I have acquired my first functioning rangefinder! YAY!

[PatrickCheung]

So, a week ago I posted here asking for suggestions on what to spend my money on: an SLR or a Rangefinder (a silly question to ask on a rangefinder forum, i know)! With all your help I narrowed it down to the Nikon F or a Canon 7 (it's always a nikon vs. canon thing isnt it?)

Despite my collection of compatible Nikon lenses, I chose the Canon 7 and a 50/1.8. It came to a total of about $380 CAD after shipping and taxes. It arrived in the mail yesterday (two day cross-border delivery... speedy). I took it out for a spin today, and man is this an upgrade from the semi-functioning Zorki 4 I used a while ago. Everything just runs so smoothly, I love it!

This is my first fully functioning rangefinder, and I thought I'd share my joy with you guys! Thanks for all the help in choosing my camera, I never would have considered a Canon RF if you guys didnt suggest it!

There are a few things about this camera that kinda bug me though. The meter cover is kinda wobbly and only works when I push down on it. I don't care too much about having a functional meter, but I just don't want the plastic bit to come off! Is there any way to secure it? It appears that the previous owner had glued it as I just scraped off the excess dried glue with a knife (the meter was wobbly before I scraped it!). Also, the RF patch seems kinda dim... I miss the orange patch! The VF doesnt seem as sharp as SLR viewfinders, but that seems to be the case with all RFs I've used... maybe it's cause I wear glasses and have astigmatism?

Anyway, I really do enjoy the camera... I'm still getting used to using range finders, but I'm liking it so far! It's so much easier to focus with a rangefinder than it is with an SLR!

But just incase things go wrong with the camera, is there anyone in Toronto that services the Canon 7?

Thanks for all your help and support, guys! I'll post photos as soon as I get them developed!

A Photo of my Camera, taken on a D200, ISO 1600.

 

[mooge]

wow... that was fast!

if things go wrong, there's Kindermann and there's this David Lau bloke too. both in Toronto. but you'd be better off sending it back to KEH if something breaks- I've heard they've got a good return policy.

have fun!

 

[MC JC86]

wow... that was fast!

if things go wrong, there's Kindermann and there's this David Lau bloke too. both in Toronto. but you'd be better off sending it back to KEH if something breaks- I've heard they've got a good return policy.

have fun!

With something like this, KEH is likely to not repair it but just refund your money instead. This has happened to me a couple times, with things a lot more common than Canon 7's. I got an item that didn't work, requested a repair which they said they'd do. Upon receiving the item they just credited my card for the original purchase price with no communication despite detailed notes to do otherwise and contact information. It's especially frustrating if you got a good deal and would've just had the item serviced anyway, one time I couldn't even get the same thing back for that price. Kindermann is a good option, though.

I'm not knocking KEH, an obscene amount of my money goes there, just something to beware of in the unlikely event you do have an issue.

Have fun with your camera, they're awesome


EDIT: I just reread your post, I figured you sourced your camera through KEH due to the #2 posters comment, if you didn't disregard my ramblings.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Which Meter Cover? The glass cover over the Selenium Cell- or the platic cover over the needle?

The Selenium Cell is built into the top of the camera. If it is working when pushing on that window, the contacts need to be cleaned.

If it is the cover over the needle: there is a tray underneath the needle that might be out of shape. I've seen it cause the needle to jam up.

or, could be something different. For almost $400 with a 50/1.8, if the meter was billed as working- have them fix it or issue a partial refund.

 

[PatrickCheung]

Thanks Mooge!

MC JC: Yeah, I got it from KEH, see, I really wouldnt wanna give up this camera 🙁 It seems to work fine next to a sporadic meter... something I could live with! I figure, if it has leaks... or if the frames arent exposing properly or something i'd ask for a refund.

Brian Sweeney: It's the glass cover over the selenium cell, It felt like plastic to me, so I called it plastic! I guess the Contacts need to be cleaned... but I'm really bad with handiwork... I'm kinda afraid to do it myself. What really bugs me is that it moves a tiny bit. If I could secure it, it'd be fine!