The Canon 7 was a rangefinder system camera produced by Canon Inc., the last compatible with the Leica M39 lens mount. It was introduced in September 1961, with an integrated selenium light meter. Later versions, branded Canon 7s and Canon 7s Type II (or Canon 7sZ), had a cadmium sulfide light meter.
 | |
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Type | 35 mm rangefinder camera |
| Lens | |
| Lens mount | Leica M39 Screw Mount with special bayonet mount for 50 mm f0.95 lens and the Canon Mirror Housing 2 |
| Focusing | |
| Focus | manual |
| Exposure/metering | |
| Exposure | manual |
| Flash | |
| Flash | None on the 7; External cold shoe on the 7s |
| General | |
| Dimensions | 140 mm × 81 mm × 31 mm |
The Canon 7 came as the first Canon single-lens reflex cameras were already on the market, but it was felt that there was a need for a fast-shooting rangefinder camera for reportage. In this niche, the Canon 7 came into direct competition with the Leica M3.
Some Canon 7s were sold in the US branded Bell & Howell, in a partnership that lasted until 1975.
External links
Media related to Canon 7 at Wikimedia Commons- Canon RF Camera Price & Info Guide
- Canon 7/7s/7sZ on cameraquest.com
- Canon 7 by Karen Nakamura
- Canon 7 on Canon Camera Museum
