Japanese Rangefinders: Canon and Nikon Before the SLR
Before the single-lens reflex took over in the 1960s, the serious 35mm camera was the rangefinder. In the years after the Second World War, Japanese makers set out to match the German cameras that dominated the field. Within a decade they had done so, and their rangefinders are now some of the most satisfying cameras to collect and to use.
Canon and the screw mount
Canon built a long line of rangefinders using the 39mm screw lens mount popularised by Leica, which meant that a wide range of lenses could be shared between systems. Models such as the Canon II, IV and V series refined the design steadily. The Canon P of 1958 offered a clean, simple design at a modest price, and the Canon 7 of 1961 added a built-in meter and a bayonet for its famous 50mm f/0.95 lens, one of the fastest lenses ever made for a 35mm camera.
Nikon's S series
Nikon's first cameras appeared in 1948. Their reputation was made when photojournalists covering the Korean War found that Nikkor lenses matched or beat the best German optics. The S series followed, culminating in the Nikon SP of 1957, a professional camera with a wide viewfinder showing frames for several lenses. The SP's ideas led directly to the Nikon F single-lens reflex.
Other makers
Leotax, Nicca, Minolta, Konica and others also produced rangefinders, many of them excellent and less expensive than Canon and Nikon. They are a rewarding area for collectors who enjoy using their cameras.
Reissues
Nikon reissued the S3 in 2000 and the SP in 2005 in limited numbers. These reissues are collected in their own right and are clearly marked. Know which one you are buying, because the originals and reissues are valued differently.
What to check
- Shutter. Cloth focal-plane shutters can develop pinholes or uneven speeds. Test at several settings.
- Rangefinder. The double image should be bright, and should align vertically and at infinity.
- Lenses. Shine a torch through each lens to check for haze, fungus, scratches and separation of elements.
- Cosmetics. Black paint versions are rarer than chrome. Brassing is normal; repainting lowers value.
- Serial numbers. Early and unusual serial ranges are particularly sought after.