Canon VT

April 1956 - February 1957

Production: 15575 units
Serial numbers: 500010 - 540000

For twenty years since the Hansa Canon, film-loading was through the camera bottom (like old Leicas). The VT was Canon’s first camera to have a camera back which swung open for film loading. Since it was the successor to the IV-series, the designation included a “V.” However, it had a totally new concept with a built-in self-timer, a different three-mode viewfinder, and a winding trigger. The viewfinder magnification could be set to suit a wide-angle 35mm lens. The half-mirror prism had a highly-reflective gold finish, making the viewfinder 2.5 times brighter than before. The film advanced with a fast-winding trigger at the camera bottom instead of a knob on top. This set it apart from the other cameras. The “T” in “VT” was for “Trigger.”