cassel
Well-known
I want to keep a record and share with you another fun project with a classic rangefinder. I have had experience in the past with the wonderful Canon series - namely the V, L, VI and 7 cameras. These are great shooters that are more affordable than the past (and present) German inspiration/competition cameras.
Without re-hashing the long and winding path that led to this set-up, here's what I've got: a L2 in black enamel. I have owned and used the L3 and L1 but never the L2 (not much different from either -but it is the lowest production of the three).
The black finish is not original
That's OK- the price was right and the re-paint seemed to involve an overhaul--- smooth and like new in operation. Doubtful the L2 was ever offered in black... just the L1 (and of course, some of the other late cameras). Looks like the finish was applied over nickel or chrome -- not quite as romantic as brass--- we will see how sturdy the finish is in use.
Part of why I chose this camera is the viewfinder-- while not brightline, the three-position finder is good for my left-eyed shooting style (with glasses) and I plan to use just the 35mm lens pictured.
Speaking of the lens; it's the Kyoei W. Acall 35mm f3.5 It's a fairly cheap third party LTM wide angle with a decent reputation--- This is my second copy; owned my first years ago and had to sell it at some point. Missed it, liked it, took a long time to find another!
I admit, part of the lens appeal is the small size and handsome black finish
My plan is to get the lens cleaned up (needs a lube for the focus helical) and make sure it is syncing up properly with the camera body...
Shoot it! The camera is fairly stealthy and compact in this pairing and I plan to take it everywhere this fall...
Without re-hashing the long and winding path that led to this set-up, here's what I've got: a L2 in black enamel. I have owned and used the L3 and L1 but never the L2 (not much different from either -but it is the lowest production of the three).
The black finish is not original
That's OK- the price was right and the re-paint seemed to involve an overhaul--- smooth and like new in operation. Doubtful the L2 was ever offered in black... just the L1 (and of course, some of the other late cameras). Looks like the finish was applied over nickel or chrome -- not quite as romantic as brass--- we will see how sturdy the finish is in use.Part of why I chose this camera is the viewfinder-- while not brightline, the three-position finder is good for my left-eyed shooting style (with glasses) and I plan to use just the 35mm lens pictured.
Speaking of the lens; it's the Kyoei W. Acall 35mm f3.5 It's a fairly cheap third party LTM wide angle with a decent reputation--- This is my second copy; owned my first years ago and had to sell it at some point. Missed it, liked it, took a long time to find another!
I admit, part of the lens appeal is the small size and handsome black finish
My plan is to get the lens cleaned up (needs a lube for the focus helical) and make sure it is syncing up properly with the camera body...
Shoot it! The camera is fairly stealthy and compact in this pairing and I plan to take it everywhere this fall...
rhl-oregon
Cameras Guitars Wonders
Beautiful. I had an L1 for a few years, and,this makes me miss it. And my first RF was a P with a 50/1.8. Sometimes I wonder what if Canon had kept making RF bodies as a niche, sort of reverse of Leica with its SLR venture. Canon Kobayashi LTD, maybe?
cassel
Well-known
I think the L1 is the best of the batch in operation...if only for the better rewind crank. I always found it odd that the Canons are MUCH cheaper than the contemporary Nikon and Leica rangefinders. Unless you're talking about an original black cameras or other rare variant or fast lens combo.
Pretty!
The lens seems to be the same as the 35/2.8 Tanaka Kogaku Tanar that I had a while back.
The lens seems to be the same as the 35/2.8 Tanaka Kogaku Tanar that I had a while back.
cassel
Well-known
There seems to be a few different versions of this lens! The f2.8 versus f3.5 is sort of strange...
nasmformyzombie
Registered
Does anyone using an L1, L2 or L3 wear glasses? The viewfinder selector dial is so close to the viewfinder window it looks to be a sure way to scratch glasses.
mcfingon
Western Australia
My L2 with admittedly more recent 50/1.4 Canon lens. The switchable 35/50 viewfinder is a good feature that makes the camera also nice to use with my Jupiter-12 (Zeiss Biogon clone) 35/2.8mm lens. My use of the L2 is limited by a fading rf patch at the moment. Maybe Nobbysparrow or someone sells replacement RF beam-splitter mirrors, and if so I'll try to fit one myself.
nukecoke
⚛Yashica
I can confirm it doesn't scratch eye glasses. The viewfinder eye piece protrudes a bit and thus prevents the glasses from touching the selector cog.
