My first post with this camera had a preamble if you are so inclined. Also wrote a proper KEH blog post about this camera. Suffice it to say the fact that I have already run 4 rolls through this camera and I am currently working on the 5th I really, really like this camera. Not only has this camera cut into my analog time with other film cameras it has also greatly reduced digital saddle time as well. Currently I am using this for day to day and digital for jobs and personal projects. It is that consistent. It is that good.
Side note: I picked up an era correct Canolite D flash for this camera and it is great.
- Wide throw of light for such a tiny flash. Makes sense since it should have been engineered to illuminate the field of view for the Canonet’s fixed lens, but it still performed better than I expected.
- Small and light.
- Takes 2 AA batteries.
- Owing more to the camera’s in lens leaf shutter really, but it syncs up to the top shutter speed.
- Less than $20.
- It looks the business on the camera.
Another very useful item if you want to shoot wide open in daylight (essential for me above 200 ASA since the top shutter speed is 1/500s) was the Franken-ND. Cheaper Less expensive 48mm variable ND filters were not readily available so I got a simple 48mm to 49mm step up ring and a 49mm FOTGA variable ND filter. Both rang in for a little over $30 combined. Almost all shots during the daytime below were shot using it, especially ones with a shallow depth of field. Even though it is a rangefinder the Canonet has it’s light meter sensor just above the front lens element which places it behind the filter. Some noted that the filter may impact metering by shading the top of the sensor, but this was not the case here. Metered quite accurately. So like the PEN FT, for which I got the same filter for the same reason, you can set the top shutter speed, leave the aperture in Auto and manipulate the aperture with the variable ND ring. Unlike the SLR PEN FT I do not have to dial down the ND between shots to compose/focus the due to a darkened frame. Owing to the uncoupled rangefinder view I can compose away regardless.
All three make for quite the compact and effective any light set up.
Wonderful camera that creates wonderful images.
Ongoing gallery here and samples after the jump.
Happy shooting.
-ELW
Eric L. Woods 