Canon's refined trigger-wind rangefinder — the VT Deluxe, Leica-thread, cloth shutter, 1957.
The Canon VT Deluxe was a 35mm screw-mount rangefinder introduced in 1957 as an upgraded VT, retaining the base trigger wind while improving the finder and adding a fixed take-up spool for easier loading. It was among the more refined bodies in Canon's V-series Leica-thread line.
It is a 35mm coupled-rangefinder camera taking Leica-thread lenses, with a horizontal-travel cloth focal-plane shutter and no built-in meter. It uses the base trigger wind, a combined rangefinder and viewfinder window with switchable magnification, and a fully mechanical shutter that needs no battery to fire.
It suits collectors and photographers wanting a Leica-thread rangefinder with quick trigger advance and easier loading for street and reportage work. The improved finder and fixed take-up spool made it more practical to use than the earlier VT.
Check the trigger-wind mechanism and take-up spool operate smoothly. Verify rangefinder patch contrast and vertical alignment, inspect the cloth curtains for pinholes and capping, test slow speeds, and look for finder haze. Leica-thread lenses adapt to mirrorless via LTM adapters; confirm a clean thread mount and smooth transport.