CanonRFinder
Well-known
HI,
Someone in the Nikon Forum asked about the MIOJ mark found on some Nikon items. I tried to reply to that thread but it had been closed and thougth I may as well add it here as it is more relevent.
This is an extract from my upcoming book on what I found out about the MIOJ mark found on some Canon RF items. Peter K.
Made in Occupied Japan (MIOJ)
The “Made in Occupied Japan” identification mark is better known to most camera collectors as MIOJ. References to this mark appear often in camera literature dealing with the history of post-war Japan. Aside from the company name and the camera’s serial number, the MIOJ mark was the first post-war foreign mark to appear on early Canon cameras, lenses, and accessories. Early in 1947 the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers (SCAP) issued Decree 1535, stating that all export items must be identified with an engraving “Made in Occupied Japan.” The first MIOJ-marked base plates appeared on early Canon S-II cameras released after September 9, 1947. The earliest recorded camera with an MIOJ-marked base plate is model S-II #18379. Because base plates are interchangeable, it is difficult to pinpoint on which model S-II camera the MIOJ mark first appeared. The MIOJ mark also appeared on the rear caps of the 35mm f/3.5, 8.5cm-85mm f/2, 10cm-100mm f/4, and 13.5cm-135mm f/4 lenses. Whether the 5cm-50mm f/3.5, 5cm f/2, or 50mm f/1.9 lenses were supplied with a MIOJ-marked rear cap when purchased separately from the camera is difficult to tell.
The MIOJ mark appears on very early camera holders, early hoods, auto-ups, self-timers, Sports Finders, as well as on camera, lens, and accessory cases. It may well have appeared on B-1 flash outfits as well, but none have been recorded to date. Small tubular chrome viewfinders and flash accessories were never stamped with the MIOJ mark, because they were sold as part of the total outfit. However, I have recorded an MIOJ-marked 85mm viewfinder and a flash/bulb tester. Perhaps the owner lost the original items and had to have them replaced by purchasing new MIOJ-marked items.
When Decree 1535 was rescinded late in 1949, Canon either destroyed MIOJ-marked items or replaced the stamped portions of the items. Not all Canon S-II and early IIB cameras have the MIOJ mark, and it can only be presumed that these cameras were bought from a store other than the Duty Free or US Army PX stores. The MIOJ mark appears predominately on 1949 model IIB base plates. On December 5, 1949[FONT="][1][/FONT] the SCAP[FONT="][2][/FONT] issued Decree 2061, announcing that Japanese companies were no longer required to place MIOJ marks on their exported items. For some unknown reason it wasn’t until the beginning of 1951 that the mark ceased to appear on Canon items altogether.
The MIOJ mark varied in size over the years, but it can generally be found stamped in one or two lines. At times, the MIOJ mark can be seen accompanied by other markings such as <CPO>, Japanese ideograms, or “Serviced and Guaranteed in San Francisco California,” which will be explained below.
[FONT="][1][/FONT] Library of the US Army Military History Institute at Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania
[FONT="][2][/FONT] Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers.
Someone in the Nikon Forum asked about the MIOJ mark found on some Nikon items. I tried to reply to that thread but it had been closed and thougth I may as well add it here as it is more relevent.
This is an extract from my upcoming book on what I found out about the MIOJ mark found on some Canon RF items. Peter K.
Made in Occupied Japan (MIOJ)
The “Made in Occupied Japan” identification mark is better known to most camera collectors as MIOJ. References to this mark appear often in camera literature dealing with the history of post-war Japan. Aside from the company name and the camera’s serial number, the MIOJ mark was the first post-war foreign mark to appear on early Canon cameras, lenses, and accessories. Early in 1947 the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers (SCAP) issued Decree 1535, stating that all export items must be identified with an engraving “Made in Occupied Japan.” The first MIOJ-marked base plates appeared on early Canon S-II cameras released after September 9, 1947. The earliest recorded camera with an MIOJ-marked base plate is model S-II #18379. Because base plates are interchangeable, it is difficult to pinpoint on which model S-II camera the MIOJ mark first appeared. The MIOJ mark also appeared on the rear caps of the 35mm f/3.5, 8.5cm-85mm f/2, 10cm-100mm f/4, and 13.5cm-135mm f/4 lenses. Whether the 5cm-50mm f/3.5, 5cm f/2, or 50mm f/1.9 lenses were supplied with a MIOJ-marked rear cap when purchased separately from the camera is difficult to tell.
The MIOJ mark appears on very early camera holders, early hoods, auto-ups, self-timers, Sports Finders, as well as on camera, lens, and accessory cases. It may well have appeared on B-1 flash outfits as well, but none have been recorded to date. Small tubular chrome viewfinders and flash accessories were never stamped with the MIOJ mark, because they were sold as part of the total outfit. However, I have recorded an MIOJ-marked 85mm viewfinder and a flash/bulb tester. Perhaps the owner lost the original items and had to have them replaced by purchasing new MIOJ-marked items.
When Decree 1535 was rescinded late in 1949, Canon either destroyed MIOJ-marked items or replaced the stamped portions of the items. Not all Canon S-II and early IIB cameras have the MIOJ mark, and it can only be presumed that these cameras were bought from a store other than the Duty Free or US Army PX stores. The MIOJ mark appears predominately on 1949 model IIB base plates. On December 5, 1949[FONT="][1][/FONT] the SCAP[FONT="][2][/FONT] issued Decree 2061, announcing that Japanese companies were no longer required to place MIOJ marks on their exported items. For some unknown reason it wasn’t until the beginning of 1951 that the mark ceased to appear on Canon items altogether.
The MIOJ mark varied in size over the years, but it can generally be found stamped in one or two lines. At times, the MIOJ mark can be seen accompanied by other markings such as <CPO>, Japanese ideograms, or “Serviced and Guaranteed in San Francisco California,” which will be explained below.
[FONT="][1][/FONT] Library of the US Army Military History Institute at Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania
[FONT="][2][/FONT] Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers.
