The Camera Speeds Divide at 1/30th Second

Of all the rangefinder models there are only 2 cameras with this set of characteristics. They are:

  • No Model designation on Body
  • Maximum Shutter speed 1/500th
  • Has a Slow Speed Dial
  • Has a One Piece View Finder Lever
  • Has a Side Rail
  • Shutter Speeds divide at 1/30th Second
Model Date Model Date Model Date
Canon II F2 Jun 1955   Canon II S2 Feb 1955  

Seventh Question:

Does the Camera have “X” Synch?

When these cameras were made flash bulbs were still in use and electronic flashes, or strobes, were becoming popular. Flash bulbs took time to come up to full power and so had to be fired early in the shutter cycle. Strobes, on the other hand, were almost instantaneous and they were not fired until the shutter was actually open.

Some cameras had no ability to fire a flash, some would just sync with flash bulbs and others could do both flash and strobe. Generally strobe sync would be left off to keep manufacturing cost down.

The Model IIF2 is a IIS2 without the “X” sync. The usual symbol for Strobe sync is the letter “X”. On the IIS2 this “X” is found on the Slow Speed Dial between the 15 and 30 setting. It is also on the High Speed Dial between 30-1 and 60. On the IIF2 you will find no “X” on either dial.

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.