Canon 7 - what are they like?

GWT · 06-17-2012

I just read recently about the Canon 7 rangefinder and as it seems with any half good rangefinder the words "as good as a Leica" where used to describe it.

I was wondering what you guys thought, is the Canon 7 any good?

What's it's pro's and con's?

Sejanus.Aelianus · 06-17-2012

This is a very useful page: http://www.cameraquest.com/canon7sz.htm

Joe AC · 06-17-2012

I had one and can say that it's a very good camera. Film loading is easier due to the door but the RF patch is not as good. Also the build quality is not even close to being as good, but unless you abuse your cameras, that is a non issue. Is a great camera for the price.

Joe

breathstealer · 06-17-2012

It has an excellent feature list, but I never really got on with mine because of the weak RF patch. If you have the chance to try one and it's in better condition than mine, it should be immediately obvious that it's a great camera.

zauhar · 06-17-2012

I have one, it is a very good camera. The RF patch is not like a Leica, but is usable even in low light.

Full disclaimer - since I got a Leica IIIf, the Canon has seen little use - but I do still use the Canon 50/1.4 LTM, which I think is a superb lens.

Randy

David Murphy · 06-17-2012

It's a very good camera and as stated above nicely priced for a rangefinder. Many need maintenance, but good ones not requiring work can be found with just a bit of patience. They are on the heavy side, but they have a good feature set and are very easy to use. Expect to pay $140-220 or so depending on condition. No it is not Leica build quality, but the quality is still very good (Leica is exceptional, but priced accordingly).

dleibow · 06-17-2012

I think they are built pretty well. Better than the new Bessas. I think it is the easiest to use screw thread camera. Single window rangefinder, etc. The Canon P is also very nice and is a bit smaller.

Nokton48 · 06-17-2012

I have the Canon 7, which had been overhauled by the previous owner. The CLA was good and complete, and I find these to be very good cameras. I sold my Leicas and these Canon are also fine for my uses. I also have the P, 7S, and VT as well as most of the original lenses and accessories. This is fun stuff to collect and use. The range finder on my Canon 7 is in good condition and quite usuable. Actually with bigger body size and meter, this camera reminds me alot of my old M5.

Gerry M · 06-17-2012

I have/use a 7S and feel it is well built. I've had Bessa R, R2 and R2A and there is no comparison with build quality. I had an M4 and while its' VF is better, I find the 7 & P bodies are actually easier to use. Just my experience.

tennis-joe · 06-19-2012

I have a Canon 7 and I like it. It has the steel shutter replaced with a new one that is not wrinkled. I think they took it off a Nikon F maybe. The patch is a bit weak but the fact that is shows 35mm, 50mm, 85mm, and 135 make it great. It is missing the flash holder but they are available at times on Ebay. My meter works great and is accurate. With that added flash holder I sometimes add a meter by Voigtlander.
Joe

Thomas78 · 06-19-2012

At the Canon 7, the 85 mm frame shows together with a 100 mm frame at the same time.

And the Canon 7 is really a nice camera to work with, even with a rangefinder spot not fully at the same level than a Leica M.

Bingley · 06-19-2012

I had a Canon 7, it was an excellent camera, built like a tank, a bit on the heavy side compared to a Leica M of the same era, but very good value for the money. The vf magnification on the 7 makes it a good match for a 35mm lens (the framelines for 35 mm are much easier to see than on the Canon P). On the 7 that I had, the vf was as bright as an M4, although the rf patch was not as distinct. The big drawback for me was the lack of an auxiliary shoe - if you use wider than 35 lenses you can't use an auxiliary finder. But if you like LTM lenses in the 35, 50, 90 range, the 7 can be a great buy.

DavidC · 06-25-2012

I find myself gravitating to a Canon P even though the viewfinder of the canon 7 is brighter simply due to the weak rf patch. In bad cases you have the flare with the weak rf patch and that makes focusing a chore.
Had canon fixed its rf patch the 7 could have become a real classic. There is no chance of a rangefinder revival ( i.e. modified canon 7s with thru the lens metering and bayonet mount? ) from canon so don't hold your hopes for a leica like rf patch from canon.

martinsmith99 · 06-30-2012

I was considering a Canon 7 until I tried a very good Zorki 6. That's now my 1st choice interchangeable RF. I suspect the Canon may be better from a QC POV as my Canonette QL17 Giii feels better quality, but the Zorki is really smooth.

-Nash- · 07-10-2012

I have been using the 7s. It is logically thought out and simple to use. The shutter dial is nice and large and the frame-lines are good in visibility. Viewfinder and patch are not as bright as the Ms but are usable in all situations. Rewind knob is a bit poor though. Relatively smooth film advance with steel curtains - kinda reminds me of the way the Nikon rangefinders & F feel when you advance the film.

Jaans · 07-10-2012

Get a Barnack with a CLA^^

Bill58 · 07-10-2012

Get a P for your needs--lighter, easy to load, bright RF. The L1 is nice too, w/ a little retro look. The latter usually has a better RF patch. Many P patches have faded over the years.

colyn · 07-10-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaans

Get a Barnack with a CLA^^

The Canons are just as good as the Leica.

Mackinaw · 07-10-2012

The 7 is an excellent camera. A bit large, but no more so than other cameras of this time period. Both the 7 and 7s used projected frame lines, like the Leica M, so viewing and focusing are Leica M-like. As others have pointed out, the focusing patch is "soft-edged" so focusing isn't as easy in dim light as the Leica M. I find construction of the 7 to be top-notch, the film advance on my 7 is silky smooth and the other controls move with a satisfying smoothness. The camera does look a bit dorky with that very-obvious selenium cell on the top front plate, but that doesn't really detract from this camera's innate goodness. Another benefit is that the 7 is very affordable, some would even say cheap. It's a great way into the Canon rangefinder system.

Jim B.

goamules · 07-10-2012

A Canon 7 is generations ahead of a Barnak (Leica ii and iii), and even has a lot of advancements over an M, starting with a durable metal shutter versus cloth. The below site sums it up nicely.

"The Canon 7/7s/7sZ has some nice features that the Leica M's unfortunately do not. They include: a shutter lock, a film transport window, an overly large shutter speed dial, and a the well placed PC sync post at the end of the camera body. It's better than the Leica M because it's more out of the way and less likely to end up in your eye." - http://www.cameraquest.com/canon7sz.htm

-Nash- · 07-10-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by colyn

The Canons are just as good as the Leica.

Consider the Canon IV SB. It feels much better to use than the II's or III's.

goamules · 07-10-2012

He's asking about a Canon 7, not a Barnak type.

z.bruce.li · 07-10-2012

I like my Canon 7, a solid straightforward camera that does not get in the way of photography. There is little fiddling you need for the camera. The RF patch is ok on my sample, quite usable even in indoor low light conditions. The lightmeter might still work, all controls are smooth, shutter is not too loud, and the price is right. I wish it was a bit smaller and lighter, especially with my Jupiter-3.

Even though I have not tried, another benefit of the 7/7s is the ability to use super fast Canon RF lenses like 50/1.2 or 50/1.0?