My first Canon RF photos - I like it...

[kevin m]

It's not a thread mount lens. It has a proprietary mount that only mates to the Canon 7 bodies, that's why it has to be modified. 😉

 

[gdi]

He posted a reply to me earlier in which he said he got the body and lens separately, and did not have any specific adjustments done to "mate" them.

Maybe what this proves is that a Canon lens really does work best on a Canon body! (although I've been reasonably happy with the results from my R-D 1 conversion.)



For sure. These photos really make me feel as if I'm right there (except that I'm not cold and not worried about having my pocket picked.) Of the second batch, I especially like the one of the street portraitist -- although if I had the opportunity to do some post-production on it, I might subdue the brightness of the portraits in the upper right a bit, to draw more attention to the faces of the portraitist and his customer.

I don't worry that much about getting my pocket picked (I put my wallet in my shirt pocket! 🙂 ) I think you may be right about that sketch artist shot - I may try to tone the light down on Fidel and Marilyn!

 

[wintoid]

It's not a thread mount lens. It has a proprietary mount that only mates to the Canon 7 bodies, that's why it has to be modified. 😉

Oh, I thought the Canon 7 was LTM... or is there more to this?

What is this "TV" mount some speak of?

 

[Bingley]

The Canon 7 IS LTM, but there is also a proprietary special mount attached as well (surrounding the LTM) designed for the 0.95 lens.

The second batch of photos is fantastic. Great street work that really glows!

 

[raid]

Excellent images indeed. Thanks for sharing.
As for no-GAS, it has become impossible now.
The 50/0.95 will be my next 50mm lens.

 

[gdi]

Wintoid - this page on Stephen's site has a good picture of the bayonet mount on a 7/7s. You can see it is outside the standard LTM threads. The lens is mounted by inserting the shrouded rear element into the screw mount - registering it with a pin. Then the bayonet locking ring encircling the lens base is rotated to secure the lens on the body (the lens doesn't turn just the ring).

http://www.cameraquest.com/canon7sz.htm

 

[LeicaTom]

Great new shots! 🙂

This is a marriage made in heaven the 7 and the 0.95, as I said when it works it REALLY WORKS

The digital shots with these lenses are`nt bad either, but as I`ve said, if they just go and tear up and modify all of these to Leica M mount then there`s going to be no original`s left 🙁

I almost had one of these mint in the box last month for $650 (a fair market price) - but the guy selling it renigged on me (TOTALLY NOT KOOL) and sold it on ebay for like $200 more
(greedy bast$rd)
I want to find one of these on or with the 7s body and that`ll be the combo, I think that 400 speed films nailed it as well.....I enjoy this lens much more in color as in blk n wht (but I haven`t seen anyone really go crazy with one yet in B&W) so I`m sure that will also be very nice - if you ever sell this one let me know.......

After the Canon f1.4 50mm and f2.0 100mm this is the next lens on my list amd them I`m pretty much ready for everything, that`s pinup and pretty 😀

Tom

 

[jlw]

What is this "TV" mount some speak of?

Optically it's the same lens, and mechanically it's the same mount.

The diameter of the rear element is so large that on the RF-coupled lens, a section of it had to be ground off to let the rangefinder coupler pass through. (Canon included this section in their calculations so it doesn't reduce the effective aperture.) The TV lens was not RF-coupled, so it has no coupler and no ground-off part of the rear element.

The TV lens normally was sold with an adapter that converted the special Canon 7 breech-lock mount to fit the "C-mount" screw thread commonly found on video cameras of the day. Back focus was not an issue as video cameras normally had to be aligned to their lenses individually anyway.

Nowadays when people convert the TV lenses to M-mount, the mount conversion procedure is the same as for an RF-coupled lens. To make the TV lens couple to the rangefinder, the technician needs to add a coupler to the rear of the lens. Since grinding off part of the lens elemeht, as the factory did, would be an involved procedure, people normally attach a ring that surrounds the entire rear element, and use the surface of that ring as the RF coupler.

 

[gdi]

Great new shots! 🙂

This is a marriage made in heaven the 7 and the 0.95, as I said when it works it REALLY WORKS

The digital shots with these lenses are`nt bad either, but as I`ve said, if they just go and tear up and modify all of these to Leica M mount then there`s going to be no original`s left 🙁

I almost had one of these mint in the box last month for $650 (a fair market price) - but the guy selling it renigged on me (TOTALLY NOT KOOL) and sold it on ebay for like $200 more
(greedy bast$rd)
I want to find one of these on or with the 7s body and that`ll be the combo, I think that 400 speed films nailed it as well.....I enjoy this lens much more in color as in blk n wht (but I haven`t seen anyone really go crazy with one yet in B&W) so I`m sure that will also be very nice - if you ever sell this one let me know.......

