Considering a Canon P! Looking for Pro's and Con's

flipflop · 02-12-2006

Hi,
Im thinking about a manual rangefinder as currently I ownly have a G1 and its Af as you all know. I was thinking of getting a nice manual rangefinder and was thinking of the P. How much are lenses besides the 50mm and what sort of quality can I expect, I have high expectations as I currently use the G. Also, please tell me what you do and dont like about this camera.

thanks in advance!

VictorM. · 02-12-2006

The only problem I had with the Canon P was the finder: I couldn't see the 35mm framelines because I wear glasses. The mechanical quality was much better than I expected. Lens quality is up to you: because the lens mount is a copy of the Leica thread mount, there's lenses from a variety of eras and manufacturers available. If your most used lenses tend to be 50mm or 100mm this is a great camera.

flipflop · 02-12-2006

Thanks, hmm..are there lenses that are of equivalnet sharpness and contrast to the Contax G for the same price? If so what are they...I know leica is good but I dont think I can afford any of these...how are the older canon lenses?

are there frame lines for 28mm?
lens I like to use 28mm 35mm 45-50mm 90-100mm

Stephanie Brim · 02-12-2006

The only framelines are 35-50-100. The 35mm framelines are hard to see without glasses, but you can use the 50mm lines to help frame if you're an eyeglass wearer. For other lenses you're going to want an accessory finder. If you don't like that idea you're most likely better off with another camera.

That said, I love my Canon P. I love it more than any other camera I've ever had. I shoot mostly 50 with some 35 sprinkled in every once in a while and the camera is perfect for me.

flipflop · 02-12-2006

how much would a 50mm and 100mm lens cost...canon I guess unless there is somehting better.

Also, if I were to buy this camera on ebay...how likely would it be that it would need a CLA, how much does this cost?

Just trying to figure how much a kit would cost me....I like the 50mm and 100mm ...so its external finder for anything wide...hmm...

Stephanie Brim · 02-12-2006

Depending on which 50 and which 100, anywhere from $150-$400. I would start out with the cheap but very good Canon 50/1.8 and the 100/3.5. If you buy on Ebay, buy from someone who knows what they're talking about if you can...they'll most likely say if it is in working order or if it needs a CLA. You may want to budget for one down the line regardless. Also, don't be afraid of 'slightly wrinkled shutter curtain' in the description. As long as it isn't bad it won't be that much of a problem.

VictorM. · 02-12-2006

Don't overlook the Voigtlander lenses. They may be a closer match for the Contax lenses than the older Canon lenses.

John Shriver · 02-12-2006

If you really want a 100mm lens, the Canon 100/3.5 is just wonderful. Nothing to be ashamed of. Cosina/Voigtlander (CV) don't make a 100, only Canon has made LTM 100's.

For 35mm, I'm sure several of the CV 35's are practically close to the G1's lenses. Don't do it until you see how YOU can see the 35mm framelines.

In 50mm, the CV 50/1.5 has a fine reputation. As does the Canon 50/1.8. If you're into B&W photography, you might want to consider a Leica Summitar 50/2.0, being sure the glass is NOT covered with cleaning marks.

harry01562 · 02-12-2006

The 100/3.5 is very small, and also very good. It is relatively common, and not too pricey. The 100/2 is large, but rated excellent, also scarce and expensive.
There are several choices for a 50, and the 1.8 is reasonable. There are also several 35's, including the 2 (excellent), and the 1.8 (close, and well-liked). Those would be the highest priced, probably, but should also hold their value, IMHO.

The camera itself is a beautifully crafted machine. If not serviced for years, it would benefit from a CLA. That would almost guarantee many years of reliable functioning. The VI-L is very close, but slightly older, and scarcer. I've never had the pleasure of using any of the L-series.

There are also many other brands of lenses that will fit, and they cover a wide range of quality and price. They will also fit on other fine cameras, including the Leica clones, and, of course, the uhhhh Leicas.

Harry

ChrisN · 02-12-2006

I have a good Canon P, and a recently-serviced Leica M4. In use, I'd rate the two as being very similar, with the exception, as others have noted, that the viewfinder on the P is not quite up to the standard of the best Leica's. (But it still rates way up there amongst the best, imho.)

