Very glad I was able to acquire this Demi EE17. I immediately put a new Wein MRB625 battery and film in it (Ferrania P33) and began an exhaustive 72-exposure test. I tried all shutter speeds and apertures manually, all lighting conditions in auto-exposure mode, a series of minimum-focus tests, and a flash shot with the Canon J-3 unit and an AG-1 bulb. It worked perfectly as described! (Minimum focus turns out to be 2 feet 6 inches from focal plane.)
There is a filter factor adjustment lever on the lens barrel that goes from 1x to 2x to 4x, increasing exposure 1 or 2 stops to compensate for the light reduction caused by a filter. This could also be used when the subject is very strongly backlit and there is not enough fill lighting to compensate. I didn't use any filters on any of that first roll, so I kept the lever at 1x.
For the test roll, I ignored the zone-focus indicator in the viewfinder. This shows a needle moving behind three images: a portrait, a group of 3 people, and a mountain. As you move the focus lever, the needle indicates roughly how far away the lens is focused. This allows the photographer to quickly focus, check exposure correctness in Auto mode, and press the shutter release button. But I chose not to do zone-focus and instead estimated (or measured) subject distances and set focus using the focus scale on the lens barrel. After developing the film, I see that because of the 30mm lens' depth of field - even at maximum aperture of f/1.7 - I could have used zone-focus and gotten good results whenever stopped down to f/2.8 or smaller.
The lens has very good contrast and crispness - even wide open at f/1.7. I'm very impressed by its image quality, and it is fast enough to be used in relatively dim light. There seems to be very little lens flare from bright lights in backgrounds or from specular reflections off shiny objects. A point worth noting is that because of the lens' relatively short 30mm focal length, it is possible to hand-hold the camera at 1/30 quite easily. The rule of thumb for casual hand-holding without camera-motion blur is "the inverse of the focal length," which is 1/30th of a second for this lens. With practice and a little bracing of elbows on a table or when sitting down and after exhaling, you could probably hand--hold this camera at its longest timed shutter speed of 1/8 and still get decent results. (There is also a B setting for use with a tripod - and also a built-in self-timer.)
The meter is accurate within its range from EV4.5 to EV17. This roughly translates to 1/8 sec at f/2 to 1/500 sec at f/16 with 100 ASA film. It seems like the Canon engineers kept the meter's range in mind when they designed the camera's shutter mechanism, because the shutter speeds range from 1/8 to 1/500.
Canon made the Demi EE17 model from May 1966 to April 1967. I still have my parents' EE17, which has a lower serial number than the one I purchased, so I'm assuming theirs was made in 1966. Something in the winding mechanism stopped working, likely from decades of disuse. The one I purchased has a much higher serial number, so it was probably made late in the production run. I'll call mine a 1967.
So why did I buy a half-frame camera from 60 years ago? Because I still remember using it on one of our trips to Hawaii, probably in 1967, and taking a photo that hooked me on photography. It was just a vertical black-and-white shot of the roots of a banyan tree in a park somewhere. But there was something about the shot - a combination of exposure, film grain, depth of field, and composition - that made me want to keep taking pictures. So yes, there's some sentimental value at play here. (And come to think of it, the 4-perforation 24mm x 18mm frame size is exactly the same as used during the silent era of motion pictures.)
Incidentally, the focus levers of mine and my parents' have the same level of resistance. I remember that it was always like that. So if you come upon another one and add it to the Camera West stable, don't worry if the focus lever requires about as much effort as the shutter speed collar.
(I've attached shots I took after leaving Camera West with the Demi EE17. Maiden Lane, Heart at Union Square, Bourbon Bar at the St. Francis, Chandelier at the St. Francis.)
Incredible service, great communication, answered all my questions, packaged camera beautifully. Great price and in very good condition! Excellent experience
I recently bought this camera, and I have been learning how to benefit from all that it offers. Maggie was helpful and explained the camera. There was no pressure to buy, and I am happy with my purchase. I love the size and weight and the clear view finder.
Like the lens. Took a few images and everything seems to be working.
This is what CW does so well! A beautiful pre-owned, bright clear finder at a fraction of the new price!
The helpfulness of the staff, the quality and value of the item purchased, the whole experience really, would definitely make me a returning customer! Thank you Alex and team for a really great purchasing experience!
Remarkable value in a sharp and realistic lens. Lightweight, small, and does nice closeups while staying sharp at infinity.
Does everything well and allow the user to fine tune the menu selections to fit their style of photography. Video was fun to use in camera.
Great & stylish bag for my Leica M! 😎
Item was described accurately, appreciate the pictures of the actual item, fairly priced, prompt shipment, well packaged. Thank you.
Quick delivery 😀 well packaged.
Filter rim was repaired by amateur
Glass all good.
Description and pictures were great. The item (Rollei bay III Polarizer) was just what I was looking for, fast delivery, decent price. Put it to work immediately and all is fantastic. Thanks.
I shoot and collect Canon Rangefinder and the 7s was missing from my collection. As usual Camera West's rating system is conservative. I've even managed to get the meter going but it's jumpy as all get out and and accuracy, I don't know.
In the end the camera is loaded with Ilford FP4 to test it out. Can't wait to see the results.
Came in as described. I can always trust Camera West to deliver what they say they will. Pleasure to do business with these guys at any location.
The product was exactly as described, with fast shipping and great communication
always a pleasure to stop in and see what they have for my old canon ef rig. this flash was too good to pass up
Was happy with my purchase as I had been on the look out for a smaller pair of bins. These were once the creme de la creme of bins 25 years ago, and still have a stellar view. It was described as a 9 but I would give it an 8 as there was a little more dust internally than I would have liked. Typically these are nitrogen purged and sealed under pressure. The inclusion of dust suggests that the seals had failed. Not unusual for a binoculars 25 or more years old. Hopefully I can get it cleaned and sealed for a reasonable sum. Everything else was excellent .
Great cube for transporting camera and lenses in a regular backpack whilst traveling. Lightweight and with thin but firm dividers, maximizing space. The proportions are ideal to fit in camera equipment with the right depth. Also great for storing lenses etc. Great service from Camera West. The staff is very helpful. Thanks.
Works well with a lexar sd card reader not so much the hoodman sd card reader
Can hold up to under 5000 images
Great lens and was able to capture some beautiful shots
The lens is light enough to encourage creative positions to take photographs. The clarity is superb.
Accommodates filters and levels the camera when you use a flat surface to steady the camera.
