Canon Canonflex R2000 (1960–1962)
A 35mm SLR camera with the fastest shutter speed of any model in its class at the time of release.
Overview
The Canon Canonflex R2000 is a 35mm SLR that Canon introduced in June 1960 as the successor to the original Canonflex. It came out alongside the RP model and was considered the better of the two. The big upgrade was a top shutter speed of 1/2000 second, a first for 35mm SLRs at the time. Otherwise the camera is nearly identical to the original Canonflex. A matching clip-on exposure meter was modified to support the 1/2000 setting.
Specifications
| Top shutter speed | 1/2000 |
Design
Construction is nearly identical to the original Canonflex. The one key difference is the added 1/2000 second shutter speed. The clip-on exposure meter was updated to include this speed, so metering stays accurate at the faster setting.
Context
The Canonflex R2000 replaced the original Canonflex in June 1960. Its 1/2000 second shutter speed was the fastest of any 35mm SLR when it launched. Production ended in January 1962 after approximately 8,800 units.
Market
Black-bodied Canonflex R2000 cameras, paired with a matching black clip-on meter, are especially rare and highly sought after by collectors.
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