Canon 7

[Oldwino]

Has anyone here any experience with the Canon 7 camera? I have the chance to pick up a black paint body for what seems like a reasonable price, but not having any experience with Canon rangefinders, I am not sure of build quality, durability, and repairability.

Any thoughts?

 

[Brian Legge]

Excellent, high, very.

It's hard to go wrong with Canon LTM rangefinders as long as they are in good condition and the ergonomics work for you.

 

[Fixcinater]

Shutter curtains may look wrinkled but will most likely be fine. I can feel a bit lesser build quality, or impression of the camera as a piece of jewelry, as compared to an IVSB or VT but still very solid.

Built in frame lines are on a neat system and the RF patch, while not an M3, is quite good. I do not have any experience with any of the Bessas to compare it to.

 

[Kirks518]

Just curious, what lens? Many of the 7's had the f/0.95 IIRC.

 

[Xmas]

black paints if factory are >>>$!

 

[Brian Legge]

Framelines of the later bodies in the CV Bessa series are better but the Canons beats it on build quality and likely durability in the long run.

On the financial risk side, do you know if the camera is originally black paint or if it was repainted? How much is the seller asking? Depending on the answers, buying to try it may be low risk. Normal Canon 7 bodies are inexpensive (think $75-120). A repainted black body may add $100-200 to the price depending on the quality of the job. An original black paint in good condition may go for $600-800.

 

[snapguy]

Nice cameraa

One of the early rangefinder classics. As usual, the condition of the individual camera because of its age is most important. In my opinion not that many came with the .095 lens and it isn't all that good, really, but I suppose it is worth money to collectors. I wouldn't have one myself. The 7 has a large selinium light meter ln the front which I don't care much for but the 7s does not have that feature and looks a lot better to me. It has a small round CdS meter on the front. I'm a Nikon man but love early Canon rangefinders and have half a dozen.

 

[Mackinaw]

If this is a factory-issued black paint Canon 7, it is worth some serious $$$$$. These puppies are rare.

All Canon 7 cameras are excellent. Superb build quality and with wonderful projected viewfinder frames (like an M-series Leica). See Stephen Gandy’s Cameraquest website for more info:

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

As for the Canon 50/0.95, if properly calibrated, it is actually a very good lens. At F0.95, the central 1/3rd of the picture area is surprisingly sharp. As you go out from there, it gets pleasingly soft. Absolutely unique bokeh too. This is a great portrait lens, if you know how to use it. I have two and will never sell them (Canon 7 mount and Leica M-mount). Take a look at the Flickr 50/0.95 site for many great photos. But be aware that this lens is in great demand and the price has been steadily rising. Ten years ago you could pick up this lens for less than $500 USD. Today it easily goes for more than $2,000 and I’ve heard reports of some going for as much as $4,000 (converted to Leica M-mount). They don't call it the "Dream Lens" for nothing.

 

[Oldwino]

Thanks All! I suspect this is not a factory black paint, as the price does not reflect that (but it does look good in black!). I'm not sure how I feel about it...you can pick up a chrome body for comparatively little money and I am not sure the black paint is worth an uptick in price...but it does look good in black!