Canon LTM Canon P Vs. Canon 7s - Looking for advice

Canon M39 M39 screw mount bodies/lenses
das said:
In my opinion, neither the 7 nor the P really offer anything that other better cameras do not. The P has a cluttered viewfinder like the Nikon S3. Any Leica M or Bessa is better than the 7. The most interesting model in that whole line for me is the VI-T. The integrated trigger wind and the separate viewfinder for 35 makes it somewhat unique in the history of M39 cameras.
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Neither the P or the 7 will ever have an issue with a burned curtain. No M can say the same. No M has a 1:1 viewfinder. One can buy a very nice 7 for under $100. Almost any Leica M is going to be 15x that or more and the M mountBessas (besides the T) are right there too. That is a couple of good lenses or a ton of film.

Every camera is a compromise of attributes that will appeal to some and not others
 
I'm just saying that a VI is better and not that much more expensive than a P. If the 7's primary marketing point is its cost compared to a slew of more capable platforms, then one can't argue with that.
 
gzisis69 said:
Which of the canon ltm is better to use while wearing glasses with 35mm and 50mm ?
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The Canon 7 is probably the best option for 35mm with glasses if you don't want to use an external viewfinder. As I probably mentioned elsewhere in the thread, I actively dislike the 7, but the viewfinder is pretty good for 35mm.

Personally, as someone who's extremely short-sighted and likes a fast 50, I much prefer a smaller camera with a 1.5x rangefinder and some external viewfinders. It's much easier to focus, and any of the pre-V Canons will do the job for that.
 
Coldkennels said:
The Canon 7 is probably the best option for 35mm with glasses if you don't want to use an external viewfinder. As I probably mentioned elsewhere in the thread, I actively dislike the 7, but the viewfinder is pretty good for 35mm.

Personally, as someone who's extremely short-sighted and likes a fast 50, I much prefer a smaller camera with a 1.5x rangefinder and some external viewfinders. It's much easier to focus, and any of the pre-V Canons will do the job for that.
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What about the l1 ? i read you can change the framelines acordingly to the lens you have. I wouldnt use an external viewfinder otherwise id look on a different camera since i hate extra bulk that is not intended to be there. I am also short sighted.
 
Personally, I've stayed away from that block of Canons because the method of changing the RF/VF magnification is a big serrated wheel... right next to the eyepiece. Do you want shredded glasses? Because that's how you get shredded glasses.

Also, if I remember right, there's no framelines - it's just a "peephole" finder with an RF patch in the middle.

As for this:
gzisis69 said:
I wouldnt use an external viewfinder otherwise id look on a different camera since i hate extra bulk that is not intended to be there.
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I used to agree, but it's worth bearing in mind a lot of early rangefinders were designed with this in mind. A Leica III, for instance, is a very small camera; putting a viewfinder on top still makes it smaller than (for instance) a Contax III. And one benefit of the camera + viewfinder setup is that you don't have to make compromises; trying to focus and frame a 135mm on a combined RF + VF can be a real kludge. The magnification usually isn't large enough to be sure when you're focused accurately, and the framelines are often quite small and difficult to see. Slap a 1:1 135mm viewfinder on the top of a Leica III and you've got the best of both worlds - super accurate RF and a very clear viewfinder. Find it hard to see the 35mm framelines in a Canon P? Get a smaller camera and a high-quality 35mm external finder like a SBLOO.

When I use early Canons with the switchable RF magnification - like the L, the IV, and the III series - I actually leave the RF set to 1.5x and use an external finder. It's just a much better experience that way.
 
The 7's viewfinder is probably the most modern of the Canon RF's. But I never liked the patch on it due to the weird shadow on it. I can get by with the 35mm equivalent viewfinder on the L1/L2 models though, I usually don't put my eye up against the viewfinder so I haven't scratched my glasses
 
Coldkennels said:
The Canon 7 is probably the best option for 35mm with glasses if you don't want to use an external viewfinder. As I probably mentioned elsewhere in the thread, I actively dislike the 7, but the viewfinder is pretty good for 35mm.
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For the Canon 7, the H/L switch for the meter bangs into glasses. I put a Rubber Foot on mine, much better- acts as a stand-off for my thick glasses.
 
The P has a plastic eyepiece which don't scratch glasses. But one has to search for the 35mm frameline edges (in fact they are more like 40mm). Still prefer the P finder over all other Canons!
 
newst said:
I have both cameras. The P is in use regularly while the 7 gathers dust in a drawer. While I like the 7 viewfinder arrangement over that of the P, I just don't like the overall ergonomics of the 7. it doesn't fit well in my hands, where the P does.

Based on your described usage, however, I will recommend a different camera altogether. The Canon L1. The ergonomics are about the same as the P, but it uses a viewfinder similar to the 7. There are no frame lines, the entire image in the viewfinder is what will be in the photo. Unlike the 7 though, the L1 is limited to 35mm, 50mm, and a magnified view that appears close to 135mm, but can be used to nail focus for any lens.

The viewfinder/rangefinder optics are coated in gold, not silver like the other bodies, so they are less susceptable to oxidation over time.
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I hope you enjoy your P a lot and make many fine images.
 
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