agwat
Newbie
Hello all...I have recently sold all of my Leica M equipment and I am left with some classic lenses that I would love to continue using in LTM. I have a 50 f/2 Summicron and the Canon 85 f/1.8. I am mostly shooting portraits and the 85/1.8 is perfect. I am looking to purchase a LTM body and I am considering the Canon 7s, but I am also considering the Bessa R2. I am wondering how usable the CDS meter in the 7s is....I guess I will eventually end up with the 7s some day due to my fascination with it...but I am talking about right now as a usable camera.
Any guidance and comments are appreciated,
Andrew
Any guidance and comments are appreciated,
Andrew
A lot of 40 year old CDS cells deteriate and loose sensitivity at each end. If the camera was kept in a fitted case, the cell is likely to be in better condition. I have "Bullseye" CDS cells in a Nikon F Photomic (original version) and it is fine for prints, but would be hard pressed for slides. It could not be brought back to factory specs when serviced a few years back, was not be accurate over the entire range. But it is accurate for most conditions.
I do not have a Canon 7s, but do have three Canon 7 's with Selenium meters. They are all accurate, and all came in fitted cases.
I do not have a Canon 7s, but do have three Canon 7 's with Selenium meters. They are all accurate, and all came in fitted cases.
jlw
Rangefinder camera pedant
The CdS meter cell in my 7s still happens to work fine. Maybe I'm just lucky, but these cells ARE considerably more long-lived than selenium cells.
The 7s meter is reasonably useful, although since (unlike the Bessa) it's non-TTL, you have to handle it more like a separate meter that happens to be conveniently combined with your camera.
A couple of quirks to keep in mind in evaluating whether or not it would be good enough to be your only meter:
-- It was designed for a mercury battery that's no longer available, and will give inaccurate readings with currently-available silver or alkaline batteries. (I use mine with an MR-9 adapter, available from CRIS Camera Services; this reduces and stabilizes the output of a silver battery so it will work dependably with the meter.)
-- The top ISO setting is only 400, so it's only marginally useful for super-low-light photography with faster films (unless you enjoy converting f/stops in your head.)
The 7s meter is reasonably useful, although since (unlike the Bessa) it's non-TTL, you have to handle it more like a separate meter that happens to be conveniently combined with your camera.
A couple of quirks to keep in mind in evaluating whether or not it would be good enough to be your only meter:
-- It was designed for a mercury battery that's no longer available, and will give inaccurate readings with currently-available silver or alkaline batteries. (I use mine with an MR-9 adapter, available from CRIS Camera Services; this reduces and stabilizes the output of a silver battery so it will work dependably with the meter.)
-- The top ISO setting is only 400, so it's only marginally useful for super-low-light photography with faster films (unless you enjoy converting f/stops in your head.)
spark303
Member
I think focussing an 85mm f1.8 on the short baselength Bessa might be difficult - at least wide open. The Canon should be a bit easier in that respect.
agwat
Newbie
thanks for the toughts gentlemen...I haven't made a decision yet...but I am thinking about it quite a bit...I'll post again when I figure it out...Thanks, Andrew