Canon 7 vs Canon P

[Stephanie Brim]

I'm having a problem deciding between these two cameras. I thought about getting a Zorki for now and just forgetting about the Canon body for a while, but I really think that a good Canon rangefinder lens deserves a Canon body. So I'm once again faced with a body-buying problem.

The Canon P's rangefinder was the best I'd ever seen. I loved the fact that it was large, bright, and contrasty. The lifesize viewfinder is nice, too. I liked the simplicity of it; no meter, no problem. I used the heck out of that thing.

The Canon 7 has some advantages in my mind, though. The selectable framelines unclutter the viewfinder a bit. The .8 magnification means that, with my glasses, I'll be able to see the 35mm framelines better. The 85mm frameline will make the J-9 I'll eventually purchase with a J-3 to round out the kit easier to use.

Of course, there is a con. The meters in the 7 bodies tend to go out. I can't afford a 7s or a 7sz, of course, so I may have to live without a meter anyway.

The effective baselength is also longer in the 7 than the P (I thought it would be the other way around, though) and would thusly make focusing the 85/2 easier.

There's one thing about the P that I would miss, though: it was my first rangefinder that allowed me to use various lenses. It has the nostalgia factor.

After rereading this post, I'd probably tell myself to go with a 7 because it covers more of what I need. What say you?

[ferider]

The P: the "Bauhaus" Leica 1:1 view beats all other criteria.

And consider the tiny and great 100/3.5 instead of the J-9 (which is practically
impossible to find adjusted to the Canon).

Cheers,

Roland.

[Mackinaw]

Didn't we just have this discussion? Check the archives for January, multiple posts on this topic.

Jim B.

[Terao]

Just done a side-by-side comparison, I would say that there isn't much difference in 35mm frame visibility between the 7 and the P - with my glasses I still can't see the whole 35mm frame.

[Stephanie Brim]

Darn.

Then the selectable framelines is the only thing the 7 has going for it over the P.

[wallace]

Just bought a P some weeks ago. Awsome camera! But the 35mm frame lines are impossible to see with spectacles. I think of buying the 35mm CV finder.

[crawdiddy]

Originally Posted by Stephanie Brim

Darn.

Then the selectable framelines is the only thing the 7 has going for it over the P.

Well, if you ever want the 50mm f/0.95 lens, the 7 will be a must.

I have both, and I agree, the P is a beautiful camera.

[Stephanie Brim]

I'll surprise you guys with what I get. Gotta weigh the pros and cons some more.

[Brian Sweeney]

The VI-T is the easiest to use for 35mm lenses. It has a variable magnification finder. The Canon P and Canon 7 are easier to use for 50mm lenses, more margin for use with glasses.

Stephanie, what lens do you have?

[myoptic3]

I would recommend something different. A used Bessa R3a. It is more money, but you get a lot more. In camera metering, AE, 1:1 viewfinder, the selectable frames you want for different lenses. I have one and it's a neat camera. Personally I hate the sound of the shutter (toy camera like) and the build quality isn't up to the Canons, but the viewfinder is big and bright. To me, you give up too much when you go away from in camera metrering, and the AE is a huge plus. You can pull the camera up to your eye and focus and nail the shot in no time. I missed far too many shots using handheld meters. Other people feel differently on this, so it's just one person's opinion, but for me it is a big factor.

[Al Patterson]

I still think Stephanie wants that M2....

I'm partial to the P for the looks. The selectable framelines on the 7 almost make up for the fact that I think the meter on it makes it butt ugly. And I'm still wondering whether I can use either with my bifocals.

I'll probably get a P at some point anyway, as sooner or later GAS is going to attack, and I know I'm *NOT* done.

[David Murphy]

Originally Posted by Stephanie Brim

I'm having a problem deciding between these two cameras. I thought about getting a Zorki for now and just forgetting about the Canon body for a while, but I really think that a good Canon rangefinder lens deserves a Canon body. So I'm once again faced with a body-buying problem.

The Canon P's rangefinder was the best I'd ever seen. I loved the fact that it was large, bright, and contrasty. The lifesize viewfinder is nice, too. I liked the simplicity of it; no meter, no problem. I used the heck out of that thing.

The Canon 7 has some advantages in my mind, though. The selectable framelines unclutter the viewfinder a bit. The .8 magnification means that, with my glasses, I'll be able to see the 35mm framelines better. The 85mm frameline will make the J-9 I'll eventually purchase with a J-3 to round out the kit easier to use.

Of course, there is a con. The meters in the 7 bodies tend to go out. I can't afford a 7s or a 7sz, of course, so I may have to live without a meter anyway.

The effective baselength is also longer in the 7 than the P (I thought it would be the other way around, though) and would thusly make focusing the 85/2 easier.

There's one thing about the P that I would miss, though: it was my first rangefinder that allowed me to use various lenses. It has the nostalgia factor.

After rereading this post, I'd probably tell myself to go with a 7 because it covers more of what I need. What say you?

I've owned them both, and I'd call this a toss-up. They each have relative advantages, and both make outstanding shooting platforms for LTM lenses. I'd make the decision on the basis of the condition and price of what you find.

[Stephanie Brim]

I do still want the M2, but my budget (and the soon-to-be-mine Canon 35/2.8, and my significant other) would rather I get a Canon. I had no trouble using a 35 on the P, nor did I have any trouble composing. However, I won't have to worry much about it since the 35 comes with the external accessory viewfinder. If I find I have trouble I can just use that.

I only plan to pick up two other lenses in the future: an LTM mount J-3 and an LTM mount J-9. I may spring for a J-12 to compare the Canon 35 to just for fun.

[crawdiddy]

BTW Stephanie, I just bought a Canon 35mm 2.8 w/ finder, and I've been using it mostly on my Leica IIIf. It's a great lens, and the finder is nice too. This lens has quickly become my favorite on the IIIf. Of course, the IIIf has no framelines other than 50mm, so it needs a finder. But the finder even looks good on the camera, and so does the lens. And I like the field of view. I think you'll be happy with it.

[Bingley]

Originally Posted by Stephanie Brim

Darn.

Then the selectable framelines is the only thing the 7 has going for it over the P.

Stephanie -- I have a 7 and a P. I also wear glasses. Unlike Terao, however, I find the 35mm framelines much easier to see on the 7 than on the P. The uncluttered viewfinder w/ switchable framelines is a plus in the 7's favor. But if I could keep only one of the two, I would keep the P, for the following reasons: it's slightly smaller (but only slightly) and sleeker than the 7; it has a quieter shutter (the shutter on my P is as quiet as an M2's); the 1:1 viewfinder IS great to use w/ 50mm and 100mm lenses; and the P has an accessory shoe. If you're getting the 35/2.8 Canon lens, it would look awesome on a P, and from previous posts it sounds like you can deal w/ the 35 framelines issue.

My two cents.

Edit: I forgot to add: Roland is right about the 100/3.5.

Canon P = LTM M2, but easier to load.
Canon 7 = LTM M4, but easier to load.

[Stephanie Brim]

I have noticed one thing, though, about the P: they're going for higher than the 7 on Ebay. I'm going to call keh.com on Monday about a 7 they have. I'll keep you all posted.

[zbgreen3]

Hope you found your dream camera. If not, I have both a P and a 7 with a working meter running on *ebay. Would be willing to shave prices a bit for a forum member. Send me a message if interested