Canon 7S Question

[Nokton48]

Hello All,

I'm getting a Canon 7S body, at a good price, from KEH. The camera is listed as "EXC" which normally means quite nice, in my experiences with them. In other words, better than one of their "BGN" condition cameras, which can often look close to new.

The camera is listed as "Inop" so I imagine it needs a CLA and maybe a bit more. I'm thinking of sending it to Essex Camera Repair, they have done a geat job in the past, with my Canon lenses. I have not been dissapointed with Essex, and they are pretty fast (usually just a couple of weeks). Mark Hama is another possibility, he has done work for me in the past, on my Son's YashicaMats and other things.

Anything special that I should check out, when I get this body? Rangefinder patch obviously, curtains, advance, meter, etc. I will probably use a CRIS adapter with this one, I guess it used to use the mercury batteries? Oh, I also ordered an original instruction book, to go with it. I already have a very nice perfectly working Canon 7 body, this is a second similar body for me.

My VT has sticky slow speeds, so I'm thinking I will send these two bodies in together.

Anything else? Thanks, -Dan

 

[Mackinaw]

.....Anything special that I should check out, when I get this body? Rangefinder patch obviously, curtains, advance, meter, etc. I will probably use a CRIS adapter with this one, I guess it used to use the mercury batteries?......

Nope, I think you covered it all. Mechanically, the 7s is pretty much the same as a Canon 7, but with a CDS meter. The 7sZ has slightly different viewfinder optics, than the standard 7s, but again, is much like the 7. And yes, the 7s did take mercury 1.3v button batteries.

Jim B.

 

[ray*j*gun]

I have also had very good results using Essex. I was surprised that they were comfortable doing a CLA on my Bessa I folder which turned out really well.

 

[Nokton48]

Thanks Guys!

I'm in the process of moving from Leica M's, to multiple Canon RF's and multiple Sony Nex-3's.
Lovin' it so far!

 

[Mackinaw]

.......I'm in the process of moving from Leica M's, to multiple Canon RF's and multiple Sony Nex-3's.
Lovin' it so far!

As much as I like Canon rangefinders (I own a IIIA, L1, 7 and 7sZ) the viewfinder/rangefinder is one step behind that of a Leica M. The Ms' biggest advantage over the Canons, is the sharp cutoff between the rangefinder patch and its' surroundings. The edge of a Canon rangefinder patch is "mushier," making critical focus, for me, harder than with the M. This may not a real big deal if you shoot with wide angles and stopped down, but it can be a big deal if you use a telephoto or high-speed lens wide-open. Just (unsolicited) food for thought.

Jim B.

 

[zauhar]

As much as I like Canon rangefinders (I own a IIIA, L1, 7 and 7sZ) the viewfinder/rangefinder is one step behind that of a Leica M. The Ms' biggest advantage over the Canons, is the sharp cutoff between the rangefinder patch and its' surroundings. The edge of a Canon rangefinder patch is "mushier," making critical focus, for me, harder than with the M. This may not a real big deal if you shoot with wide angles and stopped down, but it can be a big deal if you use a telephoto or high-speed lens wide-open. Just (unsolicited) food for thought.

Jim B.

Jim, good observations - I have both Canon 7 and Leica M3, and I also find the viewfinder of the M3 much crisper and easier to use. I would also point out that the magnification factors are different, and the M3 VF is closer to the edge of the body - taken together, it is comfortable to shoot with both eyes open with the M3, but not with the Canon.

All that said, the Canon has been a very reliable camera, and I have been able to use it at night without too much fuss.


Randy

 

[Steve M.]

Funny, I always liked the way the Canon 7 cameras focused. For some reason I have had no trouble at all w/ their RF patches, although I admit it's quite different than a Leica's. I love the whole camera actually, and the build quality is great. My problems have been getting one w/ an accurate shutter, so if you're sending yours out for a CLA that shouldn't be a problem.

