Cosina CT1 Super
|
| Parent of 1000 offspring, the CT1 Super image by Voxphoto (Image rights) |
The CT1 Super is a manual-focus, manual-exposure SLR from Cosina utilizing the popular K-mount bayonet for its lenses. This model is an evolution of the earlier CT-1 and CT-1A with an increase of its top shutter speed to 1/2000 second. The camera has a mechanical, vertically-traveling metal shutter which does not depend on batteries; however two SR44 or LR44 cells provide power for the match-LED meter circuit.
Flash sync is at 1/125 sec. The film-advance lever must be pulled slightly outwards from the camera body before a half-press on the shutter release will light the exposure-indicator LEDs. This is designed to prevent draining the meter batteries when the camera is put inside a carrying case.
The CT1 Super lacks a depth-of-field preview function; however with its good shutter specs and inclusion of a self-timer, some might consider it a more versatile beginner/student SLR than the venerable Pentax K1000.
A (later?) version of the CT1 Super exists with a more flattened-looking pentaprism housing, and with a superscript star after the model name on the front panel. There do not appear to be any functional differences, however.
The Cosina CT1G shares the same styling (and the two models are covered in the same owner's manual). However the CT1G's top shutter speed is limited to 1/1000 sec., and it lacks the self-timer of the "Super" version. This model is also known to have two versions with taller versus flatter pentaprism housings.
The Miranda MS-1 Super and Revue SC 4 are straight rebadgings of the CT1 Super. More generally, the CT1 Super established a template for a simple no-frills 35mm SLR which Cosina soon restyled and relabeled prolifically under contract to other companies. The Nikon FM10, Chinon CM-7, Ricoh KR-5 Super II, numerous Vivitar SLRs, plus countless others ultimately descend from the basic kit of parts Cosina assembled in this model.
Links
Cosina CT1G and CT1 Super manual(PDF) from Mike Butkus' OrphanCameras.com
|
| ASA and shutter speed settings image by Dirk HR Spennemann (Image rights) |
