1956 - 1965
CANONET
January 1961
This is Canon's first intermediate-class, Lens-Shutter 35mm camera. The first prototype looked very orthodox.
The camera had the EE (Electric Eye) feature which was also developed. With shutter speed-priority autoexposure, the camera could take nice pictures. You just had to press the shutter button.
The camera industry went into an uproar upon learning that Canon, maker of high-end cameras, was to introduce a mid-class 35mm camera with a fast f/1.9 lens for less than 20,000 yen. However, the Canonet safely went to market in January 1961. A week's worth of stock was sold out in only two hours. It was the start of the Canonet boom. Two and a half years later, a million Canonets were sold. Major Features All-round View (98K & 77K)
This is Canon's first intermediate-class, Lens-Shutter 35mm camera. The first prototype looked very orthodox.
The camera had the EE (Electric Eye) feature which was also developed. With shutter speed-priority autoexposure, the camera could take nice pictures. You just had to press the shutter button.
The camera industry went into an uproar upon learning that Canon, maker of high-end cameras, was to introduce a mid-class 35mm camera with a fast f/1.9 lens for less than 20,000 yen. However, the Canonet safely went to market in January 1961. A week's worth of stock was sold out in only two hours. It was the start of the Canonet boom. Two and a half years later, a million Canonets were sold. Major Features All-round View (98K & 77K)
CANON FX
April 1964
The Canon FX is a 35 mm SLR manufactured by Canon Inc. of Japan and introduced in April 1964. It introduced the Canon FL lens mount, the successor to the Canon R.
It introduced the Canon FL lens mount, the successor to the Canon R. After the Canonflex R-series, the Canon FX was the first in a new series having an aperture linkage on a new lens mount. The model designation's "flex" (for single-lens reflex) suffix was replaced with an "F."
The FX was available with either silver or black metal parts. There are only two known all-black models; one is owned by a private collector in Indiana, USA.
The Canon FX is a 35 mm SLR manufactured by Canon Inc. of Japan and introduced in April 1964. It introduced the Canon FL lens mount, the successor to the Canon R.
It introduced the Canon FL lens mount, the successor to the Canon R. After the Canonflex R-series, the Canon FX was the first in a new series having an aperture linkage on a new lens mount. The model designation's "flex" (for single-lens reflex) suffix was replaced with an "F."
The FX was available with either silver or black metal parts. There are only two known all-black models; one is owned by a private collector in Indiana, USA.
CANON DEMI S
September 1964
In 1963, after the success of the Olympus Pen camera, Canon decided to enter the half-frame market. The Demi was the first Canon half-frame.
The Canon Demi-S is a half-frame 35mm viewfinder camera with shutter priority automatic exposure, made in Japan by Canon, introduced in September 1964.
Links:
Canon Half Frame Cameras
In 1963, after the success of the Olympus Pen camera, Canon decided to enter the half-frame market. The Demi was the first Canon half-frame.
The Canon Demi-S is a half-frame 35mm viewfinder camera with shutter priority automatic exposure, made in Japan by Canon, introduced in September 1964.
- Lens: Canon 30mm/f1.7
- Shutter: Seiko, 1/8 - 1/500s + B
Links:
Canon Half Frame Cameras
CANON PELLIX
April 1965
The Canon Pellix, launched in 1965, is a rather unique manual focus SLR. It was Canon Camera Company's first 35mm focal-plane shutter SLR camera with TTL metering. However, what makes it special is the reflex mirror. The traditional moving SLR mirror is replaced by a fixed semitransparent pellicle mirror splitting the light rays from the lens into about 2/3 hitting the film, and the rest being reflected to the viewfinder.
The 'QL' means 'Quick Loading'. A Canon designed film loading method also used in other older bodies such as FT QL, FTb QL.
After many years, most of these cameras would be rendered useless. The reason being a defective meter circuit and a stained or torn mirror. The latter, made of thin foil, is extremely vulnerable and almost certainly not clear and spotless. The camera is however highly collectible.
The Canon Pellix, launched in 1965, is a rather unique manual focus SLR. It was Canon Camera Company's first 35mm focal-plane shutter SLR camera with TTL metering. However, what makes it special is the reflex mirror. The traditional moving SLR mirror is replaced by a fixed semitransparent pellicle mirror splitting the light rays from the lens into about 2/3 hitting the film, and the rest being reflected to the viewfinder.
The 'QL' means 'Quick Loading'. A Canon designed film loading method also used in other older bodies such as FT QL, FTb QL.
After many years, most of these cameras would be rendered useless. The reason being a defective meter circuit and a stained or torn mirror. The latter, made of thin foil, is extremely vulnerable and almost certainly not clear and spotless. The camera is however highly collectible.