For Sale SOLD: Canon IIIA Rangefinder Body

[indy_kid]

A nice example of the Canon IIIA rangefinder! Offered from December, 1951 to September, 1953. A very nice feature is the integrated viewfinder-rangefinder; this allows you to zoom in on distant subjects to ensure your focus is as sharp as possible.

This body has NOT had a CLA, but all speeds sound correct, and I was quite happy with the test photos, taken using the Leitz-Wollensak 50mm/f3.5 lens I have listed for sale, using Ilford FP4 125 B&W film that was 20 years out of date!

The body includes the original spring-loaded take-up spool! You don't find those very often these days!

$200 + S/H.

I have dropped the price for the Leitz-Wollensak lens to $700. The test photos below were taken with the Leitz-Wollensak/Canon IIIA combination.

Obviously, S/H will be combined if you buy both.

 

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[eli griggs]

How does the build quality compare to the Leica IIIa or is it a copy of the IIIc or IIIf?

It looks to have a good viewfinder magnification,

 

[davela]

It's a real beauty and well worth the asking price. The build quality of these is outstanding.

 

[indy_kid]

How does the build quality compare to the Leica IIIa or is it a copy of the IIIc or IIIf?

I haven't used the others, so can't give an accurate assessment. Seems well built to me, and it performed without issue despite being ~ 67-68 years old and no telling when - or if - it's ever been CLA'd.

 

[tallenpatterson]

How does the build quality compare to the Leica IIIa or is it a copy of the IIIc or IIIf?

It looks to have a good viewfinder magnification,

I have a Canon IIf and also the Leica IIIf. The Canon is a beast of a camera and feels as solid as the Leica. In some ways, even easier to use because of the viewfinder / rangefinder configuration.

 

[indy_kid]

BUMP!

PS: Leitz-Wollensak lens is now $650.

 

[indy_kid]

$175 + $15 USPS Flat Rate Medium Box (US only), body only.

$550 + $20 USPS Flat Rate Medium Box (US only) with the Leitz-Wollensak 50mm lens!

 

[John Shriver]

The Canon IIIA has a cast metal "shutter crate", like the Leica IIIc and higher. So it will focus precisely.

But it does not have the fancy curtain brake system of the Leica IIIc. Getting the 1/1000 shutter speed accurate on a Canon II, III, or IV depends on absolutely correct position of the curtains on the drum. The Leica IIIc and higher have a separate adjustment point for 1/1000.

 

[indy_kid]

The Canon IIIA has a cast metal "shutter crate", like the Leica IIIc and higher. So it will focus precisely.

But it does not have the fancy curtain brake system of the Leica IIIc. Getting the 1/1000 shutter speed accurate on a Canon II, III, or IV depends on absolutely correct position of the curtains on the drum. The Leica IIIc and higher have a separate adjustment point for 1/1000.

How often do you shoot at 1/1000th?