After the war, Canon began the task of regrouping and rebuilding the company. Qualified technical personnel were scarce, many having lost there lives during the war, others stranded wherever they were stationed at the wars end. Raw materials were also scarce, and the immediate future looked pretty bleak. Canon resumed camera production in the simplest manner possible. Parts from unassembled Canon S and J cameras were used to design the most basic 35mm camera.
Canon Date Codes. Because they are chronological, serial numbers usually do tell the approximate age of a Canon SLR or SLR lens, but Canon Inc. Has never put out any sort of public information about serial numbers. However, the is another way to get the information about a camera body or lens.
Single Lens Reflex serial numbers are not terribly important to the collector because the cameras all had name designations right on the body: F-1, FT, Rebel and so on. But with the early rangefinder cameras this is not the case. For two decades Canon produced cameras that were superficially identical although they were evolving internally.
Nov 10, 2010 of Canon Rangefinder Cameras by P. Dechert and it still took some study to figure it out. Serial numbers don't help much because Canon used overlapping SN ranges for their models plus they made a number of variations and updates of some models and the models themselves are often so similar. Looks like a well preserved example too.
Canon 35mm F1.8: $ 290: Made in 1957. 6 elements: Good performance, but poor wide open: Canon 35mm F2.0: $ 375: Made in 1962. 7 elements: Leica 35/2 Summicron quality: Canon 35mm F2.8 ( Ser / Can ) $ 210/240: Made in 1951. 6 elements: High Resolution with moderate contrast: Canon 35mm F3.2 Serenar: $ 150: Made in 1951. 6 elements: Average. Details about N Mint w/ Meter Canon P Rangefinder 35mm Film Camera + 50mm f/1.4 L39 LTM #159. 1 viewed per hour. Serial Number Body:787658 Lens:86886.
The body shell and top plate were parts made for the Canon S, as was the finder cover, which was designed for the S, but cut only for the viewfinder, and lacked the pop up finder of the S. The top cover extends around the rewind knob, like the top cover of a Leica, rather than being squared off like the pre-war Canon J. The earliest examples have 'Seiki Kogaku' and the serial number engraved in front of the accessory shoe, rather than below the Canon logo, the same place it was engraved on the S series as the pop up finder was below the Canon logo. Most examples have 'Seiki Kogaku' and the serial number under the Canon logo, where it would remain until the end of the Leica style bodies in the mid-1950's.
The body shell was cut and drilled for slow speeds, a feature that the J-II lacked as the slow speed mechanism was difficult to manufacture. The hole is capped with a metal patch with three visible screw heads. Some examples may have been covered over by the body covering material. There is also a notch in the top plate, on the front at about 1 o'clock to the lens mount. This was where the rod for the rangefinder coupling went through on the Canon S. It is covered over by the body material.
The body covering material itself is usually a cheap, blackened cardboard. Leather, like most raw materials, was in short supply in 1945-6. This is the weakest part of the finish of the J-II, and many (or most) of the examples found today have had this body covering replaced. On those that don't, it is inevitably falling apart and shoddy looking. The chrome plating is also often not as good as that found on earlier or later cameras.
The lens mount is not Leica thread, although it is 39mm thread. The pitch of the thread is different. A Leica thread lens can be partially screwed on, but the threads will bind. Damage to either the lens or camera will result if you try and force it. This mount is referred to as J mount. It was first used on the pre-war Canon J, and can be found on some of the earliest Canon S-II cameras. Occasionally you will find a camera that the mount was changed to accept Leica mount lenses. Most J-II cameras were sold with the collapsible 5cm/3.5 Nikkor. However, the very first Canon 50/3.5 Serenar lenses were sold on J-II cameras.
Peter Decheert, in his book 'Canon Rangefinder Cameras1933-68' estimates production at 525, although he states some records show a production of 506 cameras, while others show only 164. Serial number apparently started at 8001, and may run as high as 8700. I have seen photos of 8556, so no all numbers were used.
