headland · Oct 7, 2009

mindcircus said:
Thanks a lot, about your answers. P C Headland, I can't find many information about Ricoh 500G, but I will have it in mind. I've read though it doesn't have as sharp lens as canonets...

.....

Here's a link for some information.

I've no complaints about its sharpness - it's perhaps not quite as good as the Minox 35GT, but it's close enough.

januaryman · Oct 7, 2009

Xmas said:
I think you can lock the meter on a half pressure of the shutter? So you dont need to take it out of auto...

Noel

Every time I try to half-press and move the camera, I ended up snapping the shutter while in motion. I'm very clumsy, Noel. Thanks for the pointer, though.

olleorama · Oct 7, 2009

Hello. Used to have a QL-III, sold it off when I got a yashica lynx-14E. It has a separate metering button on the front of the body, below and slightly to the right of that huge 1.4 lens. It is way sharper than the canonets IMO. Nicer bokeh too, if you ask me.

Just a thought...

vitus · Oct 8, 2009

In the same price and classic RF camera range you can consider gorgeous Olympus-35SP.

It has better corrected then Canonets or RD brother 7-element fast, sharp 42mm f/1.7 pancake G-Zuiko lens and manual exposure control through center weighted metering or excellent 6 deg. spot metering (separate button on the back).

Full EV range in manual exp. mode (EV 1.5 to EV17 at ISO 100).

I really prefer the EV scale on the lens barrel (like on my old Hasselblad lenses) and accurate EV reading through the viewfinder. It gives me full creative control in difficult lighting situations.

The only drawback is the metering cell will function every time whenever the Olympus-35SP is out of case but that's not really a problem.

lens_hacker · Oct 10, 2009

I own or have owned most of the cameras mentioned. I've kept my Canonet Ql17L (same size, made in Japan earlier version than GIII), Ql17 GIII, Hi-Matic 9, and Lynx 14e. The HM-9 allows metering in manual and fully auto mode. The Lynx is manual only. The Canonets turn the meter off in manual mode, which is annoying. I take a meter reading with it, then set the aperture from there.

The Olympus 35SP has a sharper lens than most Canonets, but the mechanics are not as good. One spring in particular is "hair thin" and under constant pressure. It breaks, and the camera will wind on without stopping. I managed to replace it successfully on mine with a spring from a Minolta parts camera. The one I put in was heavier made, as the original should have been.

The Canonet Ql17L has a very good lens, sharper than 9 of 10 GIII's that I've used. My GIII is "cherry-picked". The Minolta Hi-Matic 9 lens is first rate. I sold off a Konica S2, also just as sharp. The Yashica Lynx 14e lens is "good enough" at F1.4, much better stopped down a little.

lens_hacker · Oct 11, 2009

Lynx 14 wide-open at F1.4

Canonet Ql17L, wide-open at F1.7.

andrewc · Oct 18, 2009

I'm a huge fan of the QL17-GIII that I currently have; it has one of the sharpest lenses I've ever used. I've loved the Olympus RD, DC, and RC that I've owned over the last few years, but the Canon is my favorite along with the Konica Auto S2. The images that I can produce with these far outweigh any shortcomings either of these have.

Vincenzo Maielli · Dec 14, 2009

I own a Canonet GIII QL17: i recommend it strongly. I solve the battery problem with a Kanto MR9 adapter.
Ciao.
Vincenzo

Anscojohn · Dec 14, 2009

mindcircus said:
Thanks a lot, about your answers. P C Headland, I can't find many information about Ricoh 500G, but I will have it in mind. I've read though it doesn't have as sharp lens as canonets...

One more question though... Do you have any problems using an alkaline battery (PX625A) instead of a mercury? My minolta SRT gives +1 stop in its readings, but that's not really a problem.

*******
My buddy had some poster-sized color prints made from negs shot with his Ricoh 500G. I think the posters were 24 x 36 inches. They sure looked sharp to me.

rjbuzzclick · Feb 2, 2010

I have a QL17L and a QL17 G-III, and prefer them both optically and size/handling-wise to my other rangefinders.I use one of the Cris Camera MR-9 battery adaptors, but mostly use the camera in manual mode and judge exposure using sunny f16. Half the time I don't even bother putting a battery in it anymore. I've found that becoming comfortable using sunny 16 makes shooting mechanical, meter-less cameras much more enjoyable.

I also second the Ricoh 500 series as a good choice. I have a Sears 35rf, which is a re-branded Ricoh 500rf. I got it cheap and wasn't expecting much out of it, but was really impressed with the photos it took.

Voneville · Apr 3, 2010

This is a bit late, but what the hey...

I have the Ql 17, Ricoh 500g and an Oly 35RC. I like all of them for different reasons. The ergos on the ricoh are really nice for a small camera, much better then the Oly in my opinion in regards to setting the aperture. All of them have good lenses. The Ricoh is a bit fragile, I've broken 2 of them (one dropped, one I over advanced the film lever) but liked it enough to buy a 3rd. All of mine have had relatively dark viewfinders.

The view finder on my Oly is really bright. It's brighter then my Minolta 7s, which is much bigger. I can't change the aperature without moving the lens barrel, which throws it out of focus. Not a big deal, but for a street shooter in manual it could be a problem. The movement for focusing is really fast, it's got a short throw, which helps me bring my subject back into focus after I've changed the aperture.

The Ql17 is a happy medium; I like it a lot and it's my main RF these days.

canonman · Apr 5, 2010

You asked about the batteries with the canonet? For me, it's no problem - I have now a PX625 with 1,35V in it. I had to get a CLA for the shutter and asked the technician to check the accuracy of the lightmeter. It turned out to be slightly off - He told me how much and I could just adjust by setting the ISO up - when the battery is down I could use a 1,5 V battery which is still available - so there is no problem - one way or the other.
Its a good camera - and for me small enough to stay with me everywhere I go. So it gets more use than my Hexar or my Leica - so it's really my most worthy 35mm.
Haven't had one of the other, though - but some of them seem to be a bit bigger.

For those who own a Canonet QL-17/QL-19/Olympus RC/RD...

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