Canon 7 Rangefinder lines

[Tijmendal]

Hi,

Got a question about the RF lines on my Canon 7's viewfinder. There only seem to be lines on the left side and was wondering if this is normal. It's on all settings (35-50-85/100 and 135). Only the left two brackets show up while the right ones are non-existent.
Problem with my copy or normal?

I love this camera!

 

[Frontman]

It sounds like the little baffle which sits behind the frame line window which projects the framelines might have gotten knocked loose. It can be fixed, but the repair is a little tricky. It is moved by a cam which is linked to the frame line selector dial. If you have tools, and some mechanical aptitude, you might be able to fix it yourself. I can tell you how, if you want to give it a try. Otherwise, a camera tech can probably fix it without much effort or cost.

 

[farlymac]

If it's loose to the point you are only seeing the lines on one side, then those lines are way off. The mask should be repaired before you rely on the rangefinder giving you the proper focus/view alignment. Might be a couple other things inside there that need attention too.

PF

 

[Tijmendal]

Let me just bump this. I've dug out my Canon 7 and am looking at either getting it repaired or selling it. The camera doesn't need a CLA, but I haven't found a serviceman willing to just fix the frame-line problem for me (preferably in Europe). All shutter speeds are correct, everything is light-tight and the meter is working, but right now the camera is unuseable.
Would anyone know of a repair guy?

 

[Mackinaw]

I had a similar problem with my Canon 7. The dial that controls the viewfinder was so stiff to turn that the frame lines wouldn’t properly come up. Being somewhat handy, I decided to try and fix myself. I downloaded a Canon 7 repair manual, got the right tools, and took off the top plate. The mechanism that controls the viewfinder frames is nothing more than a sliding plate that is connected to the dial. As you turn the dial, the plate moves in a slot which moves the viewfinder frames. Most likely the plate on your camera needs to be adjusted, or lubricated.

I'm pretty sure this is an easy job, so shouldn’t be much of a challenge to a good repair man. There are people in the U.S. who will handle this (DAG, Ken Ruth), but I’m not sure about Europe. Maybe somebody else will see this and chime in.

Jim B.

 

[rfaspen]

I only know of DAG for Canon repair. He did my IIF and its very nice now. I inquired about repairing one of my Canon 7's and he said it will start at $250 for service on a 7. I found that a tad expensive, but he will make it a perfect camera. So, its a quandry. You can get lucky and find a great Canon 7 on the used marked for $200 or even less, but $250 makes my existing one fully reliable for the foreseeable future (and Don provides a warranty of some kind too).

In the end, I just live with my sloppy finder selector knob or use one of the many other rangefinders I have accumulated over the years 🙂

 

[Tijmendal]

I'm not looking to spend much. Maybe I'll just try selling mine for parts or to someone who does know how to fix it.

 

[farlymac]

One alternative is to get the Vari-Finder. Focus with the regular finder, then frame it in the Vari.


Canon Vari-Finder Front by br1078phot, on Flickr

It will work fine on your 7 as it has the auto-parallax correction.


Canon Vari-Finder Mount by br1078phot, on Flickr

PF

 

[hanskerensky]

One alternative is to get the Vari-Finder. Focus with the regular finder, then frame it in the Vari.

PF

Phil, the Canon 7 has standard no accessoire shoe so he has to find the optional one to mount this nice viewfinder. Guess that will be pricely.

Another option of course is sell the camera to me 😀

 

[Tijmendal]

Phil, the Canon 7 has standard no accessoire shoe so he has to find the optional one to mount this nice viewfinder. Guess that will be pricely.

Another option of course is sell the camera to me 😀

If you're willing to I gladly will. You've got mail.

 

[farlymac]

Phil, the Canon 7 has standard no accessoire shoe so he has to find the optional one to mount this nice viewfinder. Guess that will be pricely.

Another option of course is sell the camera to me 😀

I thought they continued that with the 7, Hans. Guess I need to re-check my references. Stands to reason though, as there are frame lines in the viewfinder like on the P. I'll have to get a V or VI if I plan on using mine (it was an impulse buy).

There are also the single viewfinders for each focal length with parallax correction dial on the back, Tijmendal. A bit pricey too, but sometimes they will be included with a lens, along with the hood and case.