Canon's pellicle SLR with Quick Load — the Pellix QL, TTL CdS, FL mount, cloth shutter, 1966.
The Canon Pellix QL, introduced in 1966, was a revised version of the pellicle-mirror Pellix that added Canon's Quick Load (QL) film-loading system for faster, more reliable loading. It retained the fixed semi-transparent mirror concept and the FL breech-lock mount, sitting as a technically specialised body in Canon's mid-1960s line.
As a 35mm SLR the Pellix QL used the Canon FL breech-lock bayonet and a cloth focal-plane shutter covering 1 second to 1/1000 plus bulb. The fixed pellicle mirror gave blackout-free, low-vibration operation, and the QL mechanism simplified threading the film onto the take-up spool. Metering was through-the-lens CdS with manual match-needle exposure; the meter used a battery while the mechanical shutter fired without power.
The Pellix QL suits users who want the vibration-free pellicle design together with easier, quicker film loading via the QL system. As with the original Pellix, the semi-transparent mirror slightly dims the viewfinder and reduces light to the film, so it favours deliberate shooting where its strengths matter. It remains a specialist rather than everyday choice.
When inspecting one, treat the fixed pellicle mirror with great care, as it cannot be cleaned like a normal mirror and any scratch or haze affects both finder and image. Test the QL loading mechanism, the cloth shutter across its range, and check for perished foam seals and prism haze. The TTL CdS meter was designed for a 1.35V mercury cell, so account for the discontinued PX625/625 battery when judging readings. FL lenses adapt to mirrorless bodies.