Canon RF cameras

[leica M2 fan]

For general RF photography I'm considering these cameras: 7s, P,L1(or 2or3).
Which would you folks recommend? I'm really tempted by the 7s. TIA.

 

[rogue_designer]

Go meterless.

The P.

 

[dexdog]

In order of preference, 7s, P and L1. All are good, but the switchable framelines on the 7 give it an edge for usability.

 

[xayraa33]

the sleek and very usable P would be my choice.

 

[rover]

I have a P and L1 and can recommend both. The Canon RF cameras are every bit the quality of the other cameras of the 1950s and 60s. The P has a big bright finder with 1:1 magnification. The 35mm framelines are way out on the edges, so if you wear glasses you may not be able to see them completely, but I find the VF very excellent (second only to my M3). The L1 has a smaller (it is not squinty at all, but for lack of a better term) more squinty VF, but with adjustable magnification to show the field of a 35mm, 50mm and 135mm lens it is also a nice camera to use. The P has all speeds on one dial on the top plate, slow speeds of the L are on a dial in front.

 

[caila77]

Canon P

Canon P

My personal choice is for Canon P

 

[5:00 PM]

For a time last year I had an M3 and frankly, couldn't figure what the hoopla was all about.

Damn straight. I have a nice M4 and it is not one iota better built than my Canon P. The P is a terrific camera, especially for 50mm+.

 

[Chad]

My vote is for the 7s. Great camera.


~Chad

 

[raid]

I would say they are the VI-L and the P.
The VI-L was the highest Canon ever reached in camera design.

Raid

 

[colyn]

I have the Canon 7 and P. Both are fine cameras.

 

[wlewisiii]

I really liked the 7 I owned and do miss it. Beautiful VF and I liked the labeled framelines too. Make sure that you get one that has a working meter.

I have handled a P and found it to be very nice as well. Either one will be an enoyable experiance.

William

 

[Mackinaw]

To me, it's all in the viewfinder. If you're coming from a Leica M, the projected framelines of the 7 or 7s will seem very "natural." The framelines of the P are reflected and, with the passage of time, have usually picked up some flare. Some folks find the always visible 35/50/100 framelines confusing too. I owned a P years back and sold it. Just couldn't warm up to the viewfinder.

Jim Bielecki

 

[Bill58]

I'm not in luv w/ the Model P either, so I use a great CV VF almost all the time for framing w/ all my lenses.

 

[harry01562]

Speaking as an owner of the P and all versions of the 7, I'd vote for the 7s, closely followed by the P. You will probably be very happy with either one, and will probably find yourself metering with a hand held with either camera. The meter on both of my 7s' isn't what I'd consider accurate, and is not the main factor in the choice. I like the VF, and the ability to change lenses without the nuisance and bulk of a seperate finder. The camera is also very well built, and will stand up to hard use. The same could be also said for the P, with reservations on the VF. Both cameras would probably benefit from a CLA, unless one has been done fairly recently.
The ideal choice, of course, would be to own both of these fine cameras. They complement each other very well, and I like to use a 7s/w 35/2 and the P with the 50/1.2 as a combo. They both fit in an MClassic bag with room for a meter and plenty of film + filters and whatever. Carry just one camera and you've got room for a small drink and a bologna sandwich.... or something.

Harry

 

[leica M2 fan]

Many, many thanks to all.

Many, many thanks to all.

Great response from you knowledgeable people. Hey, I just noticed this is my 1000th post! As I was saying, thanks for the responses I'm going to be busy making a selection to go with the Canon 50mm 1.4 lens I recently got. I just can't get over how many helpful people there are here on RFF.

 

[kb244]

I love my P....

Ain't it pretty.... come on, you know you want one...

 

[Sonnar2]

I would sell my VI-L right now...

 

[Silva Lining]

I know its not one of your choices but I'd like to register a vote for the VT de-luxe!

 

[Sonnar2]

Very nice camera and well-fitting lens, Silva, but I personally prefer lever-winds...

I'm incurable! Last week I talked about selling the VI-L. Sunday I bought a L-1.. (plus a black Komura 2.8/35mm)



-Frank-

 

[Sonnar2]

Some kind of collections tends to overflow, and sometimes I correct things. I've managed to sell a Nikon F (kept a Nikkor 1.4/58 cheap) and a Nikkor-H LTM 2.5/105mm which always was too heavy for my taste.

Probably I will keep the L1 and sell the VI-L. The VI-L is too similar to my beloved P. The L1 is different in a few things more:
- no selftimer (never needed)
- cool slow speed dial
- no framelines in viewfinder.
- cloth shutter (my P is still one of my quietest cameras)
- other type of thumb lever
- rotating fast speed dial. So no decision to make, if to attach a Canon-Meter, or to take my Gossen.

Having used the VI-L and the P I understand why the P was sold better than the contemporary VI-L. You don't know which one to buy if you held both. If the P is 25% cheaper, you will choose the P for 90%. And so 90% of sold cameras were P not VI-L.

cheers Frank