Canon questions

[TVphotog]

Hey there, an FSU RF'er checking in here. I have a friend who gave me a canon rangefinder to check out and research for him. It was bought sometime in 1948 at a PX. It is a canon 3 with a collapsible 50 1.9 It also has a 135 with finder, a B II flash unit, a working selenium lightmeter and a bunch of filters. All things are cosmetically a 9+ to 10. The camera will need at least a CLA as the slow speeds don't work. I figure that either the escapement needs a good cleaning or the rod from the dial is out of place. His intention is to sell the set as a set and not break it up. This set was unreal, it was like opening a time capsule.
There were no batteries in the flash unit, so the contacts are clean. I don't have the heart to try any of the bulbs, there are six in the case. All lenses are clean and fungus free. Focus is tight, but buttery smooth. All items include canon cases. The nose has come off of the camera case, but it was from the threads giving way and could be sewed back on easily enough. There are two lense hoods, one square with a cut out for the rangefinder and one clip on for the filters. The worst part of the set is the camera bag as it is a bit moldy and dry. I have used my usual research, but have come up empty on some of the items. I realize that the flash unit is really just a collectable, but any idea on the worth? It does include good bulbs, but I don't want to test them really. Just trying to find a starting point to help out my friend. I could post some pics later this week if that might help. Thanks for the help guys. I plan to run some film through it this week to see how things work out.

Ken

 

[xayraa33]

If it is not the rare Canon " 1950 " , the first factory Canon camera with the side rail for the flash gun was the Canon IV of 1951.

 

[Erik L]

those flashes arent worth more than $25 usually

 

[TVphotog]

If it is not the rare Canon " 1950 " , the first factory Canon camera with the side rail for the flash gun was the Canon IV of 1951.

Okay, how do I tell if it is a IV? The manual is for a Canon III. The serial number is 62872, which by the FSU standards I am used to would make it a 1962 model. The 50 1.9 lens has a serial number of 40114. Again, by FSU standards that would make it a 1940 model, which I know can't be correct😛
The flash gun mounts into the tripod socket on the bottom. I need to look a the manual for it as well as I don't see a PC socket.

 

[dexdog]

Okay, how do I tell if it is a IV? The manual is for a Canon III. The serial number is 62872, which by the FSU standards I am used to would make it a 1962 model. The 50 1.9 lens has a serial number of 40114.

Further information would allow me to look up your camera in Peter Dechert's Canon RF book. The serial number is in the range of the Canon III as well as the IIIA, and the lack of a side-mounted flash is consistent with both III and IIIA. Additional useful info would include:
- film speed reminder in wind knob, or not. Canon III does not have reminder, IIIA does
- finder adjustment lever on left top one piece, or two.
- Highest shutter speed of 1/500 or 1/1000

 

[TVphotog]

Got it sitting right next to me😛 No film speed reminder and a one piece finder adjustment lever, highest shutter speed is 1/1000. I have a roll of film in it right now. Kodak 400 color and then a roll of BWC41 when that is done. I am just gonna have some fun with it and then giving it back🙁

 

[dexdog]

Got it sitting right next to me😛 No film speed reminder and a one piece finder adjustment lever, highest shutter speed is 1/1000. I have a roll of film in it right now. Kodak 400 color and then a roll of BWC41 when that is done. I am just gonna have some fun with it and then giving it back🙁

Well, I looked it up, and it appears to be a III. Although the one-piece finder lever is not typical of the III, and is typical of the IIIA, Dechert's book does mention that some hydridization occurs between the III and IIIA. Your finder lever appears to be a such a hybrid feature.

 

[CanonRFinder]

You are correct that it is a hybrid. Looking at my database the lens is surrounded by model III and the odd IIC cameras. To date it more precisely I check my book in the T3 column of the 50mm f/1.9 lens column (pg101) and it was produced between 1/1950 - 11/1951.The # is in the middle of production so it came out of the factory early 51. This would tie in with Peter D dates for the camera body between 2/1951 - 12/1952. I just noticed an error in my book, as I should have included the models III and IV in the "Cameras appropriate at time" row in the T3 column. Too many numbers to check!

 

[airds]

Help with model id

 

[TVphotog]

Thanks for the link. After reading that and looking at some pics, I think that it is a III. The finder adjustment is of the two piece style. I have to admit that I thought two piece would be self-descriptive. I did not realize that the one piece was literally that, one piece including the little handle to move it. On this camera the finder adjustment lever has a separate little knob used for moving the lever. I would think that it still may be a hybrid as the lens mount also fits the minolta lens in the case. I will have to try one of my J-8s off of my FSU cameras. I will do it very carefully though so as to not jam the threads.
Thanks again guys.