After the Canon f1.4 50mm and f2.0 100mm this is the next lens on my list amd them I`m pretty much ready for everything, that`s pinup and pretty 😀

Tom

Humm... I paid about $200 more than $650 for this lens! 🙄 I was going to say the prices seem to be stabilzing around there, based on ebay sales in the last weeks, but I'm not sure where they are now. It really looks like it will be hard to get a good one for $650.

I think the way to go is to find one with a body - you could get a good deal over buying separate. I got my 7 body just to test the lens while I figured out how to convert it - if I had known the results ahead of time I would have paid extra for a 7s (if only for looks!) These bodies are very nicely made (not news to this group, of course) and cheap compared to a M3 - if I didn't have M mount lenses I would sell the Leica...

As for conversions - I actually had a converted TV lens and it was truly a sloppy mess - missing parts and crude workmanship. It actually left brass shavings on the mount of my camera (among other problems). I may look for a more beater one to experiment with a conversion, but at least for now this one stays with the 7 and film.

Now, my only problem is subject matter - I only make it into the city every few months and my town shuts down before dark!!

 

[Ducky]

I'll add my appreciation and kudos. Lovely shots. I was in Rockerfeller plaza this summer.
My best memory of the skating rink involves my daughter, she was about 5 at the time. She was all bundled up and I was carrying her as we watched the skaters. Uh-oh, time to pee. I was wet, she was wet, she was crying, I was laughing. We went into B. Altmans and my wife took her into the ladies room to dry everything. I was stuck with a wet coat, still smiling.
She hates the story.
You would have gotten some great pictures that night.
Keep the camera/lens as-is, it's lovely.

 

[LeicaTom]

Humm... I paid about $200 more than $650 for this lens! 🙄 I was going to say the prices seem to be stabilzing around there, based on ebay sales in the last weeks, but I'm not sure where they are now. It really looks like it will be hard to get a good one for $650.

I think the way to go is to find one with a body - you could get a good deal over buying separate. I got my 7 body just to test the lens while I figured out how to convert it - if I had known the results ahead of time I would have paid extra for a 7s (if only for looks!) These bodies are very nicely made (not news to this group, of course) and cheap compared to a M3 - if I didn't have M mount lenses I would sell the Leica...

As for conversions - I actually had a converted TV lens and it was truly a sloppy mess - missing parts and crude workmanship. It actually left brass shavings on the mount of my camera (among other problems). I may look for a more beater one to experiment with a conversion, but at least for now this one stays with the 7 and film.

Now, my only problem is subject matter - I only make it into the city every few months and my town shuts down before dark!!

One just sold a few hours ago on ebay for LESS THAN $650 - I was bidding, but decided that I`m going to wait till I can find a Canon 7s and the lens together 😀

I`m working with all older LTM lenses in my work anyway and the M6 gets it`s share of LTM one`s on it now with the Leitz adapters I`ve got - as I`ve said before this lens stays ORIGINAL in my hands, the performance on a 7s will be just what the doctor ordered, I only use the factory 1992 series Summicron M on my M6 and there`s really no speicalized lenses I need for my work that are M mounts, all the LTM`s work fine for me 🙂

Tom

 

[crawdiddy]

The one that sold looked less-than-pristine. It appeared to have fingerprints/smudges all over the front and rear elements. And the lens cap had a large dent in it.

Previous owner guaranteed not to have been little old lady.

It was also advertised as a TV lens, although it wasn't. I was watching it myself until it became apparent I wasn't the only one.

I think you'll be better off with some future quarry.

 

[gdi]

Tom - I don't think you should be in a hurry, I've looked at you shots and you're superb with what your using!

I looked at that ebay lens and, while its hard to be sure with the photos provided, the glass looks pretty rough. It looks like the lens could have a good bit of mildew on it (those white spots all over the front glass and bezel) and I didn't see a rear cap - that rear element is either scuffed up or just really filthy. A risky lens in my opinion, but it may prove to be a good deal for the winner if it cleans up.

And I do hope the prices are on the downslide - I want one to try out one an M mount. But I'll have to find a pretty good deal to bite!

Crawdiddy - that lens looks like it may be a later RF coupled one packaged as a TV lens w/ a TV sticker on it. That possibility was put forth in another thread a while back.

 

[gdi]

I'll add my appreciation and kudos. Lovely shots. I was in Rockerfeller plaza this summer.
My best memory of the skating rink involves my daughter, she was about 5 at the time. She was all bundled up and I was carrying her as we watched the skaters. Uh-oh, time to pee. I was wet, she was wet, she was crying, I was laughing. We went into B. Altmans and my wife took her into the ladies room to dry everything. I was stuck with a wet coat, still smiling.
She hates the story.
You would have gotten some great pictures that night.
Keep the camera/lens as-is, it's lovely.

