Canon L2

Canon L2

The Canon L2 is a 35mm Leica screw-mount rangefinder camera marketed by Canon Camera Co. in March 1957. It belongs to Canon’s late 1950s lever-wind LTM camera family and was positioned as a practical, more affordable alternative to higher-specification Canon rangefinders of the same period [1][2].

The camera uses Canon’s threaded mount, compatible with the Leica Thread Mount standard, also known as LTM, M39 or Leica screw mount. It accepts Canon screw-mount lenses as well as many Leica-compatible L39 lenses, making it directly relevant to LeicaLensList’s rangefinder camera scope [1].

Canon described the L2 as a VT with a film advance lever on the camera top. Unlike the Canon VT, which used a bottom trigger wind, the L2 uses a more conventional top-mounted film advance lever. This gives the camera a cleaner and more familiar handling layout while retaining the hinged-back loading style of Canon’s V-series bodies [1][2].

The L2 has a cloth horizontal-travel focal-plane shutter with a top speed of 1/500 second. The shutter-speed layout uses separate slow and fast speed controls, with T, 1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8 and 1/15 second on the slow-speed dial, and B, 1/30, 1/60, 1/125, 1/250 and 1/500 second on the main dial [1].

The camera has no built-in self-timer and provides FP flashbulb synchronization only through Canon’s bayonet flash terminal. It does not provide X-sync for electronic flash, which helps distinguish it from higher-specification Canon models with fuller flash synchronization options [1][2].

History

Development and Launch

The Canon L2 was marketed in March 1957 as part of Canon’s transition from bottom-loading rangefinders to more modern lever-wind bodies with hinged backs. Canon’s official museum presents the L2 as a practical and affordable camera based on the VT concept, but with a top-mounted advance lever and simplified feature set [1].

Production Evolution

Leica Copies Japan, citing Peter Dechert, gives production from a small initial batch in November to December 1956, followed by regular production from May 1957 to December 1957. Canon’s own marketed date of March 1957 remains the safest release-year reference for database use [1][2].

Serial Number Notes

Serial-number information should be handled carefully. Leica Copies Japan gives the Peter Dechert serial range as 505850 to 583000, while found examples are recorded from approximately 506096 to 58328x. For LeicaLensList, the safest field is to use the reported Dechert range and mention observed examples in the description [2].

Relationship to Canon VT

The Canon L2 is closely related to the Canon VT, but it should not be merged with it. The VT uses Canon’s bottom trigger wind and has a higher specification feature set, while the L2 uses a top-mounted film advance lever, lacks a self-timer, has a 1/500 second top speed and provides FP flash synchronization only [1][2].

Relationship to Canon L1 and L3

The L2 should also be kept separate from the Canon L1 and Canon L3. The L1 was marketed shortly after the L2 and added a higher-specification feature set, including a faster 1/1000 second top speed. The L3 was a later, lower-cost model described by Canon as an L2 without flash synchronization [3][4].

Naming and Identification

The correct main database name is Canon L2. Leica Copies Japan notes that at least one early example has been reported with L-2 engraved on the base plate, but L2 should remain the main model name. L-2 can be stored as an alternate search name or identification note [2].

The model name appears on the base plate rather than prominently on the top front of the camera, so advertisement matching often depends on seller title, serial number, shutter-speed layout and body controls. Listings may appear as Canon L2, Canon L-2, Canon L2 LTM, Canon L2 Rangefinder or Canon L2 Leica Screw Mount.

Collector Notes

The Canon L2 is less common than the Canon P and Canon 7, and it is an important transitional model in Canon’s rangefinder history. It combines LTM compatibility, hinged-back loading, top lever advance, a cloth 1/500 second shutter and Canon’s three-mode finder system.

Collectors should check the shutter curtains carefully, since cloth shutters may show wrinkles, pinholes or age-related deterioration. They should also check the flash terminal, pop-up rewind knob, frame counter, hinged back, base-plate model marking and finder clarity.

For LeicaLensList, the Canon L2 should be stored as a separate LTM camera entry. It belongs in the database because it is a Leica-compatible screw-mount rangefinder and a meaningful Canon body for collectors using LTM lenses.

Sources

• [1] Canon Camera Museum. L2. https://global.canon/en/c-museum/product/film29.html
• [2] Leica Copies Japan. Canon Rangefinder Cameras, Canon L2. https://leica-copies-japan.com/Canon.html
• [3] Canon Camera Museum. L1. https://global.canon/en/c-museum/product/film31.html
• [4] Canon Camera Museum. L3. https://global.canon/en/c-museum/product/film32.html