 

[Nokton48]

Yeah of course I am used to the viewfinders in the M's (M2, M4-2 and M5) but the Canon seem to work just fine for me, without any major problems so far.

But definately different in use and will take some getting used to. I suspect they will be fine for me. I like the Canons, or I wouldnt be switching to them!

Funny, I always liked the way the Canon 7 cameras focused. For some reason I have had no trouble at all w/ their RF patches, although I admit it's quite different than a Leica's. I love the whole camera actually, and the build quality is great. My problems have been getting one w/ an accurate shutter, so if you're sending yours out for a CLA that shouldn't be a problem.

 

[Frontman]

I also like the Canon 7 cameras. They are quite strongly built, and I like the metal shutter curtains. The built-in meter is also easy to use (when you find one that works). I have a pretty good collection of these cameras, my favorite being a black model which I picked up last year. It wears the big 50/.095 which it came with, which makes it quite heavy, but it is fun to shoot. I have a Canon 7S which has crud in the rangefinder, I will tear it down and give the entire camera an overhaul, and hopefully get it into good working shape.

On a couple of the "inop" cameras I have come across, the problem was simply dried up lubrication which caused the shutter to hang up/stick open.

 

[ampguy]

Does the 7s meter depend on the battery voltage, or is it regulated like a GSN and can take a bit more or less and still provide about the same reading?

 

[Frontman]

Does the 7s meter depend on the battery voltage, or is it regulated like a GSN and can take a bit more or less and still provide about the same reading?

The camera is mechanical in operation, but the meter was designed to use the old 1.3 mercury batteries. Many people use a LR44 alkaline battery with an adapter, which will likely throw off the meter reading as the battery discharges, it would be better to use an SR44 or Wein cell battery which provide more consistent voltage.

 

[John Shriver]

The meter is definitely the standard series connection of battery, galvanometer, and CdS cell.

I'd say have it recalibrated for a Silver Oxide battery when having it repaired. (I haven't had to do that yet, I'm only on the first of the four Mercury batteries I hoarded when I got wind that they were going away. The other three are in a glass jar in my film fridge...)

 

[Nokton48]

Here's My New 7S from KEH, with my new 100mm F3.5

Here's My New 7S from KEH, with my new 100mm F3.5

Curtains not wrinkled, but with a dash of oil on it.

One fairly deep dent near the film advance, on that side (it took a good hit) but not too bad. The 7S is a tank. Must have been dropped from a good distance. This could have knocked out the meter. Rangefinder patch looks ok, not seperated or faded. Not a Leica-M, but quite usuable for my needs. Love the viewfinder display.


Meter not working at all, with Wein cell or CRIS adapter/battery. Totally dead. Perhaps that is related to the big drop, maybe the galvo is bent? Hope that is it. It's a crap shoot.

No slow speeds below 1/30 at all (sticking open), but 1/30 and up seem quite reasonable. Needs clean and adjust.

Mark Hama or Essex could probably get this completely up to speed.

Worst case scenario, no meter. Not as critical now that I have two Sony Nex-3's and that's quite an accurate way to determine exposures.

Good Looking Camera. Lovely viewfinder. I've been shooting Eastman XX through it, just to get the feel of it. Like it.

 

[Frontman]

The meters in these cameras are iffy. The wire which runs to the meter is tiny, and can easily be severed, and the ground wire often becomes unsoldered, and has to br reattached. Calibrating the meter on a Canon 7 is simple; set the ASA to 400 and turn the shutter speed dial to 1/15, then back out the three set screws which hold on the shutter speed dial. Then lift off the dial, this will expose the gear which turns the aperture settings in the meter window. Turn the gear to compensate however you like, then reattach the shutter speed dial. The default setting should be 2.8 with the meter off (or covered) and the ASA and shutter speed set to the numbers listed above.

 

[Nokton48]

Frontman,
Thank You Very Much for this information. Sounds like definately something I can do myself.