A Classy Classic Canon

<p>This camera caught my eye and wouldn't let go. This is my 'newest' Canon, the Canon VT rangefinder from about 1956. I think it's absolutely beautiful and a dream to operate. It has a very cool trigger film advance on the bottom and a viewfinder that can be adjusted to fit the field of view of a 50mm or 35mm lens as well as a rangefinder setting in the vf that magnifies the view enough to facilitate easy focus. At present I have the Voigtlander Ultron 35/1.7 pictured as well as the Canon 50/1.4 to use on this particular camera. I will have pictures from it soon (as well as a proper write up), as it's currently loaded. Just thought I'd share...</p><div></div>

<p>Ooooh! That's just beautiful, <strong>Andy</strong>. It will be interesting to compare the lenses, too. I'm really looking forward to your full post....</p>

<p>I had one of these from 1985 to 2002 and used it with 35 and 28 lenses for reportage work -- for which the fast winding made it good. For the 28mm I had the finder which tilts up and down automatically depending on focussed distance. I found the built-in V/F inaccurate. A well made, sturdy camera.</p>

<p>That is very pretty. These Canon RF are getting so pricey.. I thought before they were sleepers ...until I tried to wake one up! Anyway, lucky you and I too am interested in your results. I am envious.. . great find and I hope it wasn't too expensivE!!</p>

<p>Su-wheet! Now thats a serious rangefinder. Cool lens too. Good Get.</p>

<p><strong>Rick</strong>--I'm also looking forward to comparing the two lenses. I've read a lot of really good things about both, so it should be interesting.</p>

<p><strong>Mukul</strong>--I would really be interested in hearing more of your experience with this camera and more of your thoughts on it in actual use.</p>

<p><strong>Chuck</strong>--They are indeed pricier than what I usually like to pay, but this one was priced at a point that I couldn't pass up in good conscience.</p>

<p><strong>Louis</strong>--Thanks! Somehow I knew you'd especially appreciate this camera.</p>

<p>Congratulations Andy - the VT is a nice model - in fact, I've just bought one too. I expected the trigger wind to be a pain, but it works fine. This one came with a 50mm f1.8 Canon which appears to be unused and which is smaller than I imagined. I'm waiting for a bit of good weather or sunlight so I can run a film through it (also with a 50mm f1.4) - this weekend <em>may</em> be possible. One small niggle is that the slow speeds are very sticky, but will be fixed under warranty next week.</p>

<p>Congrats to you as well, <strong>Alan</strong>. I'm looking forward to seeing your pics. Hopefully your weather will be nicer than ours is predicted to be.</p>

I'm envious. I just may have to look into Canon RF gear now.

Double post deleted.

<p>Great find Andy, enjoy and share some photos with us. Are you expecting snow by you?</p>

<p>Thanks, Ralf, I'll do both. Yes, we're expecting snow but nobody can seem to say how much; anywhere from 2 to 8 inches! Maybe it'll create some great photo ops!</p>

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<p>Nice looking camera!<br>

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What is the price range and what type of lens mount does it have?</p>

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<p>Very nice! I now have, but can't keep ,a 7, a P, a VI-T, and a IIb. Their are all built with a quality that is not available in a modern camera. Enjoy! </p>

<p><strong>John</strong>--The VT bodies are priced on the auction site anywhere from $299-$400 or so. I can't seem to find much on the Voigtlander Ultron 35/1.7; every place seems to be sold out of them, although Amazon had them listed at one point for just over $400. I didn't pay anywhere near these amounts and got the whole outfit for a steal. It was one of those auctions that was listed during a time when no one was bidding. The seller reduced the price and included a <em>"best offer"</em> option, so I made an offer that was countered by only $20, which I accepted. In the final, I got both the body and the lens for the cost of the lens alone, even though both are in superb condition.</p>

<p><strong>Red Robin</strong>--That's a nice assortment! I may acquire a "P" and call it quits after that as far as Canon Rangefinders are concerned. We all know how that goes though...</p>

<p>I've been interested in the Canon bodies for awhile now after I got a Canon 50mm F1.8 lens for my M3. I would prefer the wider lenses on a RF whereas I'm tending to long lenses on a SLR. I never could really figure out a model to pursue so shelfed the idea, well at least till this thread. Maybe the VT is worthy, but from what I have quickly read, and forgotten, some seemed to have problems with shutter material. Since I don't shoot the M3 maybe I should try the Canon line. I do like the trigger idea on the VT. What about repair people tho?</p>

<p>I'm not sure what I'd do in the event of needing a repair, although I'm sure someone here could guide me in the right direction. I've actually read good things about the VT, particularly over at cameraquest and in Roger Hicks's book on Rangefinders, so I'm hopeful my experience will be a good one. I also have a Canon 7 arriving tomorrow and it's also a model that's spoken fairly highly of. We'll see, but that might be one for you to look into.</p>

<p>I can remember buying a VT De-Lux back in the late 1980's, with a black 35mm f1.8 screw mount Nikkor, for $350. I do not remember what I sold it for. I don't WANT to remember what I sold it for....</p>

<p>Nice find Andy, the one I have is similar, the VI-T, a classic piece of artful hardware! The trigger is a bit strange at first, but easy to get used to. Nothing produced today can match them and just think they were made more than 50 years ago! Take good care of it and it may last another 50! Red Robin</p>

<p><strong>Greg</strong>--I hope you got a good price for your VT De-Lux when you sold it. Did you enjoy using it?</p>

<p><strong>Red Robin</strong>--<em>"Classic piece of artful hardware"</em> is a perfect description for these cameras. As far as the trigger is concerned, it's nicer to use than the trigger on a Ricoh "35" in my opinion, so it hasn't really taken too much getting used to. I will definitely take care of it, and I hope <em>I'm</em> still able to use it 50 years from now.</p>

<p>Andy, on 12/12/10 I wrote " have , but can't keep. .. " The hard part is for me , I like and enjoy all of them I can't keep them all but which to sell? How many times have I read " Well I used to own one but sold it . NOW look at the price". I don't use the 7 much but what if it was sold and then a deal came up on a lens that only fits a 7? Owning Canons can be a heavy burden, their all good, IMHO.</p>

<p>That would be a very difficult choice to make, although I'd keep the 7 and maybe sell the P. I just got a 7 a few days ago and really like the feel of it, but I think I like the VT and its trigger a bit more. How does the P compare to the 7 or to your VI-T?</p>

<p>Right now all I can use is the P as everything else (except my Bessa R) is packed up! Wrinkle City or Bust next Wednesday. The Robins Nest is located in Baton Rouge but soon will relocate on the Suncoast! Moving over Christmas yuk! But the way has been made so I am thankful. My only regret is I said "I'll shoot that next year" too often and for this area next year may never come. I will really like this area (hurricanes and oil spills excepted) but new vistas awate! Plus. . .. I still have to choose which Canons to keep. I'll probably just have to start my evaluations all over again photography conditions MAY be different in a different city.</p>

<p>Wow, that's a big move, but a nice one! I agree, you must re-assess your Canons and view them from a different geographical perspective. At any rate, good luck with the move, and enjoy your new digs!</p>

<p>Nice catch. I've enjoyed it's slightly younger relative the Vt Deluxe with the 50 1.2 lens for a few years.</p>