Canon New F-1

Last updated
Canon New F-1
Canon new f1 r.jpg
Overview
Maker Canon Camera K. K.
Type 35 mm SLR
Lens
Lens mount Canon FD
Sensor/medium
Film speed ISO 6 to 6400 [manual]
Focusing
FocusManual
Exposure/metering
Exposure Shutter priority, aperture priority, manual
Exposure metering EV-1 to EV20 @ ASA 100
Flash
Flash Hot shoe
Flash synchronization 1/90 s
Shutter
Frame rate Manual lever winding, unmodified
Shutter Titanium, four-shaft, horizontal-travel focal plane shutter
Shutter speed range8 s to 1/60 s [electronic] 1/90 s to 1/2000 s [mechanical]
General
Battery4LR44 6V battery or 4 LR44 1.5 volt batteries
Dimensions 96.6 × 146.7 × 48.3 mm
Weight 795 g
Made in Japan
Chronology
Predecessor Canon F-1(n)
Successor

The Canon New F-1 replaced the F-1n (an upgraded F-1) as Canon's top-of-the-line 35mm single-lens reflex camera in September 1981. Like the earlier models, the New F-1 takes FD-mount lenses. Although no date has ever been confirmed, it is thought that the last New F-1 was made in 1992. It was officially discontinued in 1994, and factory support ended in 2004.

Contents

Overview

The New F-1 is a manual-exposure camera capable of TTL full-aperture metering and stopped-down metering with the included Eye-Level Finder FN using a match-needle metering system. [1] :9 Aperture priority autoexposure is available by attaching the optional AE Finder FN. [1] :11 Also, shutter priority mode is optionally available when using either AE Motor Drive FN or AE Power Winder FN. [2] [1] :10 The New F-1 is also capable of operating in aperture priority mode with earlier Canon lenses which do not have an automatic diaphragm. [1] :12

Batteries are housed behind the right-hand grip on the front of the camera.

Shutter speed timing is provided by both mechanical and electronic methods. In the manual exposure mode, the camera uses mechanical timing for the fast speeds (120001125 s + X (flash synch, 190 s) and B) and electronic timing for the slow speeds (160 – 8 s). When aperture-priority autoexposure is used, all shutter speeds are electronically timed, and the fastest speed is reduced to 11000 s. [1] :13

Metering patterns compared for the New F-1: (P)artial-area (rectangular shaded area) and (S)pot (circular spot) Canon Type C.svg
Metering patterns compared for the New F-1: (P)artial-area (rectangular shaded area) and (S)pot (circular spot)

Metering patterns are determined by the focusing screen in use, as each focusing screen incorporates a beam-splitter grating to redirect some light to the silicon photodiode metering cell in the body; in the previous F-1, the light-splitting device was a partially-silvered mirror in the condenser, which was mounted in the body. [1] :15 With many of the screens, the New F-1 has a choice between center-weighted averaging, selective-area (a rectangular frame in the center, covering approximately 12% of the overall frame area, similar to the prior F-1), or spot metering patterns (a circular frame in the center, covering approximately 3% of the overall frame area). [1] :14

System camera

The New F-1 is an expandable system. It includes interchangeable viewfinders, focusing screens, motor drives, and alternate backs, all of which are specific to the New F-1. All other Canon components, such as the FD lens series, close up accessories (bellows, extension tubes, etc.), and Canon A and T Speedlights (except the 300TL) are also compatible with the system.

Interchangeable viewfinders

The New F-1 system has 5 different viewfinders, which can be quickly and easily changed by depressing the two buttons on the rear of the finder, pulling it off the camera body, and pushing the new finder into place. [1] :22

Interchangeable focusing screens

The New F-1 system also has 13 different focusing screen styles, [1] :24 each of which has a variant for metering mode (either center-weighted averaging, selective (partial)-area, or spot, though not all are available with spot metering), for a total of 32 different screens. [1] :25

The screens are named with a two-letter designation, the first indicating the metering type (A for averaging, P for partial-area metering, and S for spot metering), and the second indicating the style of screen, as listed below. For instance, the standard screen supplied from the factory in F-1 bodies is the Focusing Screen FN-AE (averaging metering, Type E "New Split/Microprism" style) for bodies shipped with an AE finder FN, and FN-PE (partial metering, new split/microprism style) for bodies shipped with an Eye Level Finder FN.

