The Quintessential Canonet

rick_drawbridge · March 6, 2014

<p>Turned up in a collection of odds and ends purchased sight unseen for ten dollars, an original Canonet, circa 1961.</p><div>

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rick_drawbridge · March 6, 2014

<p>I've always considered this camera to be one of the true milestones in popular photography. It created an enormous reaction from both consumers and the photographic industry when it appeared, and Canon struggled to keep up with the demand for several years, while other manufacturers scrambled to create something competitive. I like it's clean lines, with the bottom-mounted film transport, and the 45mm SE f/1.9 lens is just great; in fact, I think I prefer it to the later f/1.7, in that it renders images with great presence and dimension, even if it's not quite as sharp. With the selenium cell powering a shutter-preferred AE system, the Canonet was a hit from the start. It may have the world's clunkiest shutter release, but I can forgive that.</p>

<p>This example arrived in a well-worn leather case, but aside from the grime of ages it appeared to be in working trim, somewhat to my astonishment, as I've had several others with stuck shutters and rangefinders, and defunct selenium cells. I gave it a cursory cleaning, loaded a short length of Kentmere 100 and took it with me on a job I'm doing, recording the decay of one of out earliest cemeteries. I set the shutter speed to 1/125, selected "Auto" on the aperture ring, and blazed away, and was rewarded by a strip of faultlessly-exposed negatives of very fine quality, indeed. Quite something, for a consumer-grade camera over 50 years old.</p>

<p>I'll post a few samples, including a couple at a decent size, and I hope you're as impressed as I was.</p><div></div>

rick_drawbridge · March 6, 2014

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rick_drawbridge · March 6, 2014

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rick_drawbridge · March 6, 2014

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rick_drawbridge · March 6, 2014

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rick_drawbridge · March 6, 2014

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rick_drawbridge · March 6, 2014

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rick_drawbridge · March 6, 2014

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rick_drawbridge · March 6, 2014

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rick_drawbridge · March 6, 2014

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leicaglow · March 6, 2014

Wonderful Rick. My canonet giii ql is one of my prize cameras. I hate to say

this, but I like the speed of focus much mkre than my Leicas. Your images are

always so beautiful. Do you tend to use the same film and developer combo,

and care to share what that is? I love your tonal range.

rick_drawbridge · March 6, 2014

<p>Thanks, <strong>Michael</strong>, I'm pleased you liked the images. I don't shoot very much 35mm B&W, but I usually use Harman's Kentmere 100, developed in Formulary PMK Pyro. It's just one of those combinations I find difficult to improve upon. I gave these images a light sepia tint as I felt it suited the subject matter.</p>

Lou_Meluso · March 6, 2014

<p>I agree, Rick, this camera, though larger than other Canonets, is a surprising performer that exceeds the build and optical quality of the much discussed f/1.7 GIII model. From the classy script moniker on top, it's simple lines, to the nifty bottom wind lever, of the many fixed lens cameras I have tried, this is one I have kept. They must be hardy beasts because mine still works like new as well. My post <a href="/classic-cameras-forum/00S4XM">HERE</a>. </p>

grey_rogacion · March 6, 2014

<p>This 1961 Canonet is on my buy list ever since I first read Louis post on this Canonet years back, unfortunately it's very hard to find a working one with no dents or clean glass. I think the bottom wind have a class of it's own like the Fujica 35 rangefinders, quite a unique experience and a joy to use.........again, thanks for sharing.</p>

JDMvW · March 6, 2014

<p>I love Canonets, and I love cemeteries, so I am made really happy now!</p>

<p>I think B&W is very appropriate for the subject and you have got wonderful results with it.</p>

<p>I have a standard Canonet 28, and a lovely Canonet QL17. They are swell cameras.</p>

bonsignore_ezio · March 6, 2014

<p>(HUMOR MODE ON)<br>

Rick's posts are HIGHLY unfair, and I'm starting to suspect he is running an old camera shop or something in this line. He consistently and deliberatedly trick innocent people here into believing that by buying some old crap of a camera, they would be able to produce the same lovely photos he posts - while it is nowadays abundantly clear that HE is the main reason behind the fine quality of his work, and would most probably be able to produce excellent pictures even by using a broken bottle.<br>

