Canon P

[Range-rover]

Hi all,
Well I did it again I saw a great buy on ebay last night and pulled
the trigger on a Chrome Canon P, It looks to be in good shape. It's
coming from Japan, at least there's a 14 day return on it. Anything
to watch out for when I get it.


Range

 

[msbarnes]

Many of them have faded patches and wrinkled shutter curtains isn't a problem. Those are the only things that I can think of...

 

[Mackinaw]

The P is a good, solid, reliable rangefinder. Trouble areas are few. As MSB mentioned, watch out for the rangefinder/viewfinder. The P used reflected framelines, not projected, so some have faded over the years. Other cameras though, are fine.

Enjoy your new camera.

Jim B.

 

[Mablo]

Canon P's viewfinder has framelines for 35mm, 50mm and for 100mm lenses. I think the P works best when used with a 35mm lens when you use the whole finder view. The viewfinder itself is really good and you can easily shoot with your right eye while keeping the left eye open (the only proper way to shoot with a rangefinder camera IMO). The only problem is the light yellow rangefinder patch which can sometimes be hard to catch. A Canon LTM 35mm lens is a perfect companion for the camera.

 

[bastian a.]

You're right if you don't need glasses but with glasses it's nearly impossible to see the 35mm framelines. For me it's even hard so see the 50mm framelines with glasses ...

Canon P's viewfinder has framelines for 35mm, 50mm and for 100mm lenses. I think the P works best when used with a 35mm lens when you use the whole finder view. The viewfinder itself is really good and you can easily shoot with your right eye while keeping the left eye open (the only proper way to shoot with a rangefinder camera IMO). The only problem is the light yellow rangefinder patch which can sometimes be hard to catch. A Canon LTM 35mm lens is a perfect companion for the camera.

 

[ChrisLivsey]

Hi all,
Well I did it again I saw a great buy on ebay last night and pulled
the trigger on a Chrome Canon P,
Range

Yes I saw that and nearly pressed the button. Problem is UK import fees and taxes from outside the EU are killing these deals for us.
Hope you enjoy it.

 

[Al83]

I did the same recently and, yes, the import taxes from Japan were higher than I'd thought. Great camera, though...built like a brick. Main problems as far as I can see are addiction and in increase in the film spend. I bought a cheap Jupiter 8 (and I like it) but I'm already looking for a Canon lens... Have fun!

 

[furcafe]

Like other old cameras w/hinged backs, the light seals in the back of the Canon P can deteriorate & cause light leaks, so that's worth checking when you get yours.

Hi all,
Well I did it again I saw a great buy on ebay last night and pulled
the trigger on a Chrome Canon P, It looks to be in good shape. It's
coming from Japan, at least there's a 14 day return on it. Anything
to watch out for when I get it.


Range

 

[02Pilot]

I bought mine from KEH earlier this year. I agree with everything that's been written above about the camera: it's a great piece, and very solidly built. The biggest problem is that I've now spent far more than I intended on additional lenses.

 

[ChrisLivsey]

The biggest problem is that I've now spent far more than I intended on additional lenses.

The answer to that is simple; buy a Leica Barnack 😎

 

[mike rosenlof]

The light seals have been mentioned. They're two small spots of foam or velcro loops at the top and bottom of the hings. Fairly easy to fix yourself.

The other thing to watch out for is shutter capping. That's when the second shutter curtain catches up with the first while they're moving across the film plane. It's usually only visible at the 1/1000 shutter speed, and when looking through the back will show no exposure, or more exposure at one side of the frame from the other. I've seen a couple of Ps that exhibit this problem.

 

[Frontman]

Check to make sure the frame lines move when you focus, the P has parallax correction, but it sometimes sticks. Another common issue is fungus in the viewfinder, which is a little difficult to remove. The slow shutter speeds sometimes stick, or drag on.

Have fun with your P

 

[Range-rover]

Well it finally arrived today, the Post office had it for two
days and it came today, I'm really surprised it's in great
condition, no bangs to the body and the viewfinder is clear
as a it could be, it's nicer than my Nikon S3 this guy I can
even focus better it just looks clearer. Now to find some
lenses.

Range

 

[Major Tom]

Well it finally arrived today, the Post office had it for two
days and it came today, I'm really surprised it's in great
condition, no bangs to the body and the viewfinder is clear
as a it could be, it's nicer than my Nikon S3 this guy I can
even focus better it just looks clearer. Now to find some
lenses.

Range

I've been thinking about getting a later LTM camera than my IVSB, mainly for a better viewfinder. The P is definitely on the short list with VI-T/L and Bessa R. I'd like to know how the P does for you.

I was able to find some nice lenses at a reasonable price here on RFF. I think you'll get a better deal than eBay and the people here are earnest so there shouldn't be any issues. Good luck.

 

[Dez]

If you can find a good Jupiter 8 or 3 you are well on your way. The 85mm J9 is a Sonnar clone and an excellent lens but usually seems to need focus adjustment. And of course the J12 is the best bargain for a 35mm lens you will ever see. They're all inexpensive.

See how you like your Canon P and those lenses for a while before your mortgage your house for Leica glass.

Cheers, Dez

 

[Platinum RF]

If you can find a good Jupiter 8 or 3 you are well on your way. The 85mm J9 is a Sonnar clone and an excellent lens but usually seems to need focus adjustment. And of course the J12 is the best bargain for a 35mm lens you will ever see. They're all inexpensive.

See how you like your Canon P and those lenses for a while before your mortgage your house for Leica glass.

Cheers, Dez

My J8 can not screw on my Canon 7, is there any compatibility problem?

 

[raid]

The P is one of my favorite cameras. I have one in chrome, one in black, and one in olive. The olive one had a hole in the curtain. I used black ink to cover the hole.

 

[ChrisLivsey]

Well it finally arrived today, the Post office had it for two
days and it came today,

Range

Without being nosy could you indicate the increase over the listed price to bring it into the UK?

 

[Al83]

Mine came from Japan. It cost me approx £87 for the body (no lens) and then a further £26 in import/customs duty. To be honest, I'd not factored this into the decision to buy it but it is in surprisingly good condition so on balance I am happy. Getting through customs substantially slowed the process. Approx 2 days to reach UK from Japan and then almost two weeks to reach me.

 

[Range-rover]

Mine was shipped the 1st and it was first delivered on the 5th, four days
from Japan. But My postperson Doesn't like coming upstairs so I had to
wait two days for redelivery. I got to say the rangefinder is clearer than
My Nikon S3, sometimes I have to shift my eye a little to get the clear details
which I don't need to do with the Canon P.

Range