Anyone used a Canon Pellix (non-QL) version? Any idea where I might find a user manual, please?

I've just agreed to buy a mint condition, chrome-bodied example that has been kept in its own case with barely a rub on the base plate (or anywhere else for that matter). The shutter is smooth at all speeds, the wind-on lever is also smooth as silk and there's a 58mm f1.2 FL lens on the front. To be honest, the lens is as much of an attraction as the novelty of an SLR with a pellicle mirror (i.e. it lets light through and doesn't flip up when the shutter is released).

If anyone has any information then I'd be grateful for a link, etc.

Thanks, Paul.

http://www.butkus.org/chinon/canon/canon_pellix/cannon_pellix-splash.htm

Thank you Lucian. Mine is not the QL version but I suspect there are very few differences, so the guide will be very useful.

Regards, Paul.

Hello,

I hope my late answer can still be useful to you. I own and use 2 Canon Pellix and plenty of FL optics. Mine are the QL versions, but, as you already mentioned, don't expect huge differences. I suppose that, by now, you checked out this resource:
http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/canon/fdresources/pellix/index.htm

Now, regarding the optics, the 58 f1.2 is extremely soft at full aperture and an accurate focusing can be tricky. One amazing lens, however, is the 85 f1.8. I used it on my T90 and FTB too, with fantastic results. One thing that I would like to try but never got to, is the 19 wide angle lens.

Before ending, if you feel like checking some samples, please have a look at
http://badorgood.com/foto/povesti-de-vaslui-ii-178363
(most of the pictures are taken with the 58 at full aperture)

Good luck in your Pellix endeavor :)

Thanks Christian.

However, circumstances have overtaken me in my enthusiasm for this camera.

Although cosmetically perfect (exterior) the lightmeter turned out to be a dud and, sadly, the cost to repair the meter is more than the value of the camera.

The guy I bought it from (a local pro and a good friend), allowed me to return it or to trade it for anything else to the value I paid. I now have a truly mint A1 and will soon have an EF as part of the deal.

My intention is to build a small but potent collection of the cameras I wanted as a youth but that I could never afford. I have a few others in mind, such as the Pentax LX and Spotmatic. A good Nikon F or F2 will also follow. The good news with Nikon, of course, is that they haven't messed with the mount for many years, so virtually any Nikkor will fit any Nikon / Nikkormat.

The photos in the links you sent show that the 58mm/f1.2 isn't the sharpest wide open but the bokeh looks good. I might see if my friend will sell me the lens alone as it'd make a good partner for the EF....!!

Kind regards, Paul.

Paul,
If the light-meter was necessary, then you made the right choice by not getting that Pellix. However, you can always use a hand-held light-meter (this is how I do). As for the 58 FL, the truth is that it is not the "nicest" lens I've ever seen. Perhaps it'd be wiser to invest you money in FD optics; the first example that comes into my mind is the absolutely marvelous FD 85 1.2 - a jewel to be treasured.
Good luck and enjoy the Canon FD adventure :)

Cristian