Canon rangefinder cameras

[Rachel]

Here is my Canon IVSB2 lecia copy with Serenar 50mm f1.9 collapsible lens.



I saw it in a camera shop while I was on holiday and as I had a Canon FD collection I thought this would be a nice addition. Unfortunately the shutter blinds were riddled with holes as I discovered with the first film through it. Eventually I persuaded them to get it repaired free of charge.

Film is loaded in the Leica style through the bottom so it takes some getting used to. I have a Canon 35mm, Canon 100mm and Serenar 135mm lenses to fit the camera and it will also take my Leica M39 lenses.

[Randy]

It's beautifull Rachel. You have a nice collection. ;D

[peterK]

HI Rachel,

Can't quite make out the shutter dial on the camera but you mentioned it was a IVSB2. That particular model should have an independent dial with the shutter speed engraved on it with the central dial with a red arrow, of sorts, on it. The top speed is 1000. If this matches your camera then the lens is a bit early for that model.
The 50mm f/1.9 was delisted sometime around Dec 1949 while the camera was released in Aug 1954. A matching lens of that era would be a 50mm f/1.5, f2.8 or f1.8. Enjoy Peter

[Rachel]

Hi PeterK,

Your name is familiar, I think, cos I see another collectors club mailings on my brother's computer and probably you've come across this camera before as he used it for a while. I believe you met Reg when you came over to the UK some years ago.

Yes, the camera has a 1/1000 top speed. Don't quite understand your description of the shutter speed dial. It has 25-1 in red on the main dial and 25 and X in red on the slow speed dial.

I do have Peter Dechert's book Canon Rangefinder Cameras 1933-68 and yes I see that the f1.9 Serenar is rather older than the camera. I've tried to get a later lens but could never afford the prices at dealers or on eBay.

Good to have your input on this Board.

[kamera]

Although my old Leica IIIc does work, the method of loading film is a chore, so I never use the camera. With the brassing exhibiting patina and the film loading, it is a sitter in my display.

Of course the ol' Leica shooters got used to the film loading. In fact I have read of photographers during the early wars and who used Leicas, who could change the film while on the run.

Ron

[Rachel]

As you say Ron it's all a matter of practice. My Canon rangefinder loads film in the same way as the Leica and can be tricky. It's important to get the film leader cut correctly else the film gets caught up in the film gate and makes for quite a bit of frustration.

[peterK]

HI Rachel,

Ah... yes the Norwich pub in 1997 with Adrian R. One day I hope we meet again. If the camera has a slow speed of 25 on the top dial then the camera would be a IVSB from 1952. Check PD's book and you will see in the pic on pg 135 a small arrow in the central section of the shutter dial which is made up of TWO sections. The outer dial can be set while the camera is unwound. Most of the "Revolutionary Canon's" as PD has called these four last bottom loaders have the slow speed ending at 30 on the top shutter dial, and beginning at 30 on the slow dial on the front.
I think the resurgence of the LTM 39mm screw thread cameras i.e, Voigtlander/Cosina, and the realization in the quality of these early LTM lenses with the "younger" users is holding up and increasing the value of these lenses. say hi to Reg and nice to chin wag Canon RF on a dedicated site. Cheers Peter.

[Rachel]

peterk said:

If the camera has a slow speed of 25 on the top dial then the camera would be a IVSB from 1952. Check PD's book and you will see in the pic on pg 135 a small arrow in the central section of the shutter dial which is made up of TWO sections. The outer dial can be set while the camera is unwound.

Hi PeterK,

Oops ...... I think that mine is just a IVSB as the shutter dial matches the picture on page 121 of Peter Dechert's book. Yes, you have to wind on to set the shutter speed.

[David Silver]

Hi Rachel,

I've been shooting recently with a very nice Canon IIB.



I hardly know what Peter K. does about Canon (few people do, if any at all!), but I know enough, and I LOVE using these cameras! Not a bad apple in the bunch! I have this zoom multi-focal accessory viewfinder on the IIB because I've been using a couple of different Canon wide angle lenses, including a 25mm. I tried to win the proper dedicated viewfinder for the 25mm on eBay last week and somebody blew me away in the final moments! *Sigh!* The zoom finder doesn't have an exact spot for 25mm, but it has to do for now. The lens you see currently mounted on the camera is the standard 50mm that matches the model period.

Dave

[kiev4a]

I has a Canon II S2 which is essentially a IV with at 1/500 sec. top speed. It also has the Senenar 1.9 on it be it was definately originally on an older model. The only thing I don't like about the Canons of that era is the "rail" flash contact on the end. But most folks don't use a flash with rangefinders anyway.

[Rachel]

silver said:

Hi Rachel,

I've been shooting recently with a very nice Canon IIB.

Dave that's a great looking camera. I just love that auxiliary viewfinder. I have a Canon multi-finder but it's slightly damaged. Which lens is that? Looks much like my Serenar 50mm f1.9.

Don't you think that these Canon rangefinders are a well built solid camera? The combined 3-magnification viewfinder/rangefinder is a good idea but I must admit that I have problems with the tiny eyepiece on the camera.

[David Silver]

Hi Rachel,

Yes, that's the 50mm f1.9 Serenar. Fine lens. It was a superb Gauss derivative, and was the standard lens on all Canon models for a few years, I believe about 1949 to 1952 or so. Peter K. could give you the exact dates.

The accessory zoom viewfinder you see I believe is a later model, and it's for shorter focal length lenses. Canon made a different version for longer lenses. I have examples in my collection I believe of the earlier versions of both viewfinders as well, plus the rare 21mm adapter for the short model. I seem to be neglecting them lately (especially the 21mm, which is mint in the case), so I'm putting them on eBay later this week to free up some cash for other purchases. The IIB is the only Canon I'm keeping right now, plus a couple of lenses.

Canons are wonderful. I've handled all of them at some point or another, and they're a joy to use. Very solid, very intuitive, very direct. I agree the viewfinder is a bit squinty, but that's a problem inherent to the majority of 35mm rangefinder cameras, and it requires some intense optical engineering to overcome. It isn't as simple as just making the viewfinder bigger! With ALL the top lines, it seems like the final important innovation was a more generous viewfinder. I'm terribly myopic anyway, plus now advanced age is causing havoc with my middle visual range, so I have trouble with anything less than the viewfinder on the Leicaflex SL. But it's still easier for me to slide together the split images in a rangefinder. I've learned to live with squinty and fuzzy!

Dave

[Rachel]

kiev4a said:

I has a Canon II S2 ................. The only thing I don't like about the Canons of that era is the "rail" flash contact on the end.

Wayne,

Yes that rail flash mounting is very odd. I think I've heard mention of an adaptor to convert to a standard coaxial socket. The problem I find with flash on old cameras is the slow sync speed which was OK with the slow films of the period but not with today's faster films.

[kdwall]

I will gladly hop on that appreciation bandwagon! The Canons are my favorite 35mm rangefinder cameras, and my favorite among them is my VT Deluxe. I've never used a Leica M3 or some of those other more famous and glamorous cameras that people talk about, but my personal experience is that the VT Deluxe is the finest camera I've ever owned or used.

KD

[byuphoto]

Even though I have a leica M4-2 I would really love to have a Canon P. I just have never really cottoned to the bottom loaders. Ever since I sold my Bessa R I have been thinking of an LTM replacement. I just can't afford a P right now so I might get a Fed 5 or a Zorki 6