Canon LTM Canon P lenses

Canon M39 M39 screw mount bodies/lenses
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SteveMc

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Hi everyone,

I am a bit of a mixed up amateur photographer, sometimes I want to go down the RAW digital route, then I have a compulsion to head down the film + scan route. Sometimes colour then B & W. SLR then Rangefinder.

Anyway I have purchased from ebay a Canon P body. it has arrived and seems to be working fine, the seller said that it may need a CLA in the near future but in the meantime I am itching to use it. Therefore I need some advice on lenses.

I know that the whole concept of using 39mm was that the camera has the ability to use many different manufacturers lenses.

My first question is. Will all or most lenses make use of the coupled rangefinder or does the lens need a special linkage?

Secondly, would it be worth getting myself a cheap Jupiter 8 for the time being? Were there any 'good' years as I understand that quality control left a lot to be desired!

Any other recommendations/advice would be welcome.

Finally, CLA in the UK, can anyone recommend anybody or indeed somewhere to purchase a lens that are reasonable?

THANKS

Steve
 
welcome, most LTM lenses couple to the RF on your Canon P.
an exception would be the CV 25mm lens and some cobbled up lenses like Robot camera lenses etc.
the J-8 is an excellent choice, and I used good ones from the 1950s to the late 1970s, it is just a matter of lucking out.
the Industar 61 l/d is also a good sharp modern lens of a modest price and very available that I would consider to fit your Canon P.
 
Secondly, would it be worth getting myself a cheap Jupiter 8 for the time being?
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Very much so, yes. Some people suggest that some periods were better than others (and statistically that might be true), but Soviet quality control was variable and there were both gems and dogs produced throughout all years of production (though my experience with Soviet gear has mostly been very positive).

But they're dirt cheap - get one on eBay and try it, and if you don't like it, sell it and try another.
 
I think the quality control issues can be exaggerated. I've had three Jupiter-8s, a Jupiter-11, a Jupiter-9, a Jupiter-13 and one Industar-61. I also have a Moskva, and have owned various Zorkis and Feds.

The lenses have all been fine. The Jupiter-8 I actually use feels lighter and less well made than the Summitar I have [although the focusing on the J-8 is very smooth], but the results have been indistinguishable.
 
Welcome to the forum! And congrats on your Canon P! All of the advice above is good. I have one further lens suggestion (as a Canon P owner): the Canon 50/1.8. The Canon P's 50mm framelines are easy to see and a joy to use. The chrome and black 50/1.8 was one of the lenses that Canon sold as "original equipment" w/ the P; in any of its versions (the older all-chrome, or the chrome and blacks) it is a really excellent lens, and sells quite cheaply these days. Perhaps not as cheap as a J-8, but definitely a bargain. Very sharp, very smooth bokeh, compact... it's really, really good.
 
I can echo Steve's praise of the Canon 50/1.8, having just gotten one recently, and I think it will stay on my P. Very fine lens indeed. But in the meantime, by all means find a Jupiter 8 (and keep it even if you find the Canon 50), since it too can produce excellent results.
 
MCTuomey said:
+1 the 35/2.8 is a gem, so tiny, so well-mannered, so nicely priced. my other fav canon ltm is the 50/1.5 (sonnar), but it's pricey. these two are really gems, imho.
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Another shout-out for the Canon 35/2.8. After shooting w/ a borrowed one (thanks to bobkonos), I had to get one of my own which I recently did. It handles bright California sunlight v. well.
 
And another vote for the Canon 50mm 1.8! I use it on my Bessa R and on my Canon 7 great lens and worth the price. Yes J 8's are cheaper but Canon 50's are not really expensive. But if you don't manage to find one my FSU favorite with Bessa/Canon is The Industar 61.
 
Canon lenses are definitely a bargain, at least compared to Leica. But the Jupiter-8 is extremely affordable. I recently bought a beautiful one on *bay for $40. I agree with the above comments (very light weight, smooth focus). A couple of negatives-- the front element rotates with focus, and I personally don't prefer that. And there are no click stops (detents?) for aperture. But, it's a solid performer. I bought it because I wanted a black lens for my black M6, until I can bring myself to part with enough $$ for a black Summicron. The Jupiter-8 looks good on the M6.

I realize the cosmetic aspect may be unimportant to most people. But the Canon P looks really good with a Canon 50mm 1.2. Those lenses are sort of pricey. But it's a good looking combination.
 
I have a chrome Canon P is true user condition, but it is highly functionable and just great for everyday photography. I recently added a cleaner looking P that has been chrome painted in Japan, and now I am really happy with the P's.

As for Canon RF lenses, I have a few lenses:
28mm/3.5 ---

35mm/1.5, 35mm/1.8, 35mm/2.8 ---

50mm/1.2, 50mm/1.4, 50mm1.8 ---

85mm/1.5, 85mm/1.9 ---

100mm/3.5 ---

I used to own a 135mm/3.5.
 
A vote for the 50/1.8 which cost me next to nothing and is as good as the 50/1.4 I had been pining for and eventually got. I use the all chrome 1.8 more, and it seems to like sitting in my Leica M2. As for 35's, altho8ugh I have 2 CV's, I always yearned for the legendary Canon 35/2.0 but first couldn't find one, and when I did it appeared the week after I bought the Leica. Bad timing.
 
Thanks for your help

Thanks for your help

Ok, I kept a keen lookout on ebay and managed to pickup a Canon 50mm f1.8.

It should be here early next week and am really looking forward to using it.

I will report back, soon

Steve
 
Surprised no one mentioned the Canon 100mm f2.0. It is an awesome lens, often more highly regarded than the 90mm Summicron of the period.
 
zeitz said:
Surprised no one mentioned the Canon 100mm f2.0. It is an awesome lens, often more highly regarded than the 90mm Summicron of the period.
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i dont see the point, the 100/3.5 is not a bad lens at all! its a better lens than i can use. that and its lighter and cheaper.
its only drawback being that its flare prone, but most come with the hood
 
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