Canon Model IIIA

Canon Model IIIA
Canon Model IIIA

Your camera would appear to be a Model IIIA. It has the following distinguishing features:

  • No Model Name on Camera
  • Top Shutter Speed 1/1000th
  • Has Slow Speed Dial
  • Slow Speed Dial split at 1/25th
  • No Slow Speed Lock
  • Has no Side Rail (no flash sync)
  • One View Finder Lever
  • Speed Reminder Dial on Film Advance Knob

Dates: December 1951 thru September 1953

Produced: 9,025

Ser. Nos.:  61150 to 105800

The Model IIIA is an improved version of the Model III. They both look very like the IIB but all of the cameras in this period have a strong resemblance. Cosmetic changes from the Model III include a one piece view finder lever and a film speed reminder dial in the film advance knob. Another dead giveaway is the diamond pattern knurling on the film advance knob is changed to vertical groves.

Peter Dechert says that the IIIA may have more variations than any other Canon rangefinder cameras. These variations are minor in nature. It didn’t help that the factory during the changeover in production mixed parts from the III and IIIA. It can be very confusing when examining these cameras.