more canon p cameras [Archive] - Rangefinderforum.com

Rich Silfver

08-05-2004, 20:20

Congratulations indeed!

Should you for any reason decide you don't like it you should not have any trouble selling it and recouping every penny you spent on it.

You also got the one with black lettering on the ASA dial which means that body was especially built for the Canon P production and specs - coloured letters on the ASA dial indicates that the camera is built on a Canon VI-L body.

Good for you!

:)

It really is a gorgeous camera...just drool over this: http://www.vermontel.net/~wsalati/CasualCollector/canonp.htm

back alley

08-05-2004, 20:30

thanks guys!

i may be selling my konica s3 and canonet 17 so i'll be able to afford some film to put into the p. :)

richard, i have that site bookmarked already, (along with karen nakamura and the dante brothers and the canon museum)
i have been reading up on the canon p for awhile now.
if anyone else has a good site for the canon p i'd love to have it.

with the light meter i have coming from rob i should be set to go.

joe

Doug

08-05-2004, 22:21

Joe, congrats! I'm sure you'll enjoy it; from the description it sounded very nice!

taffer

08-06-2004, 01:06

YEEEEEEEAH !!! :D Congrats Joe !!!!!

I was out of the internet yesterday evening (gotta go see my old friend spidey facing doc oc :)) but when I briefly saw that P's I inmediately thought about you !

And I see you did a great choice ! You know, patience and perseverance have always a reward ! ;)

Good for you !!

Edit: BTW may we have now a Canon RF 'explosion' like the one we had with Leica Ms a while back? :rolleyes:

Brian Sweeney

08-06-2004, 02:18

And Joe's long slide continues. I will be waiting for you at the Bottom of the LONG slide.

Joe, you need some Canon Glass to go with the Canon body.

My Favorite Rationales:

"But I need top compare the results of the F1.8 lens with the F1.4 lens"

"F0.95; That is Photo History!"

"I need a Chrome Lens to Match the Body"

"The lens I have is from the wrong year for that Body"

"I need a Summarit for the Canon. Everyone ELSE puts Japanese glass on Leica bodies."

"If I had the F1.2, I could use it on the M3 as well..."

BTW: I will be scanning shots from my Canon 50mm F1.8 lens that I got for $27 and CLA'd myself. VERY SHARP! I used it wide-open and close-up in the "Civil War Naval Museum" in Columbus Georgia. This museum is well worth visiting if you are in the area. Overall, I think this lens is sharper than the F1.4 and is probably the sharpest of the Canon normals. The F1.4 is no slouch! My F1.8 is a good user, has some brassing, but focusses smoothly and has a good aperture. It is the early one, and is quite solid.

rover

08-06-2004, 05:02

You DA Man!!! Congratulations. The Canon P is a beautiful camera. It is great when a nice camera finds a loving home.

back alley

08-06-2004, 05:10

thank you thank you thank you!
crazy as it seems (especially for an old guy like me) but i barely slept last nite!
i have been wanting a canon p for awhile, as you all know, and just kept waiting, but now just feels right. my decision making process is based as much on feel as logic so that's important to me.
maybe jorge could start a canon section right there (above) the leica section.:)

joe

back alley

08-06-2004, 11:00

"Joe, you need some Canon Glass to go with the Canon body."

brian, you are oscars evil twin! now i can't stop thinking about canon glass!!!

i'm thinking that i need (get ready for this...) another 50 mm lens.

this time a canon, maybe 1.8. i don't really need anything faster than that and a 1.8 would be a bit smaller to boot.

now if any of you guys comes across a nice 50/1.8 in your travels, perhaps at a really great price (ya' know-like 27 bucks) please let me know!

that would give me 35/50/75 on 3 bodies.

then all i would need is the canon 100/3.5 and i'd be ready to die a happy man!

ah, contentment...
joe

Brian Sweeney

08-06-2004, 12:34

Well Joe, it's nice to know that I keep good company.

I will be on the lookout for more lenses that need internal cleaning. I do not mind putting $90 into a Pro Cleaning of some of the more expensive lenses in EX+ and better condition, but most people will not spend that kind of cash on the User-Grade lenses. The F1.8 was easy to get into.

BTW, as moderator on this site, you are required to own a Canonet QL17 G3. I am fairly sure it is one of the rules. You can sell the S3. I just got back a roll from the Canonet. That short throw release beats all of the other fixed-lens trap-needle RF's that I have used. Must Scan.

