Canon VI/L

[Sonnar2]

Many respectable members sells their CANON Rangefinder gear to finance M8 or other Leica stuff. I continue to keep it and just shot a (just 11,000 pieces made) VI/L for 196 GBP. This one with variable magnification and parallax corrected frames for 35, 50 an 100mm. Single non-rotating speed dial, can even be used with my P's meter and hump case.

If you want my advice, don't sell your stuff now without a very good reason. Hard to imagine prices can go any lower. It's a time for buyers not for sellers. Two great RF cameras sniped, this truely made my day! 🙄 🙄 🙄

 

[rover]

So you are saying I should keep my VT?

Very nice camera, I personally would like to find an L1.

 

[jlw]

Was that the one on UK eBay? If so, I looked at it quite a while thinking it would be nice to have the companion model to my VI-T. But then I'd feel guilty about having another nice camera that I hardly ever use... glad it went to somebody on RFF.

 

[David Murphy]

I've got one of these too - probably my favorite camera - rock solid. Mine was in bad shape, but I only paid about $160 with a lens. I had it CLA'ed for $150 and now it's good, but not as pretty as yours.

Get a matching Canon meter if you can. They mate to the top of this camera and couple to the shutter speed dial. Mine also works and is even accurate and relatively sensitive for a meter of that time -- not surprising considering Canon's current ability in the eletronic aspect of photography. The meter looks great even if you don't need one. You can sometimes find them on eBay for not-too-extreme prices.

 

[Sonnar2]

I'm more happy than you Jim, because this would have gone higher onto my limit price and I wouldn't like to bid blind against you 😎
It adds that UK posts are free of customs, whereas USA adds 25% to the total... even some UK sellers are horrible (This one is great; I already bought one or two a lenses or cameras from)

Keep it rover, if you can live with the trigger winder. VT's are too common to get a good price now. The same with my P...

I also had an L1 or V-L on my list, but most do say the latest finder is the best, and non-rotating speed dial is kind of comfortable to use with the coupled meter. But "early" is always great, this speaks for the L or V-L...

Already have a meter, David...

 

[rover]

I may keep it, you never know. And my need to raise funds is deminishing with time so my collection may be safe from reduction for now (though I did sell my 50/1.2).

 

[dreilly]

The VI-L has been a dream camera of mine for some time, but elusive and I haven't seen such good deals. Then again, I put that into dollars and it's not such a great deal (for me, that is.) Enjoy it, beautiful camera!

 

[RayPA]

I have the Canon VL and the P. I don't use them as much as my other cameras, but for some reason, I've never even considered putting them on the block--probably because they are so darn pretty to look at.

It's hard to recommend that someone not sell, especially if they are trying to fund a M8 purchase. Besides, selling will put the camera into the hands of someone else at a much more reasonable price. I overpaid for both my Canon RFs.

.

 

[raid]

I traded my mint VI-L for a Standard Leica.
One day, I will get another VI-L.

Raid

 

[wlewisiii]

Mmmm... pretty. The VI-L is one of my dream cameras too. Enjoy!

William

 

[John Shriver]

Yes, I watched that auction, a fine seller. I got a real (if well-used) Canon 7s case from him.

I think only the 50mm and 100mm framelines are parallax-corrected Albada. The 35mm frame is just the fuzzy edge of frame of the viewfinder.

 

[Sonnar2]

Last night I've got two of theses nice brown leather cases: one with hump (for meter attached), one without, for a 20 EUR total incl. freight.

 

[freeranger]

If you love her, dress her in Haute couture.

 

[RayPA]

If you love her, dress her in Haute couture.

Luigi? 😕

 

[freeranger]

Yes, he said it was the first case he had made for a VI-L.

 

[Sonnar2]

Very exclusive... ;-)

 

[freeranger]

I traded my mint VI-L for a Standard Leica.
One day, I will get another VI-L.

Raid

How did it compare? What do you miss about the VI-L that the Leica doesn't provide?

 

[Sonnar2]

I wouldn't give away even my Canon P for a screwmount Leica (except maybe a IIIg), in particular not for a rangefinderless standard model.

 

[Carzee]

[ newbie zone ]

For being a good boy Santa got me a minty L3.
It doesn't have a book with it, or a lens yet, it came with CLA, a body cap and a std Canon case. The gold spot is very nice.

The thumb lever for winding also houses the ASA settings.

Here's my problem: if I want 800, 1600 or 3200, how do I set them? Red and green dots indicate..... what...?

 

[Terao]

Another in the [ newbie zone ]

How do the clip-on Canon meters work? What's the deal with the white and orange switch on the corner and the two scales on the dial? Do I use it with or without the opaque white shield on the front?