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Canon Canonet QL17 35mm Camera

The Canon Canonet QL17 is a N/A film camera — with N/A video. Used copies start from $142.46 on GearFocus, with buyer protection on every purchase.

Canon Canonet QL17 35mm Camera

Canon Canonet QL17 35mm Camera

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Canon Canonet QL17 Film Rangefinder Camera w/40mm f1.7 Lens

Condition: Good

Product Highlights

  • 40mm f/1.7 Fixed Lens
  • Shutter-Priority Autoexposure
  • Quick Loading (QL) System
  • Compact Rangefinder Design

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Used Canon Canonet QL17 Listings on GearFocus

Canon Canonet QL17 Film Rangefinder Camera w/40mm f1.7 Lens
Canon Canonet QL17 Film Rangefinder Camera w/40mm f1.7 Lens

Good

$142.46

🚚 Free Shipping

Camera Overview — Canon Canonet QL17

The Canon Canonet QL17 is a 35mm rangefinder film camera built with a metal body and designed for straightforward, manual-focus shooting. It uses 35mm film as its storage medium and supports an ISO range from 25 to 800, giving shooters flexibility across a reasonable variety of film stocks, from slow daylight emulsions to faster films suited for lower-light conditions. The viewfinder is an optical rangefinder type, keeping the shooting experience fully analog and tactile.

For flash photography, the camera offers both a standard hot shoe and a PC socket, providing two distinct options for connecting external flash units — a versatile combination that covers a wide range of lighting accessories. The body is constructed from metal, which contributes to its durability and the solid, substantial feel that vintage rangefinder users tend to appreciate. It weighs 620g and measures 120 × 75 × 60mm, making it a compact but reassuringly well-built camera.

Power comes from a 1.3V Mercury Cell battery. The camera has no weather sealing, no wireless connectivity of any kind, and no image stabilization — all expected characteristics for a camera of this era. The lens is fixed and non-interchangeable.

This is a purely photographic tool with no video capability.

Key Features — Canon Canonet QL17

40mm f/1.7 Fixed Lens: The fast f/1.7 Canon lens delivers strong low-light capability and a natural field of view well-suited to street and everyday shooting.

Optical Rangefinder Viewfinder: Coupled rangefinder focusing provides precise manual focus confirmation through a bright, analog viewfinder.

ISO 25–800 Sensitivity Range: Covers a broad selection of 35mm film stocks, from slow fine-grain emulsions to faster films for indoor or overcast conditions.

Shutter-Priority Auto Exposure: Built-in metering with automatic aperture selection lets shooters control motion while the camera handles exposure.

Dual Flash Connectivity: Both a standard hot shoe and PC sync socket allow connection to a wide range of external flash units and studio triggers.

Metal Body Construction: All-metal build at 620g gives the camera a durable, solid feel that holds up well to regular use over decades.

Camera Specifications — Canon Canonet QL17

Canon Canonet QL17 full specifications
SpecDetail
Use CasesTravel
TypeRangefinder
ResolutionN/A
ProcessorN/A
ISO Range25 – 800
AF SystemRangefinder (Manual)
AF PointsN/A
Max Photo ResolutionN/A
Burst RateN/A fps
Max Video ResolutionN/A
Max Frame RateN/A
Bit DepthN/A

Description — Canon Canonet QL17

The Canon Canonet QL17 is a 35mm film rangefinder camera housed in a metal body measuring 120 × 75 × 60mm and weighing 620g. It shoots on standard 35mm film and accommodates an ISO range of 25 to 800, offering usable flexibility across a variety of film emulsions. The optical rangefinder viewfinder keeps the shooting experience entirely analog, with manual focus as the sole focusing method.

Flash users will appreciate the dual sync options: both a standard hot shoe and a PC socket are available for connecting external flash units. The camera is powered by a 1.3V Mercury Cell battery. The lens is fixed and non-interchangeable.

There is no weather sealing, and the camera has no digital connectivity features of any kind — no WiFi, Bluetooth, USB, or HDMI. Video capability is absent entirely. What you get is a compact, well-constructed metal rangefinder built purely around the experience of shooting 35mm film.

Pros — Canon Canonet QL17

  • ✓ISO range of 25–800 supports a wide selection of 35mm film stocks
  • ✓Optical rangefinder viewfinder provides a classic, direct shooting experience
  • ✓Dual flash connectivity with both hot shoe and PC socket offers flexible external flash options

Cons — Canon Canonet QL17

  • ✗No weather sealing, so the camera requires protection from moisture and dust
  • ✗Requires a 1.3V Mercury Cell battery, which is no longer in standard production and can be difficult to source
  • ✗Fixed lens with no option to swap or upgrade glass

Videos — Canon Canonet QL17

Canonet QL17 Review — Pushing Film

Resources & Downloads — Canon Canonet QL17

Manuals & Guides

Frequently Asked Questions — Canon Canonet QL17

What type of film does the Canon Canonet QL17 use?+
The Canonet QL17 uses standard 35mm film. This is the storage medium listed in the specifications, and it is the only format the camera supports.
What ISO range does the Canonet QL17 support?+
The camera supports an ISO range from 25 to 800. This covers a solid range of commonly available 35mm film stocks, from slow, fine-grain emulsions to faster films for dimmer environments.
What battery does the Canonet QL17 require?+
The Canonet QL17 requires a 1.3V Mercury Cell battery. Mercury cells are no longer manufactured for general sale, so buyers should research compatible modern alternatives before shooting.
Can I use a flash with the Canonet QL17?+
Yes. The camera features both a standard hot shoe and a PC socket, giving you two ways to connect an external flash unit. This dual-connection setup is compatible with a broad range of flash accessories.
Is the lens on the Canonet QL17 interchangeable?+
No. The specifications indicate a fixed lens mount, meaning the lens cannot be removed or swapped. You are working with the single built-in lens that comes with the camera.
Does the Canonet QL17 have weather sealing?+
No. The bodyDesign specifications confirm that weather sealing is listed as None. The metal body is durable, but the camera should be kept away from rain, moisture, and dusty conditions.

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