Canon F-1

1971 Canon F-1 image by Casual Camera Collector (Image rights)

The Canon Camera Company became well respected for both their rangefinder cameras and the lens manufacture during the 1950s. They had an early start in the 1930s using Nikkor lenses. Their first attempt on a professional SLR camera was the remarkable 1959 Canonflex, also their very first SLR camera, which never became a success despite the high quality build. This time Canon has worked hard to regain a place among the professional camera makers, a position held for a decade by Nikon. At this time there are no prosperous European camera makers left, although a few still are in business.

The Canon way has been a diversified one, manufacturing a wide variety of interesting products for almost every market segment, but they lacked concentration in any one particular direction, at least in terms of cameras. The original Canonflex was remarkable, but it was not wholeheartedly backed up, and soon it disappeared. The superb range of Canon FL lens-mount SLR cameras that followed, was not intended for the professional photographer, giving the competition a ten year lead in that field. However, a vast majority of young amateur photographers became acquainted with the Canon FX, FP, FT and TL, or even the famous Pellix, and inevitably, some of these would become professional photographers and select a familiar brand.

The name Canon F-1 describes two very different cameras: a fully manual model, and a later electronically controlled model. The latter is often termed the New F-1 or F-1N. Finders designed for the F-1 do not fit the New F-1, or vice-versa. The New F-1 is most commonly seen with a pentaprism finder with an accessory shoe. Thus the simple way to tell the two models apart is by whether or not there is an accessory shoe atop the finder. To enumerate it correctly. There are three cameras named F-1. It is important to pay attention to the correct spelling. The first F-1 was also the only "F-1" (year of introduction 1971). The second F-1 was correctly called "F-1 Later Model" (in Japan) or "F-1n" in the rest of the world (introduction in 1976). The last is the "New F-1" (release year 1981).

The Canon F-1

The Canon F-1 is a 35mm SLR camera introduced in the summer of 1970, together with the new Canon FD lens mount. It became generally available the following year. An FD lens fully communicates with the camera, and there is a capable range of lenses to choose from. They are backward compatible with the earlier Canon cameras. The FD lenses have an Automatic position on the aperture ring, at first identified by a green circle, later by a green A. This position is excluded if the lens is on a camera not supporting the automatic mode. The 1 to 1/2000 sec shutter has horizontally running metal foils curtains.

a lot of electronics and mechanics image by wolf4max (Image rights)

The TTL metering on the Canon F-1 is a remarkable feature. The photocell is neither in the finder prism nor behind the SLR mirror, but on the side of the focusing screen, which directs a fraction of the light to it. In this way the meter works independently of the attached finder, dramatically simplifying the viewfinders as well as the metering system in the camera. The beauty of it is the focusing screen with an embedded mirror. The exposure meter uses the 1.35 volt mercury battery, which fortunately may be replaced, using an ordinary hearing aid battery that is so cheap that it doesn't matter how long they last. The finder prism is neatly slid on, and focusing screen is easily lifted out.

A separately available Servo EE Finder provides shutter-priority automatic exposure using an arm attached to the left-hand side of the finder to operate the lens diaphragm, reached through an elongated tiny door at the left-hand side of the mirror housing. It must be opened using a fingernail before attaching the arm. A separate battery case, equipped with a belt clip, holds the eight required 1.5 volt penlight batteries. When they are loaded and all electrical connections established either automatic or manual exposure function is activated using the right-hand switch. The incorporated lever is just added for speedy operation of the meter switch. The automatically selected aperture is shown on a scale to the right in the finder. This is particularly useful equipment for remote controlled or automatic interval photography used in connection with the Motor Drive MF. This combination weighs 7 lbs, or about 3.2 kg, with eighteen AA batteries and the FD 55mm 1:1.2 standard lens.

