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Owned one and bought another, my all time favourite rangefinder. It was built to last a long time and it's easy to operate. Equipping Canon LTM lens will produce stunning images.
Thank you for this wonderfully instructional video. I just purchased a Canon 7 (at the exorbitant prices they now go for). I'm having a little difficulty understanding the ASA/DIN adjuster. It also feels a little sticky and seems to want to "click" into place in between ASA's. Also, after ASA 400. it goes to 9 and then 11 and then 12. What are we to make of these numbers? Thank you for the video and for any help you might be able to provide.
ASA 400 is the maximum setting on the Canon 7. The film speed adjustment can become a little sticky as dirt can easily find its say into the mechanism.
Hi, I have the issue that I can release only when the release dial is on the red button, but so far I know it should only work if the dial point to A. :/
Was going to get the Canon P before I heard of the 7. Only difference I suppose it the size of the viewfinder window and built-in lightmeter..might go with the P for now and then swap down the line for a 7.
Find a really nice P and keep it. I've collected a number of Canon RF bodies including a 7. I planned to have my 7 fully serviced as a user, but there is a problem with the shutter. Canon used a very complex, high tension shutter in the 7 and 7S. The high speeds go out of spec and cannot be repaired properly. I had mine serviced by Ken Ruth (Bald Mountain) about 25 years ago. He's an expert, but the best he could do was a bit faster than 1/500 at 1/1000 setting, 1/250 also slow. 1/125 was a bit slow but okay. The repair parts haven't been around for decades. The P has a more conventional shutter design and can be fully serviced by most shops.
Hi Sir! I own a canon 7 just like the one you shown in this video (very interesting, well made BTW). Which 35mm lens would you recommend? I understand that a Jupiter 12/39mm screw mound would not fit due to the long protrusion of the lens to the inside touching the shutter. Can you pls confirm/comment? Thanks
Hi I have a Canon P which is very similar and I use a Jupiter 12 lens on it, I read somewhere that you need to get the later version black paint Jupiter 12 lens to fit properly which is what I have and it works great
I have one that has the self timer and shutter button stuck but I can wind it and trip the shutter when I mess with the ring around the shutter button. Wish it worked!
Shinichi Hayakawa You are correct about the magnification, but the Canon P had both a 1:1 viewfinder and a 35mm frameline, so it IS possible. Good luck seeing that frameline if you wear glasses, though! So, the 7 was a better solution in every way except magnification.
@@jlwilliams Yes, there used be several RF cameras that had 1:1 viewfinders AND 35mm frames. I have two such cameras, the Canon P and the Nikon S3, and with either of those cameras I can not see the entire 35mm frame lines at the same time--and I don't wear glasses. You can use those viewfinders in a similar fashion as Voigtlander's Kontur finder (with both eyes open) though :-)
A drop of oil on the intermediary shaft under the bottom cover should free it up, you can find the shaft by looking for the flash synch contacts and wires, they lead to it.
Yes it can! By combining certain adapters. For example, you can use the Canon Lens Converter B which change the LTM mount to Canon FD mount. Next step is to get any M42 to Canon FD adapter ring so you can mount any M42 lens on this rangefinder camera. You still have proper infinity focus but have to use zone focusing with the M42 lens as there is no more rangefinder coupling.
The 7sz is the last Canon professional rangefinder made. It features a re-designed viewfinder which corrects the halos around the rfdr patch but does not fully get rid of them (sigh). Other than that a bigger rewind knob and a silky smooth shutter. Great camera if you can get one with a working meter but in any event 60 year old meters are not reliable any more.
For those who want to shoot at closer distances the 7 will focus voigtlander skopar lenses down to a reasonable 0.8 meters. If you can put up with an annoying halo around the rfdr patch then these cameras will last beyond your lifetime. As the saying goes they dont make them like they used to......
Canon 7 doesn't have 1:1 viefinder magnification. It's about 0.8, and not so great to shoot with 2 eyes open. Have you tried at least looking through the viewfinder ? 🤦♂️
On 43th second you mention L-mount lens showing Canon 7 lens. This is M39 screw mount lens not Bayonet L-Mount which came later than classic M-39 or LTM, Leica Thread Mount.
Glad I found this video, especially for the tip regarding fixing the 1/1000 problem! Thank you
Really love your Videos, as I too have the Canon 7, and the Canon Vt Thank You...
Owned one and bought another, my all time favourite rangefinder. It was built to last a long time and it's easy to operate. Equipping Canon LTM lens will produce stunning images.
What is it like to shoot one of these ? I have read it feels clunky and unergonomic? would love to hear your thoughts on this
@@jfs_films Nice to shoot. Wind is smooth, shutter sounds great. They're big, but still nice to shoot
@@flowermaze___ thanks :)
I own two of these. Absolutely love them. My second one came with the Canon Dream Lens (50mm f/0.95). It’s a beast!
It’s a beast!
Too much money.
I watch these videos to go to sleep
thanks a lot!
I love my canon 7 so much. Thanks for this! I made a few videos on it too if you're interested.
