Canon L3 with flash sync -Why!?

[David Murphy]

I have a Canon L3 with a PC jack on it for a flash. The jack is on the side of the camera where the blank-off plate is normally located, and it does not look like a typical camera-shop retrofit, in fact it's a very nice piece of machine work. The camera serial number is 529712.

Well, so what's wrong with this? As Canon experts should know, the L3 is not supposed to have flash sync - it was an "economy model". My question is thus: Is this an unknown Canon variant, a factory modified L3, or just a particularly competent flash sync retrofit? Any comments are welcome!

 

[Sonnar Brian]

It looks like a retrofit. It does not have the Canon "flash Bayonet" that only serves to catch on things "in modern times". I have a V-T that replaced the Bayonet with a flat retaining ring.

I'm guessing that adding sync to a camera that "just left it out" would be easy. Adding a terminal and retaining plate would and up a lot like yours. A number of Barnack Leica's and Nikon's without flash had it added by good service technicians.

 

[Bill58]

David:

Looks like a homebuilt (but a good one) job to me too. BTW-I took my L1 that I bought from you out for a stroll thru a part of Seoul today. I'm still in love w/ it!

Bill

p.s. I bought some black rubber flash sync terminal caps off ebay for all my RFs (including the L1) awhile back. Looks a lot cleaner.

 

[David Murphy]

Brian and Bill, I think I agree with you now. It looks like the tech who did this turned a new (or modified some existing) cylinder that mounts the jack on a lathe and then drilled and tapped holes to attach it - it's first rate work for sure. Many bottom loading range finder bodies from the 1950's have had a PC jack retrofitted, but it's usually not as clean an installation as this.

Bill, yes the L series Canon's are really wonderful - glad the one I sold you is working out. I recently acquired a long sought after (on my part) Canon: A VI-L in very good condition. One very important advantage of the VI-L is the inclusion of a 100mm bright line frame in addition to 35 and 50mm frames. According to Peter Dechert's book, the VI-L was a Canon's attempt to compete with the Nikon SP, but they fell a little short (an admirable attempt however!)

 

[Sonnar Brian]

I have the VI-T, and the finder is good. The trigger winder is "funky" and takes a little getting used to. I end up grabbing the Canon P. The Canon P has become my favorite all-around camera as of late. Especially with a Zeiss 5cm F1.5 on it.

BTW: The Canon 7 picked up recently from you has a 1953 J-3 on it. Meter is accurate, and all works. Turns out the pre-1955 J-3's have German glass in them. It is in my spare Canon P fitted case. So much for the complaints that it is a much larger camera. The Canon 7 finder is one of the best going.