Review: Canon IV Sb (1952)

[eckmanmj]

This is a Canon IV Sb 35mm rangefinder camera, produced by the Canon Camera Corporation of Tokyo, Japan starting in December 1952. The IV Sb was the world’s first focal plane shutter 35mm camera to support flash sync for both flash bulbs and electronic X-sync through Canon’s proprietary rail mounted flash shoe. It used the M39 Leica Thread Mount and had a body design heavily inspired by the Leica III rangefinder, but with several significant improvements. The IV Sb was produced for two years, eventually replaced by the IV Sb2 and is considered by many collectors to be one of Canon’s finest screw mount 35mm rangefinder cameras.

https://www.mikeeckman.com/2019/10/canon-ivsb-1952/

 

[paperino]

spectacular

It seems like new!

 

[eckmanmj]

spectacular

It seems like new!

Yeah, I got real lucky with this one as its in really great condition. The curtains are light tight and all speeds, down to 1 second work correctly.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

I would take its larger than Leica size as significant improvement for DIY service.

I have IIf and removed this useless flash rail.
Also was able to take its body shell out and put it back with camera still functioning! 🙂
But, new curtains needed and its larger size and simpler construction should help with DIY.

 

[goamules]

I've bought, sold, and used a handfull of Canons including the IVSB for a trip to Europe. Excellent cameras, none ever needed a CLA, they just keep going and going....

I also almost exclusively used Canon LTM lenses for a decade, on all types of bodies. Between them and the classic Nikkor 50/1.4, they're the best glass I've used. Leica glass, just never really impressed me.