I put a rubber ring around the eye piece to give extra protection for my glasses.
I have a L2 with metal shutter curtain.
To OP:
Beautiful! It's a killer!
cassel
Well-known
Finally got a roll of film through the camera, after a quick tune-up/confirmation that it's all running right. I shot the following on Tri-X 400 with Wide angle Kyoei lens. These are unedited scans and I'm pretty happy with the results!
helen.HH
To Light & Love ...
looks Great Cassel
off to a Fab start...
Never tried the canon, Yours is a Beauty
oh dear, now I'm curious
off to a Fab start...
Never tried the canon, Yours is a Beauty
oh dear, now I'm curious
cassel
Well-known
November 16th update-
Just got back a couple of more rolls of film from the black Canon L2 and I am super pleased! Really, really nice results! So far these are all shooting Tri-X @400 with the W.Acall and my recently acquired 50mm f1.8 Super Rokkor. The Rokkor was used to shoot the last dozen shots on my most recent roll...so more testing would be wise, but WOW- Love it! Anyway, have a look and let me know what you think.
This first batch is all from August and shot with the W.Acall 35mm lens in and around Moscow, ID
Just got back a couple of more rolls of film from the black Canon L2 and I am super pleased! Really, really nice results! So far these are all shooting Tri-X @400 with the W.Acall and my recently acquired 50mm f1.8 Super Rokkor. The Rokkor was used to shoot the last dozen shots on my most recent roll...so more testing would be wise, but WOW- Love it! Anyway, have a look and let me know what you think.
This first batch is all from August and shot with the W.Acall 35mm lens in and around Moscow, ID
cassel
Well-known
Now here's another batch from a roll with the W. Acall - all over Washington State...
cassel
Well-known
Lastly, the Super Rokkor (well named lens) I don't have much from this lens yet-- but now I want to shoot it MORE...
) I don't have much from this lens yet-- but now I want to shoot it MORE...
cassel
Well-known
Here's the camera with the recent purchase Super Rokkor 50mm f1.8
squirrel$$$bandit
Veteran
Looks beautiful! Those are good photos, too
cassel
Well-known
Here's a new clamp-on Yashica hood for the Rokkor....got it for $2. Nice "patina" black with brassing and scratches but does the intended job. My filter ring is a bit dented so a clamp on is best for now. So here's the whole kit-- plus a favorite book on creativity: "Steal Like an Artist" by Austin Kleon.
analoged
Well-known
Seriously sweet setup!
Daryl J.
Well-known
That's all excellent work!
You may have a setup that solidly qualifies as a "Do you like my photograph?" as the off-branded gear you're using looks to be producing excellent results. Results worthy of brands with caché.
Compliments to your gear and especially to your photographic eye.
You may have a setup that solidly qualifies as a "Do you like my photograph?" as the off-branded gear you're using looks to be producing excellent results. Results worthy of brands with caché.
Compliments to your gear and especially to your photographic eye.
nukecoke
⚛Yashica
Absolute beauty.
I've been searching those Sankyō Kōki 35mm f/3.5 lenses (under brand name Komura or Acall, or Force) for a while, want to use it either on my chrome Canon L2 or Bessa-R. They make nice combos for sure. Sadly no luck till now.
I've been searching those Sankyō Kōki 35mm f/3.5 lenses (under brand name Komura or Acall, or Force) for a while, want to use it either on my chrome Canon L2 or Bessa-R. They make nice combos for sure. Sadly no luck till now.
02Pilot
Malcontent
Keep looking. I finally got mine last year and it's wonderful. It feels like a 35mm Summitar.