As I said, this is unfair to most of us, who keep buying old top-range classic cameras in the misguided hope to become better photogs.<br>

(HUMOR MODE OFF)</p>

tony_lockerbie · March 6, 2014

<p>Quite right Mr. Ezio, those Kiwis are a tricky bunch,and it is a well known fact that New Zealand is the depository of all the best classic cameras.<br>

Nice to see this Canon being featured here as you mostly see only the later models. I remember way back when, that everyone that went overseas brought back one of these. Funny thing is that I have owned one for years but have never put a film through it! Maybe I have too many cameras...but no...that can't be right..can it?<br>

The quality of your shots is right up there as usual, and I'll bet that if you did a poll as to where we all like to photograph most, it would be old cemeteries. Nothing morbid, just lots of nice light and wonderful textures...very peaceful too.<br>

Now I must dust of my Canonet, I remember it was quite a heavy camera.</p>

CoryAmmerman · March 6, 2014

Excellent results out of that old

rangefinder Rick. I've managed to

resist the urge to buy a Canonet of one

kind or another when I come across

them on the auction site. Too many

cameras I've yet to use. This post is

not helping though.

rick_drawbridge · March 6, 2014

<p>Thanks, <strong>Louis</strong>, I recalled that fine post of yours. Like you, I'm not too fussed by rangefinder cameras in general, but the Canonet is one of the few that I've enjoyed using. Finding a tidy working example is something of a rarity,<strong> Grey</strong>, but they are out there at a reasonable prices. Pleased to brighten your day, <strong>JDM</strong>, and that's an interesting article on the GIII.</p>

<p>Thank you, <strong>Bonsignore</strong>, I suspect someone dear to me wishes I was running an old camera shop... And I don't think I'll rise to the broken bottle challenge, though I sometimes suspect my photography improves after minor excursions into a well-filled one. Thanks you<strong> Cory</strong>, and <strong>Tony</strong>, the phrase "too many cameras" is nonsensical. As I've pointed out before, we New Zealanders, being basically poorer than the average church mouse, tend to look after our imported possessions, and I think this shows in the condition of the old cameras I find. Quite often they arrive with a scent of lavender, having been tucked away in a drawer with the best hankies.</p>

Mike Gammill · March 6, 2014

<p>Great set of images, Rick. The selenium cell "ring" around the lens was a functional, if not attractive way of automatically compensating for filters. And best of all, automation without batteries. Thanks for posting.</p>

marc_bergman1 · March 6, 2014

<p>You did a fine job with this subject. Sometimes the subject can be creepy depending on the intent of the photographer. I find these to be somewhat comforting as a final place of rest.</p>

<p>I didn't get interested in the Canonet series until much later in the decade. I do like the simple design of this original model.</p>

<p>I did find a nice test of this camera in Modern Photography. I also found a somewhat scarce ad for the camera. Canon wasn't doing much advertising at this time. Here is a link.</p>

<p>

gary_leonard3 · March 7, 2014

<p>I am nutty about Canonet cameras and have seven of them. I found one recently that looked like somebody bought it 50-plus years ago, ran three rolls of film through it and then put it in a box with a lid on it for 50 years. The thing looks just about brand new and there is not even any dust on it. Even the case is near perfect. And, it works. It cost me $15. Great cameras.</p>

User_5050610 · March 7, 2014

<p>Rick--a wonderful presentation, as usual! Really like the pix--the little camera does a great job in your hands. Thanks for posting!<br>

Paul</p>

rick_drawbridge · March 7, 2014

<p>Thanks, <strong>Marc</strong>. I enjoy working in that cemetery. It's very old and peaceful, and slowly turning back to dust, with no bad vibes. Interesting article on the Canonet, too. I haven't met many Canonet-oholics, <strong>Gary</strong>, but that sounds like a dream find. And thank you<strong> Mike</strong> and<strong> Paul</strong>, for your comments.</p>

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