Film Cameras

35mm Focal-Plane Shutter Rangefinder Camera

S I (Post-War Newest Model)

S

S

  • Japan
  • Americas
  • Europe, Asia, Oceania
  • Outline
  • Specifications
Marketed Jan. 1946
Original Price

Records show that only about 100 Canon S 1 cameras were made. It is likely that the parts stocked before and during the war were used to make these cameras. When Japan’s wartime devastation got worse, military supplier Seiki-Kogaku was evacuated to Yamanashi Prefecture. Peace came only when Japan lost the war. After the war ended, Seiki-Kogaku had no means to transport its factory machinery from Yamanashi to Tokyo. A camera-loving U.S. commanding officer of a communications unit stationed in Yokohama heard about this and had military trucks transport the factory equipment to the company’s main factory in Meguro, Tokyo. In appreciation, the company made and presented a Canon S I to that officer.

Type 35mm focal-plane shutter camera
Picture Size 24 x 36 mm
Normal Lens Nikkor 50mm f/3.5 and others
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
136.5 x 69 x 30.5 mm, 700 g (with Nikkor 50mm f/3.5)