Canon P to Canon 7

[OptiKen]

I recently received a Canon 7 because I really enjoy my Canon P and the idea of a built-in meter is always a plus.
I'm finding, however, that because of egonomics mostly, I enjoy using my Canon P much more.
I've noticed that a number of users here have both the 7 and the P and was curious as to individual preferences

 

[ransel]

I only have the P and have never handled a 7 so don't know...but...I really like the P.

 

[mrosenlof]

I find them more or less equivalent since the meter on my 7sz doesn't work. I guess the 7's viewfinder is a little nicer without the multiple frame lines. I'll stick with more or less equivalent. Yes, I have both.

 

[Jim Jones]

I have both and have used them. The meter is the 7 worked the last time the camera held film, which is reason to prefer it.

 

[jgoody]

Just got a P -- it's more elegant -- not sure yet which is more functional! I have a P question -- the shutter speed dial on the P I just got seems to go around without a stop -- is that normal? On my 7 and other cameras it would hit a stop at 1/1000 sec and you wouldn't be able to turn the knob past that. Is there some part that loose or missing that's supposed to keep the dial from going past 1/1000?

 

[EdColorado]

Just got a P -- it's more elegant -- not sure yet which is more functional! I have a P question -- the shutter speed dial on the P I just got seems to go around without a stop -- is that normal? On my 7 and other cameras it would hit a stop at 1/1000 sec and you wouldn't be able to turn the knob past that. Is there some part that loose or missing that's supposed to keep the dial from going past 1/1000?

That would be normal.

I love my P. Of all my cameras, be they the rangefinders, SLR's, viewfinders, or whatever, the P is that one I would keep if all but one had to go.

 

[ransel]

I guess the 7's viewfinder is a little nicer without the multiple frame lines.

Yes, that is the one thing I dislike about the P - very distracting. I wonder how hard it would be to gain access to the viewfinder and eliminate all but the 35mm frame lines...since that is all I use.

 

[Trask]

I have both cameras -- P, and 7S -- and prefer the 7S because it's viewfinder is less cluttered. I will agree that the P fits the hand -- that is, my hand -- a bit better than the 7S. I also have a soft spot for my Canon L1, with its P-like size and rotating prism viewfinder.

 

[EdColorado]

Its interesting to read the comments about the P viewfinder being cluttered. I read the same about various other cameras whether they be rangefinders or SLR's, people find some viewfinders to be cluttered and/or distracting. I've been playing with cameras since the early 70's and have never yet found a viewfinder that too me was distracting or cluttered. Everyone's different, different things we notice and different things that bother us, but I rarely notice anything about a viewfinder beyond how bright it is and with an SLR how easily I can focus. The problem I have with my P is that I forget at times to take into account which frame lines I should be paying attention too and start framing with my 100mm as if it was my 35. I guess maybe too many years using SLR's, but then my only camera for a lot of my beginning years was my Argus C3.

Ah well, like I said we're all different. I could probably stand to pay a bit more attention really...

 

[mgb74]

I had (many years ago) a 7 and now have a P.

In my mind, with the 7, I might as well carry a SLR. I'll take the "sexy" P, even losing the meter. And, if your 7's meter is functional, then no contest at all.

 

[Trask]

Its interesting to read the comments about the P viewfinder being cluttered. I read the same about various other cameras whether they be rangefinders or SLR's, people find some viewfinders to be cluttered and/or distracting. I've been playing with cameras since the early 70's and have never yet found a viewfinder that too me was distracting or cluttered. Everyone's different, different things we notice and different things that bother us, but I rarely notice anything about a viewfinder beyond how bright it is and with an SLR how easily I can focus. The problem I have with my P is that I forget at times to take into account which frame lines I should be paying attention too and start framing with my 100mm as if it was my 35. I guess maybe too many years using SLR's, but then my only camera for a lot of my beginning years was my Argus C3.

Ah well, like I said we're all different. I could probably stand to pay a bit more attention really...

That's exactly why I said I found the P viewfinder cluttered -- when I grab it and bring it to my eye, I have stop and remember which lens is on the body and then mentally switch projected frames. If I can have a camera that saves me from that issue, all the better.

 

[EdColorado]

That's exactly why I said I found the P viewfinder cluttered -- when I grab it and bring it to my eye, I have stop and remember which lens is on the body and then mentally switch projected frames. If I can have a camera that saves me from that issue, all the better.

Ahh I see. In my mind cluttered meant that all the "stuff" in the viewfinder distracted from the act of shooting, almost like it blocks the view through the viewfinder. In my case, I don't even notice the lines are there and thus can forget to use them.

I've always found it interesting how the ergonomics of an item (not just cameras) will effect different people in different ways.

 

[one90guy]

I only have the P, which I enjoy using. My only complaint about the P is the 35 lines in viewfinder are harder to see. I bought a hot shoe mount viewfinder for the 35mm lens.

David

 

[Gimenosaiz]

Hi!
Althought my Canon 7 meter seems to work fine and the lines selector is a fantastic feature, I prefer Canon P ... perfect with the Canon 35/2 ;-)

Cheers!
Antonio

 

[greg zinselmeier]

Canon p preferred.

 

[guangong]

Don't have a 7, but do like my P. The P is like an upgraded Leica iiig. I prefer the bright lines to external finders. When I desire to go smaller I move on to sm Leica or Contax iia. The only rangefinder camera with meter I like is the Leica m5. Sometimes very difficult to see diods in my voightlander ra camera. However, all this is personal choice. If everyone agreed about preferences there would only be one camera model produced. Even the old USSR and China made a variety of camera models.

 

[mdarnton]

I have a P which I don't use, and considered a 7, but for me the kill for most of the 7 variations is the lack of a shoe. As someone who uses lenses wider than 28mm all the time, this finishes the discussion for me.

 

[mdarnton]

I'm going to retract some of what I said. This thread got me to dig out my P and it's not as bad as I said. It's no Leica, but for $100 it's a great camera. I eat my words.