100mm F3.5 you say? I have the 100mm F4, early with finder. Wonder how the two compare...

back alley

08-06-2004, 12:42

hey brian,

glad to see you have a sense of humour.
and yes, in your travels, if you come across a clean 50, keep me in mind.
i'll have to check with jorge about the 'rules' for maintaining my moderator status.
but if i were pressed to admit the truth, i like the feel of the konica better than the canonet. it's a bit smaller and feels more comfortable to me.
from what i have read, the 100/3.5 is smaller and lighter than the 100/4. it has a different design (if i remember correctly) and about the same performance level.

joe

taffer

08-06-2004, 15:02

Originally posted by backalley photo
"Joe, you need some Canon Glass to go with the Canon body."

brian, you are oscars evil twin! now i can't stop thinking about canon glass!!!

So Joe that means I'm not evil enough ! We'll have to do it better then ! :D

Well the real truth is we are both a small part of the 'Canonizing' team. You know, there are simply too many great classic Canon RF cameras and lenses looking for a good home, have in mind you're not buying a camera, you are SAVING it from the cruel world out there and giving it a good home ! :p

Ok ok, I'm going now... did anybody put something into my Aquarius drink... I'm feeling weird...

Brian Sweeney

08-06-2004, 19:57

A shot from the Canonet. I think The release is as close to an all-manual camera as you can get. Of course the Canon P would have caught this shot as well. The long throw on most of my other trap-needle camera would have made it more difficult.

Scan from Canonet (http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php/photo/1911/size/big/password//sort/1/cat/543)

back alley

08-06-2004, 22:35

oscar, i too now see the (canon) light and hear the messege to clean the land of all others.

oh and what the heck is an 'aquarius' drink?

joe

rover

08-07-2004, 01:45

Originally posted by backalley photo

oh and what the heck is an 'aquarius' drink?

joe

It was Friday night, could be anything.

I think I want a VT or one of the bottom trigger Canons now.

taffer

08-07-2004, 02:13

"oh and what the heck is an 'aquarius' drink?"
"It was Friday night, could be anything."

And I thought you were my friends! :eek:

Well gents, surfing the web I present you two options, which one do you think I was talking about ? :D

#1 http://www.digitalbartender.com/mixed-drink/mixed_drinks/Aquarius

#2 http://www.conocecocacola.com/conoce.cfm?id_seccion=474

Couldn't be more opposite ! :p

I recognize the bottom trigger Canons look interesting too, also end thinking about a Bessa-T with the bottom winder yesterday.

There are too many temptations out there, but I think I'd REALLY like to try is that compact Leica CL, If I could only find a 'user' one cheap enough...

Did you considered the other P from the same photo.net seller Rover ?

taffer

08-07-2004, 02:22

Originally posted by Brian Sweeney
A shot from the Canonet. I think The release is as close to an all-manual camera as you can get. Of course the Canon P would have caught this shot as well. The long throw on most of my other trap-needle camera would have made it more difficult.

Scan from Canonet (http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php/photo/1911/size/big/password//sort/1/cat/543)

Brian, what a capture ! The GIII 17 is a great camera. I remember when my usual repairman told me how everybody in that store had one of them.

rover

08-07-2004, 03:05

Originally posted by taffer

There are too many temptations out there, but I think I'd REALLY like to try is that compact Leica CL, If I could only find a 'user' one cheap enough...

Did you considered the other P from the same photo.net seller Rover ?

I was just a bad boy on ebay. I saw a Canon P, then realized Richard is the current high bidder. Actually it wasn't bad. The reserve is not yet met, so I just bumped his bid up a little.

If you really want it Richard you will never win the auction if it doesn't go over the reserve.

I am fighting the user versus collector battle right now Oscar. I would love a classic camera, but would feel guilty owning it and not using it enough. That is why I am looking find a good home for my Himatic 9. It is different with a fixed lens RF that only cost a little $ than it would be with a Canon P, or Leica M anything.

The CLs are very tiny and well built. I played with one at a shop once. I wonder though if buying a user CL would be a good investment. From what I have read they are not easily repaired, and unlike classic manual cameras, the electronics are something that really can go wrong, then the camera is definately a collector piece.

back alley

08-07-2004, 07:11

rover, chuck from photo.net (selling the other p) seems like a good guy to deal with. judging from past research, his price on both cameras is pretty good. he has/had 4 and is selling 2. he seems like a user not a collector (so i'm thinking the cameras work well) and was pleased that his p was going to someone who would use and care for it at the same time. that second body seems fine and i was prepared to take it if the first was gone. you could always send the lens to brian for a tune up:)

joe

taffer

08-07-2004, 07:16

Sometimes I've heard of sellers who will negotiate and end selling the item to the highest bidder even if the reserve wasn't met. I've found none of them so far.

