Canon Hansa (Original)
The Hansa Canon is a 35mm rangefinder camera and the first production model to carry the Canon name, introduced in 1936. It was a screw-mount rangefinder positioned at the high end of the pre-war Japanese market, originally distributed under the 'Hansa' trade name.
The Hansa Canon trades very rarely at UK auction, and the single hammer result on file from 2022 sits at £3,000 — a wholesale saleroom level rather than a dealer asking price. With so few public data points it is difficult to give a reliable price band today, and what an example sells for in 2026 will depend heavily on completeness, originality of the matched lens, and cosmetic condition. Buyers researching what a Hansa Canon is worth should treat the £3,000 figure as a single reference point rather than a typical value.
Sales History
Prices shown are UK auction hammer results — the wholesale level achieved in the saleroom. Neither buyer’s nor seller’s commission is included. Dealer and retail asking prices are typically higher.
Prices updated: November 2024
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| Nov 2024 | EUR 5,500 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 45 (Lot A01409) Title: Canon Hansa
Description:
Interesting late Canon Hansa in very good condition and working order, meter scale, lens mount number 1082 (no Nippon Kogaku engraving), base plate number 2743, with matching all-chrome Nikkor 3.5/5cm no.50712, clean and clear optics, with original leather case. Estimate: EUR 6,000 - EUR 7,000 |
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| Jun 2022 | EUR 3,000 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 40 (Lot AI_40_40282) Title: Canon Original
Description:
rare variation of the Canon Hansa, without the 'Hansa' name engraved on the top plate, these uncommon cameras were sold directly from the factory, unlike the more common 'Hansa' - engraved version distributed by Omiya Photo Supply Co., the offered camera is in fine, original condition, lens mount number is 2492, the base plate is unnumbered. included is an early, black-face Nikkor 3.5/50mm Estimate: EUR 6,000 - EUR 7,000 |
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| Nov 2019 | EUR 5,000 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 35 (Lot AI_35_37676) Title: Canon Hansa
Description:
early Canon Hansa in fine condition and working order, with matching black-face Nikkor 3.5/5cm, base plate engraved '2108', matching brown Hansa leather everready case (cond. B/C) Estimate: EUR 10,000 - EUR 12,000 |
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| Nov 2019 | EUR 6,500 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 35 (Lot AI_35_37540) Title: Canon Hansa
Description:
early Canon Hansa in fine original condition, with matching black-face Nikkor 3.5/5cm (yellow filter, lens mount hand-engraved with matching body number '303'), base plate engraved '1123', matching brown Hansa leather everready case (worn) Estimate: EUR 12,000 - EUR 14,000 |
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| Nov 2018 | EUR 12,000 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 33 (Lot AI_33_36652) Title: Canon Hansa
Description:
very early Canon Hansa in very good original condition, near mint black-face Nikkor 3.5/5cm (black cap, lens mount hand engraved with matching body number '219'), base plate engraved '2206', matching brown Hansa leather everready case (incomplete) Estimate: EUR 16,000 - EUR 18,000 |
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| Nov 2013 | EUR 5,000 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 24 (Lot AI_24_29401) Title: Canon Hansa
Description:
in very fine condition and good working order, chrome-face Nikkor 3.5/5cm no.50874 (yellow filter), black leather covering replaced, base plate inside engraved 2876, original everready case Estimate: EUR 6,000 - EUR 7,000 |
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| May 2013 | EUR 30,000 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 23 (Lot AI_23_10794) Title: Canon Hansa
Description:
early Canon Hansa in almost mint original and perfect working condition, mint black-face Nikkor 3.5/5cm (black cap, lens mount hand engraved with matching body number '433'), base plate engraved '2381', matching brown Hansa leather everready case, original instruction book, two inspection cards for Nikkor lens, film spool in brown keeper and green/silver Seiki-Kogaku Canon maker's box - one the most beautiful Canon Hansa cameras in existence Estimate: EUR 18,000 - EUR 20,000 |
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| May 2011 | EUR 3,000 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 19 (Lot AI_19_12490) Title: Canon Hansa
Description:
in very fine condition, chrome-face Nikkor 3.5/5cm no.50863, leather covering replaced, base plate inside engraved 3102 Estimate: EUR 5,000 - EUR 6,000 |
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| Jun 2008 | EUR 4,200 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 13 (Lot AI_13_17458) Title: Canon Hansa
Description:
late Canon Hansa 'Original', without HANSA engraving on top plate, in very good condition with Nikkor 3.5/5cm no.501179, meter scale, on lens mount serial number: Nr.1497, original HANSA everready case Estimate: EUR 6,000 - EUR 7,000 |
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| Nov 2007 | EUR 4,000 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 12 (Lot AI_12_20228) Title: Canon Hansa
Description:
late Canon Hansa 'Original', without HANSA engraving on top plate, in very good condition with Nikkor 3.5/5cm no.501179, meter scale, on lens mount serial number: Nr.1497, original HANSA everready case Estimate: EUR 6,000 - EUR 7,000 |
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| Nov 2003 | EUR 14,063 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 4 (Lot AI_4_22995) Title: Canon Hansa + 3,5/5cm Nikkor
Description:
Hansa Canon in Traumzustand ! Wir können uns nicht vorstellen, dass weltweit eine schönere Hansa existiert. Passendes Nikkor 3,5/5cm Nr.50902, die Bodenplatte hat die Nummer 3090. Die Kamera kann als sowohl optisch, wie auch vom technischen Zustand als neuwertig bezeichnet werden. Dabei : Original Objektivdeckel, Tasche Estimate: EUR 19,400 - EUR 12,380 |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Canon Hansa worth today?
Public UK auction data is extremely thin, with a single recorded hammer price of £3,000; condition, originality and lens completeness will move the value significantly either way.
How much does a Hansa Canon sell for at auction?
The one verified UK auction sale on file fetched £3,000 at the hammer, which excludes buyer's premium and reflects a wholesale saleroom price rather than a retail figure.
Why is the Hansa Canon collectable?
It is the first production camera to carry the Canon name, dating from 1936, which gives it historical value to collectors of pre-war Japanese rangefinders.