2tcreative
Established
Not having owned any of the Canon bodies, but having owned an M2, M3, M4 and M4-P I would say get the M4-P. It made me a believer and I have sold the other bodies to acquire a Zeiss Ikon ZI. So I will have a metered body and a full manual at a cost much less than I would have spent on one M6TTL or M7.
raid
Dad Photographer
I use my Canon 50/1.2 [user and not mint] on my mint M3 or my user Canon P or mint Bessa T. It is a great lens.
venchka
Veteran
Kevin, you have a PM.
venchka
Veteran
Kevin, You've got mail.
drewbarb
picnic like it's 1999
Kevin- congratulations on your purchase. I have one of these lenses (bought from Raid several years ago!) and I absolutely love it. The M3 is absolutely the best M series Leica for fast 50's (and almost any other lens, IMO). The camera balances very nicely with this lens, and the finder and RF are both a really good match with it- better than the .72 finder Leicas would be.
Don't worry about the finder de-cemeting. Despite what you've read, I'm sure it's a relatively rare problem. For all the ones that have come un-glued, there must be a few hundred still working perfectly. Get a clean one and don't worry about it. I have used a pair of M3's pretty hard for the past ten years, and they still look the same through the front- a little crazing, but no problems, and more importantly, no change. I wouldn't let the possibility of a bad finder deter me from an M3; or, if I did, I'd probably have to rule out the M2, too. Most M2's are nearly as old as many M3's, and they use the same Canadian balsam, so the finder is no more or less likely to de-cement.
Finally, if it does happen, they can be fixed- although you could probably replace it for less money. IF you had one de-cement, I bet you'd never have it happen to two cameras...
Don't worry about the finder de-cemeting. Despite what you've read, I'm sure it's a relatively rare problem. For all the ones that have come un-glued, there must be a few hundred still working perfectly. Get a clean one and don't worry about it. I have used a pair of M3's pretty hard for the past ten years, and they still look the same through the front- a little crazing, but no problems, and more importantly, no change. I wouldn't let the possibility of a bad finder deter me from an M3; or, if I did, I'd probably have to rule out the M2, too. Most M2's are nearly as old as many M3's, and they use the same Canadian balsam, so the finder is no more or less likely to de-cement.
Finally, if it does happen, they can be fixed- although you could probably replace it for less money. IF you had one de-cement, I bet you'd never have it happen to two cameras...
Paul C. Perkins MD
Perk11350
You need a black paint M-2 . . . and one of those art-deco lookin' vented hoods made specifically for the 50mm F:1.2 Canon.
Seriously . . .
I'd go with a Canon P or Canon 7s - and forget about the vented hood made specifically for the 50mm F:1.2 Canon - it's a fat PITA to use and will pop off the lens and bounce handily at the slightest provocation. Get a shade that screws on.
I have two of the lenses with the shades to go with them. I love the glass - and hate the shades. At least one will go away in the coming months.
Seriously . . .
I'd go with a Canon P or Canon 7s - and forget about the vented hood made specifically for the 50mm F:1.2 Canon - it's a fat PITA to use and will pop off the lens and bounce handily at the slightest provocation. Get a shade that screws on.
I have two of the lenses with the shades to go with them. I love the glass - and hate the shades. At least one will go away in the coming months.
Dave Wilkinson
Veteran
rover said:
I got a Canon 7 with f1.2 a few weeks back,-both in nice condition, I love the 7 body, and the lens is good and pristine glass, but I have six 50mm lenses that satisfy me, and don't think I shall have much use for this one. Before I put it on the 'bay, if anyone would like to trade for a fastish 35mm (ltm) -Canon, Nikon, W.H.Y? - send pm.
Regards, Dave
Thanks Dave, I have thinned my surplus quite a bit so no spare 35s. But just thinking to myself since you mentioned trade..... I have a collapsible Summicron..... I will have to think if I would trade that.