Based on the II B, this camera had a “T” time exposure setting (pressing the shutter button once started the exposure and pressing it again stopped it) and slow shutter speed dial with click stops to prevent inadvertent rotation. The two shutter speed dials were split at 1/25 sec. The shutter release guard was larger for easier shutter button depressing. (These features were retained in later models.)

Although the fast Serenar 50mm f/1.9 lens which came with the II B was well received, people noticed lackluster performance at the maximum aperture. This was caused by the coma characteristic of Gauss-type lenses. Hiroshi Ito, who just joined the company, worked to improve the lens. He succeeded with a correction method that reduced the coma. Canon continued to employ him for lens design.