Tell me honestly...

[HuubL]

I understood that the Canon P was the poor man's VI-T or VI-L, but the more I read about it, the better it seemed to become and the more I wanted one. Yesterday I bit the bullet and bid on one on the bay. I managed to fetch it with my maximum bid, but this morning I was a little worried that I paid too much. I mean, 256.00 US$ for a 40 year old body without a lens.... is that a realistic price?🙁

 

[jano]

how's the condition?

 

[rover]

If the condition is good, that is a reasonable price. No, the P is not a poor man's VI-L or VI-T or M2..... it is just a P. I think the Canon RF cameras are just as well made as their Leica counterparts, very very nice camera, enjoy.

 

[back alley]

it's about right on for one at the moment.
i have paid that much and more depending on condition.
they are a simple but truly great and classic camera.

this is a quote from one our members here, jlw. i used it for a sig line for awhile.

...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...
jlw.

 

[Stephanie Brim]

I think I love mine because of these characteristics.

To me, the Canon P is a well-built and easy to handle rangefinder that can go about anywhere and do about anything. The Leica screwmount means tons of lens options, the metal shutter means a slightly louder click but no worries about pinholes, and teh size seems just right. The hinged back makes loading film very easy. I just can't say anything bad about it.

 

[HuubL]

how's the condition?

I hope to get it in a week or so. According to the description everything works correctly and the photos were sweet (less than the usual tear and wear).

 

[back alley]

some canon p porn 😉

 

[HuubL]

If the condition is good, that is a reasonable price. No, the P is not a poor man's VI-L or VI-T or M2..... it is just a P. I think the Canon RF cameras are just as well made as their Leica counterparts, very very nice camera, enjoy.

Thanks Rover. Yes I agree Canon made some excellent RFs. I also have a IVSb and I feel its better thought-out and at least as well made as my Leicas IIIc and IIIf.

 

[HuubL]

some canon p porn 😉

Back Alley, are those three goddesses all yours? They sure look gorgeous! What's that grip? It looks like the GMP grip for the Leica Ms.

 

[Stephanie Brim]

I believe that Joe sold all his Ps.

 

[back alley]

Back Alley, are those three goddesses all yours? They sure look gorgeous! What's that grip? It looks like the GMP grip for the Leica Ms.

they were but now are being used by 3 other forum members.

yes, the m grip fits nicely on the p and also on the zi. i like a grip because i use wrist straps mostly.

classic elegance...

joe

 

[planetjoe]

I believe that Joe sold all his Ps.

...that was a sad day.

HuubL, I believe you've made a good purchase - and depending on ultimate condition, I think at a reasonable price. Sellers of Ps are very apt to point out the state of the "wrinkles" in the shutter curtain, and unwrinkled ones seem to have high prices. In my experience it's mostly a cosmetic issue. My understanding is that most "normal" wrinkling dosen't affect shutter timing.

Another issue is the state of the RF patch and the RF/VF in general. I'm not certain how they were supposed to be when new, but many Ps have "fading" patches these days. Mine happens to have a great curtain, and a patch that pales only when compared to a Leica, and I think I paid in excess of $300 about 2-3 years ago. But my RF is somewhat dim...additionally, the P's patch has slightly "fuzzy" edges, by design, which sometimes makes my patch hard to find. You can't beat the 1:1 VF, though.

I'll say this, if it's any help: even after finally getting an M4, I'm intent on keeping the P as my premier screwmount body. In its category, I believe it can't be beat. Enjoy.


Cheers,
--joe.

 

[rover]

Yes he did, he told me mine was his favorite. 🙂

 

[Stephanie Brim]

I'm still trying to figure out who has the beater Canon 7...the Canonator. I never knew who it sold to.

 

[jamesj]

i saw that canon p and it looked awesome i was wanting to bid on it but only had like 2 hundred saved...congrats on the buy...

 

[Goodyear]

they are a simple but truly great and classic camera.

And joe would know 😉

 

[HuubL]

...that was a sad day.

HuubL, I believe you've made a good purchase - and depending on ultimate condition, I think at a reasonable price. Sellers of Ps are very apt to point out the state of the "wrinkles" in the shutter curtain, and unwrinkled ones seem to have high prices. In my experience it's mostly a cosmetic issue. My understanding is that most "normal" wrinkling dosen't affect shutter timing.

Another issue is the state of the RF patch and the RF/VF in general. I'm not certain how they were supposed to be when new, but many Ps have "fading" patches these days. Mine happens to have a great curtain, and a patch that pales only when compared to a Leica, and I think I paid in excess of $300 about 2-3 years ago. But my RF is somewhat dim...additionally, the P's patch has slightly "fuzzy" edges, by design, which sometimes makes my patch hard to find. You can't beat the 1:1 VF, though.

I'll say this, if it's any help: even after finally getting an M4, I'm intent on keeping the P as my premier screwmount body. In its category, I believe it can't be beat. Enjoy.


Cheers,
--joe.

Thanks Joe. The RF patch was described as better than expected from cameras of this age. I hope it measures up to the one of my 7. The curtains have wrinkles but they don't seem to compromise function. I'm glad to hear you all find it a reasonable price. Let's hope is as nice as described. I'll let you know when I get it. Regards, Huub

 

[Sonnar2]

The P was my first rangefinder, and I will never sell it except in favor of a VL or VIL (which are rarer and priced much higher). Its my favorable streetcamera always loaded with B&W film, equipped with the 1.5/50, 2/35 or 2.8/35, or 3.5/100 Canon. I even like to use it with the Canon-Meter which still works quite well - of course as a selenium meter at daylight only - and just couldn't resist to buy a "hump case" for it which has the stripes placed on the right spots, and can be turned into a half case. I was impressed about the leather thickness and quality, which is on par with the best cases I've ever seen (Voigtlander Braunschweig, Asahi Optical 1950's)



have fun with it.

cheers Frank

 

[wlewisiii]

Dunno. I had a 7 which I did consider superior to a P mainly because I like selenium meters. In the end, all are unique & all are replaceable. So?

William

 

[HuubL]

It's here and it's awesome!

It's here and it's awesome!

Promised to let you know. May I present to you my Canon P. I have to admit, it's a gorgeous piece for a 50 year old camera. One of the curtains has some minor wrinkling, but that shouldn't interfere. The chrome is superb as is the finder glass! Absolutely top quality. Everything works as if it came new out of the box.
I put on an earlier Canon 50mm f/1.8, my GMP grip and a Luigi's wriststrap. Now of to the shop for some more HP5.