Canon 7 vs ... other Canons

[dxq.canada]

Thanks for the info on the size comparison.

I think I will stick to the 7, as I wear glasses.

 

[cassel]

Love my Canon 7...It's not the prettiest camera but the viewfinder more than makes up for it's overall looks. I have owned a Canon VT deluxe and a L1. I also just bought a L3 that is on it's way to me (price was too good to pass up). The 7 was cheap, but it did need an overhaul for an erratic shutter. Now that it's repaired- It's a keeper!

 

[dxq.canada]

Hmm, I accidentally purchased a Canon P.
I was hunting for a Canon 35mm lens ... and it came with a camera.

Now I can really compare the two cameras.

 

[Frontman]

The Canon 7 and Canon P are not really very similar. The Canon 7 uses a more sophisticated rangefinder with projected framelines, whereas the Canon P uses engraved lines in front of the eyepiece. The shutter looks to be the same between the two cameras, but the mechanism on the Canon 7 is smoother. The two cameras remind me a bit of the Nikon rangefinders, the Canon 7 is like the Nikon SP, the Canon P is like the Nikon S3.

 

[Dez]

Hmm, I accidentally purchased a Canon P.
I was hunting for a Canon 35mm lens ... and it came with a camera.

Now I can really compare the two cameras.

A fortunate accident indeed, getting a Canon P. I have both a P and a 7S, and I have never been able to make up my mind which one I like best. I also have a IVSB2, which I think is cooler than either of them, but which I hardly ever use, as the VF's of the P and 7S are SO much better.

Ya pays yer money and ya makes yer choice, or not.
Dez

 

[KoNickon]

I had a 7 and have a 7s. I have found the viewfinders of both of them to make my eyes water -- I have difficulty focusing with them. (They are properly aligned.) No such problems with the P, even though, as a glasses wearer, seeing the 35mm framelines is a stretch. Anyone else have this experience?

No trouble whatsoever with the size of the 7/7s in my book.

 

[jwnash1]

I had the P and the 7, with an accessory clip, at the same time. I alternated them trying to decide which I preferred. I loved the view finder of the 7 but hated its bulkiness and the accessory clip which I needed for my frequently used 28mm. As some one previously said, a P with the 7 view finder would be awesome. Anyway the elegance of the P won me over and I sold off the 7. I cannot see the P 35mm lines as I wear glasses so I use an accessory finder for both my 28 and 35.
John

 

[lawrence]

I've had a 7, a P and an L1. I kept the L1. I didn't like the 7 (too big) and I didn't like the P (too many frame lines and couldn't see the 35mm frame wearing glasses) and somehow I rather like the eccentricity of the L1.

 

[dxq.canada]

OK, finally got the Canon P.

It is a little shorter and a little thinner depth ... and sticking on the lightmeter makes it gigantic.

Note: I shot this a little wide angle so the 7 in the back looks like its not as wide, but they are about the same.

I cannot see the 35mm frame markers with my glasses on ... I can just see a little beyond the 50mm markers. Looks like the 7 is the winner for viewing through the viewfinder.

... though the Canon 35mm f/2.8 looks tiny when mounted on either camera.

 

[dxq.canada]

Ah, frustrating ...

I like the size of the P ... even though it is not much smaller ... but the viewfinder sucks with a 35mm lens.

For some strange reason the 7 seems much bigger in the hand.

 

[Bingley]

Just use the 35 lens on the Canon 7. Nothing wrong with a teeny lens on a larger rf body, and the 35 framelines on the 7 are so much nicer than on the P. The P is made for a 50, like a Leica M3.

 

[Bar8barian]

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[Mackinaw]

I have a P and only use 50's.
How does a VI-L compare to the P and 7.

The VI-L is based on the same chassis of the P. Big difference is the viewfinder which includes three selectable magnifications (35mm. 50mm and magnified). It's about the same size as the P. The 7 is a totally different camera, larger and heavier than the P or the VI-L, with a viewfinder that has projected framelines like found in the Leica M-series.

I prefer the 7 because of the viewfinder, which is top-notch.

Check out the Canon Museum for more info:

http://www.canon.com/camera-museum/camera/film/chrono_1956-1965.html?lang=us

Jim B.

 

[raid]

The VI-L has the special note at that site: "In the classic camera market, the VI L is highly sought after as a historical and high-quality camera."

 

[Bar8barian]

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[littlemax]

I have been having the P for about half a year. Got the 7S yesterday.

Viewfinder of the 7 is slightly bigger. Selectable framelines a definite plus.

Though the circular rangefinder patch of the P is bigger than the square patch of the 7. Whis is really appreciable.

I would say both are great cameras and similarly nice to use.

I prefer the P sleaker shape which makes it timeless as the 7S is more a beauty from the 50's.

 

[Uglee]

I wear glasses and I do not have any problems with the view finder of the Canon P. I'll admit that I usually don't see all the frame lines of the 35 with out shifting my eye, however I simply use the entire visible view as a 35. I really don't see this as a problem and I do think the P is a better looking and better feeling camera than the 7.

 

[Mackinaw]

......I prefer the P sleaker shape which makes it timeless as the 7S is more a beauty from the 50's......

A small point, but the 7S was introduced in 1965 and went out of production in the late '60's.

Jim B.