The Canonet QL 19E (also known as the QL 19 Electromatic) is a rangefinder camera introduced in November 1965 by the Japanese manufacturer Canon. It belongs to the successful Canonet series of 35mm cameras and is conceptually based on the mechanical Canonet QL 19. The new price at the time was 20,700 yen.
History and Development
The introduction of the Canonet series in 1961 represented a major economic success for Canon in the market segment of affordable mid-range cameras. In order to keep pace with the advancing technological developments of the 1960s and to increase the accuracy of exposure control, Canon developed the Canonet QL 19E.
While the standard version of the QL 19 used a purely mechanical Copal shutter, Canon integrated electronic components into the E model. The camera was on the market from 1965 until the end of the decade and marked the manufacturer's transition from purely mechanical camera designs to the use of integrated electronic circuits.
Technical Equipment and Functions
Shutter and Electronics
The most important distinguishing feature compared to the sibling models is the electronically controlled central shutter of the type Seiko SE (often also referred to as Seiko ES). The shutter blades are controlled electromagnetically. The electronic circuit of the shutter consists of six transistors, three diodes, and one tantalum capacitor.
This construction enabled a fully automatic program mode (Program EE). Depending on the light values measured by the CdS cell (cadmium sulfide), the camera continuously determines the appropriate combination of aperture and shutter speed. The working range of the automatic exposure control extends from light value (EV) 5.8 (corresponding to an aperture of f/1.9 at 1/15 second) to light value (EV) 17 (corresponding to an aperture of f/16 at 1/500 second) at a film speed of ISO 100. The usable range for film speeds is between ISO 25 and ISO 400.
The camera requires a mercury oxide battery of the type MP with a voltage of 1.3 volts for operation (often replaced by zinc-air batteries of the type PX625). In contrast to purely mechanical Canonet models, where the battery merely powers the exposure meter, the QL 19E is non-functional without a battery inserted, as the shutter cannot be released without electrical voltage.
Optics and Viewfinder System
As a fixed focal length, the Canonet QL 19E features a Canon SE lens with a focal length of 45 mm and a maximum aperture of f/1.9. The optical system consists of five lens elements arranged in four groups.
The viewfinder is designed as a coupled rangefinder with an inverted Galilean telescope viewfinder. It offers 0.7x magnification. The viewfinder system features automatic parallax correction, in which the reflected bright-line frame shifts diagonally when focusing in the near range. Also integrated into the viewfinder are warning indicators for incorrect exposures as well as a signal that indicates the need for a flash unit.
Body and Film Transport
The body is largely identical to that of the mechanical versions of this series. It features Canon's 'Quick Loading' system (QL). This quick-loading system simplifies film loading by requiring only that the beginning of the film be pulled to a marked point. When the back cover is closed, the film threads itself automatically.
Film transport is carried out via a rapid advance lever on the top of the body with a mechanical throw of 120 degrees. The mechanical frame counter counts forward and resets automatically when the back cover is opened. The dimensions of the body are 140 mm in width, 79 mm in height, and 35 mm in depth. The total weight of the ready-to-operate device is approximately 760 grams. For flash photography, the camera is equipped with a hot shoe (for AG-1) as well as a conventional PC sync socket.
Suitable Films for the Camera
Available photographic films for the Canon Canonet QL 19E, which can be easily purchased online, include the Ilford XP2 Super* for charming black-and-white photos and the Fujifilm Superia 400* for brilliant color images.
