Canon P First Impressions | The Best Rangefinder Under $250
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- Опубліковано 9 лип 2024
- In this video I talk about my time with the Canon P after owning it for the last two months and shooting eight rolls of film through it. It's been an absolutely fantastic camera and I really can't recommend this camera enough for someone who might be interested in getting into a rangefinder camera, but doesn't want to spend thousands of dollars on a Leica or Voigtlander.
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My Instagram: / michaelbennettyt
My Website: www.michaelbennettphoto.com
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Canon P, Canon rangefinder, Canon 7, rangefinder film camera, Kodak vision 3 500t 250d, Kodak cinema film, fuji 400, fujifilm 400, ilford xp2, ilford hp5, pushing hp5, 35mm film photography, using a rangefinder, cheap rangefinder, canon vt, Leica rangefinder, Leica camera, Leica m, voigtlander best - Фільми й анімація
I shoot a lot with the Ql 17 Giii and love that rangefinder and surprisingly has a really sharp lens
The reason you can’t see 35mm frame lines is due to your glasses. When you remove your glasses you will see the difference. I have two Canon P’s, I wear glasses and I don’t see any “cons” to this camera. I also use sunny sixteen and have a hand held light meter.
Taking off my glasses definitely allows me to see the frame lines better!
That's right, but I can't shoot without glasses, otherwise I dont really see what I'm focussing on. 🙂
I wear glasses. Idk why he’s making it sound so complicated. When you can’t see the lines, the whole viewfinder at that point is 35mm.
I have the Canon P and love it. It has a nice solid feel. I have several of the Canon LTM lenses for it and they are all wonderful but that Voightlander lens is a great optic.
It’s a fantastic camera!
im so happy to finally see an amazing video of someone talking so clearly about the cons and the pros of the canon p, that camera has been my only rf until this day and i love it, great video💗 keep up the good work :)
Thank you so much! I absolutely love my Canon P!
Great video man! I really think the Canon P is the best bang for your buck rangefinder out there! I’ve been using mine since 2020 and I’ve loved every second of it! That Voigtlander color Skopar focuses down to .7 meters and the canon P actually has focus coupling down to about that distance so that should eliminate one of your cons!
Thank you!! And I could’ve swore I read that the close focus was 1 meter. In that case, you’re totally right! That would definitely get rid of one of my cons! That’s yet another reason to get the color skopar haha😅
@@michaelbennettphoto I have the more classic looking color Skopar and my Canon P’s focusing cam keeps working until just before it hits the .7 meter mark!
With the Skopar on the P you can focus down to 0.8 meters which is still a lot better than 1 meter.
great vid! Been looking at this camera for a long time now gotta get it
Thank you! Man, it’s a great camera. I really don’t think there’s a better rangefinder for the price. The Canon P really punches above its weight class.
100% viewfinder magnification is meant to improve the experience with longer lenses, 50mm in particular. When Canon launched this camera, it tried to bark up the Leica M3 tree - which also had a preference to elevate the 50mm experience, without even shipping 35mm frame lines.
With all rangefinders, if you wear glasses (like myself too), you will have an issue with seeing the frame lines as they were designed to be seen without glasses. None of the Leica M bodies allows me to see the 28mm frame lines for that reason.
Very nice images by the way, Michael.
Thank you for the kind words! And I feel that for the price, the Canon P is the best bang for the buck. Having the 35mm frame lines is definitely a plus over the M3.
@@michaelbennettphoto The P has another advantage/disadvantage - which was a dig at Leica at the time. One of the key selling points of any Leica M is the horizontally traveling cloth shutter which allowed for very quiet shutters and almost not camera vibration while actuating the shutter, allowing the Leica M user to get away with very slow shutter speeds and sharp images. However, the cloth shutter has one disadvantage: you can't allow the sun to shine directly through the lens onto the shutter curtain for too long or the sun will burn a hole right through the shutter curtain. Canon decided to put a metal shutter on the P - you will never have burn issues with that shutter curtain!
You can try Canon's own 35mm lenses, they're relatively cheaper than the Voigtlander and quality is comparable to the voigtlander lenses! I pair my Canon 35mm f2.8 II with my Canon 7
I’ve looked into the canon lenses! I might pick one up!
Bro such an easy watch great video
Thank you so much! I appreciate the kind words!
Great video!
Thank you!
Really enjoyed the video. I own a Canon Rangefinder myself (Canon 7) and love that camera as well. The only real disadvantage of that system is, in my opinion, the M39 mount. I feel like there isn't really a big lens selection to choose from. Most M39 Leica lenses are pretty old and often times not in the best condition but usually still pretty expansive. And, at least where i live, Canon's and Voigtländers M39 are really rare to find. But if you are lucky with finding lenses, those Canon rangefinders are amazing!
