Film Cameras

35mm Focal-Plane Shutter SLR Camera

Canonflex

Canonflex

Canonflex

  • Japan
  • Americas
  • Europe, Asia, Oceania
  • Outline
  • Specifications
Marketed May 1959
Original Price 59,500 yen (w/R50mm f/1.8)

The top-class 35mm camera market gradually shifted from rangefinder cameras to single-lens reflex cameras. The major reason was that SLRs could handle close-ups, photomicrography, duplication work, and other applications without being constrained by the limits of rangefinder camera lenses. When Canon introduced the Canonflex, its first SLR, there were already eight SLR models on the market.

The Canonflex used a high-quality, breechlock lens mount. The lens flange ring was turned to lock the lens onto the camera flange’s bayonet lugs. The lens flange and camera flange did not rub against each other like today’s lens mounts. The camera used Super-Canomatic lenses which had a fast, fully-automatic diaphragm. A 130-degree winding trigger at the camera bottom enabled quick film advance. An external selenium exposure meter could also be attached.

Type 35mm focal-plane shutter single-lens reflex camera
Picture Size 24 x 36 mm
Normal Lens Canon R50mm f/1.8
Lens Mount R mount: Dedicated bayonet (spigot) mount (inner dia. 48 mm) with three outer lugs. Flange back of 42 mm. Fully automatic aperture system (Super Canomatic) with aperture lever bar, aperture release bar, and head on the camera body and aperture lever and aperture release bar on the R lens.
Shutter Two-axis, horizontal-travel focal-plane shutter with cloth curtains. Single-axis non-rotating dial for T (with timer lever), X, B, 1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/15, 1/30, 1/60, 1/125, 1/250, 1/500, and 1/1000 sec. Equipped with built-in self-timer and shutter button lock.
Flash Sync FP- and X-sync (automatic-switching sync contacts, X-sync speed of 1/55 sec., and bayonet terminal socket on camera side).
Viewfinder Interchangeable eye-level pentaprism. 0.9x magnification, 92% vertical coverage, 94% horizontal coverage. Split-image rangefinder (diffraction grating).
Exposure Meter Aperture-reading selenium photocell coupled to the shutter speed dial. Metering range (at ISO 100) switchable between EV 10 – 19 (high) and EV 4 – 13 (low). Meter attachable externally also available.
Film Loading &
Advance
After opening camera back, insertion onto spool. Advances with camera-bottom trigger. (130 single stroke).
Frame Counter Counts up. Resets automatically when camera back is opened. 1.5x loupe provided
Film Rewind Collapsible crank
Dimensions &
Weight
145 x 100 x 49 mm, 940 g (body)