Canon III-A
The Canon III-A is a LTM-mount film rangefinder camera, introduced in 1951. Leica camera price index →
Reference maintained by Thomas Boots
General
- Mount
- LTM
- Release Year
- 1951
- Type
- Film
- Model Number
- III-A
- Serial Range
- 61150 to 105800, reported collector range; observed examples are not continuous
Dimensions
Viewfinder & Shutter
- Framelines
- None, three-position optical finder for standard framing, telephoto framing and critical focusing
- Shutter Speeds
- T, 1 s, 1/2 s, 1/4 s, 1/8 s, B, 1/25 s, 1/40 s, 1/60 s, 1/100 s, 1/200 s, 1/500 s and 1/1000 s
- Shutter Type
- Cloth
Features
- Hot Shoe
- No
- Tripod Socket
- Yes
- Self Timer
- No
- Flash Sync
- None
Canon III-A
The Canon III-A is a high-speed LTM rangefinder introduced in 1951 as an updated development of the Canon III. It combines Canon's three-position integrated rangefinder/viewfinder with slow shutter speeds and a cloth focal-plane shutter reaching 1/1000 second [1][2].
The model uses Canon's universal threaded mount, compatible with Leica Thread Mount lenses. It has no factory flash synchronization and no self timer [2].
History
Development and Launch
Canon lists an April 1951 marketing date, while collector research places regular production from approximately December 1951. The discrepancy should remain documented rather than resolved by assumption [2].
Production Evolution
Changes included revised knob knurling, a film-speed reminder, a one-piece finder selector and eventual introduction of a die-cast shutter crate [2].
Special Variants
A small number of III-A bodies are documented with U.S. Army Signal Corps markings. Authentication is required because military engravings can be added later [2].
Collector Notes
Distinguish the III-A from the synchronized IV-F and the slow-speed-free II-A. Check the finder selector, shutter crate, high-speed dial, mount thread, base plate and serial-era details.
Comments