Part of my ever expanding Canon rangefinder mini-collection, this Canon VT De luxe is the latest acquisition though it has taken me some months to get around to shooting it.
Everything on this camera works except for the spring return of the rapid trigger, which works most of the time but can require some force to do so. All other controls are solid and precise, as is usual for Canon rangefinders.
This appears to be the last version of this camera, from 1958. It has metal shutter curtains and warm-colored viewfinder.
| Make | Canon |
|---|---|
| Model | VT De Luxe v3 |
| Year | 1959 (serial# 569419) |
| Format | 35mm |
| Shutter | focal plane, metal curtain |
| Speed | B,T,1,2,4,8,15,30,60,125,250,500,1000 |
| Lens | Canon Serenar |
| f1.8 50mm | |
| Focus | 3.5ft – ∞ |
| Aperture | f1.8 – f16 |
| Light Meter | No |
| Rangefinder | Yes |
A wonderful detail on this camera is the door release mechanism. The flip-out knob on the base retracts a metal retainer when turned, allowing the lock for the hinged back to be used.
A couple of other features to note are the viewfinder selector dial, an elegant way to calibrate the viewfinder for the correct lens focal length and the film plane mark just to the left of the accessory shoe.
Images shot with the Canon VT De Luxe and Serenar f2 80mm lens on Svema 400. Stand developed HC-110 for 30minutes. The panorama was stitched together in Affinity Photo.
Hi Mark – Nice article – Im a fellow VTDL (shod with a 50mm 1.2) owner and was pleasantly surprised that my example is 569402 – just 17 prior to yours!! Possibly part of the same batch! – awesome cameras.
Keep up the excellent work with the site!
Regards
Neil Langan