Front view of a J-II with the early style of engraving.
A different camera, five serial numbers earlier. Note the mark on the front of the top cover. Free plist editor for mac. A similar mark can be seen on #8037, and I have seen pictures of other early models (#8025 and #8183). It is not a scratch, but rather a darkening of the chrome.
A closer look at an early Serenar lens. This is the first lens that Canon made for consumer purchase, and this is the 10th lens in the series. Production started at number 8011.
The Seiki logo embossed on the back of the case.
Return to Canon Rangefinder Main Page
CameraQuest Home
Thanks for visiting. As a camera dealer, collector and photographer, I've developed my own list of favorite cameras/lenses/accessories. These are some of them. This page is under continual construction and updating. At any one time, at least 10 new pages are under preparation. Older pages are sometimes updated, so if you like one of the profiles, re-visit it occasionally. Stephen Gandy, Los Angeles
IMPORTANT: ALL MATERIAL AT THIS SITE, both images and text ARE COPYRIGHTED. In practical terms this means while you are welcome to use my work for personal use, you can NOT for ANY reason copy and republish this material in any way whatsoever, including any re-use and posting of my materials on the internet for ANY purpose. If you feel a need to refer my material, give a URL saying in effect 'More information can be found at CameraQuest.'
Epson R-D1 Web Repository
May 2011: CameraQuest is the proud new home of the Epson R-D1 Web Repository written by Rich Cutler! CLICK HERE!
35mm Rangefinders in General
Rangefinder Renaissance
2005: The Rangefinder Year that Was by Tom Abrahamsson
All Format Rangefinder Mailing Listfor users and collectors of ALL RF cameras
Rangefinder/Viewfinders: More than meets the Eye
Accessory Viewfinders:Which to USE?
Nikon Rangefinder
Voigtlander Bessa R2S 50/3.5 Heliar S NHS Commemorative in Classic Nikon Rangefinder Mount Nikon Historical Society - Last Production May 2005
Voigtlander SL 12/5.6 and 15/4.5 Aspherical widest EVER for NRF
Voigtlander Nikon Rangefinder SC Mount Lens Intro21/4, 25/4, 35/2.5 intro
Voigtlander Nikon Rangefinder SC Lenses: SC 21/4, SC 25/4, SC 28/3.5, SC 35/2.5, SC 35/1.2 Prototpe, S 50/1.5, S 50/2.5, S 50/3.5, S 85/3.5
Voigtlander VC Meter IIsmall compact silicon meter with LED readout for Nikon Rangefinders
Nikon Rangefinders: Using and IdentifyingWhat are the best choices?
Nikon One intro to the first Nikon
Nikon One Garage Sale Treasure once in a lifetime find
Nikon One 609350 - the 26th Nikon with the 350th top plate?
Nikon One Mystery - are internal numbers a more accurate indication of production number than the top plate number?
Nikon M Throwawaydumpster diving
Nikon Sleast expensive Nikon Rangefinder
Nikon S2nice shooter
Nikon S2 Black DialPrototype?
Nikon S2 Black1st Pro Nikon
Nikon SP RangefinderSystem Overview
Nikon SP Blackmost handsome Nikon?
Tom Abrahamsson's Nikon SP RAPIDWINDER! production of two prototypes
Nikon SP Illuminatora unique accessory Leica should copy
Nikon S3M Black Half-frame w/ MotorNikon's rarest regular production camera
Nikon S4 DDD Was the S4 inspired by famed photog David Douglas Duncan?
