[Canon] 7 | Film Cameras | September 1961
Canon 7
The Canon 7 is the successor to the VI-series and was the first Canon camera with an Arabic numeral designation. It was introduced around 1961, at a time when the market for high-quality 35mm cameras was rapidly shifting to SLR cameras. Despite this trend, Canon recognized that there was still strong demand for rangefinder cameras, especially for quick shooting. The Canon 7 featured a built-in exposure meter, a feature not found in cameras prior to the VI series. The viewfinder offered projected frames corresponding to various lenses, from 35mm to 135mm. Additionally, Canon developed the ultra-fast 50mm f/0.95 lens alongside the camera. Both the Canonet and Canon 7 were announced at the 7th Photokina.
Canon 7 Specifications:
- Type: 35mm focal-plane shutter rangefinder camera
- Picture Size: 24 x 36 mm
- Normal Lens: Canon 50mm f/0.95 and others
- Lens Mount: Threaded mount or bayonet mount with three inner lugs for the 50mm f/0.95 lens and mirror box 2
- Shutter: Two-axis, horizontal-travel focal-plane shutter with metal curtains. Shutter speeds include: X, T, B, 1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/15, 1/30, 1/60, 1/125, 1/250, 1/500, and 1/1000 sec. Features a built-in self-timer and shutter button lock.
- Flash Sync: FP- and X-sync (automatic-switching sync contacts, X-sync speed of 1/60 sec., and bayonet terminal socket on camera side).
- Viewfinder: Coincidence rangefinder integrated with a universal mark finder. It includes four manually switchable projected frames for 35mm (fixed at 0.8x), 50mm, 85mm/100mm, and 135mm lenses, with automatic parallax correction. The effective base line is 47.2 mm.
- Built-in Exposure Meter: Switchable between high and low ranges, coupled to the shutter speed dial. It features a built-in selenium photocell meter for needle aperture reading. Metering ranges at ISO 100: EV 12 – 19 and EV 6 – 13.
- Film Loading & Advance: After opening the camera back, film is inserted onto the spool and advances with a camera-top lever. The film advance requires 140 single or partial strokes, with an additional 20 strokes for extra advancement.
- Frame Counter: Counts from 0 to 40 and resets automatically when the camera back is opened. A film advance and rewind status indicator are provided.
- Film Rewind: Crank (with AR ring set to R).
- Dimensions & Weight: 140 x 81 x 31 mm, 865 g (with 50mm f/0.95 lens).