The Hi-matic 9 is tempting Rover, however I feel much like you, guilty :(

You're right about the Leica/Minolta CL, but in fact I wouldn't mind having a(nother) non-metered camera, as long as it's in mechanical sound condition. As far as I know the CL had a mechanical shutter, and only the meter was battery powered.

Btw, so, after all, Richard is out there for a P ! :p

Oh, and also... seems nobody wants the 7... that is...

Great ! (you know, prices could go up then) :D

back alley

08-07-2004, 07:42

oscar,

don't feel too bad about the 7!

it has a few things i wish the p had - it's just that the p is so damn sexy!!:eek:

i hope it looks as good in person as it does on paper.

would it be wrong to sleep with my new camera when it arrives?
ya know, with it on the pillow next to me!:confused:

how many more sleeps before it arrives???

joe

and richard!:rolleyes: what's with the desire for a 'p' now?
are you thinking of selling the m3 or have you become a COLLECTOR?:eek: :eek:

joe

Rich Silfver

08-07-2004, 07:45

Oh rover, please bid on it - you have my blessing - I was just putting in one of those low ones mentioned (you know - bored and bidding 100 bucks on a Volvo...). It's at 177.50 now and I'm out of there already at 201.01 :)

back alley

08-07-2004, 08:53

all in good fun richard...

joe

Rich Silfver

08-07-2004, 08:55

Oh wouldn't sell the M3 - I really like it.

Today I'm taking my Mamiya Super Deluxe with me out on the town :)

taffer

08-07-2004, 11:34

Joe, in fact I prefer the 7 to go 'unnoticed' just in case someday I have to get another one :p

Careful with the pillow and the Canon, my cd player has ended flying on the floor more than once just for that ! :-)

back alley

08-07-2004, 16:44

Careful with the pillow and the Canon, my cd player has ended flying on the floor more than once just for that ! :-)

thanks for the laugh oscar - i just imagined that scene and the smile broke out on my face.

joe:D

Rich Silfver

08-07-2004, 22:29

Here's a nice one. Cloth shutters as well so no wrinkling to worry about.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/ebayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3831403455

Rich Silfver

08-07-2004, 22:50

And here's the Canon P lightmeter for ya Joe (atleast I *think* it is for the P). ;)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=30099&item=3832137286&rd=1

rover

08-08-2004, 02:04

KEH has one of these Canon meters listed. Much too expensive, $300. I wonder what the reserve is on this one.

No bidding today guys, I was just playing yesterday. Of course if that P gets to the closing time without anymore action I will put in a $200 bid so that if the reserve is $200 a new member of the group Canon collection will be on it's way to the Bay area.

back alley

08-08-2004, 04:50

another, from oz (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=3832417402&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT)

joe

back alley

08-08-2004, 04:52

richard, i'll be getting a non working meter with the camera, along with a domke gripper and chrome soft release.
i'm not sure if i'll try to get it repaired or not and i have that meter coming from rob also.
plus, this will be my big opportunity to learn the fine art of guesstimation with the sunny 16 rule.

joe

rover

08-08-2004, 05:07

Here is a sexy little girl

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=30027&item=3832230004&rd=1

Rich Silfver

08-08-2004, 05:15

Rover, you should bid 202 :)

back alley

08-08-2004, 05:15

i don't think i'm coordinated enough to use a grip winder. i see horrible digital contortions and unsharp photos from me with that camera.

but yes, it is very attractive though.

joe

back alley

08-08-2004, 05:22

btw, have i shown you a pic of my canon p?
i do think he's lovely.

joe

Stu :)

08-08-2004, 05:34

Originally posted by backalley photo
another, from oz (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=3832417402&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT)

joe

WOW! Thanks Joe, I might have a go at this one and the postage costs would be realistic.
I'm looking for a replacement for my old Canonet QL17 (it's shutter dial has developed a scary noise).

Stu :)

back alley

08-08-2004, 05:40

good luck!

joe

rover

08-08-2004, 06:11

eww... I vote that you remove the quick release when you get it. I am not a big fan of those. I got one, but it didn't do anything for me.

taffer

08-08-2004, 06:25

Joe it looks sexy indeed !!! :D

BTW, maybe a bunch of Canon P owners agreed to empty their drawers on ePay at the same time ? :)

Rich Silfver

08-08-2004, 06:32

Joe, VERY nice looking!

back alley

08-08-2004, 06:48

quick release?

joe

rover

08-08-2004, 06:53

Oh, soft release thingy.