Canon focusing screens for F-1 [3] [4] [1]
TypeMeteringImageFieldCenter focusing aidNotes
A(vg)P(art)S(pot)
AYes check.svgYes check.svgDark Red x.svg Canon Type nA-F-G.svg Laser matte FresnelMicroprism spot, 3.5 mm dia."Standard Microprism": Suitable for general photography. Microprism angle 8°; base size 0.12 mm square.
BYes check.svgYes check.svgYes check.svg Canon Type nB.svg Laser matte FresnelSplit-image rangefinder spot (horizontal), 4 mm dia."New Split": Suitable for general photography. Split angles 5°40′ and 10°50′ on 0.012 mm pitch.
CYes check.svgYes check.svgYes check.svg Minolta Type G.svg Laser matte Fresnel[none]"Overall Laser Matte": Suitable for general photography; ideal for macro and telephoto lenses.
DYes check.svgYes check.svgDark Red x.svg Canon Type nD.svg Laser matte Fresnel[none]"Laser Matte with Grid": Includes etched grid of vertical and horizontal lines each 0.03 mm wide, spaced at 7 mm, otherwise similar to Type C.
EYes check.svgYes check.svgYes check.svg Canon Type nE.svg Laser matte FresnelSplit-image rangefinder spot (horizontal) with microprism collar, 5 mm dia."New Split/Microprism": Suitable for general photography. Combines Types A and B.
FYes check.svgYes check.svgDark Red x.svg Canon Type nA-F-G.svg Laser matte FresnelMicroprism spot, 3.5 mm dia."Microprism/Fast Lenses": Suitable for general photography with fast lenses (maximum aperture ≤ f/2.8), otherwise similar to Type A. Microprism angle 14°; base size 0.12 mm square.
GYes check.svgYes check.svgDark Red x.svg Canon Type nA-F-G.svg Laser matte FresnelMicroprism spot, 3.5 mm dia."Microprism/Slow Lenses": Suitable for general photography with slow lenses (maximum aperture ≥ f/3.5), otherwise similar to Type A. Microprism angle 4°; base size 0.12 mm square.
HYes check.svgYes check.svgDark Red x.svg Canon Type nH.svg Laser matte FresnelFine-ground matte spot"Laser Matte with Scale": Includes horizontal (32 mm) and vertical (20 mm) scales ruled at 1 mm for scientific or close-up work, but can be used for general photography. Lines are 0.02 mm wide; includes grading along edges.
IYes check.svgYes check.svgYes check.svg Canon Type nI.svg Laser matte FresnelDouble cross-hair reticle, 5 mm dia."Laser Matte with Double Cross-Hair Reticle": Intended for high-magnification work; uses parallax focusing. Cross-hairs are 3 mm × 3 mm, spaced 0.04 mm apart; line width is 0.02 mm.
JYes check.svgYes check.svgYes check.svg Nikon Type D.svg Bright laser matte[none]"Bright Laser Matte/Short Lenses": Intended for lenses with focal lengths of 50 to 200 mm.
KYes check.svgYes check.svgYes check.svg Nikon Type D.svg Bright laser matte[none]"Bright Laser Matte/Long Lenses": Intended for lenses with focal lengths ≥ 300 mm.
LYes check.svgYes check.svgDark Red x.svg Canon Type nL.svg Laser matte FresnelDouble split-image rangefinder, 4 mm dia."Cross Split": Divides subject both horizontally and vertically. Split angle 8°.
MYes check.svgYes check.svgDark Red x.svg Canon Type nM.svg Laser matte Fresnel[none]"A/B Size Laser Matte": Includes cross marks to indicate corners of A/B ISO paper sizes with 1.41:1 aspect ratio, spaced to cover an area 30.55 mm × 21.6 mm.

Replacing a screen is a simple operation. The finder is removed from the camera, and the screen is then pried up using a fingernail along the silver rear edge of the screen. The new screen is pressed into place, and the finder put back on.

Automatic film advance

There are two different motorized film advance units in the New F-1 system: the AE Power Winder FN, and the AE Motor Drive FN. [1] :26 The AE Power Winder FN allows up to 2 frames per second (frame/s) in continuous mode, and the AE Motor Drive allows up to 5 frame/s in high-speed mode and 3.5 frame/s in low-speed mode. Both units also have single-exposure mode, where only a single frame is exposed when the shutter release is held down. Both units also have a second shutter release for vertical format shooting, and a subtractive frame counter. Only the AE Motor Drive FN has a motorized film rewind (therefore when using the AE Power Winder FN it is not necessary to remove the Rewind Coupler cover from the bottom of the camera). [1] :26–27

