A Canon whatz-it

[dexdog]

Does anyone know the story on this critter? The box the item was stored in says Parallax Compensator III for use with Canon Auto-Up V. The item itself says Parallax Compensator II, and the small dial visible on the left edge of the item goes from 1 meter to infinity. I got this item a few years ago as part of an eBay sale including a Canon VT and a few lenses.

Given that the Canon auto-ups are useful out to about 44" or so, I am puzzled as to why this compensator has adjustment to infinity. Whatever it is, it is beautifully machined, and quite heavy for its size (probably chromed brass).

Any ideas?

 

[arbib]

Found an Canon Auto Up for a 50/1.2 see picture

But I don't see any accessory that fits on an accessory shoe Parallax compensating shoe. Which it looks like you have. Where you would put an axillary VF in it to compensate for paralax without the Canon Auto V. since it only goes to 3 feet. And the Auto up can focus at closer distance. The one pictured is for 15"-20" on a Canon 50/1.2 LTM

Interesting find though.
someone else will have more. This is just a quick Ebay search.

Ebay Canon Auto Up Here

 

[jlw]

Does anyone know the story on this critter? The box the item was stored in says Parallax Compensator III for use with Canon Auto-Up V. The item itself says Parallax Compensator II, and the small dial visible on the left edge of the item goes from 1 meter to infinity. I got this item a few years ago as part of an eBay sale including a Canon VT and a few lenses.

Given that the Canon auto-ups are useful out to about 44" or so, I am puzzled as to why this compensator has adjustment to infinity. Whatever it is, it is beautifully machined, and quite heavy for its size (probably chromed brass).

Would this be the gizmo needed to use "pin-type" Canon finders (the ones that couple to the parallax compensation pin found in the accessory shoe of V and VI series Canons) on models that lack the pin, such as the IV, P or 7-series?

Even if it is, I have no idea why the box would mention Auto-Ups. The Auto-Up had a built-in parallax compensating prism that corrected the camera's built-in viewfinder for close-up shooting.

Anybody got one of those old comprehensive Canon handbooks that might mention this accessory and its purpose? Granted, it's possible the label on the box might just be a misprint, or might refer to a completely different accessory (we already know it doesn't match the accessory itself, from the engravings) but now I'm going to be all curious about what it really was for...

 

[harry01562]

What you have is the parallax adjustment gadjet for the late model cameras, i.e. the IV-series, AFAIK. They are quite scarce, from my experience, and with the box, probably rare. Hard to tell value, it would depend on motivated buyers with wallets matching their desire to own.
I also bought one on eBay years ago. I don't think I've noticed more than 1 or 2 additional ones in years of casual checking. As you mention, it is heavy for its size, and very well made. It's typical of Canon manufacture during this period.... one of the best in its history, at least.
The Auto-up for the 1.2 is also a scarce item, and another example of the care taken with accessories that really didn't cost that much. As an example, the compensator retailed for $7.00 in 1956. There was also a Model III that followed soon after, but I've never seen one. That one was used with the later bodies, and the compensator was only used when an accessory VF was needed. It would be interesting to hear from other forum members, as to what they own. We are a large enough group to be able to get a handle on comparative scarcity, IMHO. Much of these small items are a hit-or-miss thing, however.

Harry

 

[Bill58]

You may wanna contact Peter Kitchingham, of canonrangefinder.com to see if he has any info on it OR he may wanna buy it for his collection. His email is flotsamateondotnetdotau. He's a super nice Aussie.

Bill

 

[dexdog]

Thanks for the responses everyone- I was completely puzzled by this thing. The arguments put forth that it is used for adapting pin-type viewfinders to non-pin cameras makes sense given the one meter to infinity adjustment on the compensator.

Funny thing, the VT I bought came with a 50/1.2 Auto-Up. I used it to take a few pics of some flowers in my garden, but as a macro device it is pretty limited.

I emailed Peter K. last year about a viewfinder that I bought off eBay. He sent me a very nice response full of great info about the item. He seems to be a nice guy. I hope that he can get his book put together this year, because I will buy one.

Thanks again.

 

[dexdog]

I just looked at the classifieds, and RFF member Lonely Driver has a Canon 7 and lenses for sale. There appears to be an adapter for pin-type finders on non-pin cameras attached to the rather uncommon accesory shoe device. This adapter shown in his ad is different than the one I own.

BTW, the price that LD is asking for the package is good, considering condition and the new VC 35 lens.

 

[harry01562]

Quote from 1957 Accessory catalog

Quote from 1957 Accessory catalog

The Canon System (Accessories) catalog dated Oct 1, 1957 has the following data on the device:

"Parallax Compensator III CAHXT
To be used with the Canon Zoomfinder Model "S" to provide for the fields-of-view of the Canon Auto-Ups. Common to Auto-Ups No. 1 and No. 2. For Auto-Up for 35mm lens, the Special Viewfinder V 35mm; for Auto-Ups for 50mm lens, the Lumifield Viewfinder V 50mm may be used instead of the Zoomfinder. The Auto-Ups for the 50mm f:2.8 do not require the Parallax Compensator at all."

In addition, there is a note in the description of the Auto-Ups V:

"A fixed marker provides for parallax correction. For critical work, a seperate parallax compensator -CAHXT- is available"

This catalog, of course, does not mention the accessories for the 1.2, which was released after this date. The device I own is the earlier one designed for the IV-series cameras.

Harry

 

[John Shriver]

Here's another theory. You would use this with a 50mm bright-line finder in the top shoe. Then you focus with the Auto-Up on. Transfer the reading from the lens to the dial on the adapter, and then it is parallax-corrected for the actual distance the lens is focused at.

But the crock in that is that the adapter is so tall, that it introduces a lot of extra parallax on it's own.

Does is have a ball on the bottom to read from the RF on the Canon V? Does it have one on the top for a finder?