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Canon Demi EE17

A fully manual half-frame classic

  • Overview
  • Specs
  • Photos

With styling way ahead of its time, Canon’s top of the line half-frame camera from 1966 is a stunner. It is even smaller than the second generation QLs but still easy to handle and fully manual. It has a very bright viewfinder, fast f1.7 lens, and shutter speeds from 1/500 - 1/8.

The 6 element 4 group lens is sharp and clear, renders bold colour and good contrast. All the quality you can expect from a QL but with a wider AOV and the fun of half-frame. Well made it feels solid but much lighter than one might expect.

Unlike other cameras in this collection, [but like many of the smaller generation of the Hi-Matics such as the G], the Demi EE17 does not have a coupled rangefinder. However, it is more advanced than most of its half-frame peers as it has focusing pictographs for near, medium, and far subject distances with a match needle coupled to the lens focusing at the bottom of the image area in the viewfinder, so you can see approximately what distance you are focusing at directly through the viewfinder.

Zone focusing is a good skill for candid street photographers who need to react quickly, typically shooting with a small aperture and high ISO. Although it can be difficult to achieve the precise focus you can get with a coupled rangefinder, when you hit the spot with the Demi EE17 results are tack sharp.

Type:35mm half-frame 24x18mm
Lens:Canon SH 30mm 1:1.7
Elements/groups:6 elements in 4 groups
Spectra coated in amber
AOV:53°
Aperture:f1.7-f16
Shutter:Seiko
Shutter speeds:B, 1/8-1/500
Viewfinder:0.45X, bright frame type. Aperture scale, over/underexposure warning marks, zone focus marks, parallax correction marks
Focusing:Zone focusing system with pictographs for near, medium and far
Focal range:2.6ft - ∞
Exposure modes:Manual & Auto
Exposure meter:CdS cell shutter speed priority, manually operable
Battery:1.35V PX625
ASA:25 - 400
Filter mount:34mm
Dimensions:117 x 71 x 48 mm
Weight:445g / 1lb
Year:1966

Download the manual (PDF)

More Canon Demi EE17 photos

About Ilott Vintage

A valuable reference for anyone wanting to learn more about rangefinder cameras, manual film photography, or both, this website is intended to serve not only as a resource to discover some amazing objects but also as a place to learn more about them, to understand exactly what they are capable of, and why. Read More

See Also
  • Canonet QL17 Clean, elegant design, a fantastic lens and near silent operation
  • Fujica V2 Super sharp shooter
  • Canonet QL17 G-III
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    Wednesday 8th February 2023