Film Cameras

35mm Focal-Plane Shutter Rangefinder Camera

II C

II C

II C

  • Japan
  • Americas
  • Europe, Asia, Oceania
  • Outline
  • Specifications
Marketed July 1950
Original Price

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.

Type 35mm focal-plane shutter camera
Picture Size 24 x 36 mm
Normal Lens Serenar 50mm f/1.9
Lens Mount Universal threaded mount
Shutter Two-axis, horizontal-travel focal-plane shutter with cloth curtains. Single-axis rotating dial for T (time exposure), 1, 1/2, 1/4, and 1/8 sec., and single-axis rotating dial for B, 1/25, 1/40, 1/60, 1/100, 1/200, and 1/500 sec.
Viewfinder Coincidence rangefinder integrated with reversed Galilean viewfinder rotatable to set one of three magnifications.
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 72.2 x 30.5 mm, 720 g (with Serenar 50mm f/1.9)