Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/07/13
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]I haven't seen the movie but I looked at the pecker box in a video store the other day when I recognized the Canonet on the cover. It was a Canonet 28, my favorite of the series, which sports "programmed auto exposure" (read: you have no choice) or manual aperature settings at an unknown shutter speed for manual flash units. I got mine myself, without my mother's help, for $10 at a thrift store. I also have number three in a series of Canonet 17 models which feature optional manual settings, a six element 1.7 40mm lens, and auto exposure. About a month ago I was shooting some candids at our town fair with my M6 & 50mm 2.0 Summi and I decided to shoot a similar roll with the Canonet 28 which I had yet to test. Results with the Canonet 28 amazed me. Corner to corner sharpness was superb in 11X14 prints. Not all shots were in bright sunlight which would mean a midrange or smaller aperature. Some were in open shade, probably 5.6 or 4. I really wonder if I could tell the difference between the M6 and the Canonet negs if they had been using the same films. I tested the two Canonets and a Minox GT a week ago. Under a loupe the 28 beats the 1.7 and the Minox all from 2.8 to 8. I haven't made prints yet.There are some nice surprises in those junk boxes at camera swaps, garage sales, and thrift shops. However, without a drawer full of 625 mercury batteries you can't get in the game. Bill Lawlor