Thank you for this wonderfully instructional video. I just purchased a Canon 7 (at the exorbitant prices they now go for). I'm having a little difficulty understanding the ASA/DIN adjuster. It also feels a little sticky and seems to want to "click" into place in between ASA's. Also, after ASA 400. it goes to 9 and then 11 and then 12. What are we to make of these numbers? Thank you for the video and for any help you might be able to provide.
ASA 400 is the maximum setting on the Canon 7. The film speed adjustment can become a little sticky as dirt can easily find its say into the mechanism.
Hi, I have the issue that I can release only when the release dial is on the red button, but so far I know it should only work if the dial point to A. :/
Great Leica alternative for 1/10th of the price. It’s HUGE though which makes it a tank. The metal shutter is awesome.
Was going to get the Canon P before I heard of the 7. Only difference I suppose it the size of the viewfinder window and built-in lightmeter..might go with the P for now and then swap down the line for a 7.
Find a really nice P and keep it. I've collected a number of Canon RF bodies including a 7. I planned to have my 7 fully serviced as a user, but there is a problem with the shutter. Canon used a very complex, high tension shutter in the 7 and 7S. The high speeds go out of spec and cannot be repaired properly. I had mine serviced by Ken Ruth (Bald Mountain) about 25 years ago. He's an expert, but the best he could do was a bit faster than 1/500 at 1/1000 setting, 1/250 also slow. 1/125 was a bit slow but okay. The repair parts haven't been around for decades. The P has a more conventional shutter design and can be fully serviced by most shops.
@@randallstewart175 Really helpful comment, thank you.
I love the P but struggle to see all of the 50mm framelines with eye glasses.
Hi Sir! I own a canon 7 just like the one you shown in this video (very interesting, well made BTW). Which 35mm lens would you recommend? I understand that a Jupiter 12/39mm screw mound would not fit due to the long protrusion of the lens to the inside touching the shutter. Can you pls confirm/comment? Thanks
Hi I have a Canon P which is very similar and I use a Jupiter 12 lens on it, I read somewhere that you need to get the later version black paint Jupiter 12 lens to fit properly which is what I have and it works great
I have one that has the self timer and shutter button stuck but I can wind it and trip the shutter when I mess with the ring around the shutter button. Wish it worked!
Get it serviced. Would you drive a 60-year old car without servicing it?
Hey, i have a problem with mine. I cant set the asa to 100
What if the "matlin" was broken?
Canon 7's viewfinder magnification is 0.8x, not 1:1. 35mm field of view would be just too wide for a 1:1 viewfinder.
Shinichi Hayakawa You are correct about the magnification, but the Canon P had both a 1:1 viewfinder and a 35mm frameline, so it IS possible. Good luck seeing that frameline if you wear glasses, though! So, the 7 was a better solution in every way except magnification.
@@jlwilliams Yes, there used be several RF cameras that had 1:1 viewfinders AND 35mm frames. I have two such cameras, the Canon P and the Nikon S3, and with either of those cameras I can not see the entire 35mm frame lines at the same time--and I don't wear glasses. You can use those viewfinders in a similar fashion as Voigtlander's Kontur finder (with both eyes open) though :-)
I have the same camera . Shutter is open maybe a half of a mm . Any tips ?
A drop of oil on the intermediary shaft under the bottom cover should free it up, you can find the shaft by looking for the flash synch contacts and wires, they lead to it.
will it shoot any screw mount like m42
No, it only uses LTM lenses (M39) used on the earlier Leica, etc
Yes it can! By combining certain adapters. For example, you can use the Canon Lens Converter B which change the LTM mount to Canon FD mount. Next step is to get any M42 to Canon FD adapter ring so you can mount any M42 lens on this rangefinder camera. You still have proper infinity focus but have to use zone focusing with the M42 lens as there is no more rangefinder coupling.
Hey so whats the difference between this, the 7s and the 7sz?
The 7sz is the last Canon professional rangefinder made. It features a re-designed viewfinder which corrects the halos around the rfdr patch but does not fully get rid of them (sigh). Other than that a bigger rewind knob and a silky smooth shutter. Great camera if you can get one with a working meter but in any event 60 year old meters are not reliable any more.
Also at the end of the video again you say L-mount which it is not.
I have an option to buy one Canon 7 body for 130 euro, is it worth that price ?
My advice would be to spend a couple more euros, and get a Leica iii instead. This canon is an enormous hunk of metal.
It is a fair price so long as the meter is working and the mask which projects the frame lines is not deteriorated.
@@CymbalsOnly Just make sure the Leica doesn't have any holes in the shutter curtains.
Apologies if this sounds like a dumb question. Is it possible to adapt Leica M-mount lenses to the Canon 7?
In short, no. You can, however, mount the LTM lens on an M mount camera by use of an adapter.
For those who want to shoot at closer distances the 7 will focus voigtlander skopar lenses down to a reasonable 0.8 meters. If you can put up with an annoying halo around the rfdr patch then these cameras will last beyond your lifetime. As the saying goes they dont make them like they used to......
Canon 7 doesn't have 1:1 viefinder magnification. It's about 0.8, and not so great to shoot with 2 eyes open. Have you tried at least looking through the viewfinder ? 🤦♂️
On 43th second you mention L-mount lens showing Canon 7 lens. This is M39 screw mount lens not Bayonet L-Mount which came later than classic M-39 or LTM, Leica Thread Mount.