Film Cameras

35mm Focal-Plane Shutter Rangefinder Camera

S (Newest Model)

  • Japan
  • Americas
  • Europe, Asia, Oceania
  • Outline
  • Specifications
Marketed April 1939
Original Price 480 yen (w/ Nikkor 50mm f/2.8, lens hood, 2 film magazines, film take-up spool, case)

*550 yen w/Nikkor 50mm f/2, 390 yen w/ Nikkor 50mm f/3.5, 335 yen w/ Nikkor 50mm f/4.5

High-quality camera with slow shutter speeds from 1 sec. to 1/20 sec. Besides the Nikkor f/3.5 lens which came with the camera, three other lenses were available: the Nikkor f/2 (Sonnar type with 6 elements in 3 groups), Nikkor f/2.8 (Tessar type with 4 elements in 3 groups), and Nikkor f/4.5 (Tessar type with 4 elements in 3 groups). It was a fine lens line-up for Japan’s only high-end 35mm camera. The frame counter was on the camera top at the base of the film advance knob. On the Hansa Canon, it was on the camera front. This was to make room for the slow shutter speed governor. Due to internal mechanism changes, the top cover consisted of two parts with one part covering the protruding viewfinder portion. This was unlike the single-piece top cover of the Hansa Canon. The slow shutter speed dial was lever-controlled for easier operation.

Type 35mm focal-plane shutter camera
Picture Size 24 x 36 mm
Normal Lens Nikkor 50mm f/3.5, 50mm f/2.8, 50mm f/2, 50mm f/4.5 (all lenses provided)
Lens Mount Dedicated bayonet mount with three inner lugs for interchangeable lenses
Shutter Two-axis, horizontal-travel focal-plane shutter with cloth curtains. Lever-controlled dial for 1, 1/2, 1/4, and 1/8 sec., and single-axis rotating dial for Z, 1/20, 1/40, 1/60, 1/100, 1/200, and 1/500 sec.
Viewfinder Coincidence rangefinder and separate reversed Galilean pop-up viewfinder. Focusing enabled with rotating gear (with stopper released).
Film Loading &
Advance
After baseplate removal, drop-in bottom loading. Advances with camera-top knob.
Frame Counter Manually set from 0 to 39 at base of camera-top rewind knob.
Film Rewind Camera-top knob
Dimensions &
Weight
136 x 69 x 30.5 mm, 700 g (with Nikkor 50mm f/3.5)