On the Bessa R the meter is activated by partially depressing the shutter release. With the soft release it can activate while resting in a bag, which drained the first set of batteries I had in the camera. In the R2 the meter will only activate if the film is advanced and shutter cocked, so in effect the camera has an "off" setting. Not so with the R.

This of course would not be a problem with a Canon P, but it is such a pretty camera why have a black soft release sticking out it's top?

back alley

08-08-2004, 06:57

mine will be chrome and the seller says it makes a 'big difference'. don't really know that for myself as yet.
i try not to put my cameras away with the shutter cocked, even if i waste a frame, just old habits i guess.

joe

taffer

08-08-2004, 07:03

Well my poor student's softie makes a difference with the Canon 7, and the shutter release is the same as the P's.

Btw Joe, the 7 has a release lock to prevent the shutter firing, and I think the P has the same. However I prefer not to store a camera with a cocked shutter so I don't think too much about that feature (and if you forget to unlock it you may lose that quick shot!).

back alley

08-08-2004, 07:08

oscar, do you find the release stiff? and then a bit better with the soft release attached? i imagine the p will be the same as your 7.

they used to sell these soft releases for about 5 bucks years ago but i haven't seen one for a while.

joe

taffer

08-08-2004, 07:41

Indeed I like the release on the 7 but find it a bit too 'low profiled' for my taste. The softie was a product of a specially boring evening but I ended liking it. Helps you release the shutter smoothly and you 'feel' it more in your finger than without it.

BTW I've never seen these softies here.

back alley

08-08-2004, 07:48

if i find them again i will send you one.

joe

Rich Silfver

08-08-2004, 09:01

Here's also one sexy mama: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=11720&item=3831716564&rd=1

Brian Sweeney

08-08-2004, 09:06

I have been busy Scanning. Here are some shots from the $27 Canon 50mm F1.8 that I CLA'd myself. It had a heavy coating of haze on an interior element, now gone. This job took 45 Minutes.

Canon 50mm F1.8, Wide-Open and Close-up (http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php/photo/1929/size/big/)

Detail Scan of Above (http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php/photo/1930/password/)

Propellor, Wide-Open and Close-up (http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php/photo/1933/size/big/password/)

Brian Sweeney

08-08-2004, 09:08

I should add that is was quite dark in this Museum, and most exposures were 1/30th down to 1/2th second, Handheld.

Doug

08-08-2004, 13:15

Beautiful camera, Joe! But I wish I hadn't clicked on those eBay links, as I recall liking a borrowed VT back in the 60s, so that and the V1T were tempting!

back alley

08-08-2004, 16:53

so, brian...i'll give ya 20 bucks, no make that 40 bucks for the lens.
whadya say?

joe

Rich Silfver

08-08-2004, 22:27

Ebay is not always the best/only place (like Joe showed..).

Here are some alternatives where you don't have to 'bid':

Igor camera at: http://www.igorcamera.com/rangefinder.htm

Canon-7 #838530, case, EX $289.

Canon VT deLuxe #540115, Canon 50/1.8 black, cap, case, EX+ $469.

Canon VT #503018, Canon 50/1.8 chrome, cap, case, EX $369.

Canon IV SB #141814, Canon 50/1.8 chrome, cap, EX+ $295.

Pacificrim at http://www.pacificrimcamera.com/catalog/ag12.htm

Where you can get the BLACK CANON P for merely $3,200.00

Ritz Camera at http://ritzcam.com/catalog/index.html

Canon, Model 7 outfit w/50mm f1.2, 135mm f3.5 Very Nice Set! (tiny crack in opaque glass corner) #804xxx (10-) $850

Canon, Model 7 w/50mm f0.95, orig. lens cap. Beautiful Example! #846xxx (9++) $1695

Canon, VT Deluxe (light base engr, small ding on rear corner) #545xxx (9) $475

Canon, VT Deluxe w/50mm f1.2, Lens cap, Original Canon Display Ribbon, Orig. guarantee card & inst. manual, strap, in orig. case. (couple tiny nicks on body, otherwise Minty) #552xxx (10-) $895

KEH at www.keh.com
7 CHROME 35MM RANGEFINDER MANUAL FOCUS CAMERA BODY
Bargain N/A $275.00

