Film Cameras

35mm Focal-Plane Shutter Rangefinder Camera

VI T

VI T

VI T

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  • Outline
  • Specifications
Marketed September 1958
Original Price 99,500 yen (w/50mm f/1.2, Canon meter, magazine, case)
52,500 yen (body)

The first Canon camera to feature a non-rotating shutter speed dial with evenly-spaced shutter speed numbers progressing in 2x increments. The viewfinder magnification could be set to 0.65x for a 35mm lens, 1x for a 50mm lens, and 1.55x to aid focusing. The viewfinder also had bright-line frames to suit 50mm and 100mm lenses. Parallax correction was automatic.

For lenses other than 35mm and 50mm, a dedicated universal finder attached to the accessory shoe moved up or down (via the shoe’s parallax correction pin) for parallax correction. For flash, FP-, M-, F-, and X-sync (at 1/55 sec.) were all provided.

Type 35mm focal-plane shutter rangefinder camera
Picture Size 24 x 36 mm
Normal Lens Canon 50mm f/1.2 and others
Lens Mount Threaded mount
Shutter Two-axis, horizontal-travel focal-plane shutter with metal curtains. Single-axis non-rotating dial for 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.
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 Coincidence rangefinder integrated with reversed Galilean viewfinder rotatable to set one of three magnifications. 0.65x magnification for 35mm lens and effective base line of 28 mm. 1.0x magnification for 50mm lens and effective base line of 43 mm. 1.55x magnification at Mg position for focusing with base line of 65.5 mm. Built-in automatic parallax correction with projected frames for 50mm and 100mm lenses. Accessory shoe’s parallax correction pin coupled to lens draw to adjust accessory finder.
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). With the low-light booster attached, metering to EV 2 is possible.
Film Loading &
Advance		 After opening camera back, insertion onto spool. Advances with camera-bottom trigger (single stroke). Rotating knob also provided.
Frame Counter Counts from 0 to 40 and resets automatically when camera back is opened. Film advance and rewind status indicator provided.
Film Rewind Collapsible crank
Dimensions &
Weight		 144 x 81 x 34 mm, 995 g (with 50mm f/1.2)