Expert: David Silver - 8/23/2005

Question
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Followup To
Question -

David, you sure are fast and know your stuff. I'd have to say the camera is almost mint.

This is a follow up question about a chrome and heavy Nikkor-QC 135mm f3.5 screw mounted lens with tripod mount that fits the Canon RF camera that I just asked you about.  Did the Nikon RF's ever have the same lens mount or did Nikon make lenses to use on the Canon?  The SN on this lens is 259640. Will the Nikkor lens work/focus on the film plane of the Canon RF?  I have a Ernst Leitz GmbH Weltzlar Germany DBP 9cm SN960961 adapert that screws on to the Nikkor lens above, but never knew what it would do.  On the back side, it has a bayonet mount with small numbers of 11714.  I don't think I need it and may sell it.

Any more info you can provide will be appreciated.

Colonel J. Hank Thomas
US Army, Retired

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Hi David:  I have another camera for you to identify.  It's a Canon Range Finder that has the Leica design.  The serial number is 70231, has slow shutter speeds of T, 1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, B X and 1/25.  The slow shutter dial has the pin to keep the dail in position.  The fast shutter speeds 1/25, 1/40, 1/60, 1/100, 1/200, 1/500, 1/1000, and B again.  There is a chrome lever under the film rewind knob on the left end that has a lever and positions for F, 1x and 1.5x.  On the same end of the camera is a flash rail that may have been installed later.  The crew mounted lens on the camera is a Serenar f1.8 50mm Canon Camera Company with a SN of 73022.  I have other lenses.  There is a round window for the rangefinder directly above the lens. The viewing window is rectangular under the Canon Logo.  There is am accessory shoe on top near the SN.  The bottom plate opens like the Nikon recessed knob.  The camera is in remarkable condition, and I will be keeping forever.  Your previous answers were great, and I left positive comments about you.  Please tell me the model, year and how many were made.  Many Thnaks.  J. hank Thomas, Colonel, US Army, Retired
Answer -
Hello,

That would be a Canon IVSB (also marketed as the IVS2) made around 1953.  Over 30,000 were produced.  Oustanding model, and one of my favorites to use.  The flash rail is correct, and the lens is the perfect match.  Truly excellent examples sell in the $400 range today, but mint may go as much as 50% more.

Best wishes,

David Silver

Answer
Hello again,

Your lens dates from about 1954.  It is Nikon's second of three variations of their 135mm f3.5 design for rangefinder cameras, and they made 12,000 of them between 1953 and July of 1956.  Nikon's cameras had a bayonet mount that was nearly identical to the Zeiss Ikon Contax, but there was a slight difference in the rangefinder pitch.  However, on a few of their rangefinder lenses during the mid 1950's, Nikon also offered Leica (39mm screw mount), Contax (just like the Nikon mount, but with the different rangefinder pitch), or Exakta.  Compared to the standard Nikon mount, the Leica and Contax mounts are uncommon, while the Exakta mount is considered rare.  Obviously, you have a Leica mount on your lens, and this will work perfectly on a Canon rangefinder camera as well.  The Nikkor-Q C 135mm f3.5 is a common lens, normally selling for only about $125 in truly excellent condition with both caps, but the screw mount version can bring $300+.

That little adapter from Leitz was introduced in 1956 to allow mounting old style screw mount lenses onto their newer M series of bayonet mount cameras.  The one you have is Leitz catalog code ISBOO (later #14098) and is specifically for 90mm lenses; it has the proper little "tooth" in the bayonet mount that triggers the 90mm frame in the viewfinder of Leica M cameras.  However, if you don't care about seeing the frame (most of us don't), then you can use the ISBOO to adapt any Leica screw mount lens to a Leica M camera body.  A very desirable little accessory that sells for about $75 on eBay these days!

Best wishes,

David Silver