佳能曾经有过漫长的旁轴相机生产记录，其中最著名的应该算是1960年代可换镜头的Canon 7系列，世界上最大光圈镜头纪录的保持者就是用于该系列相机的50mmF0.95标准镜头。1980年代以前的佳能旁轴相机有专门的商标Canonet，除去可换镜头的7系列之外，不可更换镜头的镜间快门Canonet QL系列是佳能最有人气的旁轴相机，其中的最高级产品QL17从60年代到80年代，历经三代，持续生产20年，算得上是旁轴相机中的常青树。GIII版本是QL17的第三代产品，1982年停产，是佳能最后一种全机械手控旁轴相机。

    Canonet GIII QL17不但具备完善的全机械手动曝光功能，并且提供了那个年代旁轴相机前所未有过的自动化性能，体现着佳能一贯追求的尽可能提高拍摄速度和拍摄成功率的设计思路。完全可以从Canonet GIII QL17上感受到佳能当年在相机自动化上所作出的种种尝试和努力，这也符合1970年代的摄影科技潮流，那就是不断向着电子化、自动化迈进。

    QL17虽然不是什么名贵的机器，不过也可称得上是一代名机。40MM定焦镜头，F1.7大光圈，在弱光下也能够小许随心所欲。由于经典的外形，全机械手动操作，不需要任何电力也能操作，可以作为极限条件下的备用机。定焦不可更换镜头加上全手动操作。可以练习一下摄影的基本功。一直打算收藏一台，这次在香港终于淘到一部成色让自己很满意的。标价一千多，同样的徕卡至少六千多，拍出好照片说不准是相机好还是技术好，所以还是选择了这部平民徕卡。

    外型上面来说也是充满了70年代的风格，方方正正，全金属机身。那个年代所产生的东西是我最喜欢的，从相机到各种仪器工具。80后的人所拥有的都是电子和塑料充斥的东西，金属时代的1970，是最精致最值得珍藏的年代。而我手上拥有的这一台是QL17的第三代，产地是台湾，第一代是日本制造但是由于体型比较大而且偏重，所以排除在我的选择范围内。

    佳能 CANON QL17 主要特点：
全金属结构、做工精细，刻字美观
特有佳能QL (Quick Loading, 快速装片) 系统
6片4组双高斯结构镜头，CANON 40mmF1.7
光圈：F1.7—F16无级调节, 快门：1/4秒—1/500秒＋B门
电力检测、安全装片指示、快门上弦指示
感光度调整范围：ISO25--800
测光联动范围：EV3.5-EV17
滤镜口径：48mm

    对于胶片旁轴，徕卡一直是多数人的终极目标。不过现在对我来说是太过奢侈了，毕竟只是偶尔把玩。这只Canon Canonet QL17 GIII最可爱的原因一是小巧，二是有测光（虽然需要的1.35伏625型电池现在已经很难买到），三是有速度优先，成像嘛，今天冲出在香港试拍的胶片效果超出我的期望值，根本看不出是这么一个古董相机拍出来的片子，维多利亚港夜景照片颗粒细腻，扫街图片、人像特写、自拍都无可挑剔，色彩和解像力都可以接受。只是个别照片由于拍惯了EOS自动相机忘了对焦还有一两张光圈快门忘了调整曝光有点不准，36张的卷出片26张，已经很知足了。

    QL17 GIII拿在手上总体感觉是“艺术品一件”，1972年开始生产的机器，有先进的快装系统QL（quick load的简称），先别说拍片，拿在手上就喜欢它了，觉得可玩性极强。在数码时代高速量产图片的进程中，不时把玩一下，也好调整一下心态，多一些思考的时间。

Canonet G-III 17

Quality Compact 35 Rangefinder   1972    
Though probably the best selling fast lensed  compact 35 RF, today the G-III 17 mostly goes un-noticed and unwanted at camera shows.  Yet,  the G-III 17 has many features which current production cameras in its price range don't have: a sharp fast 40/1.7 lens, user selectable rangefinder focusing, and flash sync at all speeds.   It is one of the nicest of the '70s compact Rangefinder genre.

The G-III belongs in the elite small group of compact 35 Rangefinders with faster than f/2 lenses, combined with automatic exposure with manual over-ride.  It competes with the Leica CL, at far less cost. In size the G-III 17 is comparable to the Leica CL, but of course without interchangeable lenses.     Its specifications are pretty nifty for its genre.  So nifty in fact, the G-III  became a best seller  with over 1.2 MILLION SOLD from 1972 to 1982 per the Canon web site.  This probably makes the G-III the best selling 35mm  rangefinder with built in meter OF ALL TIME.   The Canon web site goes on to explain that the "G" stood for "grade up" in quality improvement, and the "III" for the third of the Canonet series.   A similar, less expensive, and harder to find Canonet G-III 19 was also made with a 5 element 45/f/1.9 lens.