Nikon SPXTTL Prototype
Nikon S3 2000 Nikon's new classic rangefinder - black or chrome
Nikon SP 2005 Nikon's best eye candy, amazing! black only
21/4 rare and sought after
25/4a great little super wide lens
35/3.5 STEREO the only Nikon Stereo ever made
35/1.8 All Black one of Nikons rarest lenses
35/1.8 fastest wide for Nikon RF
50/1.1 a most sought after collectible
50/1.4 Aluminumsuper rare experimental lens
50/1.5 Nikon's rare first 'Super Speed' lens
50/3.5 Micro NikkorNikon's 1st Micro lens
85/2 Fast Portrait Lens, many mounts and variations
85/1.5the SP's fastest telephoto
105/4Nikon's version of the Mountain Elmar
135/4 almost unknown 523 series
180, 350, Reflex Housing soon
250/4 Manual Aperture Nikkor Nikon's first Super Tele
500/5 Nikon original 'big gun'
1000/6.3 Black Mirror Nikkor - the rarest production Nikon Lens
Nikon Copy Stand PA
Nikon Rangefinder Rain Protector - collectors never know what they will find!
Use classic Nikon RF Lenses on Leica RF rare Orion Lens Adapter
Voigtlander Prominent 50mm Lens Adapter to Nikon or Contax Rangefinder
Contax Rangefinder
Zeiss Contax 1 -- 1932 first 35 system competitor to Leica
Zeiss Contax II and III:worthy prewar Leica adversaries
Leica Vs Contax35's Prewar Great Debate
Zeiss Contax IIa/IIIa Rangefinders Great lenses and workmanship
Russian No Name Kiev 4A - 3rd version - 'World's finest 35mm Rangefinder Camera'
Zeiss 21 Biogon historic super wide
Cantax 28/3.5Believe it or not, a Canon 28/3.5 in Contax mount, or is it Nikon????
Zeiss 180/2.8 Olympia post war with Flektoskop reflex housing
Voigtlander Prominent 50mm Lens Adapter to Nikon or Contax Rangefinder
Nikon SLRs
Uli Koch's Nikon F Trilogy, by FAR the best reference book on the Nikon F EVER. If you are a serious Nikon collector, BUY IT!
Nikon Film SLR Used Buying GuideMy Not so Objective Picks and Pans
Nikon F Collector's BookRare Japanese Nikon F Book $125 + shipping!
Nikon F HistoryAn important milestone in 35mm
Early Nikon F'sVery well made, different features than later F's
Black 64 Fwhat's the big deal?
Nikon F? What's that? When Nikon NY did not know their new camera
Early Nikon F Motor with Early REMOPAK cordless battery pack
Nikon F VariationsThe books don't show all of them
Nikkor F's for the German market
Nikon F KS-80A/81AUS Navy special Nikon F Motor drives for the Vietnam War
Nikkormat FTN mechanical little brother to the F and F2
Gold Nikon FAEuropean Gran Prix 1984 Camera of the Year
Gold Nikon FM 60th Anniversaryof Nippon Kogaku
Nikon FEA Underwater Camerafor National Geographic
Nikon FM2 Titanium Year of the Dog Total Production only 300!
Nikon F3 NASA Space Camera
Nikon F5 50th Anniversaryonly 3000 world wide!
Nikon F TICK MARK Lenses -- early rare F Lenses
21/4 Auto Nikkor Japan's 1st SLR Super Wide
105/4.5 UV Nikkor rare special purpose lens
200/5.6 Medical Nikkor with built in ringlight and modeling lamps
300/2 Nikkor fastest 300 Ever!
1000/11Mirror Nikkor
1000/6.3 Mirror Nikkor for Nikon F - incredibly rare
8.5cm-25cm/4-4.5 Nikkor Zoom 1st production 35mm Telephoto Zoom
US Military 35mm Cameras especially Nikon
Nikon Non-AI, AI, AI'd and AIS LensesWhat Difference does it Make?
Calypso Underwater Camerathe French design bought by Nikon
Leica Rangefinder M and Screw Mount Serial Numbers
LEICA SERIAL NUMBERS: Leica Serial Number data is courtesy of Leica. I've organized it in several ways, editing and color coding the tables to enhance clarity.
