After selling off a FED5b & an Olympus XA, I thought I’ll never own (or use) a rangefinder again. I was wrong (again?). Someone was interested in a lens I was selling and we ended up in a trade. So I am now a (proud?) owner of a Canon IVsb rangefinder which was made (and sold) around 1952, and is of course way older than I am (ahem!). The previous owner just got the cloth shutter unit replaced and now it works well with a Canon 50mm f1.8 lens attached.
The best part about this camera which I read on the internet made it different from the other Leica clones is the switch that allows magnification of the viewfinder. It’s stated on the ‘net that it’s ‘for framing of 50mm, 100mm, and 135mm (corresponding to F, 1x and 1.5x) lenses. In the 1.5x position you can focus much more accurately, then switch back for framing’. That’s a great feature for me since I have problem looking at those little focusing patches on rangefinders. At 1.5x, the patch becomes real big and that does help my old eyes in focusing. One thing I hate about this camera is the bottom film loading method … I just hate loading film that way.
Not sure how often I’m gonna use this camera but I’m pretty sure I’ll keep it for good.
She is beautiful, take a good care of her.
WOR!!!!!
canon rfs are pretty good, i’m still waiting for my cannonet to appear …