My first Canon Rangefinder - Canon P

[adriankeith]

Hey all,

I recently acquired a Canon P (Serial 717798) and it looks to be in great shape! A couple of small wrinkles on the shutter but overall finish and clarity in the viewfinder are great!

I picked up a 50mm 1.8 at a cheaper price than the trending price on eBay but it had a haze problem. There were a few videos out there describing how to clean them but I failed to read into the issue a bit more. So, it seems the version I have, the black and chrome one typically has hazing /decementing(?) issues on the doublet(?). I was able to disassemble the lens easily and get every part cleaned except that smaller piece as the hazing looks to be internal. Its a shame too because the rest of the glass is in nice condition. From the sounds of it, there's really nothing that can be done about the problem.

My question is, are there any inexpensive lenses worth exploring with the Canon P? I love the feel, fit and finish of this camera and want to shoot with it regularly. I've seen mention of some Jupiter lenses but sounds like a good bit of them may have clearance issues.

Thanks in advance! Looking forward to learning from everyone here.

 

[Dpingr1]

I use the CV 35mm 2.5 LTM Color Skopar with mine most of the time. Used examples run between $250 and $300. It is a popular and great performing lens. I also use the 50mm 1.8. Mine was around $100, and it's a nice clean example. A really terrific lens -- most of them are grossly overpriced on Ebay, like everything these days. Former Soviet Union lenses like the Jupiters have their advocates here. Those who use them regularly can comment on their benefits and weaknesses. Good bang for the buck if you can find the right one, or so I'm told.

 

[adamr1699]

I really love the Canon P, a great camera! In terms of lenses it really all depends on your budget. A great option, at a low cost is the Nikkor 50 f2 ltm lens. Again it all depends on the amount you want to spend.

 

[lxmike]

Jupiter 8 is a nice bit of glass, a brief search will throw up load of information, the canon P, as you know is legendary enjoy

 

[rcubed]

The P is my perfect street shooter. I use the Canon 50 1.4, the CV35 f2.5 and the CV21 on it. Compact and cheap setup.

 

[adriankeith]

I use the CV 35mm 2.5 LTM Color Skopar with mine most of the time. Used examples run between $250 and $300. It is a popular and great performing lens. I also use the 50mm 1.8. Mine was around $100, and it's a nice clean example. A really terrific lens -- most of them are grossly overpriced on Ebay, like everything these days. Former Soviet Union lenses like the Jupiters have their advocates here. Those who use them regularly can comment on their benefits and weaknesses. Good bang for the buck if you can find the right one, or so I'm told.

Thanks! I'll have to look into the CV 35mm as I particularly like shooting in this range for my street photography. I need to find a good 50 1.8 as I see some great photos from good copies. Shame about mine :\

I really love the Canon P, a great camera! In terms of lenses it really all depends on your budget. A great option, at a low cost is the Nikkor 50 f2 ltm lens. Again it all depends on the amount you want to spend.

I'm in love with it. I love how substantial it feels in my hands 🙂 Thank you for the recommendation! I'll have a look at the Nikkor 50 f2. It doesn't seem too expensive for a good copy.

Jupiter 8 is a nice bit of glass, a brief search will throw up load of information, the canon P, as you know is legendary enjoy

Will have to look into this after some research. Thank you!

The P is my perfect street shooter. I use the Canon 50 1.4, the CV35 f2.5 and the CV21 on it. Compact and cheap setup.

Wow! Love that CV35 f2.5. Will look into these.

 

[davhill]

Dan writes:

I also use the 50mm 1.8. Mine was around $100, and it's a nice clean example. A really terrific lens -- most of them are grossly overpriced on Ebay, like everything these days.

Okay--I'll bite: So where DO you buy lenses if not on ebay? Its not like my local camera store actually carries LTM lenses. What's a decent source?

Dave

 

[Mackinaw]

.....Okay--I'll bite: So where DO you buy lenses if not on ebay? Its not like my local camera store actually carries LTM lenses. What's a decent source?....

All sorts of places. The RFF classifieds for one, KEH, Igor's Cameras, etc.

Jim B.

 

[css9450]

I might be wrong, but I don't think the older (all-chrome) Canon 50s have the haze issues, at least not nearly so bad. I looked at several black-and-chrome Canons which all had haze, before settling on an older all-chrome version which is perfect. You might consider that option unless having a "period correct" set is more important.

I also like the Jupiter lenses. Fedka is a good dealer of them. I get more use out of my 35 (Jupiter-12) but I'm using it on my older Canon IIf and not a P, so I don't have the clearance issues some others might have experienced. Jupiter-8 is the 50 and its very nice in my experience.

 

[adriankeith]

I WAS looking a tad the Jupiter 12 and have read a number of threads but no concrete conclusions on clearance. Seems it may come down to luck really.

I’m not interested in period correct lenses with the Canon P as I’m just going to be shooting with it as much as possible 🙂

 

[Dpingr1]

Dan writes:


Okay--I'll bite: So where DO you buy lenses if not on ebay? Its not like my local camera store actually carries LTM lenses. What's a decent source?

