Hexar
Newbie
Canon VI-T vs Canon 7S
Which one is worthy to buying? same price and same condition.
Which one is worthy to buying? same price and same condition.
dexdog
Veteran
personally, i would go for the 7s- I think the switchable frames and finder are much more useful than the VI-T. Also,I am not a fan of trigger winders. The VI-T feels more solid than the 7s, but I have no complaints about the durability of either.
jlw
Rangefinder camera pedant
They're both worth buying, but the 7s is more "normal" and more generally useful.
(So having said that, why did I sell my 7s and keep my VI-T? Just eccentric, I guess...)
I'd like to stick up for the VI-T a bit, especially in the winding/focusing department. For many, many years the VI-T was my primary camera for shooting ballet performances (with 50/1.4 and 100/2 lenses) so that certainly should prove you can focus, fire and wind with only two hands.
I suspect the secret of my success is that my VI-T has the Canon palm grip accessory, a knurled cylindrical steel handle that screws into the tripod socket. This grip lets you take the weight of the camera in your palm, freeing the fingers of your left hand for focusing. It also provides an opposing surface when you squeeze the trigger to advance, so the camera isn't pulled off-target. It even improves vertical shooting by letting you balance the camera on your palm. For anyone who wants to use a VI-T, I highly recommend it... and if you can't find it, the currently-available Voigtlander grip might be a good substitute.
Having defended the VI-T as the quick, facile shooter it is, I still have to say that most people are going to be more comfortable with a 7s. One big reason is the viewfinder: the VI-T has reflected parallax-compensated framelines for 50mm and 100mm lenses only, plus a separate unframed position for a 35mm lens. The finder image is 1:1, which is nice, and the extra magnified "Mg" position is handy for accurate focusing of long lenses.
But the reflected frames still aren't nearly as clear as the 7s's projected frames, and the 7s also has a wider range of them: 35, 50, 85, 100, and 135, all parallax-compensated and all neatly labeled in the finder.
Other than the finder and the winding mechanism, the two cameras are quite similar feature-wise -- same stainless-steel-curtain shutter, same type of shutter speed dial, etc. The 7s has a CdS meter, which is handy if it's working but probably not quite handy enough to be your only meter; the same is true of the accessory clip-on meter available for the VI-T. The VI-T has that crazy little pin in the accessory shoe that provides automatic parallax compensation for V-series accessory finders... but the 7s's extra complement of framelines means you're less likely to need accessory finders in the first place.
So I'd say that for most people, the 7s gets the nod for its more familiar thumb wind, and its superior and more versatile finder. Oh, yeah, it also has the external breech-lock flange you'll need if you ever get the urge to try the 50mm f/0.95 lens (and if you do get the urge, you'd better do it quickly before all of them get cobbled into Leica M mounts!)
Incidentally, if you found a 7s for the same asking price as a comparable VI-T, you're doing a great job of shopping! VI-T prices have always struck me as inexplicably low... sure, the finder is a bit quirky and the trigger wind isn't to everyone's taste, but it's still a beautifully finished, low-production (about 8,000) camera that represents the last of Canon's trigger-wind era, and you'd think that would make them worth something, but prices seem to have been in the doldrums for years while other Canons such as the 7s and the P have gone up. I guess people who haven't tried it just really hate that trigger wind!
Gratuitous camera p0rn:
(So having said that, why did I sell my 7s and keep my VI-T? Just eccentric, I guess...)
I'd like to stick up for the VI-T a bit, especially in the winding/focusing department. For many, many years the VI-T was my primary camera for shooting ballet performances (with 50/1.4 and 100/2 lenses) so that certainly should prove you can focus, fire and wind with only two hands.
I suspect the secret of my success is that my VI-T has the Canon palm grip accessory, a knurled cylindrical steel handle that screws into the tripod socket. This grip lets you take the weight of the camera in your palm, freeing the fingers of your left hand for focusing. It also provides an opposing surface when you squeeze the trigger to advance, so the camera isn't pulled off-target. It even improves vertical shooting by letting you balance the camera on your palm. For anyone who wants to use a VI-T, I highly recommend it... and if you can't find it, the currently-available Voigtlander grip might be a good substitute.
Having defended the VI-T as the quick, facile shooter it is, I still have to say that most people are going to be more comfortable with a 7s. One big reason is the viewfinder: the VI-T has reflected parallax-compensated framelines for 50mm and 100mm lenses only, plus a separate unframed position for a 35mm lens. The finder image is 1:1, which is nice, and the extra magnified "Mg" position is handy for accurate focusing of long lenses.