The Motor Drive MF is easily mounted once the camera battery-compartment cover is temporarily removed, and the base plate set aside. It needs ten 1.5 volt penlight batteries held inside the large right-hand grip with a soft-touch shutter release button at the top. At the front, under a cover cap, is a socket for interconnecting the Servo EE Finder. At the back is a Single / Continuous selector switch and a small lever to operate the rewind release switch. It is only operational when the frame counter next to it is at zero. The continuous mode is only available for fast shutter speeds from 1/60 sec. and upwards to 1/2000 sec.

Because the finder is detachable, the accessory shoe is at the side, requiring special attachments. The hinged removable back is opened by pulling the rewind knob up while pushing the security lock button in front of it down. At the upper left-hand corner of the camera is the PC sync contact. There is no need for a lens release button. The lens is released by rotating anticlockwise the serrated aluminium breech-lock ring and then the lens is removed. The self-timer lever doubles as a depth-of-field preview and mirror-up control, assisted by a smaller lever for locking the first and accomplishing the latter.

F-1 with Speed finder image by huzu1959 (Image rights)

Canon F-1 with Film Chamber 250 and Motor Drive Unit image by Sixtyfour (Image rights)

image by yashicasailorboy (Image rights)

The variants

In 1976 the Canon F-1n was launched with minor improvements over the original model accepting all its accessories. It distinguishes it self by having a plastic tipped lever-wind and a back-door film reminder! At the same time, the Canon FDn lensmount was presented, meant to be easier in use, while cross compatible with the earlier mounts, recognised by lacking the bright metal breech-lock ring. The new system allowed the lens to be mounted with one hand; a spring-loaded mechanism started the breech-lock ring moving into position upon contact with the camera body. It has a release button at five o'clock, just where the right-hand index finger rests when gripping around the lens barrel.

The United States Army adopted the Canon F-1 as a standard field-issue camera as part of the Camera Set, Still Picture, KS-99C.

The New Canon F-1

The New F-1, with film winder attached. image by rst12 (Image rights)

The New Canon F-1 arrived in 1981, introduced in March and marketed in September. It has a stepped top plate; the shutter release and the shutter speed dial are at an elevated section of the top plate. It is a bit smaller than the F-1. This camera secured Canon as a top professional camera maker, and their follower were mainly of the younger generation.

Canon F-1 is a hybrid camera (it is electronically and mechanically usable.), including the 8sec. to 1/2000 sec. metal foil shutter, powered by a 6-volt battery, easily accessible behind the right-hand camera grip. The switch surrounding the shutter-release selects between S (self-timer) and "A" (automatic, only if shutter-speed dial is at A) operation, and L is locking the shutter button. The camera provides automatic shutter speed exposure - manually set the aperture, selectable by a red A, accessed by lifting the collar surrounding the shutter-speed dial. If the AE Finder FN is attached, an impressive long scale at the bottom of the finder shows all the speeds and the aperture set at the lens. The TTL exposure meter uses a silicon photo-diode, placed as before on the side of the focusing screen, which directs a fraction of the light to it. The AE Finder FN provides automatic aperture exposure - manually set shutter speed, by setting the aperture ring to the green A, as well as match needle manual metering, either at full aperture or stopped down. At the back of the AE Finder FN, is a meter selector switch with delayed off function (Hold) and scale backlight position (Light). There is a depth-of-field button at the front stopping down the lens when let out, unless the lens aperture ring is set to A, when it is locked.

Links

In English:

• F-1 opinion at Malaysian Photography Website mir.com
• Less common olive drab Canon F-1 at Malaysian Photography Website mir.com
• N.Maekawa opinion at Manual Cameras
• Canon F1 Camera Manual (PDF)
• Canon New F-1 by Ken Rockwell
• Video Disassembly of a Canon F-1 at Kai H. Flickr photostream
• Google Books: Operator's Manual for Camera Set, Still Picture, KS-99C - US Army manual for the military version of the Canon F1
• Canon F-1n The successor to the F-1 by luis triguez

In French:

• Lionel's Canon F-1 overview at 35mm Compact
• Canon F1 at Sylvain Halgand's www.collection-appareils.fr

In German:

• F-1 in Olypedia

Canon Cameras