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


Videos

Canon Canonet QL 25 (1965)

Canon Canonet QL 25 (1965)

#77

Esta fotografia é do exemplar que possuo.

Características

Marketed Oct 1965

Original Price 15,800 yen, 1,800 yen (case)

The lowest-priced Canonet QL camera yet. To cut down the price, a SE 45mm f/2.5 lens, a 1/15 sec. slowest shutter speed, and a separate X-sync contact for Speedlites were incorporated. Other specs were identical to the QL 17 and 19’s.

Fonte: Canon Camera Museum

The Canonet QL range was introduced by Canon in March 1965, as a development of the Canonet. They are 35mm rangefinder cameras with shutter priority CdS-meter controlled auto exposure and manual override. Each is fitted with the Canon QL quick film loading system.

The QL17 had a 45mm f1.7 lens, the QL19 an f1.9, and the QL25 an f2.5, set in Copal SV shutters. The 17 and 19 have speeds from 1/4-1/500s, and the 25 has 1/15-1/500; there was also a more basic QL 19E model, from November 1965 with a 1/15-1/500s Seiko shutter, recognisable by the self-timer lever being mounted beside the lens barrel, rather than on the barrel itself on the Copal models. The QL 17 has a battery tester. Later models of the 17 have a 40mm lens. 

Early models are seen with no hot shoe and the PC connector beside the lens barrel - which is all bare metal rather than having blacked rings, and a black-on-white QL badge; the top-plate is flat along the full length. Next to the viewfinder is a window to illuminate the bright-line in the finder, with a black area next to it, around the square rangefinder window. The frame counter is to the (users) top right of the advance lever. The CdS meter cell window, above the lens but inside the filter thread, is round.

Later models have a white-on-black badge, a plastic moulding on the advance lever, a hot shoe and a PC socket under a cover on the end, below the rewind crank; the rangefinder window now shows in the centre of the translucent window and there is no black area; the top-plate has a small step down to the winding lever/shutter release. The frame counter is now between the advance lever and the step, and the meter cell window is rectangular. The "new" models, from 1969, have an extra pin on the hot shoe to link to the Canonlite D Speedlite flashgun.

Fonte: Camerapedia

The Canon Canonet QL25 (1965) is often available cheaply because the lens is a bit slower than the more glamorous QL17, and QL19.

Fonte: rangefinder-cameras.com

Especificações

Lens: Canon Lens SE 45mm f2.5 – 16. There are 5 glass elements in 4 groups.

Shutter speeds: 1/15, 1/30, 1/60. 1/125, 1/250. 1/500.

Viewfinder: Viewfinder combined with rangefinder. Bright frame with moving parallax correction lines. Rangefinder spot rectangle. The viewfinder of the Canonet QL25 is particularly large, bright and easy to use. Magnification ratio 0.7x. Aperture reading shown along top of viewfinder.

EE Mechanism: Shutter priority auto exposure. EE or Electronic Eye exposure meter.

Film Speeds: ASA 25 to 800 / Adjustment by lever underneath lens.

Battery: Originally 1 x Mallory RM-1R. Works with one cheap alkaline LR44W button cell. This is 1.55 volt but seems to provide correct exposure – at least with negative film.

Manual Control of Aperture: Yes. Both auto exposure and manual control.

Shutter: Copal Leaf Shutter. Speeds range from 1/15 to 1/500 of a second.

Self Timer: No

Flash Contact: Accessory shoe without direct contact. There is a conventional flash socket on the front of the camera. Electronic flash works at all shutter speeds.

Film Advance: Single stroke approx. 120 degrees. The Canonet QL25 features Canon’s excellent Quick Loading film system.

Film Counter: Resets automatically.

Size: 140 x 79 x 69mm (including lens).

Weight: 770g

A minha tem o n.º de série 307418

Bateria

Funciona com uma bateria PX625

Manual

Manual em inglês

Sites de referência

Camerapedia

Canon Camera Museum

rangefinder-cameras.com

Vídeos