A selection of featured Canon rangefinder RF camera models - 1940~1950
MIR Digital Image Library

 


Seiki Kogaku (Canon) J (Junior) rangefinder camera model, 1940

Although considered as a general consumer market camera, but still considered as quite a rare Canon rangefinde camera model for the collectible camera market The Canon J (Junior) has slow speeds, total production of this camera only 50 pieces, only very few are known to exist. Approx. Year: c.1940 Note: Both Seiki Kogaku and Canon name were used on the top plate.

Type: 35mm focal-plane shutter camera
Picture Size:- 24 x 36 mm
Standard Lens:- Nikkor 50mm f/4.5
Lens Mount:- Threaded (non-universal) (Pitch: 24 ridges/inch Flange back: 28.8 mm)
Shutter:- Two-axis, horizontal-travel focal-plane shutter with cloth curtains. Single-axis rotating dial for Z, 1/20, 1/40, 1/60, 1/100, 1/200, and 1/500 sec.
Viewfinder:- Reversed Galilean viewfinder. Focusing with distance scale.
Film Loading & Advance:- After baseplate removal, drop-in bottom loading. Advances with camera-top knob.
Frame Counter:- Manually set from 0 to 39 at base of camera-top rewind knob.
Film Rewind:- Camera-top knob
Dimensions & Weight:- 136.5mm x 69mm x 30.5 mm, 620 g (with Nikkor 50mm f/4.5)

NOTE:- Offered as early as in 1939. The codename "J" stands for Junior. A Canon RF model for general consumer market. This low-cost model had a distance scale instead of a rangefinder and uses a reversed Galilean viewfinder. It has a threaded mount and different from the usual the three-lugs bayonet lens mount used on the earlier Hansa Canon or Canon S. The standard lens offered was a Nikkor 5cm f/4.5 lens. Ref:- Canon Museum

Credit: Image(s) courtesy of Mr. Peter Coeln from LEICA Shop®, Austria who also operates a popular Westlicht Auction House. Image Copyright © 2008. All rights reserved. Please respect the visual property of the contributing photographer.


Canon J (Junior), 1940 Considered as quite a rare Canon rangefinde camera model. The Canon J (Junior) has slow speeds, total production of this camera only 50 pieces, only very few are known to exist.

Front view of a very rare Seiki Kogaku  / Canon J camera model, 1940
Base view of Canon J
Top section view revealing various controls and features of a Canon (Seiki Kogaku KK) J (junior) camera model, 1940



Seiki-Kogaku / Canon S rangefinder camera model, 1942

Began to market back in 1939. An early Canon which has an extremely rare (for today) Nippon-Kogaku Nikkor 4.5/5cm (1:4.5 f=5cm) standard lens. This camera was produced approx. in year 1942. The standard lens offered for the Canon S usually were Nippon Kogaku NIKKOR 5cm/ 3.5; 5cm f/2.8 or 5cm f2.0. Unlike the Canon J, the S is a high-quality camera with slow shutter speeds from 1 sec. to 1/20 sec. Besides the Nikkor f/3.5 lens which came with the camera, three other lenses were available: the Nikkor f/2 (Sonnar type with 6 elements in 3 groups), Nikkor f/2.8 (Tessar type with 4 elements in 3 groups), and Nikkor f/4.5 (Tessar type with 4 elements in 3 groups). Interesting features include a frame counter was located at the top at the base of the film advance knob whcih is ddiffrent from the HANSA Canon whcih has this located at the camera front. Reasons given by Canon was, this made room for the slow shutter speed governor. Due to internal mechanism changes, the top cover consisted of two parts with one part covering the protruding viewfinder portion. This was unlike the single-piece top cover of the Hansa Canon. The slow shutter speed dial was lever-controlled for easier operation. ref: Canon Museum.

Type:- 35mm focal-plane shutter camera
Picture Size:- 24 x 36 mm
Normal Lens:- Nikkor 50mm f/3.5, 50mm f/2.8, 50mm f/2, 50mm f/4.5 (all lenses provided)
Lens Mount:- Dedicated bayonet mount with three inner lugs for interchangeable lenses
Shutter:- Two-axis, horizontal-travel focal-plane shutter with cloth curtains. Lever-controlled dial for 1, 1/2, 1/4, and 1/8 sec., and single-axis rotating dial for Z, 1/20, 1/40, 1/60, 1/100, 1/200, and 1/500 sec.
Viewfinder:- Coincidence rangefinder and separate reversed Galilean pop-up viewfinder. Focusing enabled with rotating gear (with stopper released).
Film Loading & Advance:- After baseplate removal, drop-in bottom loading. Advances with camera-top knob.
Frame Counter:- Manually set from 0 to 39 at base of camera-top rewind knob.
Film Rewind:- Camera-top knob
Dimensions & Weight:- 136mm x 69mm x 30.5 mm, 700 g (with Nikkor 50mm f/3.5)

Credit: Image(s) courtesy of Mr. Peter Coeln from LEICA Shop®, Austria who also operates a popular Westlicht Auction House. Image Copyright © 2008. All rights reserved. Please respect the visual property of the contributing photographer.

eiki-Kogaku Canon S rangefinder camera model, 1942 An early Canon with extremely rare Nippon-Kogaku Nikkor 4.5/5cm (1:4.5 f=5cm) standard lens. Approx. Year: c.1942 

Seiki-Kogaku Canon J II rangefinder camera model, 1946

One of the rarest Canon cameras in very good original condition with matching collapsible
Nippon-Kogaku Nikkor 3.5/5cm (1:3.5 f=5cm) standard lens, interesting items includes a chrome Nippon-Kogaku Tokyo cap, original Canon ever-ready leather case. Approx. Year: 1946

Credit: Image(s) courtesy of Mr. Peter Coeln from LEICA Shop®, Austria who also operates a popular Westlicht Auction House. Image Copyright © 2008. All rights reserved. Please respect the visual property of the contributing photographer.





Seiki-Kogaku Canon J II rangefinder camera model, 1946 One of the rarest Canon cameras in very good original condition with matching collapsible Nippon-Kogaku Nikkor 3.5/5cm (1:3.5 f=5cm) standard lens, interesting items includes a chrome Nippon-Kogaku To
A very rare Canon JII rangefinder camera model with Nippon Kogaku's Nikkor standard lens 1:3.5 f=5cm / 50mm f/3.5
Top view of camera controls features for Canon / Seiki Kogaku JII camera model, 1946 with Nippon Kogaku KK Nikkor 50mm f/3.5 standard lens
Rear view of film back and eyepiece of Canon / Seiki Kogaku KK 's JII, 1946

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