Canon P | First & Last Impressions

#canonp #rangefinder #35mmcamera

Canon P | First & Last Impressions

In this video, I share my experience using the Canon P for the first time. I take you guys along for behind the scenes shoots, and then give my opinion on multiple categories in regards to the Canon P.

Special Thanks to Scott for allowing me to borrow his beloved Canon P.

Model:
Kareem Brown; IG: @callme_mrbrown

Film Used:
Ultrafine Xtreme 400

Camera Used:
Canon P

BTS Camera:
GoPro9

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Instagram: @talya_adams

About this channel:

Here on my channel I explore 35mm film photography, street photography, portrait photography, cheap photography, bts photography, black and white photography, cheap dslr cameras, color negative film photography, medium format photography, medium format cameras, 120mm film photography, and photography improvement, much more.

I'm also team Olympus Om-1 and Om-4 at the moment. However, I still use and explore other cameras. Street photography cameras are my jam, but medium format cameras like the Pentax 67 are quickly climbing the scale.

I hope you'll join me on my photo journey 'Subscribe' to my channel.

[Enevan]

I like your style so much. Other channels, while informative, always give me the feeling I'm in a classroom. Yours give me the feeling we are in a comfortable space and chatting away on how we approach and do things. Keep 'm coming!

[alanlawson]

I just found your channel.It is very Informative and entertaining, I smiled all the way through this vid!. Keep up the good work.

[maxbowen]

Epic video, thinking about buying this camera. Very helpful info 🙌

[kosmidts]

Great one Talya! Awesome Canon camera and photo’s. Thanks! 🙏🏽

[TwangThang]

Love my P! I sold most of my other rangefinders, including an M3 and Canon 7. The P, to my hands and eye, is just a more comfortable and intuitive shooter. I shoot it mainly with a Jupiter 8, I prefer it to the LTM. Also, despite claims to the contrary, my Jupiter 12 fits just fine with plenty of clearance. It just depends on which version of the 12 you have.

[PetalumaHandyman]

Hello Talya, I've been shooting film for over 50 years. I watch lots and lots of YouTube content from many different creators. I came across you for the first time the other day and have now watched many of your videos. You're doing an excellent job! I always find it hard to bring up the following subject. People of color. I don't see color in people and I wish everybody else in the world was the same. I find it so amazing seeing so many young women and people of color getting involved in photography. I know historically, some of the most photographers have been people of color or women. It's just that it's mostly been a white male profession. Again, I just wanted to let you know that you're doing a great job with your videos! I'm a subscriber now and I hope to see more amazing content from you. Good luck with your photography.

Kind regards,
David

[joncaradies]

Hey ! Nice video .... I've owned both the Canon 'P' and the Leica M3 for a number of years . In my mind they are both great cameras with their own strong points . I do like the more refined focus window of the M3 and it just feels smoother overall . On the other hand, the 'P' is much easier to load with its swing open back and I also love the inset rewind crank and of course the steel shutter curtain Also, between the two, the 'P' just feels much more sturdy and reliable Ha ! anyway . My two cents :D Oh ! Like you I too use the Canon 50mm 1.4 alot on my M3 Love that lens .... !

[pancakelens]

Great video!🙏🏼My go to daily shooter is the Canon P with 50mm 1.5 Voigtlanded Nokton lens. Such a good combo and fantastic affordable Leica M3/M6 alternative(although I’d love me an M6 lol)!

[Whywasscared]

It was a slow start, but I really appreciate the honesty from someone who clearly knows what they're talking about. Interesting to hear the perspective from a Leica user, rather than a "just getting into film" Canonet user that thinks everything is amazing.

[KhunTui-jlnj]

I'm looking for these Canons. Which one do you think is VL, VI-L, P? The best quality and functionality? And between VL1 and VL2, how can we tell them apart when buying?

[WatchesAndPhotography]

Wow! Lovely portraits of the model you did around the 4 minute mark. I’ve been thinking of buying a Canon P, now I have got to have one! What film stock did you use? Looks like Tri-X 3200

[westonsmith]

Great video. Thank you for posting. It was interesting to see the basketball courts at Venice beach and environs as you showed them - often seen in videos by AJ Lapray and the Professor. Your perspectives are very insightful. I am also fond of the Canon LTM f1.4 - good quality, frugal alternative to a Summicron - I don’t plan to pursue a Leica 50mm. Cheers from Canada

[kennethgray]

