I was going through some of my older gear not long ago, and tucked away on the shelf was something I hadn't picked up in a while — my Canon Canonet QL17 GIII. It was the very first 35mm rangefinder I ever owned, picked up back in August of 2024, and honestly, it might be my favorite camera I've ever shot with, right after the Leica M6.

Whether you're brand new to film photography or you've been curious about rangefinder cameras and want to see what the fuss is about, the Canonet QL17 GIII could be exactly the right starting point for you.

Originally produced during the 1970s, the Canonet QL17 GIII earned a loyal following among photographers for good reason. It's fitted with a sharp 40mm F1.7 fixed lens — genuinely impressive glass for a camera in this class. The "QL" in the name stands for "quick-loading," referring to one of the most effortless film loading mechanisms you'll ever encounter. As for the "17," that's simply the aperture: 1.7.

Two LR44 batteries power the built-in light meter, though the camera is fully functional without batteries if you prefer to shoot manually. Shutter speeds cover a range from 1/4 to 1/500 of a second, with a bulb mode included for long exposures. There's also a shutter-priority auto exposure mode, letting you pick your shutter speed while the camera handles aperture selection — perfect for beginners still learning exposure.

One thing street photographers will love is the leaf shutter — it's remarkably quiet. The loading process is genuinely quick: pull some film from the canister, lay it down into the spool, close the back, and you're ready to shoot.

The body is wonderfully compact, making it easy to carry around for an entire day. I purchased mine on eBay for just under $200, though you can find them in the $120–$250 range depending on condition and color variant.

The honest answer? Just about anyone. It's not a high-end professional tool, but I genuinely enjoyed every moment I spent shooting with it as my daily camera. The beauty of it lies in its simplicity — set your shutter speed, switch to automatic mode, and the camera does the rest. You don't need to overthink anything, which is exactly what you want when you're starting out.

The 40mm focal length is worth considering before you buy. It sits between the classic 35mm and 50mm, which some people find slightly tight for everyday shooting, though others don't mind at all. If you already know you enjoy shooting in the 35–50mm range, especially for street photography, this camera is a natural fit. The F1.7 aperture is impressive, though you'll likely find the sweet spot between F2.8 and F5.6.

If you're transitioning from an SLR or a point-and-shoot and you've been wanting to explore the rangefinder experience, the Canonet is a fantastic entry point. It won't break the bank, and most people end up holding onto it long after they've moved on to more expensive gear. I only used it as my primary camera for about five months before upgrading, but I never once considered selling it — it's just that enjoyable to use, and the size is perfect.

This camera was designed to be as user-friendly as possible, and that's obvious in every feature. Build quality is solid overall, though I should mention that the battery level indicator on my eyepiece eventually fell off after a few months of use — it didn't affect the shooting experience at all, but it's worth noting.

You're somewhat limited by the maximum shutter speed of 1/500. If you're loading 800 ISO or faster film and shooting in bright sunlight, expect some overexposed frames. The viewfinder is decent for most situations but isn't the crispest in low-light conditions. Mine had a slight haze to it, which isn't unusual for cameras of this age — try to find one without any fungus or haze if possible.

Since you're working with a fixed 40mm lens, swapping focal lengths isn't an option. If flexibility in your glass is important to you, that's something to weigh before purchasing. But at the end of the day, what you get is a camera that's pure fun — an automatic mode, a fast and easy loading system, and a bright aperture lens, all packed neatly into a body that fits comfortably in your hand.

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