Canon IVsb....What should I do?

Driline · 02-18-2023, 01:39 PM - **3 Likes**

A buddy of mine just laid this 1952 Canon IVsb serial# 72581 camera and 135mm Canon Serenar F4 lens on me for nothing. The lens is in perfect condition. The camera's winding knob is "stuck" and does not move. My guess is the mechanicals are a little "gunked" up on this camera. We have a local camera store "United Camera" in Rock Island Illinois with Eric as the lead technician who I could have take a look. I'm guessing $150 for a CLA? Is it worth it or should I take a chance and buy another IVsb on eBay and hope everything works on it.

A photo of our victim.....

---------- Post added 02-18-23 at 02:40 PM ----------

The rangefinder dot is still there. Not perfect but I can see it clearly enough for focusing.

**mlt** · 02-18-2023, 01:55 PM

Originally posted by Driline

A buddy of mine just laid this 1952 Canon IVsb serial# 72581 camera and 135mm Canon Serenar F4 lens on me for nothing. The lens is in perfect condition. The camera's winding knob is "stuck" and does not move. My guess is the mechanicals are a little "gunked" up on this camera. We have a local camera store "United Camera" in Rock Island Illinois with Eric as the lead technician who I could have take a look. I'm guessing $150 for a CLA? Is it worth it or should I take a chance and buy another IVsb on eBay and hope everything works on it.

A photo of our victim.....

---------- Post added 02-18-23 at 02:40 PM ----------

The rangefinder dot is still there. Not perfect but I can see it clearly enough for focusing.

Even if you spend $300 on repairs, you will know what you have and what works. An ebay purchase in good, usable condition is based on the seller’s description and no guarantee that you will end up with less money invested to have a good working sample.

**tonyzoc** · 02-18-2023, 04:50 PM

I'd say definitely get it working if at all affordable. Its has a Leica M39 mount so there are tons of great lenses you could put on it. Also Leica clones have good value, especially the well made ones those from Canon.

Driline · 02-18-2023, 05:04 PM - **3 Likes**

Originally posted by tonyzoc

I'd say definitely get it working if at all affordable. Its has a Leica M39 mount so there are tons of great lenses you could put on it. Also Leica clones have good value, especially the well made ones those from Canon.

I think that's what I'll do. I'm dropping it off next week. I can't stand a camera that looks this nice and is not working properly. I run film through all of my vintage cameras. I do have some broken units but those don't see the light of day. Only the working models get a glass row seat in my display cabinet

**ramseybuckeye** · 02-19-2023, 06:27 AM

I feel if you want a working model fixing this one is a no brained, it looks great.

**ismaelg** · 02-19-2023, 06:32 AM

Hello,

Going off topic down the cliff here, but is that a c.1911 Westinghouse Tank Fan?

Thanks,
Ismael

titrisol · 02-19-2023, 09:06 AM

IF you got it for free, getting it repaired even for $3-400 is a bargain
Those cameras have a great reputation
Canon II/III/IV - Camera-wiki.org - The free camera encyclopedia says:
Unlike many Leica copies, quality control and finish are fully up to Leitz standards.

Where the Canon cameras surpass the Leica is the finder. Viewfinder and rangefinder are integrated, and a three-way switch allows a view for 50mm, 100mm, and critical rangefinder use.

Originally posted by Driline

A buddy of mine just laid this 1952 Canon IVsb serial# 72581 camera and 135mm Canon Serenar F4 lens on me for nothing. The lens is in perfect condition. The camera's winding knob is "stuck" and does not move. My guess is the mechanicals are a little "gunked" up on this camera. We have a local camera store "United Camera" in Rock Island Illinois with Eric as the lead technician who I could have take a look. I'm guessing $150 for a CLA? Is it worth it or should I take a chance and buy another IVsb on eBay and hope everything works on it.

A photo of our victim.....

---------- Post added 02-18-23 at 02:40 PM ----------

The rangefinder dot is still there. Not perfect but I can see it clearly enough for focusing.

You can improve the RF dot by using a sharpie and making a dot in the front main window; thus increasing the contrast
It is not perfect but it does the trick

Driline · 02-19-2023, 10:15 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by ismaelg

Hello,

Going off topic down the cliff here, but is that a c.1911 Westinghouse Tank Fan?

Thanks,
Ismael

It sure is. I bought it broken for $25. Fixed it up and now it runs like new.

Driline · 02-22-2023, 04:18 PM - **1 Like**

Well I got the estimate back from United Camera Repair in Rock Island Illinois. Only $137 dollars. And it turns out the camera is a Canon IIIa.....not the IVsb as first thought.

**ChrisPlatt** · 02-23-2023, 05:18 PM

Good luck. I have a later Canon P LTM body. It's a wonderful camera.

Chris

titrisol · 02-24-2023, 06:06 AM

Originally posted by Driline

Well I got the estimate back from United Camera Repair in Rock Island Illinois. Only $137 dollars. And it turns out the camera is a Canon IIIa.....not the IVsb as first thought.

DO IT!!!
that is a very fair price for such a gorgeous camera

Driline · 02-24-2023, 12:06 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by titrisol

DO IT!!!
that is a very fair price for such a gorgeous camera

Done. Just waiting for the call to pick it up. In the mean time I purchased a Canon period lens from KEH. It's the 50mm F1.8 chrome lens from that time period.