The Plus Side

40/1.7 focusing to 2.6 feet, sophisticated design with six element in four optical groups, and rare earth glasses
Nice .6x Rangefinder/Viewfinder with Parallax compensating frameline, something very rare in compact RF 35's.   This is one of the few small 35 RF's with parallax compensating framelines.  
Hot Shoe
Battery test: press the button on the back, if it lights, the battery is OK
Shutter priority Automatic Exposure with lock beyond its limits
The AE chosen f/stops are shown in the finder
1/4 to 1/500th leaf shutter, with flash sync at all speeds
B is accessible by depressing the large chrome lever on the focusing lever side of the lens
Self Timer is activated by first advancing the camera, then moving the small chrome lever on the focusing side of the lens upward, then releasing the shutter release
Meter EV range 3.5 to 17 at ASA 100
Manual over-ride, alas with no metering.
Very smooth, comfortable, large advance lever
Large, easy to grip rewind lever
AE exposure lock, just depress the shutter release slightly
Quick 45 degree lens focusing action
Canon fast "QL" Quick Loading film feature, very advanced for its time. 
Correct film loading window:  If the red bars in the window below the lever advance move, you have the camera loaded properly.  However, a rotating film rewind lever as you advance the film tells you the same thing
PC connection with protective plastic cover.
CDS cell on the filter ring, so filters will automatically be  compensated.
Threaded cable release in shutter button.
With its Canolite D flash, flash operation becomes automatic when the camera is set on "A" because the f/stop changes with the focused distance.  This mechanical system can be superior to electronic systems, since it can't be fooled by subject reflectance.  The same idea was used on the GN 45/2.8 Nikkor and the Topcon 50mm GN lenses.   Remember you don't have to have the Canolite flash to use the GN feature.  Just adjust you super duper SLR flash to a manual setting on 1/32th power (or whatever) to equal the Canolite's output.

Use the Guide number Flash control IF you don't have a Canolite D Flash. .  Set by the Guide numbers in METERS at ASA 100 on the far right of the lens scale (28, 20, 14) for camera controlled flash and manual flash units.   Please note it is possible to select a fixed flash output to match the above guide numbers with many different flash units.    This mechanical system can be superior to electronic systems, since it can't be fooled by subject reflectance.

Another Flash Method is to set the f/stop & shutter speed of your choice, and then simply adjust your auto exposure flash to that f/stop.  Note this is NOT for TTL flash operation.  This method uses the flash sensor ON the flash (for flash units so equipped).   If you have a flash for your SLR, it may have this capability.
The battery off switch is effectively the lens cap, or a camera bag.  With the metering cell in on the filter ring, a lens cap means no light to the metering cell, which means no current flow through the metering circuit. 

Symbols for sunny, clouds, and dark clouds can be found on the lens barrel near the film speed lock.  These are intended to help photogs who don't understand shutter speeds, and can be ignored by experienced picture takers.
Load the camera by pulling up on the rewind lever, which will open the back.  Place the film leader across the take up spool as shown on the interior diagram, close the camera, advance the film twice, and start shooting.   Gently turn the advance lever to take up the slack in the film cartridge.  If the rewind lever does not turn when you advance the film, the film is not loaded correctly.
Weight 22 oz without film. Filter size 48mm. Body length 4 13/16th (122mm), Body depth 1 1/4" (32mm), Body Height 3" (75mm), Total depth including lens 2 3/8" (61mm).
Very numerous, used prices are surprisingly inexpensive.

The Negatives

Uses the outlawed  in the US Mercury 625 batteries.   Note  these batteries are still sold in many other countries.   Perhaps the easiest solution is have your repairman adjust the meter to the new 1.5 volt alkaline batteries when they clean, adjust and lubricate 20 years of neglect before you do some serious shooting.

The G-III is very well finished, more so than you would expect from this class of camera.  It has a feeling of quality about it that you have to feel to understand.   Pic on left shows the plastic covered PC connection, the battery test button with the battery test light, and the very large convenient lever rewind.   Center shows the lens. To use the camera on AE, chose the red A on the f/stop scale. The ASA range of 25 to 800 is shown atop the lens.   Change the ASA with the small chrome lever on the film advance side of the lens.    On the right, those little red bars move with the film, showing you have loaded the film properly.  Note the large for its class lever advance.
 

The bottom of the camera shows the battery compartment, and the main problem of the G-III.  It takes the hard to find 625 batteries.   To the right is Canon's superb Quick Loading Film system.   Just bring the film leader over to the red mark, close the camera, and advance the film.

Do you prefer a longer lens?  The nearly identical Canon GIII QL 19 boasts the 45/1.9 lens instead of the GIII 17's  40/1.7 lens.

The G-III 17 is quite pleasant to shoot.   The viewfinder is large, bright and very usable, though admittedly not up to Leica M standards.  It's  a very smooth operating camera, a pleasure to use.    Probably 95% of them were made in chrome, but black enamel was an option.    The body and the lens were both black, making for a handsome, unobtrusive camera.

As a footnote, I should mention that Canon really liked the name "Canonet 17."  In fact, they liked it so much they used it on THREE different cameras.   The first was in 1965.   It has  a longer 45/1.7 lens and was noticeably  larger than the later two QL-17's, but made along basically the same lines.  The next Canonet QL-17 came out in 1969,  looking  very much like the later Canonet G-III 17 QL of 1972.  The QL-17 G-III added a stronger rewind lever, a battery test light beside the battery test button, and according to Canon "improved quality," but they are almost identical in appearance.    
for another viewpoint, check out   Kyle Cassidy's "Ultra Cool Canon QL17" page

The Black Canon QL17 and QL17 G-III are the prettiest of the small 70's compact rangefinders, the benefit of a magnificent black enamel finish.

They are also hard to find.