Great work Tayla. I really like how your personality shines through on this video. You’ve earned a new subscriber! So, as for me… I own a Canon P with a Canon 50mm 1.4 LTM— really like it, but I do struggle a bit with the rangefinder patch.. I also own a beautiful Leica M4 with a Zeiss 35mm F2 Biogon— pure perfection and beauty… Some time back I also owned a Bessa R3A. It too had a pretty good and well lit viewfinder. But in terms of the build quality I knew I wanted better even though it was my very first rangefinder. It also would jam on me and I couldn’t advance the film.. Unfortunately the Bessa was stolen..😩 Anyway, thanks for the review. Your work is GOOD! Are you on Flickr? I too have so many other film cameras that I don’t use regularly. ✌🏽

[richardmayberry]

It’s all really about one’s dreams, desires, and needs! I have a Leica IIIf (I recall how much you loved the film loading on the Barnack Leicas!!!), a Canon P, and a Voightlander Bessa R - and have shot with an M4 - so I have a rather open mind about such things.
The IIIf has the worst rangefinder/viewfinder arrangement of the bunch, but is undoubted the best built. It has its quirks, though, and can be a bit fiddly at times. I have a fair selection of the L39 screwmount lenses, so I decided that I should find a more “modern” body, and that led me to the Canon P. It has a much better viewfinder, a rational and (nearly) foolproof film loading system, and a very solid build quality! With the Leica lenses mounted on it, the images are every bit as good as those shot on the IIIf - and it is much more pleasant to use!!! The addition of the Canon lenses to the mix is a definite plus, as they give up little or nothing to the Leica glass in quality.
Wanting to move out of the 1950s and into the 21st century, I decided on the Bessa R (after a brief flirtation with a Bessa L). It also uses the L39 lens mount, so all of my Leica, Canon, and assorted Soviet lenses mated right up to it. With a built-in light meter, it is a breeze to use, and the viewfinder with its selectable frame lines (as opposed to the multiple fixed lines in the Canon, and the single 50mm field of view in the Leica) is absolutely bright, clear, and wonderful - nearly as good as the M4! The one downside to the Bessa R is the largely plastic construction of the body, and the painted markings - rather than engraved - that have a tendency to chip off after a while. The Bessa R2 and its successors improved on the build quality, but - with a couple of exceptions - they use Leica M-mount lenses. If I found a good deal on one, I might buy it, since L39 to M adapters are readily available and easy to use. In practice, though, any of them will give me exactly the same image with a given lens/film combination. It’s all about how it feels in your hand, and how you relate to the viewfinder, winder, and shutter button. Anything much beyond that is aesthetics over function - not a bad thing, as you don’t want to be ashamed or embarrassed by your camera - and a camera that simply “looks good” but is otherwise crap is a waste of money, time, and film!
The IIIf, P, and Bessa R are all fine cameras, they get regular use, and they are unlikely to leave my camera bag any time soon!!! Of course, if a great deal on an M6 was to come along…

[melaninxhalide]

Appreciate the honesty on the Canon P. 🙏🏾

[stevewilliamson]

Delightful review! Stumbled on this, as others said. Enjoy the positivity and keeping it in perspective. We are talking CAMERAS here. Never had Canon P in hand. Same with Leica. Hard for me to justify Leica prices today. So, i sought out the alternatives...for me. Do like my Canon L1 and VL (3 rotating patch magnifications). Do like my Bessa T (great patch & meter), though the "Hand Check" on the Bessa: just not as satisfying. Also, the Canons are more neutral as you noted. The anniversary Bessa calls too much attention to itself. Totally honest, afraid to try Leica and then see all others as inferior (because of the Leica prices). Enjoying my Canon & Voigtlander LTM lenses. Your take is refreshing!

[andykphoto]

I’m living the canonet life right now, after a hiatus. I used to have a bessa R3M, but I sold it ages ago. I should have just held onto all my old analog gear… oh well! 🤷‍♂️ no experience with the bigger canon rangefinders, or leicas… but who knows what the future holds! 😸

[michaelrapp]

Thanks for sharing!
Nice to see possible negatives pointed out!

[eddiegee]

There was some very nice pix here. The film really pops out with that grainy look. Can you do some urban alley shots ( with person ), between buildings, and venture nature, bottom of the hill looking up the trail. Fog shots. Im really paying attention the performance of that canon lens on the canon P. Keep up the good work, keep shooting to be that master.

[kalenderquantentunnel]

I agree on the sharpness of Canons LTM lenses. Let's not spread the word too much, lol, but they are often on par with their contemporaries from Wetzlar.