[Canon] S II | Film Cameras | October 1946

 

The Canon S II was the first Canon camera to have an English designation from the start, marking a shift from previous models that had Japanese names. It succeeded the Canon S and was the first new model released after World War II. The camera featured a non-universal, threaded lens mount similar to the Canon J's, and combined the viewfinder and coupled rangefinder into a single window.

During the post-war period, Japan received relief supplies from the Allies, and cameras were sold as collateral through occupation personnel exchanges, making the S II Canon's first export camera and garnering significant attention. This led to a national policy that prioritized Canon for the procurement of essential materials. In September 1947, the company officially became known as "Canon Camera Company Ltd."

Type
35mm focal-plane shutter camera

Picture Size
24 x 36 mm

Normal Lens
Serenar 50mm f/3.5, 50mm f/2

Lens Mount
Non-universal and universal flanges (Leica mount available)

Shutter
Two-axis, horizontal-travel focal-plane shutter with cloth curtains. Single-axis rotating dial for 1, 1/2, 1/4, and 1/8 sec., and single-axis rotating dial for Z, 1/20, 1/30, 1/40, 1/60, 1/100, 1/200, and 1/500 sec.

Viewfinder
Coincidence rangefinder integrated with reversed Galilean viewfinder. Finder magnification of 0.6x, base length of 38.5 mm, and finder coverage of approx. 85%.

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
135.5 x 69.5 x 30.2 mm, 450 g (with Serenar 50mm f/3.5)