Canon VT De Luxe w/ 50 mm Lens

[Birdman]

Hello all-

I inherited a Canon VT De Luxe with a 50 mm lens, as well as an assortment of older Kodak cameras and equipment.

From my research, it seems that this Canon model is still sought after and commonly used. I enjoy taking many photos and used an RF in my photography/film developing class in college, but my current photography is limited to simple "point and shoot." I am not sure that I need to keep another camera.

1. I notice that many people think these are great cameras. Could someone summarize the positive aspects of this particular model? Why might I keep it in favor of my other cameras?

2. There is a good chance I am going to sell this camera. I have seen values from $250 to $750. What is a fair value for this setup today? It is in the original leather case, which has minor damage from storage, but the camera and lens seem flawless. The instruction manuals are also with it.

Thanks for your advice.

 

[xayraa33]

what kind of 50mm is it and what is its speed?

 

[Birdman]

The lens was a Canon- I'll get the speed tonight at home.

 

[kbg32]

A little history on your VT courtesy of Camerquest - http://www.cameraquest.com/crfvt.htm

 

[back alley]

canon museum

 

[payasam]

Leicavit-like advance lever; finder has positions for 35, 50 and RF. No bright lines, no parallax correction.

 

[venchka]

Solidly built. Full opening back for easy film loading. Built like a tank. Are the shutter curtains wrinkled? Nobody in their right mind would pay $750 for a Canon V-T De Luxe unless it had a $500 lens on it. Are the slow shutter speeds working? Correctly?

The V-T and VI-T bodies are an acquired taste. I acquired my taste for a VI-T in the mid-70s. I still use that camera.

Keep it. Use it. Enjoy it.

By the way, we are all "point & shoot" users. How else would you use a camera?

 

[Birdman]

The lens is a 50 mm 1.2 speed. The shutter curtains look fine.

Thanks for all of the great links- these are great.

 

[rogue_designer]

That's a great lens, one of my favorite of the Canon lenses. Do you have the hood? The hood alone can be quite valuable.

Regardless - keep it an use it. That should be great in low light.

 

[Al Kaplan]

That lens would really enhance the value! Unless you really REALLY need the money keep the camera and give it a try. It's one of those cameras that should increase in value and you don't want to experience a case of sellers' regret later on.

 

[bcostin]

That is a very desirable lens. I know I've desired one for a while. 🙂

I have a Canon VT, which is the very similar predecessor model. I bought it at a bargain price mostly for the lens that came with it and had no particular interest in that model, but having used it I really enjoy it.

Like all Canon LTM RFs, it's a solid camera, well built and well designed. I like the trigger advance and the three-position magnified finder. That finder has made it my camera of choice for 35mm lenses, as my other RFs require an external 35mm finder. The absence of parallax correction hasn't bothered me much.

I'd keep it and try it out. You may enjoy it.

 

[Erik L]

i think if you use it the results will grow on you quickly

 

[venchka]

Filter warning

Filter warning

The lens is a 50 mm 1.2 speed. The shutter curtains look fine.

Thanks for all of the great links- these are great.

Be careful of any filter you might put on the lens. The front element of the lens protrudes quite a bit. I think Canon made special filters for the lens. Some modern filters may touch the front element. Not good.

Use it. Make us all jelaous. I too covet the 50/1.2 lens. Alas, it's not to be for me. I have too many lenses already.

Enjoy!

 

[Charles Woodhouse]

In my humble but quite experienced opinion the series of Canons from the VT to the P were/are the finest rangefinder cameras built, but the ones with the warm tone viewfinder have much better longevity. These cameras are beautifully made, easy to service and repair, and a joy to use, and being a greedy type I have every model except the VT de Luxe with steel curtains and the 7s - superfluous if you have a 7sZ.
My favorite users are the L1 and VL but I am quite happy with any of the trigger wind models which is why I added a VT trigger to a VL2, and for good measure converted it to 1/1000. However I found it just a touch too heavy with a 1.2/50 and a 1.5/35 on a recent trip to Europe, so on a trip to Vietnam in about three weeks I'll take my user L1 and 1.8/50, 1.8/35 and a 3.5/25 plus finder.