Canon 7 and P bottom plate removal

[Kevcaster]

Hi all
I'm restoring two classic Canon rangefinders, a 7 and a P and have come to the bottom plate removel. I see the collar round the tripod bush, the two screws and the catch release on the film side. This catch release has a pinned screw inside the camera body which is proving reluctant to budge, am I missing something? For example, does this have a left hand thread or does it dismantle from the outside? As ever, all help gratefully received.
Kevin

 

[Mackinaw]

I haven’t taken apart a Canon 7 in years now, but to remove the bottom plate, all you have to do is to remove the retaining ring and the two screws on the other end and lift the plate off. That’s it.

Jim B.

 

[Kevcaster]

Ok thanks Jim, you were absolutely right, I was complicating life as the plate was very snug by the back release and I wondered if was tethered there. Thanks for the quick reply, I can get on now.
kevin

 

[hanskerensky]

And this is how it looks :


Canon 7 Bottom Cover Removed (02) by Hans Kerensky, on Flickr

 

[paolo]

Might be this page will be helpful

http://www.pentax-manuals.com/manuals/service/canon 7 repair.pdf

It contains exploded view of Canon 7

 

[Kevcaster]

Might be this page will be helpful

http://www.pentax-manuals.com/manuals/service/canon 7 repair.pdf

It contains exploded view of Canon 7

Paulo, yes also useful!

Thanks to Hans, and Mackinaw also for good direction. Both the Canons are done for now, the 7 is fully functional with a meter that reads the same as my Weston and Sekonic L308 in normal daylight.
The P is my favourite, slightly shorter than the 7 and feels smaller all round although it shares length and width. I also like the viewfinder better and the rewind lever is a triumph of design - why did they give that up?
Hans I see on your Flickr pages that you found a Jupiter 12 that fits, I think I will do the same as the Canons are rare in Europe and expensive from Japan or the USA. I'm testing both 7 and P with film this morning and will post any significant findings.
Thanks again, this forum is a terrific resource
Kevin

 

[hanskerensky]

Hans I see on your Flickr pages that you found a Jupiter 12 that fits, I think I will do the same as the Canons are rare in Europe and expensive from Japan or the USA. Kevin

Kevin, please be aware that not all Jupiter-12 lenses will fit. My first one, a N.O.S., surely didn't and started to touch the light baffles before fully screwed in. My second one surprisingly did fit !

Best if you can try it out carefuly before buying.

 

[Kevcaster]

Kevin, please be aware that not all Jupiter-12 lenses will fit. My first one, a N.O.S., surely didn't and started to touch the light baffles before fully screwed in. My second one surprisingly did fit !

Best if you can try it out carefuly before buying.

OK understood, I planned to get one around the same serial number/date as the one you have! That should improve my chances as it is almost impossible to find a Jupiter in a camera shop these days - actually quite hard to find a camera shop.
The film test was good, all speeds consistently 1/3 stop slow on the 7, possible shutter cap at 1/100th on the P, I have to test further. I really like these cameras.
Kevin

 

[hanskerensky]

OK understood, I planned to get one around the same serial number/date as the one you have! That should improve my chances as it is almost impossible to find a Jupiter in a camera shop these days - actually quite hard to find a camera shop.
The film test was good, all speeds consistently 1/3 stop slow on the 7, possible shutter cap at 1/100th on the P, I have to test further. I really like these cameras.
Kevin

Surprisingly the serial numbers of my 2 Jupiter-12 lenses were not that far apart. I got my first, the practically new one, from the Ukraine and the second one from a photographica fair here in The Netherlands.


Canon 7 on Display (05) by Hans Kerensky, on Flickr


Canon 7 on Display (08) by Hans Kerensky, on Flickr

 

[Kevcaster]

Surprisingly the serial numbers of my 2 Jupiter-12 lenses were not that far apart. I got my first, the practically new one, from the Ukraine and the second one from a photographica fair here in The Netherlands.

Right! Never a dull moment with old cameras, I may have to 'kiss a few frogs' to find my Prince.
What strikes me out this lens is how compact it is to the front, without the deep mount it would be a very compact unit - add a focus tab and a cutaway hood and this would be wonderful. The Russkies missed a trick there.
Kevin