squirrel$$$bandit
Veteran
Here I go again. Being compulsive and general and a gear whore in particular, I have bought and sold about a zillion cameras over the past several years. I rarely have regretted selling anything, and the things I did (Contax G system, CV 15mm) I just bought back.
I sold my Canon P about a year and a half ago to raise money for an M2, with the idea that the M2 is "better." Well--the M2 is indeed awesome, and I'm certainly not selling that. But I think about the P all the time. There were no curtain wrinkles on mine if you can believe that! Since I sold it I've owned and sold an IVSb and a 7, much in the way that you might date people who superficially resemble the one you shouldn't have dumped in the first place.
What can I say--those old feelings have returned. And, like the last two times, I keep telling myself--maybe what you really want is to hold out for a VI-L. Or maybe that VT deluxe the bartender is flogging in the classifieds.
Canon rangefinderites--tell me, honestly. Is there something better than a P? Or should I propose to it again this Valentine's day, and add it to the flagrant polygamy that's going on in my camera drawer?
I sold my Canon P about a year and a half ago to raise money for an M2, with the idea that the M2 is "better." Well--the M2 is indeed awesome, and I'm certainly not selling that. But I think about the P all the time. There were no curtain wrinkles on mine if you can believe that! Since I sold it I've owned and sold an IVSb and a 7, much in the way that you might date people who superficially resemble the one you shouldn't have dumped in the first place.
What can I say--those old feelings have returned. And, like the last two times, I keep telling myself--maybe what you really want is to hold out for a VI-L. Or maybe that VT deluxe the bartender is flogging in the classifieds.
Canon rangefinderites--tell me, honestly. Is there something better than a P? Or should I propose to it again this Valentine's day, and add it to the flagrant polygamy that's going on in my camera drawer?
xayraa33
rangefinder user and fancier
The P is it, the VIL might have more rarity value , but the P is a classic beauty all on its own.
All pared down to the essentials in a pretty package.
All pared down to the essentials in a pretty package.
crawdiddy
qu'est-ce que c'est?
P-Diddy
P-Diddy
Yes, the P is a thing of beauty. What I like about mine is the finish. Mine has some scratches, bright marks, etc, but the chrome was so great to begin with, that it still looks great.
The ergonomics are excellent-- love the viewfinder. The film advance is satiny smooth.
If John Mayer owned a P, I don't think even HE could part with it.
P-Diddy
Yes, the P is a thing of beauty. What I like about mine is the finish. Mine has some scratches, bright marks, etc, but the chrome was so great to begin with, that it still looks great.
The ergonomics are excellent-- love the viewfinder. The film advance is satiny smooth.
If John Mayer owned a P, I don't think even HE could part with it.
Bingley
Veteran
No, there is nothing better than a P. 
At least, not for a 50 or 100, in LTM. I can't see the 35 framelines w/ my glasses.
What I like about the P are the clean lines, easy loading, robust construction, and nice vf. It gives you everything you need, and nothing you don't (provided you're happy w/ LTM lenses). And you don't have to worry about burning a hole in the shutter curtain!
At least, not for a 50 or 100, in LTM. I can't see the 35 framelines w/ my glasses. What I like about the P are the clean lines, easy loading, robust construction, and nice vf. It gives you everything you need, and nothing you don't (provided you're happy w/ LTM lenses). And you don't have to worry about burning a hole in the shutter curtain!
ChrisN
Striving
"The Canon P is a "sweet spot" in RF camera evolution. It has enough modern features to be convenient, but retains a classic look and feel. It's elegant and prestigious but not so much so that you'll be afraid to take it out and use it. Owning one impresses those in the know, without attracting the attention of the status-conscious..."
This used to be Joe's sig, quoting member JLW.
I'm perfectly happy with my M4, but I'll admit to some pangs when I saw my old P come up for sale here on the forum a little while ago. I was tempted to buy it back.
This used to be Joe's sig, quoting member JLW.
I'm perfectly happy with my M4, but I'll admit to some pangs when I saw my old P come up for sale here on the forum a little while ago. I was tempted to buy it back.
ChrisPlatt
Thread Killer
Nice camera yes, but nice viewfinder? Not for 35mm. I sold mine...
Chris
Chris
squirrel$$$bandit
Veteran
I actually liked the finder better than the 7's, which is supposedly the finest Canon VF. I'd imagine I'd probably shoot a 50 or 85 on it usually, and keep my 35 on the M2...
flip
良かったね！
I keep thinking of dumping her, but instead she's the one I take out every blue moon. I wish the RF base was longer. That would be perfection.
crawdiddy
qu'est-ce que c'est?
Unless you're myopic, there's nothing wrong with the 35mm framelines on the P.
squirrel$$$bandit
Veteran
Gotta pop in the contacts, in my case.
crawdiddy
qu'est-ce que c'est?
Being of a certain age, I wear reading glasses, but don't need glasses for viewfinder work. So, I see the 35mm lines just fine. But I can see how they would be a pain with glasses.
squirrel$$$bandit
Veteran
The 7 is super smooth, I must admit. But it felt to me a little bit bulky and pieced-together. The P is not quite as silky but very solid. It's pretty much exactly the size of an M.
Al Patterson
Ferroequinologist
Or if you wear bifocals. I can see the 50 framelines, but need to guess on the 35...
back alley
IMAGES
three of them
Al Patterson
Ferroequinologist
three of them
Yep. There you go, enabling me to buy two more...
B.T.W., this photo of Joe's was the start of my P lust.
Bill58
Native Texan
The solution to the Ps VF "problem" is to slap a CV 35 accessory VF on top and you got the best VF in the world.
ChrisPlatt
Thread Killer
I don't wear eyeglasses and I'm not myopic, yet I still found it quite unpleasant.
I had to press my eye hard up against the eyepiece and scan the periphery to see the 35mm framelines.
Chris
squirrel$$$bandit
Veteran
Well, for what it's worth, I just ordered a P (EX, wrinkled curtain), 50/1.4 (BGN) and Canon Meter (EX) for around $550 from KEH. Along with the M2, I'm going to try and get myself on an all-mechanical kick while my M8 is in its three-month sojurn to New Jersey. Wish me luck.
