Want to Buy WTB - FULFILLED - Cheap/Ugly LTM lens

[cptrios]

Hi all,

I just ordered a Canon P from Japan on eBay, on a bid I casually threw out there that I didn't expect to win. I wasn't planning on buying one at all for a bit, but my now-moved-up idea is to at some point get a Canon 35/2 or Voigtlander 35/2.5 for it and, if I like it enough, eventually move up to a Bessa R when I feel like dropping the money.

At the moment, though, I find myself waiting for a camera for which I have no lenses. I need one to test out the camera, but all of the ones cheap enough for that purpose are located in Russia or Ukraine, which means I'll have to wait a couple of weeks beyond when the camera arrives. So...does anyone have one lying around that they'd feel like either selling to me or letting me rent, somehow, for a bit? Fungus, scratches, etc, I really don't care!

 

[Ko.Fe.]

PM sent.

 

[sfphoto]

The Canon P is a really solid well designed camera w/ only one flaw IMO: the viewfinder.
The framelines are really bright and include 35-50-100 all at the SAME time. Makes the 35mm IMO un-usable.
Plus the 35 frame on the P is not easy to see like just the 28mm on the Leica M6 (eyestrain).
You can add an external finder but a Bessa or different Canon might be better, i.e. V, VI & 7. The VI finder was a slight improvement over the V (both have a separate 35 finder built in (ala Nikon S3 or SP?), and the Canon 7 the best finder.

The Canon 35/2 is a gem all though 40mm filters are not easy to find. Not just good optical performance but handles well too. Nice on any Canon RF mentioned above.

If you go with the Bessa IMO get one of the 2.5 Skopars (regular or pancake).

You can/should test the P before getting a lens.
Move the RF cam w/ a finger to make sure distance is working. (Not sure but thinking there is NO parallax feature like the 5-6-7).
Test the shutter w/ a florescent bulb fixture, no lens, back open. The 'bands' will change width and intensity as you go through the speeds.
Flash and self timer easily tested as well.

Hope this helps!

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Finder image:
https://i2.wp.com/www.mikeeckman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/CanonP3-1.jpg

VI review
https://www.canonrangefinder.org/Canon_VI-L_VI-T.htm

 

[cptrios]

Thanks for that info, sfphoto! My first choice for a Canon body was actually the VL, since the VI-L is in "might as well buy a Bessa" territory, but like I said, this purchase was an accident! With a few bucks left on an eBay, and ignoring tax (which I always do for psychological health), I'll end up out about $100 for the P. So if everything works ok (the seller did say the timer is faulty), I think it's an alright deal.

Oh, and I got a cheapo lens for now, so fingers crossed.

 

[darinwc]

What lens did you get?
I have a Komura 105mm f3.5 that I will sell for cheap. It is reasonably sharp but flares badly.

Regarding the P.. I have a different view on it than SFfoto.. I love the fact that the different finder lines are always visible. No need to mess with changing them like on the other canons.
Also note the framelines on the P will move for parallax compensation!.

 

[luvcameras]

I have Canon 50/1.5, 50/1.9, 35/1.8, 35/2.8 and 35/3.2 lenses for sale

 

[cptrios]

The Canon P is a really solid well designed camera w/ only one flaw IMO: the viewfinder.
The framelines are really bright and include 35-50-100 all at the SAME time. Makes the 35mm IMO un-usable.
Plus the 35 frame on the P is not easy to see like just the 28mm on the Leica M6 (eyestrain).

Well, after using the P for a couple of rolls, I have to agree with you. The 35mm lines aren't unusable, necessarily, but they're not very convenient. I find myself having to squish my eye into the VF a bit more than is comfortable if I want to get a good idea of the 35mm frame. I think this would be great for 50mm lenses, but for 35 it's probably not for me!

 

[sfphoto]

Well, after using the P for a couple of rolls, I have to agree with you... for a 35 it's probably not for me!

For me only liked the P w/ a 100mm lens so I used w/ such and a VI w/ a 35. Later replaced both w/ a 7s w/ 35f2 and 100mm lenses.

A shopper should think of a Vi as an investment as is doubtful that it would depreciate.

While one can add a 35mm finder to a P the bulk then makes a 7/7s size more attractive.
If you do go the finder route you will find many many options.