Canon G III 17
A compact 35mm rangefinder that owners praise for its fast lens and manual control, often mentioned alongside the Olympus RD.
Overview
The Canon G-III 17 is a 35mm rangefinder camera. Collectors see it as an advanced, well-made compact 35. Enthusiasts often cite it as one of the top choices among fast-lensed compact rangefinders, tied with the Olympus RD for its mix of speed and manual override. Forum posts say it's easy to find. One user reports running into about 25 Canon G-III 17s for every other model in its class. The black enamel variant is reported to be much harder to find.
Owners put it among the sub-$500 rangefinders, where it stands out for build quality and optical performance. The available documentation has no detailed specifications, so its reputation rests on practical use: a fast lens, precise rangefinder focusing, and manual operation in a compact body. Repair resources exist, including a dedicated repair article and service manuals. They cover procedures like shutter removal, which means desoldering five wires at the shutter port. That points to a sophisticated design that skilled technicians can still work on.
Specifications
| Manufacturer | Canon |
| Exact product name | Canon G-III 17 |
| Product type | 35mm lens-shutter camera |
| Product type | Rangefinder camera |
| Product type | Compact 35 rangefinder |
Collectibility & Value
The Canon G-III 17 has a solid reputation among rangefinder enthusiasts. They often group it with the Olympus RD, Konica S3, and Yashica Electro 35CC as a favorite fast-lensed compact. No original pricing or production years are documented in the available sources, but the market for it is active. A Reddit user from Eastern Europe reports the standard price there fluctuates around 100 (currency unspecified). Instruction manuals and original brochures turn up on eBay, Etsy, and Pacific Rim Camera, with one brochure priced at $5. The black enamel version is noted as particularly rare. Repair guides and service documentation suggest an owner base that can maintain these cameras. Common failure points and spare parts availability remain undocumented.
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