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Canon Canonet 28
Pecker's Pick!

The Canon Canonet line of rangefinders were produced and sold from 1961 through 1982. The low-cost Canonet 28 was produced from 1971 through 1976. Like other Canonets, the 28 features shutter speed priority EE, with a coupled rangefinder and parallax-corrected framelines.

The Canonet 28 also features aperture priority overrides for use with the Canolite D dedicated flash. When selecting an aperture setting, the shutter is automatically set to 1/30 sec.

PROS:
  • Sharp 4 element lens
  • Compact size
  • Coupled rangefinder

CONS:
  • Limited facility for manual exposure control
  • The EE system means the camera requires a battery to function

TRIVIA:
  • The protagonist in the 1998 John Waters film, Pecker (played by Edward Furlong) appeared to be using a Canon Canonet.

SPECIFICATIONS:

  • Type: 35mm lens shutter type EE camera.
  • Picture Size: 24mm x 36mm
  • Lens: Canon Lens 40mm f/2.8 3 component 4 element construction. Spectra Coating
  • Focusing: Double image matching system by rotating the front component of taking lens. Rangefinder coupled.
  • Viewfinder: Marked finder with 0.6x magnification. With parallax correction marks, shutter speeds scale and warning marks.
  • Shutter: Program shutter. 1/30 sec., f/2.8-1/620 sec., f/14.5. With no self-timer.
  • EE Mechanism: Highly sensitive CdS photocell used. Program EE. One H-D mercury battery used.
  • EE Coupling Range: EV8 to EV17 at ASA 100. Shutter locks outside of coupling range.
  • Manual Aperture Setting: Possible. 2.8, 4, 5.6, 8, 11, 16.
  • Flash Photography: Automatic flash with Canolite D. Ordinary flash photography performed with manually operated aperture.
  • Flash Contac: only direct-connect type CAT signal contact.
  • Flash Synchronization: X contact (1/30 sec)
  • Film Loading: Easy loading with multislit spool. Back cover opens by raising film rewind knob.
  • Film Advance: Top side advance lever. Single stroke winding type. Short strokes not possible. Automatic setting to the first frame. Built-in film transport indicator.
  • Frame Counter: Automatic resetting.
  • Film Rewinding: Performed with rewind button on bottom side of camera. Crank type rewinding.
  • Size: 120.5x75x61mm. (4-15/16x2-15/16x2-3/8)
  • Weight: 540 grams (19-3/8 oz.)
  • Accessories: Case, Lens hood, Self-Timer 8, Canolite D, Hot Shoe Adapter, Filters 48mm.

CANONET 28 SAMPLE PHOTOGRAPH
© James M. Surprenant

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