Canon II-F, II-S, and Canon IV-F, IV-S Rangefinder Cameras

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Canon II-F, II-S, and Canon IV-F, IV-S Rangefinder Cameras

These Canon models all provide flash synchronization. The Canon IV-S is synchronized mainly for a flash-bulb, but will also work with certain special strobe flashes, if the strobe has a delay circuit giving at least 5 milliseconds of delay.

There are actually two different synchronization ciruits; one for slow speeds of 1/25 and slower, and one for high speeds. For high speed flash, the slow speed dial should be set to 1/25 and the flash-bulb synchronization will work at all speeds of the high speed dial.

When using slow speed synchronization, the slow speed dial should be set at 1/8 second or slower for both flash-bulb or strobe. The later model IV-S2 camera does not function for slow speed synchronization.

The Canon IV-F and IV-S (and all IV series Canons) have a top shutter speed of 1/1000 second. For the 1/1000 speed, unlike the slower speeds, the shutter speed dial drops only half way down, rather than the usual full drop-down at other speeds.

Key Reference Sources:

Dechert, Peter. 1985. "Canon Rangefinder Cameras 1933-68": Hove Books Ltd, Small Dole, UK

HPR, 1994. "Leica Copies": Classic Collection Publications, London

Francke, Harald. 1991. "Canon Modern Classics": Hove Foto Books, Channel Islands

Small, Marc James. 1997. "Non-Leitz LEICA Thread-Mount Lenses": Wittig Books, Hückelhoven, Germany

Rotoloni, Robert. 1983. "The NIKON Rangefinder Camera": Hove Collectors Books, Hove, UK

Canon corporate history web site: Canon Museum

http://www.canon.com/camera-museum/history/canon_story/1937_1945/1937_1945.html