02-18-2023, 01:39 PM - 3 Likes	#1
Driline Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: IOWA Where the Tall Corn Grows Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,697	Canon IVsb....What should I do? A buddy of mine just laid this 1952 Canon IVsb serial# 72581 camera and 135mm Canon Serenar F4 lens on me for nothing. The lens is in perfect condition. The camera's winding knob is "stuck" and does not move. My guess is the mechanicals are a little "gunked" up on this camera. We have a local camera store "United Camera" in Rock Island Illinois with Eric as the lead technician who I could have take a look. I'm guessing $150 for a CLA? Is it worth it or should I take a chance and buy another IVsb on eBay and hope everything works on it. A photo of our victim..... ---------- Post added 02-18-23 at 02:40 PM ---------- The rangefinder dot is still there. Not perfect but I can see it clearly enough for focusing.

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02-18-2023, 01:55 PM	#2
mlt Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 1,159	Originally posted by Driline A buddy of mine just laid this 1952 Canon IVsb serial# 72581 camera and 135mm Canon Serenar F4 lens on me for nothing. The lens is in perfect condition. The camera's winding knob is "stuck" and does not move. My guess is the mechanicals are a little "gunked" up on this camera. We have a local camera store "United Camera" in Rock Island Illinois with Eric as the lead technician who I could have take a look. I'm guessing $150 for a CLA? Is it worth it or should I take a chance and buy another IVsb on eBay and hope everything works on it. A photo of our victim..... ---------- Post added 02-18-23 at 02:40 PM ---------- The rangefinder dot is still there. Not perfect but I can see it clearly enough for focusing. Even if you spend $300 on repairs, you will know what you have and what works. An ebay purchase in good, usable condition is based on the seller’s description and no guarantee that you will end up with less money invested to have a good working sample.

02-18-2023, 04:50 PM	#3
tonyzoc Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2018 Posts: 992	I'd say definitely get it working if at all affordable. Its has a Leica M39 mount so there are tons of great lenses you could put on it. Also Leica clones have good value, especially the well made ones those from Canon.

02-18-2023, 05:04 PM - 3 Likes	#4
Driline Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: IOWA Where the Tall Corn Grows Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,697 Original Poster	Originally posted by tonyzoc I'd say definitely get it working if at all affordable. Its has a Leica M39 mount so there are tons of great lenses you could put on it. Also Leica clones have good value, especially the well made ones those from Canon. I think that's what I'll do. I'm dropping it off next week. I can't stand a camera that looks this nice and is not working properly. I run film through all of my vintage cameras. I do have some broken units but those don't see the light of day. Only the working models get a glass row seat in my display cabinet

02-19-2023, 06:27 AM	#5
ramseybuckeye Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hampstead, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 17,292	I feel if you want a working model fixing this one is a no brained, it looks great.

02-19-2023, 06:32 AM	#6
ismaelg Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Puerto Rico Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,681	Hello, Going off topic down the cliff here, but is that a c.1911 Westinghouse Tank Fan? Thanks, Ismael

02-19-2023, 09:06 AM	#7
titrisol Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: In the most populated state... state of denial Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,852	IF you got it for free, getting it repaired even for $3-400 is a bargain Those cameras have a great reputation Canon II/III/IV - Camera-wiki.org - The free camera encyclopedia says: Unlike many Leica copies, quality control and finish are fully up to Leitz standards. Where the Canon cameras surpass the Leica is the finder. Viewfinder and rangefinder are integrated, and a three-way switch allows a view for 50mm, 100mm, and critical rangefinder use. Originally posted by Driline A buddy of mine just laid this 1952 Canon IVsb serial# 72581 camera and 135mm Canon Serenar F4 lens on me for nothing. The lens is in perfect condition. The camera's winding knob is "stuck" and does not move. My guess is the mechanicals are a little "gunked" up on this camera. We have a local camera store "United Camera" in Rock Island Illinois with Eric as the lead technician who I could have take a look. I'm guessing $150 for a CLA? Is it worth it or should I take a chance and buy another IVsb on eBay and hope everything works on it. A photo of our victim..... ---------- Post added 02-18-23 at 02:40 PM ---------- The rangefinder dot is still there. Not perfect but I can see it clearly enough for focusing. You can improve the RF dot by using a sharpie and making a dot in the front main window; thus increasing the contrast It is not perfect but it does the trick

02-19-2023, 10:15 AM - 1 Like	#8
Driline Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: IOWA Where the Tall Corn Grows Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,697 Original Poster	Originally posted by ismaelg Hello, Going off topic down the cliff here, but is that a c.1911 Westinghouse Tank Fan? Thanks, Ismael It sure is. I bought it broken for $25. Fixed it up and now it runs like new.

02-22-2023, 04:18 PM - 1 Like	#9
Driline Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: IOWA Where the Tall Corn Grows Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,697 Original Poster	Well I got the estimate back from United Camera Repair in Rock Island Illinois. Only $137 dollars. And it turns out the camera is a Canon IIIa.....not the IVsb as first thought.

02-23-2023, 05:18 PM	#10
ChrisPlatt Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Rockaway Beach NYC Posts: 7,694	Good luck. I have a later Canon P LTM body. It's a wonderful camera. Chris

02-24-2023, 06:06 AM	#11
titrisol Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: In the most populated state... state of denial Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,852	Originally posted by Driline Well I got the estimate back from United Camera Repair in Rock Island Illinois. Only $137 dollars. And it turns out the camera is a Canon IIIa.....not the IVsb as first thought. DO IT!!! that is a very fair price for such a gorgeous camera

02-24-2023, 12:06 PM - 1 Like	#12
Driline Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: IOWA Where the Tall Corn Grows Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,697 Original Poster	Originally posted by titrisol DO IT!!! that is a very fair price for such a gorgeous camera Done. Just waiting for the call to pick it up. In the mean time I purchased a Canon period lens from KEH. It's the 50mm F1.8 chrome lens from that time period.