got my first RF camera, canon 7 - got a few question

[heshanj]

hello everyone
was always interested in using a rangefinder, and got my hands on a nice canon 7 RF + 50mm f1.8.

it didnt come with a lens cap, but instead with the original cano UV filter. is is possible to buy old canon lens caps? i believe the filter size is 40mm. using the filter just to protect the lens is fine, but it has to be screwed on.. but i read somewhere that old canon lens caps had to be screwed on too, is this true? if thats the case, using this filter to protect it shoudl be fine

second question.. about the rangefinder patch in the viewfinder..firstly, its a bit hard to see, to be honest the framelines are bright, and the viewfinder itself is bright, but its quite hard to see if the two imags are alined.. for example my much newer nikon fm2n is much easier to focus using the rangefinder in that. is this normal?

and another question about the rangefinder patch.. the RF patch image seems to be a bit higher than the actual image, if u get wat i mean.. i read something about the rangefinder's vertical calibration being knocked out of alightment, is this the case? and if so, is it possible for me to adjust that myself? i read about a screw that needs to be turned to calibrate it, without opening the camera. but as im very new, i dont wanna try anythign without asking first! this seller i got it from is highly reputed, and everything is as said, in great condition, but just wanted to check these few points
thanks for ur time!

 

[raytoei]

can't answer about your question on the lens cap. ebay is your friend.

rf patch goes dim over time, dun think it is easily fixed. i prefer the older Canon RF with the magnification as it helps focusing.

lastly, rf alignment can be easily fixed. horizontal mis-alignment will affect image quality. vertical misalignment less so.

a trip to the camera hospital should do the trick.

one thing to add, you can try using a yellow highlighter on the rf window next to the main viewer but i found it a alot of hassle, google around.

good luck!

 

[pikapig]

Meet up one day n i help u to answer ur questions..or pop by chiif place, sure got ppl can help answer ur questions.

Welcome to the rf world

 

[heshanj]

thanks guys. so the problem with the rangefinder patch is definitely calibration, right? the dimness, i think i can live with

pikapig, i'd take u up on that offer, but unfortunately im not in SG at the moment, and wont be for a while.

i checked ebay and googled around for 40mm canon lens caps.. no luck. guess i'll ask the repair shop if they got it.. or just continue using the filter as a lens cap, like some others talked about.. haha

 

[nightwolf75]

i have a few canon LTM lenses that goes on 40mm. just get the 40.5mm lens caps. it works on my lenses.

 

[heshanj]

thanks. i cant find canon 40.5mm caps either.. would somethign generic like this work? :

Snap on Front Cap For 40.5mm Canon Nikon Sony Lens | eBay

 

[newghost]

hello everyone
was always interested in using a rangefinder, and got my hands on a nice canon 7 RF + 50mm f1.8.

it didnt come with a lens cap, but instead with the original cano UV filter. is is possible to buy old canon lens caps? i believe the filter size is 40mm. using the filter just to protect the lens is fine, but it has to be screwed on.. but i read somewhere that old canon lens caps had to be screwed on too, is this true? if thats the case, using this filter to protect it shoudl be fine

Firstly, congrats on your first *canon* RF!

For original canon lens caps, there's the chrome metal one as well as the black rubber type. Both fitted on, not screw on as far as I know. Like the guys said, get a 40.5mm generic pinch on lens cap will do. Alternatively, 39mm generic pinch on cap should work too!

If you're thinking of the hood, then possibly its via a 40mm screw on adaptor or 42mm clamp on adaptor to the series type hood.

second question.. about the rangefinder patch in the viewfinder..firstly, its a bit hard to see, to be honest the framelines are bright, and the viewfinder itself is bright, but its quite hard to see if the two imags are alined.. for example my much newer nikon fm2n is much easier to focus using the rangefinder in that. is this normal?

Here's a quick way to resurrect the dim rf...
http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/rangefinders/885421-resurrect-your-dim-rf.html

Good luck and enjoy the RF journey!

 

[heshanj]

thanks! the fix for the dim RF sounds interesting, i'll try it tmr with some black electrical tape.

cool, so a generic snap-on 40.5mm cap should work, thats all i want. dont need one that says Canon on front, as long as it works. i wouldnt mind spending more for a canon one if i could find one, but i cant!

thanks again everyone

 

[heshanj]

handed in the camera to adjust rangefinder calibration.. hopefully it'll be easier to focus once its fixed. theyre taking forever to fix it, no idea why, hope to get it tmr..

another quick question.. i need to get a strap for this, any suggestions? im thinking of a thin strap that wouldnt take much space, and something fairly long to sling over neck or shoulder. i got a nikon AN-7 for my nikon fm2n (i think its a camera bag strap or something) and its great.. somethign similar is wat im looking for..another one that looks ideal is the leica carry strap. that looks a bit pricey though

 

[nightwolf75]

handed in the camera to adjust rangefinder calibration.. hopefully it'll be easier to focus once its fixed. theyre taking forever to fix it, no idea why, hope to get it tmr..

another quick question.. i need to get a strap for this, any suggestions? im thinking of a thin strap that wouldnt take much space, and something fairly long to sling over neck or shoulder. i got a nikon AN-7 for my nikon fm2n (i think its a camera bag strap or something) and its great.. somethign similar is wat im looking for..another one that looks ideal is the leica carry strap. that looks a bit pricey though

you can pop by chiifcameras (dunno if our boss chiff is open this holiday weekend). he has a pretty good selection on straps. else, benphoto also has a range from luigi or A&A.

 

[crispy12]

The voigtlander strap and a&a straps are very nice, soft cotton that feels good around the neck. A bit pricey though especially the A&A strap. I previously put apiece of black tape on my fixed lens RF too but I found that sometimes it made focusing less accurate. Worse during bright light, but better for indoor focusing.

 

[sweat100]

you can pop by chiifcameras (dunno if our boss chiff is open this holiday weekend). he has a pretty good selection on straps. else, benphoto also has a range from luigi or A&A.

Just drop by and realised he is closed for the holidays... till 3 rd jan

 

[heshanj]

thanks for the replies about the strap. A&A looks perfect, but way out of my budget.. USD80+ i believe? haha, way over my budget!
the voiglander strap looks nice. i might look for that, or any generic strap, leather or not. just something thin and compact, so it doesnt make the entire camera bulky.

the rangefinder in my camera was fixed, with decent contrast, and calibrated...but its back in the repair shop now. barely 10min after getting it back, i was turning the shutter dial and it just loosened, and came off.. the guy said that something inside had actually broken, not simply come loose or unscrewed. quite concerned about it, i hope they can fix it soon.

thanks for all the help yet again

 

[pikapig]

Who did de repair for u?

 

[heshanj]

not in singapore, bro.. im currently located in vietnam (saigon) for a while, and found a repair shop on the nikon site that they recommend. did great work on my earlier cameras, but got slower and slower to do their stuff lately.

 

[heshanj]

so they managed to fix the shutter dial back... but its not that great. it kinda feels a bit insecure, and doesnt click firmly into position. im thinking of just selling off the body, and keeping the lens, and maybe looking for another body. i always thought the canon P was a better looking camera maybe i'll get one of those. if anyone is interested in buying this body at a lower price than i paid for it, ur most welcome maybe some of u guys will be able to repair it better than i have. but i guess with shipping costs, it wont be economical.