It answers many questions, but like all Leica lists, does not answer everything. In what may be a first, most Leica Birthdays are listed too -- another reason to have a party!
Leica Screw Mount Serial Numbers Sorted by Serial Number 1923-1960
Leica Ponderings
FAKE Leicas? expertly done for the rich collector
Leica M Rangefinder
CameraQuest M2/M3 film rewind crank - the best?
Leica M Collectible Investment GuideNot So Objective Picks and Pans
Leica M User's Buyer's Guide:Not So Objective Picks and Pans
Leica M Used Buyer's Check List Don't Get Taken
Leica M a la carte Buying Guide Poor choices can mean lower resale value!
Leica M Motors Don't Bother
Leica M Used Market Place Things Change
Leica M Shooting Tips Some Ways are Better than Others
Rangefinder/Viewfinders: More than meets the Eye
Accessory Viewfinders:Which to USE?
M3 Black with black paint 50/2 and MC meter
Garry Winogrand's M4Garry's last M4
M4 Black Enamel without Self Timer, the M4 (MDa)s
M4-P 70th AnniversaryHow Walter Kluck saved the Leica M system and Leica itself
M5 overlooked greatness?
Leica / Minolta CLThe Smallest M! replacement front caps and shades now available
Minolta CLE Advanced M replacement front caps and shades now available
M4-2 GoldOskar Barnack
M6's Early Vs Late VariationsThe 21st Production M6
M6 Cutawaystudent project
M6 Platinum 150 Years of Photography1989
M6 Columbo 921992
M6 Panda1992- 3?
M6 Royal-Foto Austria1993
M6J 40th Anniversary Leica M 1994
M6 Dragon1995
M6 Historica1995
M6 Royal Danish Wedding1995
M6 Gold Thailand1996 the prettiest Leica ?
M6 Platinum Bruckner1996
M6 Partner Aktion1996
M6 Benelux1996
M6 Ein Stock1996
M6 Jaguar XK 501998
M6 TTL Millennium Black Paint2000 black paint returns to the M
M6 TTL Green Paint 2001 'Millennium Safari' special order
M6 TTL Dragon 2000 Black Paint 2000
M6 TTL Black Paint ICS 2000
M6 TTL LHSA Black Paint 2000
M6 TTL Black Paint Oresund Bridge 2000
M6 TTL Japanese Market 2000 Leica script returns on standard camera
MP 2003 new high level mechanical M
MP LHSA grey hammertone MP
M Compact Street Shooterthe collapsed 50/3.5 Elmar is as small as it gets
Zeiss 15/8 Hologon Who needs $10,000 when you have a hacksaw?
Leitz 50/2 Summicron Dual Range close-ups to about 19'
Leica Accessories
Voigtlander VC Meter II wonderful compact LED add on meter for non metered cameras
Leica M Eye Glasses Scratch Protectors sold out
Rapidwinder, son of LeicavitCanadian made Trigger Winder better than any Leica factory trigger advance
Tom Abrahamsson's Leica Uncollectibles
1.25x Eyepiece Magnifier wonderful new accessory
Leica Screw Mount 'Barnack Cameras'
Leica II 35's first system camera of 1932
Leica IIIc K: wartime camera for cold weather
Leica IIIf BD ST: the camera that does not exist
Leitz' First SLR (well, almost)The Writing on the Wall
Use Leica Screw Mount Lenses on your Leica MScrew mount to M Adapters
Visoflex 4? Replace your antique Visoflex with a modern SLR
Use your Visoflex Lenses & Accessories on other SLRswith new adapter
Pre-Leica 35mm Cameras
1914 Simplex the first 35mm still camera sold to the public - designed, produced, and sold in New York City!
1922 Swiss Sico pretty wooden 35
Leica SLRs
Nikon F2 R Leica R mount F2
Cosina Voigtlander Cameras, Lenses and Accessories
Voigtlander 35mm Rangefinder System Overview Amazing innovation, quality, low price