INTRODUCTION

The Canon P is a 35mm film rangefinder made in Japan by Canon between 1958 and 1961.

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PERSONAL NOTES

I love this camera, it's like a cheaper version of the Leica M3.

The Canon P is brilliant! It's compatible with M39 mount lenses, it's compact, robust, yet not too heavy. It is heavy, but not heavier than you would expect.

The design of the camera is excellent, the shutter button is well placed, unlike the Nikon rangefinders. Film advance is easy, also like on its cousin the Canon 7, the speeds are easy to change. The finder is really bright, even better than my Leica M3!

The most remarquable thing with this camera is its finder. With a 1:1 ratio, you can shoot with both eyes opened! This is a huge advantage, as you can see the action coming into your frame and capture the exact moment you choose. Composing with both eyes opened helps to anticipate what's happening so you can get those "decisive moment" photos.

There is only one very small flaw. When I hold and carry around a camera, I usually have my right thumb between the film advance lever and the camera body, this helps to carry the weight of the camera. I almost never use a camera strap, so the thumb under the film advance lever has become my usual way of carying around cameras. It's similar to the "thumb rest" you buy to better hold a digital rangefinder, similar feeling. I saw on some camera models that when your thumb is between the camera body and the film advance lever, if you are at the end of the movement of the lever, the shutter button won't move, you have to remove some pressure on the film advance lever in order to engage the shutter. When you don't know this, you will miss a few shots. But your hands will know and adapt to it. Like many cameras, the Canon P has room for improvement, but it's a damn good camera.

CONCLUSION

The Canon P is in my opinion, the best rengefinder you can get for your money. Get one that works well, be sure to check the shutter curtains as they tend to warp over time. If you have much more money, you can go for a Leica M3.

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