The AE Power Winder FN is powered by 4 AA batteries, and is a single self-contained, unexpandable unit. [1] :27 The AE Motor Drive FN is a more complete system, as it has 3 different battery packs to choose from: the Battery Pack FN, the Ni-Cd Pack FN, and the High Power Ni-Cd Pack FN. [1] :26 The Battery and High Power Ni-Cd packs will power the motor drive for up to 50 rolls of film, while the Ni-Cd pack provides power for up to 30 rolls. The Battery Pack FN takes 12 AA batteries. The two Ni-Cd packs have to be plugged into a charger to recharge them. The High Power Ni-Cd pack will also power the camera body itself by replacing the camera's battery with Battery Cord C-FN. [1] :26

Both units add the possibility of shutter-priority auto exposure mode by setting the lens's aperture ring to 'A'. The aperture needle disappears from the meter display, and the meter needle indicates what aperture the AE system has selected. Also, using either of the motor drive systems also enables use of electronic interval timers and remote shutter releases, both wired and wireless. [1] :27

Interchangeable backs

New F-1 with AE Motor Drive FN and Film Chamber FN-100 Canon F1New AE LosAngeles1984 02.jpg
New F-1 with AE Motor Drive FN and Film Chamber FN-100

The standard camera back is also interchangeable with a couple other units. One is the Data Back FN, which has 3 dials with letters, numbers, and Roman numerals. [1] :30 The left-hand dial is labeled "Year", and has a blank, 0-9, 82-93, I-X, and a-g; the middle dial is labeled "Month", and has a blank, 0-31, and A-G; the right-hand dial is labeled "Day", and has a blank, and 0-31. The back imprints the dial settings onto the film for classification or dating purposes, either at the time of shutter release, or when the manual record button is pressed.

The Film Chamber FN-100 is a bulk film back which allows up to 100 exposures without reloading. It requires use of the AE Motor Drive FN. [1] :30

Special Editions

In addition to the standard version of the New F-1, Canon produced a few special editions of the camera.

Canon 50 years commemorative model

1983 Canon launched a commemorative model for its 50th anniversary. The model is a standard model with a golden Canon logo.

Swiss Post model

Canon delivered a few models for the Swiss Post with a fixed ALOS 35mm f/3.5 lens.

Los Angeles Olympics Edition

New F-1 Los Angeles Olympics Edition, with added Motor Drive/Power Pack FN and 50 mm f/1.4 lens. Canon F-1 Los Angeles Olympics Edition.jpg
New F-1 Los Angeles Olympics Edition, with added Motor Drive/Power Pack FN and 50 mm f/1.4 lens.

Canon was the official camera sponsor of the 1984 Summer Olympics and produced a commemorative edition of the New F-1 for the occasion. [5] This edition has gold instead of white for the 'Canon' and 'F-1' lettering on the camera, and a gold 1984 Summer Olympics emblem on the rewind side of the front. Both the AE Finder FN and Eye Level Finder FN were available. The Eye-level Finder FN Olympic editions are much more difficult to find now, presumably due to lower production compared to the AE Finder version.

New F-1 High Speed Motor Drive

Also constructed for the 1984 Summer Olympics was a high-speed camera for the sports photographers covering the event. [6] This followed on from Canon's previous attempt at a high-speed sports photography camera, the F-1 High Speed Motor Drive camera, produced for the 1972 Winter Olympics held in Sapporo, Japan. This new camera attained a record 14 frames per second performance, achieved through the use of a fixed pellicle mirror instead of the normal moving mirror, a high-speed metal blade shutter, and a large and powerful motor unit and battery pack. It is estimated that under a hundred of these specialised cameras were constructed.

U.S. Navy model

Canon supplied a number of New F-1 cameras to the U.S. Navy. These were largely identical to the civilian models except for Navy markings.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nikon FE</span> Camera model

The Nikon FE is an advanced semi-professional level, interchangeable lens, 35 mm film, single-lens reflex (SLR) camera. It was manufactured by Nikon in Japan from 1978 to 1983, and was available new from dealer stock until c. 1984. The FE uses a metal-bladed, vertical-travel focal plane shutter with a speed range of 8 to 1/1000 second, plus Bulb, and flash X-sync of 1/125th second. It had dimensions of 89.5 millimetres (3.52 in) height, 142 mm (5.6 in) width, 57.5 mm (2.26 in) depth and 590 grams (21 oz) weight. It was available in two colors: black with chrome trim and all black. As on the FM, its model designation did not appear on the front of the camera, but was engraved as a small "FE" preceding the serial number on the rear of the housing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nikon F3</span> Camera model