Dave

Ebay is pretty much it, unless Igorcameras or KEH or another online seller has one. Those places will be more expensive, but have the important benefit of a warranty. Nothing wrong with Ebay -- it just takes patience. The vast majority of Canon LTM lenses are sold by Japan sellers. I've bought a number of things from Japan-Ebay (including my Canon P!) and never had a problem. Others may have different stories. Wait for a seller with good feedback and accepts returns.

 

[Peter Jennings]

I think the early chrome Canon Serenar lenses are less likely to be affected. I recently got one in near mint condition from Yahoo Japan Auctions for about $100. Glass was pristine.

 

[farlymac]

There are two versions of the haze that affects the chrome/black lenses.

One is the lubricant outgassing from the helical and depositing itself on the middle element. This will sometimes cause etching of the element surface, but if caught soon enough, is not a problem.

The other is a breakdown of the glue (Canadian balsam I think) between the cemented elements, which you've discovered is your problem. It can be fixed, but is very pricey, and there are not very many places that do re-cementing anymore (maybe only one).

As mentioned by others, the all chrome Serenar series lenses that came before the chrome/black one have less problems with haze, and are fine examples in their own respect. Nikon, Cosina/Voigtlander, and Minolta are other lens manufacturers with good glass in LTM.

Another source for older camera equipment is the Used Photo Pro division of Roberts Camera in Indianapolis, IN at UsedPhotoPro: Buy, Sell and Trade Used and Refurbished cameras, lenses and more

Don't worry about the wrinkles on the shutter, that happens to almost all of the P's over time, because the curtains are made of steel mesh.

Hope you enjoy your "new" Canon.

PF

 

[adriankeith]

I think the early chrome Canon Serenar lenses are less likely to be affected. I recently got one in near mint condition from Yahoo Japan Auctions for about $100. Glass was pristine.

I've been eyeballing the Serenar. Just need to see IQ and I'll be sold. I wouldn't mind picking one up just to have it if the price is right!

There are two versions of the haze that affects the chrome/black lenses.

One is the lubricant outgassing from the helical and depositing itself on the middle element. This will sometimes cause etching of the element surface, but if caught soon enough, is not a problem.

The other is a breakdown of the glue (Canadian balsam I think) between the cemented elements, which you've discovered is your problem. It can be fixed, but is very pricey, and there are not very many places that do re-cementing anymore (maybe only one).

As mentioned by others, the all chrome Serenar series lenses that came before the chrome/black one have less problems with haze, and are fine examples in their own respect. Nikon, Cosina/Voigtlander, and Minolta are other lens manufacturers with good glass in LTM.

Another source for older camera equipment is the Used Photo Pro division of Roberts Camera in Indianapolis, IN at UsedPhotoPro: Buy, Sell and Trade Used and Refurbished cameras, lenses and more

Don't worry about the wrinkles on the shutter, that happens to almost all of the P's over time, because the curtains are made of steel mesh.

Hope you enjoy your "new" Canon.

PF

Thanks for all of that, PF. I'm an avid buyer from UsedPhotoPro, and actually the 50mm 1.8 came from them. They mentioned the issue in the ad but I was hoping it was cleanable. Unfortunately, it is not. I'm still going to try shooting with it. If the results are acceptable in 4x6 prints I'll keep shooting with it until I pick up a 35mm. I like the wider FOV for my shots so I'd like to pick up a lens in that length. It's a shame there isn't concise info on whether or not the Jupiter 12 has enough clearance. It looks like a fun lens to try. That rear element is such a trip.

 

[farlymac]

Okay, Adrian, you got me to drag my J-12 and Canon P out for some fitting up.

My copy of the J-12 (black) screws on quite nicely, all the way to the index mark hitting top dead center. There appears to be no binding anywhere, and the rangefinder follower rides smoothly on the focus cam of the lens. Focus appears to be correct at around 2.8 meters to my test target.

The rear element does not protrude into the light chamber enough to have interference with the shutter, and it clears the lower baffle at infinity. However, it looks like the rear element comes to rest in the middle of a fold in the upper baffle, not quite touching the baffle itself when the lens is focused at infinity, or ever so slightly. It's too close for a definite call, so I'd say your mileage may differ. Also to not leave the lens set at infinity for extended periods of time.

I guess this means I'll have to give the combination a test run some day, if I ever get the camera serviced.

PF

 

[rcubed]

just picked up a black P (repaint).

Love these cameras.

 

[p.giannakis]

Jupiter 8 is a nice bit of glass, a brief search will throw up load of information, the canon P, as you know is legendary enjoy

The Jupiter 8 is my favourite. Contemplating selling my Elmar and keep the Jupiter as it is not used much (although I don't have the courage to sell it yet).
If you could find a Jupiter 3, even better.

 

[lxmike]

just picked up a black P (repaint).

Love these cameras.

what a stunning pair of Canon, the black repaint is very cool😎