“Canon Camera Company Inc.”

Of all the rangefinder models there are only two cameras with this set of characteristics. We only need one more distinguishing feature to tell them apart.

The two possibilities are:

  • No Model designation on Body
  • Maximum Shutter speed 1/1000th
  • Has Slow Speed Dial
  • Slow Speed Dial has no lock
  • Camera has a side rail
  • Name is spelled with a “Inc.”

 

Model Date   Model Date
Canon IV Apr 1951   Canon IVS (IVF) Dec 1951

Eighth Question:

Film Speed Reminder Dial and View Finder Lever

There actually two features we can use. One is the lever  that changes the view finder magnification. On the older models this is found on the left side of the top deck under the rewind knob. It was originally made in two pieces with a small handle pinned on the end of the lever. Later on it was manufactures as a single piece.

The two piece lever was the earlier model.

The one piece came later and looks more professional.

The other feature is a film speed reminder dial. This was put on top of the film winder knob and you could set the film speed, ASA in those days, and it would hold the number for you. This was often let of inexpensive versions of some cameras as a cost cutting measure.

And this camera does not have the reminder dial.

This is the Film Speed Reminder Dial.

The cameras we are considering will either have both features or neither of them. So this is an easy test.

If you make a wrong selection you can go back one step or all the way to the beginning one step at a time. If you simply get lost or want to look up another camera you can go straight to the beginning again and start over. Or, if you feel you don’t need all the explanations you can go to the Rapid Finder. You get the same questions but in abbreviated form with no discussion or photos.