After five years and a large investment in money and labor, the top-of-the-line 35mm Canon F-1 system was born.
The FD lens mount was newly developed for the new line of FD lenses. The new lens mount enabled fully-coupled automatic exposure metering. The camera system also included the first accessory ever for remote picture-taking with the camera. The many accessories enabled seamless and instant compatibility.
The camera was built to endure 100,000 picture-taking cycles, temperatures ranging from -30 C to 60 C, and 90% humidity. Being a highly durable and reliable camera, the F-1 gained many followers including pros. Except for a one-time revision, the camera was manufactured and sold for ten years.
| Shutter | Four-axis, horizontal-travel focal-plane shutter with metal curtains. X, B, 1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/15, 1/30, 1/60, 1/125, 1/250, 1/500, 1/1000, 1/2000 sec. Built-in self-timer (self-timer lever also functions as a stop-down lever). Multiple exposures enabled. |
| Viewfinder | Interchangeable eye-level pentaprism. Microprism rangefinder at center of fresnel matte screen (standard Type A). Eight other interchangeable focusing screens optional. Metering indicator, exposure match needle, stopped-down metering needle, shutter speed indicator, low-light warning, and light window for exposure display provided. A diagonally-cut condenser lens block is semi-silvered on the diagonal surface. This beam splitter enables the incoming light to be split for the viewfinder image and metering cell. Mirror lockup provided. |
| - Magnification | 0.77x |
| - Coverage | 97% |
| Power | One 1.3 V HD mercury cell |
| Size | 147 x 99 x 43 mm |
| Weight | 820 gr |
Light meter is pretty accurate but harder to use than the T90's readout. The focusing screen also seems a little dimmer than the T90.
Mine scratches the film a little bit, even though I got it CLA'd. Not sure what's going on there but I'd definitely use it more if it didn't do that. I keep it around as a backup.
It is built super strong. I like the metal feel of it. It's really good looking.
It's pretty heavy for its size. Something like a Pentax Spotmatic is much lighter. I like that the viewfinder prism detaches.
Who times a F-1 or F-1 n had in hand understands the fascination. It is on one side of a tank and on the other side a precision instrument. Because it works purely mechanically, it does so if necessary even without a battery. The F-1 is very good in the hand, all controls are logically laid out and has a bright viewfinder. It is the most robust camera that I know, it worked at 47 ° C in Twentynine Palms just like at -35 ° C in the ice laboratory, whether 100% humidity in the tropics or in the dusty Sahara. I own three F1n and F1, in some cases for more than 30 years. Meanwhile all cameras got a CLA, new seals and mirror dampers and I've still the same it rebuilt and adjust the meter to 1.5V. Now I can use the successor 625U instead of mercury battery.
This one is my favourite. The match needle operation never gets in the way. No shutter locks, smooth and quiet shutter, bright viewfinder, well sized, durable and well weighted body, makes it an ideal companion that will serve you faithfully for many years.
Highly recommendes.
It was the F-1 that Canon inc. invested a large amount of money and labor in producing it and took five years of time to go into production of a highly durable and reliable camera with which the users could photograph wherever they were, even under difficult conditions.
As a result of using highly durable materials, the camera was built to endure 100,000 picture-taking cycles, temperatures ranging from -30 C to 60 C, and 90% humidity.
The various kinds of accessories were prepared for the camera including the newly designed FD lenses, and the FD lens mount which equips with the sequential and automatic correction mechanism, and also the remote picture-taking system were developed for the camera.
First introduced in March, 1971
Picture size : 24mm x 36mm
Lens mount : FD mount (both FD and FL lens available)
Viewfinder : Interchangeable eye-level pentaprism
Exposure meter : CdS cell for TTL full-aperture / stopped-down-aperture metering, center weighted light reading
Film speed range : ISO 25-2000
Shutter : two-axis, focal plane shutter with titanium curtain
Shutter speeds : B, 1-1/2000sec.
Self-timer : built-in
Flash sync contact : FP, X
Film wind : lever
Film rewind : crank
Power resources : 1.3V HD mercury cell
Body dimensions : 146.7x98.7x43mm
Body weight : appox. 820g.
This was my first camera; actually I bought an AE1-Programable with a 50mm macro lens and traded camera bodies with my best friend's father, who did not like it being a manual camera. (Best trade I ever did). That was the start of a lifelong collection that continues today. I have lugged this camera all over the world with me, it fell off the roof of my car going down the highway, I forgot it was up there while loading my skiis after shooting pictures in Colorado, and the only damage was dents in the base plate, which I have replaced. I have run hundreds of rolls of film through it and it has never let me down. I bought a used FTb as a backup as well as a F-1n but neither have gotten much use. I have 27 FD lenses and almost all of the accessories that were available for the camera and have tried them all out on more than one occasion. The photographic possibilities are endless and only limited by one's immagination. I currently have a digital that I carry around with me (Canon G9) but reach for the F-1 when the picture is important. Truely one of the finest cameras built.
The Original F-1 and it's brother the F-1n are among the finest, manual focus, all mechanical 35mm cameras ever made. Superior build quality, mirror lock up, and interchangable finders are just a few of it's features. A true pro system, the F-1 offers interchangeable prisms, focusing screens and backs. This "brass and glass" classic is a delight to hold in the hand and it's durability is legend. The meter is very center-weighted to a 12% area and quite accurate. It uses the old, style Mercury 1.3v batteries but there are many work arounds to that issue. The film is held VERY flat in the gate. Of course, the fine FD lenses attach to the front. I've been a pro shooter for 30 years and although I use modern digital cameras I still shoot film just to use this camera.