Monday, September 17, 2012

Cult Camera - Canon QL17 Rangefinder

It ain't called cult for nuthin'!

"The EE (Electric Eye) feature and viewfinder were made as small as possible and the internal construction was completely different from the original Canonet, making the QL17 a totally new model. However, it had a strong Canonet-like appearance. The "QL" stood for "Quick Loading," a feature which made film loading quick and easy. At first, "Quick Loading" was inscribed below the Canon logo. It was later replaced by "QL."
www.canon.com/camera-museum/camera/film/data/1956-1965/19...

Jersey Diner

With its FAST f1.7 lens, the QL17 is the perfect camera for night photography. Load it up with fast film or switch the camera into manual mode and shoot the night away! 

above: Classic Jersey Diner! The Monarch on Rte 23S in Wayne, NJ. Below: Frank's Pizza in Pomton Lakes, NJ

Frank's at Night
"The classic little rangefinder that punches above its weight. In the 1970′s the Canonet became a household name, with over a million units sold. So let’s have a look and see why this camera became one of the best selling fixed lens rangefinders ever made."
japancamerahunter.com/2012/05/the-canonet-ql17-mini-review/

"Originally sold in 1965 the QL stands for "Quick Loading" -- you don't have to wind the film around the take up spool, it's very similar to today's "drop and load" cameras. You put the film in, close the back and wind away. "
www.netaxs.com/~cassidy/images/equipment/ql17/ql17.html

"The Canonet QL17 (new) represents the prized and popular side of the sought-after compact rangefinders; to be sure, its 1972 successor, the oft-touted GIII version is often mentioned in the same breath as the Konica S3, Minolta 7sII, Olympus 35SP, and the Rollei 35*. "
mattsclassiccameras.com/canonet_QL17.html

"Batch Fried" Film
above: FPP / Metropolis Music Guy Mark Dalzell with his QL17.
 
The QL17 is highly regarded by the gang at The FPP - The Film Photography Podcast - Listen in.
filmphotographyproject.com/podcast


All images and content © 2012 Michael Raso / http://filmphotographyproject.com/ 


Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Film Photography on the Streets on New York!

Kevin Neblung of The Pink Delicates holds an Aluminum print of the FPP Group from the Spring NYC 2012 meet-up!

The FPP (Film Photography Podcast - http://filmphotographyproject.com/podcast ) is a global internet radio show for and about people who love and shoot film. The New York meet-up was an opportunity for listeners to meet the show hosts and spend a day shooting film!

below - Video from the event:


More here: http://filmphotographyproject.com/content/news/2012/07/film-photography-streets-nyc

Aluminum print by The Darkroom ( thedarkroom.com/hd-aluminum-art/ )

Top Image by Michael Raso
Olympus 35RC 35mm camera / Polypan F BW film

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Forgotten Dreams

I Purchased a 1951 Kodak Tourist II film camera that had an exposed roll of Kodak Verichrome Pan film in it. From the looks of the processed image, the film was sitting in the camera about 60 years.


the plot thickens...
below: More forgotten images I discovered in vintage cameras I've purchased over the past few years.



I host the Film Photography Podcast! Listen in! http://filmphotographyproject.com/podcast

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

The View From The Top

American Hard Rubber Factory Mill Butler Center, Butler, NJ USA

The factory was built in 1868 and is the home of The Film Photography Podcast

GAF / Ansco 127 camera

2 September 2012
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butler,_New_Jersey

Image © Michael Raso

Above Image: GAF/Ansco 127 camera test
Homelife 200 35mm film (expired 05/2008)
Film rolled onto Paper-backed on 127 spool

Top Image: Olympus 35RC rangefinder camera
Kodak Tmax 100 pro (expired 07/2001)
Film processed in Caffenol / Epson v700 scan.

Enjoy shooting film? Tune in to the Film Photography Podcast!
http://filmphotographyproject.com/podcast