Canon P check out

[farlymac]

Picked one up today from a local sale. Talked the owner down from half what he was asking for it after pointing out some faults with it (it had been in a drawer in his shop for many years, and, well, you know how that goes).

It came with the 2.8/50, meter, and humped ERC. The camera and lens are both marked <EP> (Exchange Post). Lens has fungus, but focus is smooth (I have a 1.8/50 from another camera I can use until I clean the 2.8). I thought the meter was dead, but it came back to life after flicking the Hi-Lo switch back and forth a few times. The case is missing the strap, and the "Canon" logo on the front, but what the heck. I can always get a good case later on for display purposes. This one might get a bit more wear to it before I'm done with the camera.

The first time I actuated the shutter (and I did this in front of the seller), the second curtain didn't start it's travel for about 30 seconds. After that, it seemed fine. I chalked it up to having been stored in a drawer for quite a few years. But this evening, as I was giving it a thorough check-out, I noticed the second curtain never closes all the way.

What I don't know is if it is not traveling far enough, or the first curtain is traveling too far. I need to dig into it anyway, because it's starting to squeal, so apparently the lubricant on the curtain spindles is dried up. I hope I can get it sorted out, as I've been wanting one of these for a long time.

At least the self timer works fine.

PF

 

[Fixcinater]

Is the viewing window clean and clear or does it need a cleaning?

Seems like it needs a fair bit of work but should be nice after you get through the servicing.

Some folks recommend not doing this (due to dried out lubricants not doing their job) but I've had more than 50/50 luck with just actuating the shutter a bunch of times on all speeds and eventually bringing unused gear back to life that way. Sounds like yours won't come back using that methodology but it can be useful to know (as you probably already do).

I bought a VT (also EP marked) with a 50/1.2 that came back to life and now after quite a few rolls through it, is good enough for slide film, which is good enough for me.

 

[farlymac]

I might not be correct on the squeal part, as I don't really know what these are supposed to sound like. I would think it would be more like my Yashica YF, a nice shiiiick sound. The noise is mostly from the second curtain, as when running it at one second, the first curtain sounds good, while the second one gives that whine.

I've looked at the Zorkikat page for opening it up (though his instructions are a bit lacking on details).

PF

 

[Bingley]

I'd send it to Youxin. He works on Canon RFs now. Also, that lens is worth cleaning up if the haze isn't too bad. The Canon 50/2.8 was a Tessar design. It may be quite good after cleaning.

 

[farlymac]

But I want the fun of fixing it myself! (And save some money in the meantime). I'm figuring that 2.8 is basically the same construction as the 1.8 I cleaned up last year.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7699588@N07/sets/72157627788191918/

PF

 

[goamules]

There are more techs in the world than Yousin. Find a good one near you.

 

[farlymac]

Got the lens clean, though there were some scratches on the front. And I adjusted on the curtains. They are very inconsistent, showing varying degrees of fault with each actuation. If they ain't gapping, they're capping. Can't seem to get it to settle between the two.

It could use a lubrication, but from the drawings, it looks like it would have to be taken down to the shutter crate to reach the curtain bearings. And that's a bit more dis-assembly than I'm comfortable with doing at this time. Not that I don't think I could do it, but getting things back together in proper adjustment is beyond my knowledge base on this camera.

PF

 

[Fixcinater]

Was the glass in the lens marked by the fungus?

 

[farlymac]

Was the glass in the lens marked by the fungus?

Yes, it appears to be. Could just be coating damage.

PF

 

[farlymac]

There is hope yet

There is hope yet

After giving the camera another once over, I've discovered that it is okay up to, and including 1/250 shutter speed. So Kodak Gold 200 could be the max speed film used, or one could pull process Tri-X, T-Max 400, or HP5.

And the different shutter sound only occurs when the shutter gaps, so that will let me know as I'm using it if the problem is getting worse.

Checking it out tomorrow with 2.8 and 1.8 Canon 50's, and a Leitz 4/90 Elmar I got real cheap. It's badly scratched, but I want to see how the camera handles with a longer lens. I will go for subjects with a dreamy look. Gotta see how accurate the Canon Meter-2 is also.

PF

 

[Fixcinater]

Good stuff, have fun and post the results if possible.

 

[farlymac]

Good stuff, have fun and post the results if possible.

Dropped the film off this afternoon, but won't get it back till Monday evening. The camera felt really nice to use, the meter is accurate, and lens changing isn't all that bad as long as you've got somewhere to set everything while you're doing it.

I got home, and there was the new 40-40.5mm Step-up ring in the mailbox. That would have made things simpler, instead of having to handle that iffy Ednalite Series VI adapter. Even managed to find a subject for the Auto-Up on the 1.8/50.

PF

 

[gb hill]

Congrats on the Canon P. I can never seem to come across anything like you & greyscale can. I finally have the Fed boxed & the wife is going to drop it at the Post office Monday...I hope. Good luck with it & good luck with fixing the Canon & getting the speeds up to par.🙂

 

[farlymac]

Thanks, Greg. I think the reason Mike and I find so much stuff is we are always looking. The P was at a jewelry shop at the bottom of the hill where I live. The owner said he couldn't remember the last time he used it. I went there looking to see if I could get some Mobius oil to try on a cranky old leaf shutter, and we got to talking about cameras. Then he digs the P out of a drawer in the back of the shop, and asked me what I thought of it. I hope my eyeballs didn't get too big. It did put a big dent in the monthly budget though.

PF

 

[KoNickon]

The P was at a jewelry shop at the bottom of the hill where I live.PF

!!! Man....

 

[farlymac]

Good stuff, have fun and post the results if possible.

As you requested http://flic.kr/s/aHsjUU9aPM

PF

 

[Fixcinater]

Very cool, nice and old school looking results. The 50/1.8 looks to be nicely contrasty, much more than my Summitar.