For lenses, don't forget that the Canon P can use the whole range of Leica screw mount lenses, including the Canon, all the Leicas, most FSU (with some restrictions on large aperture/close focus - a lens-mount-to-film-plane-distance thing) the modern Cosina-Voigtlander (check our sponsor CameraQuest), and various other classic lenses. A marvellous range of lenses! A good Canon P won't disappoint you or limit you at all.

harry01562 · 02-12-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Shriver

If you're into B&W photography, you might want to consider a Leica Summitar 50/2.0, being sure the glass is NOT covered with cleaning marks.

You can find Summitars with decent glass. I lucked into one made in 1948, with almost perfect glass, and nice coating. A very decent performer.

Harry

flipflop · 02-12-2006

whats the going price for a nice P...one that does not need service..or including a CLA?

ChrisN · 02-12-2006

US$350 to $400 seems to be the going rate for a very good one,; sometimes you can get lucky and get one for less.

I recently paid $185 for a service which included replacing damaged metal curtains with fabric curtains.

flipflop · 02-12-2006

hmm...which do you prefer your leica m4 or the Canon P?

wlewisiii · 02-12-2006

Chris, do you have that P in hand yet? I am really looking forward to your review of the work done on that shutter.

Thanks!

William

flipflop · 02-12-2006

of these Canon P's listed on ebay which one would you bid on and how much.

1.) http://cgi.ebay.com/Canon-P-with-f-1...QQcmdZViewItem

2.) http://cgi.ebay.com/CANON-P-RF-35-CA...QQcmdZViewItem

3.) http://cgi.ebay.com/Canon-P-35mm-ran...QQcmdZViewItem

4.) http://cgi.ebay.com/Canon-P-RF-body-...QQcmdZViewItem

5.) http://cgi.ebay.com/Canon-P-Populair...QQcmdZViewItem

Thanks for looking and helping out

wlewisiii · 02-12-2006

Only one in that list worth caring about is the first one and that has more to do with the lens than the body. And _you_ have to like what that lens does for it to be a good purchase. The 50/1.2 has a very real different look from other Canon lenses. Some will like it; some won't. Sorry I can't be more help.

Darned if you do & damned if you dont...

William

Stephanie Brim · 02-12-2006

ChrisN: You still haven't told me if it made the camera quieter or not.

ChrisN · 02-12-2006

William and Stephanie - no, I still have not received the camera! I'm anxiously awaiting its arrival, and was again disappointed this afternoon when I got home. Mark H is not real pro-active on the communications front - I might have to give him another phone call to find out whether he has sent the camera yet.

Don't worry - when it arrives I'll tell the world!

Stephanie Brim · 02-12-2006

Gee...it *has* been quite some time. Hope everything is going on the right track.

Sonnar2 · 02-13-2006

I see the 35mm framelines with glasses, but at a finder without minification (1:1) the picture is too big to overview it with one glance. So I prefer my Bessa (0,82x) as a wideangle camera.
It's best with a 50mm or 100mm lens. To bad Canon didn't have add the 85mm framelines as well, but this probably would have annoyed other people. In fact, except for collectors there is no point to own 85mm and 100mm mixed together. So the best lenses for the Canon-P are the 50/1.8 plus the 100/3.5, both beeing very sharp and contrasty even at modern standards. Unfortunately the 100/2.0 is a quite rare and not compact lens. Of course, a guess-based composing is possible with 85mm lenses (or external viewfinder).

cheers, Frank

Kyle · 02-13-2006

I just got my P on Saturday, I haven't finished a roll with it yet but it is very nice. I tradedt a Leica M3 for it and so far no disappointments. The 35mm lines are kinda hard to see, but they're better than the 35mm lines in the M3

. Its a very nice camera, with build quality similar to the Leica. The one thing I noticed was, although the P isn't any bigger than my M3, Zorki 4K, or Bessa R, it seems bigger. Its really weird. I look at it and I think its huge, but then when you place it next to one of my other cameras and its the same size. I have no idea why that is, but I thought it was an interesting phenomena.