Canon NS (Seiki Kogaku)
The Canon NS, marked Seiki Kogaku for the company name Canon used before adopting its current branding, is an early Japanese 35mm rangefinder camera from the late 1930s. It belongs to the pre-war Hansa Canon family of Leica-screw-derived rangefinders and was produced in very small numbers, which is the main reason collectors track it today.
At UK auction the Canon NS is a rare appearance, and the two recorded hammer results sit at £3,000 and £4,000, giving a midpoint near £3,500 in today's 2026 market. Because these are saleroom hammer prices rather than dealer asking figures, what a Seiki Kogaku NS sells for at retail can run higher, and condition, completeness of the original lens, and matching serial numbers materially affect 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 2022
| Date | Price | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2022 | EUR 4,000 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 41 (Lot AI_41_40999) Title: Seiki Kogaku Canon NS
Description:
an extremely rare Canon rangefinder camera without slow speeds, the camera was introduced as a cheaper alternative to the Canon S, but because of poor sales the production has ceased after only around 100 cameras have been made, the offered example is in very good condition and working order, vulcanite with traces of repair, hand-engraving on the speed dial, with the 'white face' Nikkor 4.5/5cm no.50450 (mount no.2801), with original ever ready case (cond. B-), a rare opportunity for every camera collector! Estimate: EUR 8,000 - EUR 9,000 |
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| Jun 2020 | EUR 3,000 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 36 (Lot AI_36_38225) Title: Seiki Kogaku Canon NS
Description:
an extremely rare Canon rangefinder camera without the slow speeds, the camera was introduced as a cheaper alternative to the Canon S, but because of poor sales the production has been ceased after only around 100 cameras have been made, the offered example is in good condition and working order, hand-engraving on the collapsible finder, with the 'white face' Nikkor 4.5/5cm no.50164 (mount no.2098), a rare opportunity for every camera collector! Estimate: EUR 3,200 - EUR 4,000 |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Canon NS (Seiki Kogaku) worth today?
Based on UK auction hammer results, the Canon NS has sold in a range of about £3,000 to £4,000, so a fair value guide is roughly £3,500 for a complete, working example.
How much does a Seiki Kogaku Canon NS sell for at auction?
Recorded UK auction sales have hammered at £3,000 in 2020 and £4,000 in 2022, with the price driven mainly by condition, originality, and whether the period lens is present.
Why does the camera say Seiki Kogaku rather than Canon?
Seiki Kogaku was the company name used before the manufacturer adopted Canon as its corporate identity, so pre-war bodies carry the Seiki Kogaku engraving and are valued by collectors partly for that early marking.