Great story Ducky !

My 6 year old Daughter got skates for Christmas - luckily, I haven't gotten wet yet!

 

[crawdiddy]

Tom - I don't think you should be in a hurry, I've looked at you shots and you're superb with what your using!

I looked at that ebay lens and, while its hard to be sure with the photos provided, the glass looks pretty rough. It looks like the lens could have a good bit of mildew on it (those white spots all over the front glass and bezel) and I didn't see a rear cap - that rear element is either scuffed up or just really filthy. A risky lens in my opinion, but it may prove to be a good deal for the winner if it cleans up.

And I do hope the prices are on the downslide - I want one to try out one an M mount. But I'll have to find a pretty good deal to bite!

Crawdiddy - that lens looks like it may be a later RF coupled one packaged as a TV lens w/ a TV sticker on it. That possibility was put forth in another thread a while back.

Yep, I've seen those, and I consider them an "opportunity," as some sellers are not aware they're RF ready.

In this case, the glass looked so bad, the price of $640 (or thereabouts) was at the high end, in my opinion. As you said, it may clean up well, but it's a gamble.

 

[LeicaTom]

Tom - I don't think you should be in a hurry, I've looked at you shots and you're superb with what your using!

Why thank you very much, I think the f0.95 would be a kool lens to see Retro Pinup nudes shot with.....I`m sure no one has used them this way since the early 1960`s

I have almost all the FAST lenses I want, only the f1.4 50mm and the f2.0 100mm Canon`s are the only one`s I still desire, some people have also said the f1.8 85mm (type two) Canon is also a very good RF lens, while I still need a backup *portrait lens* I only have the Nikkor f2.0 85mm now and while it`s a really good shooter, it`s somewhat bulky and the original finders a pain in the a**
(I`m still looking for a decent TEWE varifocal to use with it on my IIIC`s)
The Nikkor also has been strangely "flaring" out my viewfinder window when the original hoods on it, *chrome hood*
so maybe the shorter f1.8 85mm Canon is the way to go - they seem to be as rare as the f2.0 100mm`s are, I rarely see them for sale online.......

When it comes down to lenses, I have had the amazing luck of over 20 years of just finding minty and clear useable lenses all the time......half the time on ebay when it looks bad, it really isn`t, especially when it`s just everyday people selling the stuff.......... sometimes bad photography on the sellers part can be a blessing in disguise 😀

Tom

 

[Photon-hunter]

Sorry if the qustion is silly but...can this lens be mounted on the Canon 7S or SZ?

Thanks.

 

[harry01562]

They mate perfectly, as the entire 7-series has the external mount used by the 0.95. The VF on the 7s/7sz can be better than that on the 7, and the meter is newer technology. I think the 7s/0.95 combo that I shoot is the best of both worlds. Because of the VERY shallow DOF, the wide base of the 7s just makes sense, and the camera handles very well. It also has the accessory clip that Canon left off the model 7, that's very necessary if using an external VF. I sometimes use a Leica 50 VF (since the Canon 50 is quite scarce and also pricey), and, while I do own the hard-to-find accessory coupler, it does make the 7 a bit more cumbersome.

Meanwhile, I love the NYC street shots... everybody thinks you're some nut, since there is no flash. Noone expects shots in this light to come out, which makes it great.

Harry

 

[gdi]

They mate perfectly, as the entire 7-series has the external mount used by the 0.95. The VF on the 7s/7sz can be better than that on the 7, and the meter is newer technology. I think the 7s/0.95 combo that I shoot is the best of both worlds. Because of the VERY shallow DOF, the wide base of the 7s just makes sense, and the camera handles very well. It also has the accessory clip that Canon left off the model 7, that's very necessary if using an external VF. I sometimes use a Leica 50 VF (since the Canon 50 is quite scarce and also pricey), and, while I do own the hard-to-find accessory coupler, it does make the 7 a bit more cumbersome.

Meanwhile, I love the NYC street shots... everybody thinks you're some nut, since there is no flash. Noone expects shots in this light to come out, which makes it great.

Harry

Harry, is the 7s base length greater than the 7?

I have both and I haven't had much trouble focusing on the 7. But I'm not sure which to keep - my 7s needs CLA and the meter doesn't work, while the 7 is very smooth and nice and (bad meter too).

 

[harry01562]

The RF length didn't change, from what I know, the new meter just changed the look of the camera, for the better, AFAIC.

I have a fondness for the 7s, because of the design, the accessory clip, and the better VF on my examples. IMO, the camera is definitely worth a CLA. The 7 today brings so little, that I can't see selling one that could provide a handy backup. As you can see from my avatar, I don't lack for 7 series....

Harry