The Nikon F3 was Nikon's third professional single-lens reflex camera body, preceded by the F and F2. Introduced in March 1980, it had manual and semi-automatic exposure control whereby the camera would select the correct shutter speed. The Nikon F3 series cameras had the most model variations of any Nikon F camera. It was also the first of numerous Nikon F-series cameras to be styled by Italian designer Giorgetto Giugiaro, and to include a red stripe on the handgrip – a feature that would later become a signature feature of many Nikon cameras.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Canon A-1</span> 35mm single-lens reflex camera model

The Canon A-1 is an advanced-level single-lens reflex (SLR) 35 mm film camera for use with interchangeable lenses. It was manufactured by Canon Camera K. K. in Japan from March 1978 to 1985. It employs a horizontal cloth-curtain focal-plane shutter with a speed range of 30 to 1/1000 second plus bulb and flash synchronization speed of 1/60 second. It has dimensions of 92 millimetres (3.6 in) height, 141 millimetres (5.6 in) width, 48 millimetres (1.9 in) depth and 620 grams (22 oz) weight. Unlike most SLRs of the time, it was available in only one color; all black. The introductory US list price for the body plus Canon FD 50 mm f/1.4 SSC lens was $625; the camera body was generally sold with a 30–40% discount.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nikon FG</span> Camera model

The Nikon FG is an interchangeable lens, 35 mm film, single-lens reflex (SLR) camera. It was manufactured by Nippon Kogaku K. K. in Japan from 1982 to 1986.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nikon F-501</span> 35mm SLR camera

The Nikon F-501 was the first successful autofocus SLR camera sold by the Nikon Corporation beginning in 1986. A nearly identical, albeit manual focus version, called the Nikon F-301 was also available. Subsequent models in the consumer line included the Nikon F-401, Nikon F-601, and Nikon F-801 / F-801s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Canon EOS 5</span> Camera model

The Canon EOS 5 is a semi-professional autofocus, autoexposure 35 mm SLR film camera. It was sold from November 1992 onwards, and was replaced in late 1998 by the Canon EOS 3. As part of the EOS line of cameras, the 5/A2/A2e utilized Canon's EF bayonet lens mount, first introduced in 1987.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Canon EF camera</span> 1973–1978 single-lens reflex camera

The Canon EF is a manual focus 35mm single-lens reflex camera produced by Canon between 1973 and 1978. It was compatible with Canon's FD-mount lenses. The EF was built as an electro-mechanical version of Canon's top-of-the line wholly mechanical Canon F-1. The shutter is mechanical at all speeds ½ second and faster, but at 1 second and longer the shutter is all electronically controlled, allowing AE exposures from 1/1000 to 30 seconds. The EF shares the F-1's rugged construction and tough metal body. Unlike the F-1, the EF does not support any motor drive for film transport. Neither does it provide any interchangeable viewfinder.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Canon T90</span>

The Canon T90, introduced in 1986, was the top of the line in Canon's T series of 35 mm Single-lens reflex (SLR) cameras. It is the last professional-level manual-focus camera from Canon, and the last professional camera to use the Canon FD lens mount. Although it was overtaken by the autofocus revolution and Canon's new, incompatible EOS after only a year in production, the T90 pioneered many concepts seen in high-end Canon cameras up to the present day, particularly the user interface, industrial design, and the high level of automation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Canon T70</span> Camera model

The Canon T70 was a 35mm FD-mount single-lens reflex camera introduced in April 1984 as the second in Canon's T series. The T70 started with the concepts explored in 1983's T50, took them further, and applied them to a more sophisticated camera. While the Program AE-only T50 was intended as a beginner's camera, the T70 gave the photographer a lot more control over the camera's operation while keeping the T-series philosophy of simplicity in control and operation intact.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Canon F-1</span> 35mm single-lens reflex camera model

The Canon F-1 is a 35 mm single-lens reflex camera produced by Canon of Japan from March 1971 until the end of 1981, at which point it had been superseded by the New F-1 launched earlier that year. The Canon FD lens mount was introduced along with the F-1, but the previous Canon FL-mount lenses and older R- series lenses were also compatible with the camera with some limitations. The Canon F-1 was marketed as a competitor to the Nikon F and Nikon F2 single lens reflex cameras by Nikon.

