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Canon S-II (Canon)

The Canon S-II is a Leica screw-mount (M39) 35mm rangefinder produced by Canon Camera Company in the late 1940s. It sits among the early post-war Canon rangefinders that helped establish the brand's reputation outside Japan, and its value today is driven by collectors of that period rather than users.

At recent UK auction, hammer prices for the Canon S-II have ranged from around £290 to £1,000, with a median closer to £380 — note these are saleroom wholesale results and exclude buyer's and seller's commission. The wide spread reflects how condition-sensitive this model is in 2026: clean, working examples with original finish sell for considerably more than bodies showing brassing, haze or rangefinder faults. Buyers asking what a Canon S-II is worth should expect the price to hinge almost entirely on cosmetic and mechanical condition.

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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: June 2024

Date Price Source
Jun 2024 EUR 400 Leitz Auction
Jun 2024 £50 Flints Auctions
Oct 2023 £220 Special Auction Services
Oct 2023 £200 Special Auction Services
Oct 2023 £270 Special Auction Services
Oct 2023 £140 Special Auction Services
Nov 2022 EUR 950 Leitz Auction
Jan 2022 £285 Flints Auctions
Dec 2021 £118 Flints Auctions
Nov 2016 EUR 1,300 Leitz Auction
Nov 2016 EUR 1,000 Leitz Auction
May 2011 EUR 600 Leitz Auction
Dec 2010 EUR 400 Leitz Auction
May 2009 EUR 420 Leitz Auction
Nov 2007 EUR 380 Leitz Auction
Nov 2003 EUR 2,708 Leitz Auction
Aug 2000 £329 Christie's
Aug 2000 £376 Christie's
Jan 1998 £575 Christie's

Frequently asked questions

What is a Canon S-II worth today?

Recent UK auction hammer results place the Canon S-II between roughly £290 and £1,000, with a median value near £380 depending on condition and completeness.

How much does a Canon S-II sell for at auction?

A tidy, functional example typically sells for around £380 at UK saleroom level, while exceptional examples have reached about £1,000 and rougher bodies have gone for under £300.

What lens mount does the Canon S-II use?

It uses the Leica screw mount (M39), so it accepts period Canon screw-mount lenses as well as Leica-thread optics from other makers.

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