The Model J is very distinctive and extremely rare and expensive. This image is with thanks to the Canon Museum.
Canon Model J
Your camera would appear to be a
Model J. It has the following distinguishing features:
- No Model Name on Camera
- Top Shutter Speed 1/500th
- No Slow Speed Dial
- No Viewfinder Lever
- No Rangefinder
- Large Rewind Knob opposite straight housing
Dates: February 1939 thru 1941
Produced: estimated 200
Ser. Nos.: 1700 thru 2125
If you are holding this camera, treat it gently: it is very rare and very expensive. Production started in 1939 and ended in 1941 and few were made. It was intended as their economy model and was marketed as the “Popular Model” and was known as the “Junior” Canon. It did not become known as the Model J (for Junior) until after the war.
Its normal lens was the Nikkor f/4.5 which screwed directly into the camera body.
Production records are uncertain and very few are known to have survived.
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