But the reflected frames still aren't nearly as clear as the 7s's projected frames, and the 7s also has a wider range of them: 35, 50, 85, 100, and 135, all parallax-compensated and all neatly labeled in the finder.
Other than the finder and the winding mechanism, the two cameras are quite similar feature-wise -- same stainless-steel-curtain shutter, same type of shutter speed dial, etc. The 7s has a CdS meter, which is handy if it's working but probably not quite handy enough to be your only meter; the same is true of the accessory clip-on meter available for the VI-T. The VI-T has that crazy little pin in the accessory shoe that provides automatic parallax compensation for V-series accessory finders... but the 7s's extra complement of framelines means you're less likely to need accessory finders in the first place.
So I'd say that for most people, the 7s gets the nod for its more familiar thumb wind, and its superior and more versatile finder. Oh, yeah, it also has the external breech-lock flange you'll need if you ever get the urge to try the 50mm f/0.95 lens (and if you do get the urge, you'd better do it quickly before all of them get cobbled into Leica M mounts!)
Incidentally, if you found a 7s for the same asking price as a comparable VI-T, you're doing a great job of shopping! VI-T prices have always struck me as inexplicably low... sure, the finder is a bit quirky and the trigger wind isn't to everyone's taste, but it's still a beautifully finished, low-production (about 8,000) camera that represents the last of Canon's trigger-wind era, and you'd think that would make them worth something, but prices seem to have been in the doldrums for years while other Canons such as the 7s and the P have gone up. I guess people who haven't tried it just really hate that trigger wind!
Gratuitous camera p0rn:
Kim Coxon
Moderator
I would echo Fred's words. I did have a VI-T but got rid of it. I found the trigger winder a PITA but then some people like them. Problem with the VI-T is that it it is only usable with the trigger whereas the add-on ones give you the choice. Having said that I far prefer the variable mag finder of the V and VI series to the P and 7. The one thing I miss about the VI-L's is the 1:1 finder.
Kim
Kim
kevin m
Veteran
The VI-T definitely has a nicer fit and finish than the 7, if that's important to you. I'm surprised at what a jewel the camera is. But I have to agree that the trigger winder is less than ideal, ergonomically.
The best from an ergonomic standpoint isn't the Canon 7, Leica M, Zeiss Ikon or any Bessa R, though, it's the Hexar RF. That internal motor winder makes all the difference!
The best from an ergonomic standpoint isn't the Canon 7, Leica M, Zeiss Ikon or any Bessa R, though, it's the Hexar RF. That internal motor winder makes all the difference!
harry01562
Registered semi-lurker
As you've noticed, if both cameras are equal in quality, the 7s is priced lower than normal, or the VI-T is too high. Issues of design/build etc notwithstanding, the 7s is a more valuable camera than a VI-T.
It also is more flexible, and may have a working meter, but a limited one because of age. It also accepts the 0.95 lens, and has a nice and versatile VF. Except for the small design change of the so-called 7sZ, this was the last of the Canon RF's, and made to compete with the Leica M3. And in many opinions, harumphhh, it did very well for itself. Check the fine article at the Cameraquest site, for example.
Harry
It also is more flexible, and may have a working meter, but a limited one because of age. It also accepts the 0.95 lens, and has a nice and versatile VF. Except for the small design change of the so-called 7sZ, this was the last of the Canon RF's, and made to compete with the Leica M3. And in many opinions, harumphhh, it did very well for itself. Check the fine article at the Cameraquest site, for example.
Harry
Hexar
Newbie
Thank you very much, got 7S, mint condition.
harry01562
Registered semi-lurker
Fantastic, you'll love it. First... right away... put a roll through it, using various speeds, etc. Have it processed at one of those quicky places, after all this isn't great art, it's testing. If I may assume all comes out fine, you have a camera that will hold its head high in any company.
Because of age, and lubricants that dry out, the worst you should face is a CLA. Sherry Krauter or Don Goldberg can probably do that little job easily, with generally excellent results.
Enjoy...
Harry
Because of age, and lubricants that dry out, the worst you should face is a CLA. Sherry Krauter or Don Goldberg can probably do that little job easily, with generally excellent results.
Enjoy...
Harry
januaryman
"Flim? You want flim?"
Don't need this now, but for future reference, who is Sherry Krauter? DAG i am aware of.
Thanks
Thanks
dexdog
Veteran
Sherry Krauter is the person behind Golden Touch, one of the best regarded leica techs in the business.
http://www.sherrykrauter.com/
http://www.sherrykrauter.com/
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breathstealer
Established
While we're on the topic of the Canon 7 and ergonomics, does anyone know where I can get a reasonably-priced grip for mine?