Thank you so much! And yes, I have to agree with you. The Canon P is an amazing camera, but the lens selection is pretty limited. That’s the biggest reason why I think I’d upgrade to an M mount body in the future.
@@michaelbennettphoto I got incredibly lucky and got Color Skopar 35 2.5 and Canons 50 1.4 M39 lens in a superb condition. You can also use both with an adapter on an M body.
As much as id love to try the P, i was gifted a near mint AE-1p and it may be my forever camera. I honestly dont want to try anything else because of how consistently great the pictures turn out!
I have an AE-1 and I love it! They’re fantastic cameras. The AE-1P sounds like an amazing gift.
I also got a Canon P. I primarely shoot it for street photograhy. Great Camera. Got two lenses at the moment. A 35mm and a 50mm. Both Canon. Would love to get the Voigtländer one day. The only critique I have is that after winding the film back, you have to pay attention to put the top wheel back in position, otherwise the film transport doesn't work the way it should. Happened already several times to me. :-)
Yeah I understand having to switch back when unwinding a roll. I always try to make sure I switch it back to “A” before I start loading another roll in.
Considering his "cons" about the P, his camera was poorly chosen. Unlike the P, the VIT or VIL of the same era use the more flexible viewfinder of most Canons. That offers variable magnification, which includes 35mm framing. With a P and using primarily a 35mm lens, his best option would be to find a late model accessory "bright line" finder to match 35mm, which fits into the accessory shoe on the top plate. (You still focus through the body viewfinder.) Also note, contrary to his initial complaint, the ability of the P to focus close to the subject is controlled by the lens you select, not the body. Most RF lenses do not focus much closer than 36 inched because at closer distances, the parallax viewfinder error makes it ever more difficult to properly frame your subject.
I actually was doing some research a few years ago about the VIL. I bought the Canon P kind of on a whim so I totally forgot that the VIL existed. I might actually pick one up to replace my Canon P just for the better magnification for shooting with a 35mm lens.
The P is a great camera (I have two of them). I have to disagree with your mention of the Voigtlander Bessa as a $1500-2000 alternative. I had a Voigtlander R4M for one day and sold it without using it. The most over-hyped and over-priced camera ever, with the possible exception of the Pentax K1000. Mostly plastic, flimsy build, and actually sticky feeling. I would much rather spend the money on a Leica M2 or M3 (both of which I have), or a Nikon rangefinder like my SP. I have many Canon rangefinders, including IIB, IVSB, V-L, V-T Deluxe, VI-L, VI-T, 7, P, and 7sZ. They are all wonderful and beautiful cameras, heads and tails better than a Bessa, and much less expensive these days. The vintage Canon LTM lenses are great as well, as long as you get a copy without haze. And the V and VI series have special auxiliary viewfinders that automatically adjust for parallax as you focus.
I just mentioned the Bessa and the Leica M system when it came to the close focus. However, I just recently learned that they can in fact focus at 0.7 meters like the Bessa and Leica M bodies. I didn’t recommend them over the Canon P. I’d actually say that the Canon P/VI is a better buy for most people.
Thanks for the review! I saw some post said that the Jupiter-12 lens would damage the camera body due to the extensive rear lens element. Did you experience any of that sort? Where it scraped inside of the camera body? Shutter curtains and etc?
I read a similar thing before buying the lens. From what I saw, later models of the lens (like the one I have) are fully compatible with the Canon P and damage isn’t a concern.
There’s a link to the Reddit comment I read before buying the lens. My lens was manufactured in 1986 so the rear diameter of the lens is smaller than the earlier models.
www.reddit.com/r/AnalogCommunity/s/gng1RSW480
Good review! A bit difficult to see frames for 35mm focal length with large glasses anyway. There's nothing wrong with either you or the camera! It's pure physics .... the distance between your eye and the viewfinder eyepiece. Wish you all the best with a legendary camera. The Canon P has gained cult status as the economical alternative to the Leica M, and with the right optics, images and user experience are comparable. You have gotten a lot out of Jupiter 12! I think your photos are very good! I also understand that you are saving up for the Voigtlander Color Skopar 35mm F:2.5. They are very good lenses and optically exactly the same whether they have a C or P design (or LTM or M lens mount.)
Thank you for the kind words! The Canon P has been a wonderful camera!
great video and great photos. how did you develop that 500t? did you use a yellow filter when shooting? did you develop and scan yourself? im considering bulk loading 500t but only if there is a "practical" way to remove that blue tint you get
Thank you! I actually had it sent to a lab where it was correctly processed in ECN-2 chemicals. After it was developed, I had it shipped back and I scanned it at home and converted the images with Negative Lab Pro (NLP). I didn't use any filters to compensate for the fact that it's a tungsten balanced film. It converts really well using NLP and the software does a great job fixing any blue cast that might come up. I highly recommend the film stock. I have a full video about shooting Vision 3 250D and 500T that's coming out next Wednesday (5/15) where I'll go more in depth into the two film stocks.
