Canon's flagship LTM rangefinder from 1961 with built-in meter and superb build quality.
The Canon 7, introduced in 1961, is Canon's professional-grade 35mm rangefinder camera and the most advanced of their Leica-mount rangefinder series. It features a large, bright combined rangefinder-viewfinder with parallax-corrected bright-line frames for multiple focal lengths, TTL-coupled exposure metering via a selenium cell, and compatibility with the LTM (Leica Thread Mount, M39 × 1/26in) lens range.
Leica Thread Mount (LTM/M39) screw mount with Canon-specific bayonet for Canon 50mm lenses, selenium TTL meter, combined rangefinder/viewfinder with bright-line frames (35mm, 50mm, 85/100mm, 135mm), 1/1000s maximum shutter speed.
The Canon 7 is the pinnacle of Canon's rangefinder era and represents the strongest alternative to Leica M cameras in the high-end rangefinder market of its time. Its bright viewfinder with TTL metering and compatibility with Leica-mount glass makes it a capable camera for 35mm rangefinder photography. A sought-after collector and working camera.
Test the rangefinder patch for clarity and accurate focus coupling. Verify selenium meter sensitivity — meter cells can deteriorate. Check shutter accuracy at all speeds. Inspect viewfinder for haze or internal contamination. Confirm the LTM thread and Canon bayonet operate smoothly.