Canon's simplified early SLR — the Canonflex RP, R mount, top-lever wind, manual, 1960.
The Canonflex RP was introduced in 1960 as a simplified, lower-cost member of Canon's first SLR family, using the Canon R breech-lock mount. It replaced the original Canonflex's bottom trigger wind with a conventional top-mounted advance lever and adopted a fixed pentaprism, positioning it as a more accessible early SLR.
As a 35mm SLR the RP used the Canon R breech-lock bayonet and a cloth focal-plane shutter covering 1 second to 1/1000 plus bulb. It had no built-in meter and was operated in full manual exposure; metering was handled by an accessory clip-on selenium meter. The fixed pentaprism finder and mechanical shutter meant the camera did not depend on a battery to fire.
The RP suits users and collectors who want an early Canon SLR with more conventional handling than the trigger-wind original. Its top advance lever and fixed prism make it easier to shoot, while the meterless manual operation keeps it a deliberate, hands-on tool. It works well for those comfortable estimating or metering exposure externally.
On the used market, inspect the cloth shutter across its full range for capping and uneven curtains, and confirm the top-lever advance and rewind operate smoothly. Look for perished foam light seals, prism haze or desilvering, and check the focusing screen for fungus or marks. Any accessory selenium meter may be inaccurate with age. Canon R-mount lenses can be adapted to mirrorless bodies.