@@michaelbennettphoto thank you so much, Im excited to see that video! i am doing as much research as i can before i commit to buying a 400ft roll haha. if you feel like throwing in some tips on scanning and NLP post processing in the next video, that would greatly appreciated XD
I love mine and really want to upgrade to a 35mm lens but the one I’m eyeing is like 10x the price I can afford for now. Hopefully I can get a good copy of that lens in the near future.
But for me, this definitely feels like a gateway camera to getting either a Leica M3 or a Leica M-A in the future.
For me, I feel like this is a gateway into the Leica M2 for me!
Hello. You made a very good video. I'm asking for advice. If I were to choose a range finder between VL / VI-L / P, which one do you recommend I choose? Why? I'm new to this type of camera. And chrome lenses, size 50 mm. 1.4 or 1.2, which one is better?
If you’re planning on just using a 50mm, I’d say go for the VI-L or the P, but if you might be interested in using a 35mm lens, I’d 100% suggest going for the VI-L
@@michaelbennettphoto If you could choose only 1 thing, which one would you choose? Because of what?
Try Canon LTM lenses from that era, just stay away from the 50mm f1.8 which has haze inside. Those lenses are often unrecoverable. The 50/1.4 is usually a sure bet and an incredible lens to boot.
I’d love to try some different lenses! The 50mm f/1.4 is one that I was scoping out actually.
I've had my P forever. Also had the Jup 12 and didn't have that flare problem. Here's a shocker: I like the focusing better on the P then my Leica. The P gives you overlapping images, the Leica gives you a sharp rectangle that I find obtrusive, although more accurate. I have a Canon 1.4 50mm on it currently but also have the 50mm 1.8. Good video, love seeing a recent review on this cam!
Thank you! And that’s strange, it might be my copy of the Jupiter 12 that preforms poorly.
The P's rangefinder does not flare or "ghost" like the Canon 7, the patch is bigger. The only fault of the P viewfinder is its multiple framelines that detract from composing and obviously you can't see the 35 frameline when wearing glasses.
@@michaelbennettphoto Maybe you could try to use a flashlight to shine through the lens in a dimly lit room. That makes it easy to see defects such as haze/oil or mold inside the lens, that's where those defects usually are. Such defects could explain the flare effect.
i use that lens and it's very nice actually
I’ve heard there was a lot of quality control issues with them. I seemed to have got a back copy but the heard from a few people that they don’t have the same issues as I do.
i use that 35 colour skopar and its perfect youll love it ! :)
I’ve only heard great things about that lens!
@@michaelbennettphoto it’s fantastic and the size is lovely ! :) even gets a little bit of depth too up close aha
Hey man !! If you’ve never tried it grab a chiyoko super rokkor lens from Minolta , 45mm lens f2.8 , gorgeous design , strong build quality , and best of all a good price
Wait wow that lens looks so cool!! I actually might pick one up!! Thank you for the recommendation!
@@michaelbennettphoto it’s a gorgeous lens , I use it for my Leica IIIf as well as my leitz elmar f3.5 50mm collapsible lens
I think you will be happier with the Voigtlander 35mm. You could also find a Canon LTM 50mm /1.8 for it. I also have a Voigtlander 90mm for my Canon P.
The Voigtlander 35mm Color Skopar looks like a fantastic lens! I’ll be getting one soon!
yeah, soviet lens despite the praise, are basically lottery - soviets didn't had any quality control standards, only a plan in planned economy, hence the fact that you may have amazing quality copy or just piece of crap
Yeah that makes sense. Someone else commented that they had a copy of the lens and it didn’t have the flaring issue.
Awesome camera
I 100% agree!
I have no idea where you dream up that price, the average price on eBay is $500 to $600!
Are you based in the US? The average price that I see in USD is typically under $250.
No Australia
I'm from Australia too, that's on you buddy. Have you not heard of economics before lol @@jeetts59
I'm a bit confused with the "Under $250"
The camera itself can be found for under $250 very easily on eBay.
I don't have a film camera, but I use my optical viewfinder on my DSLR 95% of the time and I've found myself adjusting my camera for exposure before I ever raise it to my eye and it's usually correct just out of shooting habits and taking my camera everywhere, eventually you don't even have to second guess exposure settings you'll just know it, I'm gonna eventually go mirrorless but I also have been looking into Canonet which is why I found your video, the only thing with film I'm afraid about is there is nothing around me in means to develop film rolls 🥹
I mail my film to a lab to get developed! After it’s developed it gets sent back to me so I can scan the film at home! In my opinion, this is it Elise cost effective way to shoot film. Scanning at home has saved me a lot of money. I would definitely recommend shooting some film if you can! It’s a ton of fun and the results that you can get are amazing!