The Canon IIS2

      If you're confused when you try to identify one of the many knob wind Leica copies Canon produced during the 1950s, you're not alone. If you try to identify them by their serial numbers--as you can easily do with Leicas--you might as well whistle down the wind. That was a problem for me when I wanted to verify the models of several of the Canon Barnack copies in my collection. But when I discovered ricardojfb.wixsite.com/fotofix my problem seemed to have disappeared. If you share the same problem, you'll probably want to visit that site.

      At this writing I have ten of the Canon knob wind Leica copies cited above in my collection, one of which is the Canon IIS2 (photo, right with auxiliary finder). Manufactured between 1955 and 1956, it's quite similar to its cousins. For example, the IIS2 is identical to the IVSB2 but has a 1/500 shutter speed as opposed to the IVSB2s 1/1000. Another model, the IID2, is like the IIS2 but has no synch rail. A third model, the IIF2, is like the IIS2 and the IVSB2 but has a flash rail that allows for FP flash only.
   And to make matters worse, all three cameras are similar in one way or another to other knob wind Leica copies manufactured by Canon during the 1950s.

   

       Seen from above, and with the exception of the 135mm finder, the Canon IIS2 resembles several Canons Model II, III, or IV.  The white dot (left) marks the optical enlargement lever. Red denotes the rewind lever. Green indicates the high speed shutter dial, and blue marks the low speed shutter dial. Yellow marks the rewind lever; magenta locates the shutter release; and white (right) indicates the film advance knob.
        Note the <EP> mark, which indicates that this camera was manufactured during the Occupation of Japan (1945-52). But according to  ricardojfb.wixsite.com/fotofix it was manufactured between 1955-1956. Well, I did point out in my opening paragraph that identifying Canon copies of Leica screw mount cameras can be confusing, didn't I?

     There is no flash synch plug on the Canon IIS2. Instead, there's a somewhat  peculiar flash rail mounted on the rewind knob side of the unit (photo, left). To use flash with this camera, you must slide a "Canon Self Extension Adapter" onto the rail and then plug your synch cord into the adapter. Because these adapters are practically impossible to find nowadays, you're probably out of luck if you want to use this camera with flash.
      As usual, prices for this camera are extremely inconsistent. The Collectiblend website values the Canon IIS2 (body only) at a hefty $320-$800 depending on condition. That seems unusually high to me. A leading auction site listed just four IIS2s at prices ranging from $142-$192. I think those prices are more realistic.

     

      I must have been lucky when, not too long ago, I stumbled onto a near mint IIS2 with a Canon 4/135 lens, K2 filter, Canon lens cap, and 135mm viewfinder attached for just $125. Of course, with the 135 screwed onto the camera's body the unit weighs about as much as an elephant. But no matter. It's still a good choice for capturing images that are out of range of a "normal" 50mm lens. 

       A major problem with this lens, however, is that on sunny days the glare that's reflected from its barrel can momentarily blind you. That's why I've always preferred lenses that have black barrels.

      Depending on your needs as a photographer, the IIS2 would be an excellent choice, especially for street photography. Of course, one could say that about Canon screw mount cameras, all of which are beautifully crafted and mechanically sound. 

COMING SOON: Three of My Favorite 35mm Cameras of the Fifties