Canon II F2

Canon II F2

The Canon II F2, also written Canon II-F2, is a 35mm Leica screw-mount rangefinder camera marketed by Canon Camera Co. in April 1955. It was made for export and succeeded the Canon II F as a rare, lower-production member of Canon’s revised mid-1950s “2” series rangefinder bodies [1].

The camera uses Canon’s universal threaded mount, compatible with the Leica Thread Mount standard, also known as LTM or M39. It accepts Canon screw-mount lenses as well as many Leica-compatible screw-mount lenses, making it directly relevant to LeicaLensList’s rangefinder camera scope [1].

Canon described the II F2 as a II S2 with only FP-sync and no X-sync. In practical terms, it shares the same general body design and updated shutter-speed sequence as the II S2, but removes electronic flash synchronization. This makes the II F2 a more specialized and less common variant than the II S2 [1][2].

The camera uses Canon’s combined coincidence rangefinder and reversed Galilean viewfinder system. The finder can be rotated between three magnifications, commonly interpreted as approximately 0.67x for 50mm, 1.0x for 100mm and 1.5x for 135mm. There are no projected framelines, so the selected finder magnification determines the approximate field of view [1][3].

Mechanically, the Canon II F2 uses a two-axis, horizontal-travel focal-plane shutter with cloth curtains. Canon lists the shutter-speed sequence as T, 1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8 and 1/15 second, plus B, 1/30, 1/60, 1/125, 1/250 and 1/500 second. Flash synchronization is limited to FP flashbulbs only, with no X-sync for electronic flash [1].

History

Development and Launch

The Canon II F2 was marketed in April 1955 as an export model and successor to the II F. It belonged to the same revised family as the IV Sb2, II S2 and II D2, where Canon updated shutter-speed sequences and control details while retaining the traditional bottom-loading Leica-style body format [1][2].

Production Evolution

Leica Copies Japan, citing Peter Dechert, gives production from approximately June 1955 to November 1955. The same source gives total production as 2,625 cameras, making the II F2 one of the rarest Canon screw-mount rangefinders of this generation [2]. CameraQuest also notes the II F2 as the rarest of the final knob-wind group, again citing production of only 2,625 cameras [4].

Serial Number Notes

Serial-number identification should be handled carefully. Leica Copies Japan gives the Peter Dechert serial range as 173200 to 217100, while found examples are recorded from approximately 18175x to 20035x. For LeicaLensList, the safest approach is to use the Dechert range while noting that observed examples cluster more narrowly [2].

Relationship to the II S2

The II F2 is closely related to the Canon II S2. Leica Copies Japan describes it as identical to the II S2 except that it lacks slow-speed sync and X-sync, as shown by the absence of the X position on the shutter dials [2]. This distinction is important because the bodies can look very similar at first glance.

Flash Synchronization

The II F2 provides FP flashbulb synchronization only. Leica Copies Japan states that there is no slow-speed sync for M-class or other peak-type bulbs, and no X-sync for electronic flash. High-speed synchronization is for FP bulbs at 1/30 second and above [2].

Naming and Identification

Canon’s naming around these mid-1950s “2” models can be confusing. Canon now lists the model as II F2, while collectors and sellers may write II-F2, IIF2, Canon 2F2 or similar variants. For database use, II F2 should be the main name, while II-F2 and IIF2 should be stored as alternate search names.

Collector Notes

The Canon II F2 should be distinguished from the Canon II F, II S2 and II D2. Compared with the earlier II F, the II F2 has the revised “2” shutter-speed sequence, including 1/15 and 1/30 second settings. Compared with the II S2, it lacks X-sync and slow-speed sync. Compared with the II D2, it retains FP flash synchronization and the Canon side flash rail [1][2].

Collectors should check the shutter-speed dials carefully. The absence of an X setting is one of the most important identifiers. The camera should also be checked for the side flash rail, 1/500 second top speed, rotating multi-magnification finder, bottom-loading construction, serial number range and any export-market markings.

For LeicaLensList, the Canon II F2 should be stored as a separate LTM camera entry. It should not be merged with the Canon II F or Canon II S2, because its rarity, revised shutter sequence and FP-only synchronization make it a distinct collector model.

Sources

• [1] Canon Camera Museum. II F2. https://global.canon/en/c-museum/product/film27.html
• [2] Leica Copies Japan. Canon II-F2. https://leica-copies-japan.com/Canon.html
• [3] Photoethnography.com. Canon IV Series of Rangefinders. https://www.photoethnography.com/ClassicCameras/CanonIV.html
• [4] CameraQuest. Canon Knob Wind Rangefinders. https://cameraquest.com/crf2f2.htm