[Canon] II C | Film Cameras | July 1950
The II B camera featured a "T" time exposure setting, allowing users to start and stop exposure by pressing the shutter button. It included a slow shutter speed dial with click stops to prevent accidental adjustments, with two dials split at 1/25 sec. The shutter release guard was larger for easier access, and these features were retained in later models.
The fast Serenar 50mm f/1.9 lens included with the II B received positive reviews, but users noted its performance was subpar at maximum aperture due to the coma characteristic of Gauss-type lenses. Hiroshi Ito, a new hire at the company, worked on improving the lens and successfully developed a correction method to reduce 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 the base of the 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)
