Canon lV SB (E.P) + Leitz Elmar 5cm 3.5 Rangefinder camera
06
days
08
hours
36
minutes
55
seconds
Current bid
€ 3
Reserve price not met
Expert
Selected by Rob ter Ellen
Over 35 years' experience specialising in cameras and optical equipment.
Estimate € 500 - € 650
 | €3 | |
|---|---|---|
 | €2 | |
 | €1 |
Catawiki Buyer Protection
Your payment’s safe with us until you receive your object.View details
Trustpilot 4.4 | 144879 reviews
Rated Excellent on Trustpilot.
The Canon IV SB (E.P.) 35 mm rangefinder camera with an M39 mount and Leitz Elmar 5 cm f/3.5 lens is tested and working.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Splendid vintage lot for collectors and enthusiasts of analog photography, consisting of a celebrated Japanese rangefinder camera, the Canon IV SB, paired with a legendary German lens, the Ernst Leitz Wetzlar Elmar 5cm f/3.5, complete with its original brown leather Leica-branded case and flexible remote shutter release cable.
The camera body features the rare and highly sought-after “E.P.” (Export Permitted) mark enclosed in a red diamond on the top plate—a historically significant detail prized by collectors, identifying items sold exclusively in American military stores (PX) in Japan during the postwar period.
Technical Specifications:
• Camera body manufacturer: Canon Camera Company Inc., Japan
• Model: Canon IV SB (Leica M39 / LTM screw-mount rangefinder)
• Serial number: 134287 (consistent with production between 1952 and 1955)
• Lens: Ernst Leitz Wetzlar Elmar f=5cm 1:3.5 (collapsible lens)
• Lens serial number: 804336
• Shutter: Mechanical focal-plane curtain shutter with speeds from 1 to 1/1000 sec + B and T
• Viewfinder: Manually adjustable variable-magnification prism (F, 1x, 1.5x)
Condition:
• Appearance: The camera body and lens are in excellent cosmetic condition, very clean, and free of any significant dents or obvious deep scratches (see photos for details).
• Shutter and mechanics: Fully functional in all mechanical components. The shutter curtains have been replaced with new ones, ensuring perfect light tightness and reliable operation at all speeds.
• Rangefinder: Perfect, clear, high-contrast, and accurately aligned, ensuring precise focusing.
• Lens: The aperture moves smoothly. The lenses are clear for their age.
• Note on the internal spool: The camera is fitted with a non-original take-up spool for advancing the film. The winding and film-advance mechanism works properly; however, physically removing the spool from its housing is slightly more difficult than with the original part.
• Included accessories: Original vintage brown leather protective case with embossed Leica logo (showing normal, elegant signs of age on the leather), Leica-branded metal lens cap, and flexible remote shutter release cable.
A historically rich combination, ideal either for display or for loading with a roll of 35mm film for street photography.
Splendid vintage lot for collectors and enthusiasts of analog photography, consisting of a celebrated Japanese rangefinder camera, the Canon IV SB, paired with a legendary German lens, the Ernst Leitz Wetzlar Elmar 5cm f/3.5, complete with its original brown leather Leica-branded case and flexible remote shutter release cable.
The camera body features the rare and highly sought-after “E.P.” (Export Permitted) mark enclosed in a red diamond on the top plate—a historically significant detail prized by collectors, identifying items sold exclusively in American military stores (PX) in Japan during the postwar period.
Technical Specifications:
• Camera body manufacturer: Canon Camera Company Inc., Japan
• Model: Canon IV SB (Leica M39 / LTM screw-mount rangefinder)
• Serial number: 134287 (consistent with production between 1952 and 1955)
• Lens: Ernst Leitz Wetzlar Elmar f=5cm 1:3.5 (collapsible lens)
• Lens serial number: 804336
• Shutter: Mechanical focal-plane curtain shutter with speeds from 1 to 1/1000 sec + B and T
• Viewfinder: Manually adjustable variable-magnification prism (F, 1x, 1.5x)
Condition:
• Appearance: The camera body and lens are in excellent cosmetic condition, very clean, and free of any significant dents or obvious deep scratches (see photos for details).
• Shutter and mechanics: Fully functional in all mechanical components. The shutter curtains have been replaced with new ones, ensuring perfect light tightness and reliable operation at all speeds.
• Rangefinder: Perfect, clear, high-contrast, and accurately aligned, ensuring precise focusing.
• Lens: The aperture moves smoothly. The lenses are clear for their age.
• Note on the internal spool: The camera is fitted with a non-original take-up spool for advancing the film. The winding and film-advance mechanism works properly; however, physically removing the spool from its housing is slightly more difficult than with the original part.
• Included accessories: Original vintage brown leather protective case with embossed Leica logo (showing normal, elegant signs of age on the leather), Leica-branded metal lens cap, and flexible remote shutter release cable.
A historically rich combination, ideal either for display or for loading with a roll of 35mm film for street photography.
Details
Era
1900-2000
Brand
Canon
Model/type nr
lV SB (E.P) + Leitz Elmar 5cm 3.5
Physical condition
Good
Functional condition
Tested and working
Lens Mount Type
M39
Film type
35mm
Estimated period
1950-1960
Sold by
