Canon II/III/IV serial numbers

[Canon P]

Hi all,

McKeown`s for example lists the serial number blocks of the mentioned Canon Rangefinders. Are there listings available that can tell explicit that serial number 60488 for example not only belongs to the block 60000-100000, but is definitely a Canon III ? Haven`t found such info on the net yet.

Cheers
Uwe

 

[FrankS]

I'm looking for that info too. The early CAnon rangeifnders are all very similar and do not have model designations. Does anyone know of a site that lists serial numbers and the camera model? I'd like to definitely identify my Canon RF camera, serial number 126xxx.

 

[wlewisiii]

There are some better serial ranges at this site: http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/iannorris/leica_copies/index_c.htm

But really the only way to ID a specific model is to go down the feature list - does it have sync rails? 1/1000th or 1/500th top speed? Slow speed breakout is 1-1/25th or 1/30th? Those are the quick points I remember off the top of my head. The Pacific Rim web site is good for that kind of IDing.

William

 

[rover]

I think Pacific Rim has some info. One thing I noticed in the Canon Rangefinder book is that many camera models were made at the same time by Canon and therefore many share the same serial number blocks. The best way to confirm a model number is to match both the serial number and features to the potential cameras.

 

[FrankS]

Thanks guys. Does that Canon Rangefinder book list serial numbers and models?

 

[wlewisiii]

Don't know yet 😀 Got it on order though as I'm finding myself wondering about alot of these things as well.

William

 

[rover]

Yes, each model has its own chapter headed by all the specific data about the camera including serial # range and features.

 

[dexdog]

Frank, the Canon Rangefinder book (Dechert) has very detailed descriptions of camera features, with accompanying serial number ranges. As an earlier poster said, you really need both.

Frank, I would be glad to look up your camera for you. Usually the best places to start is presence or absence of side-mounted flash rail, 1000 or 500 top speed, and the split between the top-mounted high speed dial and the front-mounted low-speed dial. Oh, the serial number too.

dexdog

 

[FrankS]

Thank you.

Serial no. is 126253
top shutter speed 1/500 sec
side mounted flash rail present
slow speeds: 1/25 to 1sec, T

 

[wlewisiii]

Is there an X on the slow speed dial and is there a film reminder dial on the wind knob?

William

 

[FrankS]

Yes, and yes.

 

[dexdog]

Two choices, depending on whether it has an "X" speed (electronic flash sync) located between the 1/8 and 1/25 second speeds on the front dial. Both cameras will exhibit the one-piece construction on the switchable finder magnificatons of F, 1x and 1.5x

No X speed makes it a Canon IIF, of which 11,900 were produced between 7/1953 and 3/1955.

Camera with X speed is a Canon IIs, of which 1,850 were produced between 2/1954 and 3/1955.

dexdog

 

[wlewisiii]

As dexdog notes it's a IIS then and fairly rare, as far as these go.

William

 

[FrankS]

It does have an x, between the 1/25 and the 1/8 sec on the slow speed dial. Less than 2,000 made? Wow, if it were a Leica body that rare, it'd be worth a bunch! Thank you very much for ID'ing my camera for me!

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Canon had so many minor varients of the same basic design that the individual models do not "shoot-up" in price with limited production as some of the others do. Except for models in Black (any model), I have not seen prices get as high as for a Nikon S4 which had the same production as a Canon L1. The Nikon will command 10x the price of a similar condition L1. Why? Look at the L1, L2, L3, Vt, Vt Deluxe as being essentially the same camera. Add up the production, not as rare anymore. At least that is my take on it.

 

[FrankS]

That makes sense, Brian.

BTW, the bezel ring around the rangefinder window is missing. Anyone know where I could get a replacement?

 

[wlewisiii]

http://www.dagcamera.com/ has them IIRC.

William

 

[FrankS]

Thank you, William!