7 CHROME SHUTTER CURTAIN WRINKLED 35MM RANGEFINDER MANUAL FOCUS CAMERA BODY
Excellent N/A $299.00

7 CHROME RANGEFINDER OFF, METER INOPERATIVE, 35MM RANGEFINDER MANUAL FOCUS CAMERA BODY
Bargain N/A $172.00

7S CHROME 35MM RANGEFINDER MANUAL FOCUS CAMERA BODY
Excellent N/A $599.00

P CHROME 35MM RANGEFINDER MANUAL FOCUS CAMERA BODY
Bargain N/A WAS $364.00 NOW $325.00

VI-T CHROME 35MM RANGEFINDER MANUAL FOCUS CAMERA BODY
Bargain N/A $499.00

VT DELUXE CHROME SPEEDS OFF, RANGEFINDER OFF, 35MM RANGEFINDER MANUAL FOCUS CAMERA BODY
Bargain N/A $225.00

Adorama at www.adorama.com
Used
Canon P Rf Chrome Camera Body

$292.00
SKU: RFCCAP
Condition E-

Seems like Joe got a real good deal ;)

Below, black Canon P

Doug

08-08-2004, 23:24

Richard, does that black Canon P look a little suspicious to you? Shouldn't the strap lugs and rings be chrome? Or at least show some wear? Was that camera recently painted?

taffer

08-09-2004, 00:50

Don't forget the photo.net forums also! You can often find great deals in a user-to-user ad and there are also some members with a more or less continuous offer. That's how I got my 7 for $135 :)

taffer

08-09-2004, 02:10

Originally posted by Brian Sweeney
I have been busy Scanning. Here are some shots from the $27 Canon 50mm F1.8 that I CLA'd myself. It had a heavy coating of haze on an interior element, now gone. This job took 45 Minutes.[/URL]

:eek: Where did you get that lens cleaning skills ???

Brian Sweeney

08-09-2004, 02:10

Joe, that lens has a place on my "Basket Case 7" that I opened up last night. From the outside it is hard to detect the impact point; on the inside the prism that projects the frame lines Sheared Off! Yup, solid glass with a clean break near the base. It was CHEAP! The prism and condensor lens were just bouncing around in there, and a mask was blocking the VF. Needless to say, the RF needs to be adjusted.

I got the prism and condensor in place; need to get the frame lines back on track and adjust the RF. THEN: I am going to mount an accessory shoe where the meter was, and remove the H/L switch that gets in the way of my glasses. Incredibly, the shutter is accurate and everything else works.

So it and the cheap 50 will be "The Beater", you know those photographic conditions, like going to the beach, that you
"Leave it to Beater".

On the lens, I took it apart, cleaned the elements, and put it back together. I did not use an auto-collimator to check alignment, and did not test it out on an optics bench. I have yet to take apart a 1950's RF lens for cleaning, put it back together, and see eveidence in the pictures that is is out-of-focus. I believe that the precision work went into making the individual lens, mount, and retaining ring. Taking it apart and putting it back together again is an easier job than putting it together for the first time. I have also swapped elements on a Nikkor zoom (11 Element lens) and a Retina IIc without seeing evidence of bad focus. Of course my experience with a few lenses does not mean that all will work out, but it certainly goes against the "you can't clean a lens without using an autocollimator to line it back up again" posts that I have seen.

Brian Sweeney

08-09-2004, 02:16

Oscar,
I simply started taking apart junk lenses and cleaning them up. I use a $25 spanner, needle nose pliers, and some stiff tweezers to get the retaining lenses out. I learned to order the parts as they come out, using an ice-cube tray. I have a amatuer repair books by Tomosey, good for hints. When you are at the flea market, get a couple of those junk lenses and start practicing.

The Canon lenses are VERY EASY to take apart. One retaining ring on the back removes them from the focus mount. The rear module comes out, and the lenses are hard coated. Last night it took be 20 minutes to get at the elements nearest to the aperture. The oil from the aperture had left a haze on them; came right off with lens cleaner.

taffer

08-09-2004, 02:17

Originally posted by Brian Sweeney
THEN: I am going to mount an accessory shoe where the meter was, and remove the H/L switch that gets in the way of my glasses.

This is how the original accessory shoe for the 7 looks like. Odd isn't it ? I've been thinking about building an easier to use one attachable to the bottom plate via the tripod thread. Heck you can even mount the shoe on a straight attachable plate, only that the finder would be on the bottom of the camera :rolleyes:

Anyway, I think it shouldn't be too difficult to build an L-shaped metal arm which attached to the tripod but ended on the top plate, just above the meter window...

Ideas, just that ... :)