Canon J Post-War Model. Also known as the J II model. The "J" stands for "Junior," and it’s a model without a rangefinder or slow shutter speeds. It was assembled after the war using parts from the standard (J) models produced before and during the war. It was manufactured for a short period from December 1945 to November 1946. This period marks the end of the Seiki-Kogaku Canon era, which lasted 14 years from 1933 to 1947.
According to the Canon Camera Museum, only three J models were produced in 1945, with the remaining units manufactured in 1946.
Visually, the model differs from the previous standard models, particularly in the shape of the viewfinder cover. Additionally, there are traces of the slow-speed dial on the front of the body. The mount is Canon's proprietary J-mount, which has a diameter of 39mm but differs slightly in thread pitch from the Leica screw mount, making it incompatible. The viewfinder is a standalone Galilean type.
Interestingly, some J II units were made during the post-war shortage of materials, with some bodies using cardboard for the covering. It's hard to believe, given Canon's current global popularity, but it's a story that stirs the heart.
The leading 8 in the serial number is a placeholder, supposedly added with the hope of good fortune. It's believed that around 500 units of the post-war Canon J were produced, with serial numbers ranging from 80xx to 86xx. This particular unit has a serial number in the mid-range, 823x.
Two lenses were available for the post-war J model: the Seiki-Serenar made by Canon and the Nikkor made by Nippon Kogaku. This unit is equipped with the Nikkor 50mm f3.5, a Tessar-type lens supplied by Nippon Kogaku. It is uncoated, with distance markings in meters. This lens, the first consumer-grade Nikkor, was designed by Sumiyama Kakuno and produces a rather soft rendering.
This J II model was manufactured in the immediate post-war period, a time when resources and funds were extremely limited. Although it shows some signs of wear, it is a remarkably clean example for a J II. There are some signs of plating wear around the rewind knob on the top cover and near the shutter release button, and there are scuff marks on the bottom plate. While the covering on this unit is not made of cardboard, it is from the post-war era when materials were scarce, so some wear is visible.
Both the lens and body underwent a full overhaul in 2024. Thanks to meticulous maintenance, the operation of all parts is smooth. There is a very faint cleaning mark on the rear element of the lens, but the glass is clear with no haze. For a Nikkor 50mm f3.5, this lens is in excellent condition. A genuine, rounded lens cap is included.
This camera is an important piece in the history of post-war Japanese cameras and would make a valuable addition to any collection.
