Canon Canonet QL19 (1965)

Canon Canonet QL19 (1965)

#408

This photo is from the copy I own

History and technical features 

A sibling of the QL 17, the QL 19 used the same lens as the original Canonet and was priced 3,000 yen less than the QL 17.

The QL (Quick Loading) feature was Canon’s unique way to load film quickly. All you had to do was align the edge of the film leader with the specified mark on the camera and close the camera back. The film winding arm with hard rubber pads then grabbed and wound the film around the take-up spool.

Source: global.canon

Handsome. Stylish. Solid. This camera has just about anything you could want in a vintage rangefinder, except that it’s not the GIII QL17. Methinks a 1:1.9 is pretty nice, though of course 1:1.7 is slightly better; also instead of 6 elements in 5 groups, this lens — the same one as on the original Canonet — has 5 elements in 4 groups. Still pretty sharp although perhaps not as contrasty as some. Besides the lens, the specs are much the same as the QL17, noting that this is the first generation (early 1965) before the Seiko shutter version (late 1965) and the smaller ‘New QL19’ (1971). Not to mention the later GIII model (1972). Yeesh. This must be where Apple gets its infamous hardware naming scheme. (Ouch.)

It’s significantly larger than the ‘new’ QL series like the GIII QL17 and has a bit more heft to it. In fact it’s as wide as the K1000, though it doesn’t have the SLR feel that the slightly smaller and lighter Yashica Electro does – the difference I think being the prominence of the lens (the 1.7 Yashinon is pretty big glass). The other difference is that like the later Auto S2 and Hi-Matic 7s this camera works in manual or automatic mode, meaning that you can use it without a battery if you don’t need the meter, as long as the shutter blades aren’t stuck!

Source: mattsclassiccameras.com


Specifications

Type: 35mm Lens Shutter rangerfinder camera with shutter speed-priority EE
Picture Size: 24 x 36 mm
Normal Lens: Canon SE 45mm f/1.9 (5 elements in 4 groups)
Shutter: Copal SV; B, 1 to 1/500 sec. Built-in self-timer. Flash sync enabled with M-X switchable German socket.
Viewfinder: Coincidence rangefinder integrated with reversed Galilean viewfinder. Automatic parallax correction with projected frames and marked finder. 0.7x magnification. Viewfinder bottom features aperture scale (f/1.9 – f/16) and match needle correct exposure window/exposure warning indicator.
Exposure Meter and EE: CdS comb-controlled shutter speed-priority EE. Metering range of EV 2.5 – 19 (at ISO 100). Film speed range of ISO 25 – 400. Manual exposure enabled by disabling AUTO.
Power Source One 1.3 V MP mercury cell
Film Loading & Advance: After opening camera back, film leader is aligned at mark then advanced to first frame with Quick Loading (QL) system. Advances with camera-top lever. (120° single stroke)
Frame CounterCounts up. Resets automatically when camera back is opened.
Film Rewind: Camera-top crank
Dimensions & Weight 140 x 79 x 33 mm, 800 g

Source: global.canon

Produced 1965 Canon Camera Co., Japan
Film type 135 (35mm)
Picture size 24mm x 36mm
Weight 24.2oz (686.1g)
Lens Canon SE 45mm 1:1.9
Focal range .8m to infinity
Filter size 55mm
Shutter Copal SV
Shutter speeds B, 1-1/500 automatic or manual
Viewfinder coupled rangefinder
Exposure meter lens mounted CdS with viewfinder needle (aperture)
Auto EV range 2.5-19 at ISO 100
ASA range 25-800
Battery 1.3v mercury (RM1 1st model, 625PX second model)
Canon Quick Load (QL) film loading system
Accessory shoe, PC sync
Fast-action wind lever

Source: mattsclassiccameras.com


Model

First model


Reference sites

global.canon

mattsclassiccameras.com


Manual

English manual


Batteries

RM1 1.3v battery

Film


Pictures taken with this machine


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