|
Canon Dial 35
|
In 1963, Canon introduced a camera called Canon Dial 35 (above). This camera was marketed under the name Bell&Howell/Canon Dial 35 in USA.
Five years later, in 1968, Canon introduced an improved model called Canon Dial 35-2 (below). This camera was marketed under the name Bell&Howell Dial 35 in USA. A lot of these Bell&Howell Dial 35 cameras were also sold in Europe.
|
The lens is a Canon Lens SE 28mm f/2.8 (5 elements in 3 groups), which means a slight wide angle on this format (18x24). The lens can be focused from 0.8 m (2.6 ft) to infinity, by help of figures and a lever on the front and symbols in the viewfinder. There is no rangefinder - you have to estimate the distance yourself.
The viewfinder is of reversed Galilean type with projected frames, 0.42x magnification and 90% coverage. To the left within the viewing area are match-needle pictographs for close, medium and far focusing distances. In the bottom of the viewfinder you will find the exposure meter needle, pointing out actual aperture setting. To the very left and right in this aperture field, there is areas, which are warnings for under- and overexposure. The aperture can be set manually, independent of the battery condition, by pulling out and turn an aperture knob on the front, under the viewfinder.
The leaf shutter is a Seikosha providing the speeds 1/30, 1/60, 1/125 and 1/250 sec and X synchronisation.
The camera has a CdS element for shutter speed-priority exposures - means you choose the shutter speed, the camera determines the aperture automatically. Metering range is from EV 8 (f/2.8 & 1/30 sec) to EV 17 (f/22 & 1/250 sec) at ASA 100. Metering limit is EV 21. Film speed range is ASA 8-500 (ASA 10-1000 on 35-2). This built-in exposure meter uses a RM1 (PX625 on 35-2) mercury cell of 1,35 V as source. These batteries would nowaday be replaced by 1,35 V zinc/air batteries (1,5 V alkaline batteries are not recommended!).
The camera advances the film automatically with the spring motor after each exposure. Fully-wound spring motor powers film advance for more than 25 exposures. The pictures will be taken one by one - there is no continuous run function. Even the rewind function is performed via the spring motor, by first pushing a rewind button.
The camera has the dimensions 99x76x44 mm and the weight is 430 g (35-2: 410 g).
Canon Dial 35 has the name engraved directely into the aluminium cover. The name is either Canon DIAL 35 or BELL&HOWELL/Canon DIAL 35.
Canon Dial 35-2 has a black name plate of plastic glued on the front cover. The name is either Canon DIAL 35-2 or BELL&HOWELL Dial 35.
Canon Dial 35-2 has a bigger (and more powerful) spring motor.
Film speed range is ASA 8-500 on Canon Dial 35, but ASA 10-1000 on Canon Dial 35-2.
Canon Dial 35-2 has green colored fields added in the viewfinder, indicating suitable settings for snap shots.
Canon Dial 35-2 has "hot shoe", i.e. flash connection in the accessory shoe - Canon Dial 35 has not.
The wrist strap is detachable on Canon Dial 35, but not on Canon Dial 35-2.
The mercury battery was changed to a smaller type on Canon Dial 35-2.
Canon Dial 35 and Canon Dial 35-2 have distance scale in both feet and meters, while Bell&Howell/Canon Dial 35 and Bell&Howell Dial 35 have distance scale in feet only.
Bell&Howell Dial 35 has a "CHECK LIST FOR EASY PICTURE TAKING" on its backdoor outside. The other three models have an ASA/DIN converting table.
Bell&Howell Dial 35 came with a hard plastic case, the other three models with a soft, black leather case.
The instruction manual was different for all four models (se below).
As you can see below, each model has their own Instruction Manual.
|
|
|
|
We sell zink/air batteries for Canon Dial 35. They fit 35-2 exactely (same size as the old mercury PX625). They will also fit your Dial 35, in spite of the original battery for this camera was longer. What to do is to fill up the remaining space with, for instance, a few coins of copper. The voltage is right (1,35 V) and the battery diameter is the same in the two cameras.
Whenever you need service or have questions regarding your Canon Dial 35 or Canon Dial 35-2 - don't hesitate to contact us for consultation. We have over twentyfive years experience of Canon Dial 35 service!
There is no new spare parts available for Canon Dial 35 or 35-2. Parts are taken from other "spare part cameras". Critical parts are Aluminium Covers without dents, Spring Motors and complete Shutters. Other examples are the plastic parts (not many in a Dial 35) - for instance Uptaking Spool (worned out inside) and Rewind Button. We can not sell these mentioned parts - if we have them at all, we need them for repairs. If you search for other parts - email us and we can may be help you...
So far known, Canon never produced Canon Dial 35 or 35-2 in black color. If you find one, it is probably customized by a repairman (big job).
|
An Underwater Housing for Canon Dial 35 was produced by Reydet S.A., France. Not easy to find.
|
Buy the book below and find 800(!) Canon Dial 35 pictures from 48 states in USA.
"Amerikanska Bilder Jacob Holdt" (Below) Second and extended revision. In Swedish. Price: SEK 400. 300 pages with c 800 Canon Dial 35 pictures.
|
We try to always have some completely restored Canon Dial 35 Cameras in stock. Click "35 mm Compact Cameras" on our Home Page to see what we can offer today!
|
Söders Fotoservice
tel. +46 8 641 44 44 or +46 070 446 33 37
Click here for orders or questions
