Hansa Canon. Canon Standard Model. This is the first mass-produced 35mm camera to be sold in Japan, released under the brand name of Ōmiya Shashin Yōhin (Ōmiya Photographic Supplies). The release date is believed to be in late 1935 or early 1936. It was manufactured by the Seiki Kōgaku Kenkyūjo, which later became Canon. Although it was modeled after the Leica, it incorporated unique mechanisms, such as an octagonal body and a frame counter on the front. The viewfinder, separate from the rangefinder window, is a pop-up type commonly referred to as Bikkuribako (jack-in-the-box).
It is said that approximately 1,000 units were produced, and they are generally divided into early and late models. This particular item is an early model with a lens mount number in the 269 range. A distinctive feature is the attached Nikkor 50mm F3.5 lens with a black mask and the Nippon Kogaku Tokyo engraving on the mount. The top plate bears the Hansa engraving.
It is said that a small number of the very earliest standard models (Hansa Canon) had sand-cast bodies, but the manufacturing process quickly shifted, and this item features a die-cast body.
The attached lens is a Nikkor 5cm F3.5, a 3-group, 4-element Tessar-type lens. It was designed by Kakuya Sunayama of Nippon Kogaku. The lens mount is a unique inner 3-lug bayonet mount, though unfortunately, no interchangeable lenses were ever released. The number engraved on the lens mount is a part management number from Nippon Kogaku, while the body number is engraved on the inside of the bottom cover (in this case, the latest Seiki Canon bottom cover is attached, so no body number is listed).
In 2019, it was registered as an Important Historical Material for Science and Technology by the National Museum of Nature and Science in Japan, marking its significance in the history of cameras.
The bottom cover for the Seiki Canon shows significant rust and scuff marks. Additionally, some plating wear can be observed on the edges of the top plate, the top of the wind-up knob, and around the lens mount, but the rest of the plating retains a strong, glossy shine. In September 2024, a full overhaul (including replacement of the shutter curtain) was completed, and all parts are functioning smoothly.
The attached black-masked, older-model Nikkor 50mm lens shows signs of aging on the nameplate, but considering its age, the overall appearance is fairly good. There is slight haze and discoloration in the inner elements of the lens, which could not be completely removed during cleaning. The rangefinder’s contrast has slightly diminished due to prism deterioration, but thanks to the magnification of the rangefinder, focusing remains relatively easy. The pop-up viewfinder (the Bikkuribako) provides a clear and pleasant viewing experience.
Additionally, the original gutta-percha has been replaced with more modern leather in recent years. While it is not fully original, this overhauled Hansa Canon is in working condition and ready for practical use. A rare and valuable item.