The Olympus OM System was a line of 35mm single-lens reflex cameras, lenses and accessories sold by Olympus between 1972 and 2002. The system was introduced by Olympus in 1972. The range was designed by Yoshihisa Maitani, chief designer for Olympus, and his staff; OM stands for Olympus Maitani.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nikon F2</span> Camera model

The Nikon F2 is a professional-level, interchangeable lens, 35 mm film, single-lens reflex (SLR) camera. It was manufactured by the Japanese optics company Nippon Kogaku K. K. in Japan from September 1971 to 1980. It used a horizontal-travel focal plane shutter with titanium shutter curtains and a speed range of 1 to 1/2000 second plus Bulb and Time, and flash X-sync of 1/80 second. It had dimensions of 98 mm height, 152.5 mm width, 65 mm depth and 730 g weight. It was available in two colors: black with chrome trim and all black. The F2 was adopted by both casual photographers and professional photographers, the latter of those especially photojournalists covering the later half of the Vietnam War.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Minolta X-700</span> Camera model

The Minolta X-700 is a 35 mm single-lens reflex film camera introduced by Minolta in 1981. It was the top model of their final manual-focus SLR series before the introduction of the auto-focus Minolta Maxxum 7000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pentax LX</span> 1980 model of camera

The Pentax LX is a 35mm single-lens reflex camera produced by Pentax in Japan. It was introduced in 1980 to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Asahi Optical Co., and was produced until 2001. It is the top-of-the-line professional, or "system", camera in the Pentax manual focus range, with manual and aperture priority automatic exposure modes and an advanced light metering system. The LX uses the K mount, which is the Pentax proprietary bayonet lens mount, and has a large body of accessories. The camera has several unique or uncommon features, and compared with contemporary professional camera bodies from rival manufacturers, like the Canon New F-1 or Nikon F3, the LX body is smaller and lighter, weighing in at 570 grams with its standard FA-1 finder.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Canon EOS-1N</span> Camera model

The EOS-1N is a 35mm single lens reflex (SLR) camera body produced by Canon. It was announced by Canon in 1994, and was the professional model in the range, superseding the original Canon EOS-1. The camera was itself superseded by the EOS-1V in 2000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leica R8–R9</span> Camera model

The Leica R8 & R9 are manual focus 35 mm single-lens reflex cameras produced by the German firm Leica as the final models of their R series. Development of the R8 began in 1990: the camera was introduced at the 1996 photokina trade show, and was succeeded by the similar Leica R9 in 2002.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pentax ME F</span> Camera model

The Pentax ME F was an amateur level, interchangeable lens, 35 mm film, single-lens reflex (SLR) camera. It was manufactured by Asahi Optical Co., Ltd. of Japan from November 1981 to 1984. The ME F was a heavily modified version of the Pentax ME-Super, and a member of the Pentax M-series family of SLRs. It was the first mass-produced SLR camera to come with an autofocus system.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Canon EOS 100</span> Camera model

The Canon EOS 100 is a 35 mm autofocus SLR camera introduced by Canon in 1991. It was marketed as the EOS Elan in North America. It was the second camera in the EOS range to be targeted at advanced amateur photographers, replacing the EOS 650.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Minolta X-1</span> Analogue single lens reflex camera

The Minolta X-1 was the professional model in the Minolta SR-mount line of single-lens reflex cameras (SLR), released in 1972 after ten years of development, which was the first X-series camera in the Minolta SLR system; prior to the X-1, specific Minolta SLR models were branded SR-T, and afterward, they included X in the name. The X-1 was the first SLR to combine an electronically-controlled shutter with interchangeable viewfinders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pentax 6×7</span> SLR camera

The Pentax 6×7 is a SLR medium format system film camera for 120 and 220 film, which produces images on the film that are nominally 6 cm by 7 cm in size, made by Pentax. It originally debuted in 1965 as a prototype dubbed the Pentax 220. Since then, with improvements, it was released in 1969 as the Asahi Pentax 6×7, as well as the Honeywell Pentax 6×7 for the United States import market. In 1990, it received a number of minor engineering updates and cosmetic changes and was renamed as the Pentax 67.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 "Canon New F-1" (PDF). Canon Inc. 1981. Retrieved 18 July 2024 via Pacific Rim Camera, Reference Library.
  2. The New F-1 Instructions, p.29
  3. "Canon SLR System Accessories" (PDF). Canon Inc. Retrieved 18 July 2024 via Pacific Rim Camera, Reference Library.
  4. "New Canon F-1: Not one, but many cameras" (PDF). Canon Inc. Retrieved 18 July 2024 via Pacific Rim Camera, Reference Library.
  5. Foo, Leo. "Canon New F1 LA Olympic Limited Edition SLR camera". Modern Classic SLRs Series. Photography in Malaysia. Retrieved 2006-07-24.
  6. Foo, Leo. "Canon New F-1 High Speed Motor Drive Camera". Modern Classic SLRs Series. Photography in Malaysia. Retrieved 2006-07-24.