Camera Geekery: The Canon F-1

[@JakesPhoto_]

Two of my favorite things: a Limited edition Canon F-1, and a Omega Speedmaster! Fantastic video!

[@scottmurphy650]

I have been a Nikon user since 1972 when I got a Nikon FTN and 50mm f/2 Nikkor H. But a few years ago, on a whim, I picked up a mint F-1 with a 50mm f/1.4 FD (old mount with the chrome locking ring) SSC lens and MF motor. I have since picked up 3 other Canon FD lenses. Like my F2A it is a great walking around camera and the quality of those FD lenses are as good as any of my non-AI/AI/AIS Nikkors though I find the Nikkors are less prone to flare and ghosts due to superior coating. The Nikkors also have 7 bladed diaphragms instead of the 5 or 6 Canons. The disadvantage of having the meter in the camera instead of the finder is that any upgrades or options of meter types are not available. The F2 Photomic finder was CdS but the F2S finder was upgrade to silicon photodiodes and LED's instead of the needle. I love the funny looks I get from "Generation D" when they see either the F2/MD2 and F-1/MF. I have actually been asked how many MP they have and I just tell them "35". The response is usually "cool!". I just chuckle and go on my way.

[@mugshot749]

The cameras light meter isn't "in the focusing screen " there is a beam splitter in the focusing screen that splits the light coming through the lens between the light meter (that is actually in the front left hand side of the body when the lens is facing forward) and the viewfinder.

[@PhotographerVA]

Yep....and the focusing screen changes the metering pattern.

[@jmm117kgb]

Pentax 67 and its lenses please! Takumar glass is truly not spoken about enough

[@Biker_Gremling]

I have a thing for 1970s Canons, and for me F1 is the ultimate camera of the time. Really amazingly well put together on the inside with many insane details. For me an original green F1n is the ultimate F1 to have, but I couldn't bear to use a pristine example. Something to note, the F1 has MANY internal foams and ALL cameras by now have them degraded and converted into dust. This dust causes many problems with the timing mechanism. All F1 cameras need CLA by now regardless of condition.

[@japancamerahunter]

Thanks for the great comment. That is true, most cameras of this generation would require a service now.

[@keithswindell6212]

My plain old black one wishes it could turn green with envy. 🙂

[@nateeames6826]

The production quality of this channel has gone up a lot in the last few months! I think this will definitely become one of the most popular film photography channels since no one else can cover the same subject matter. Keep up the good work!

[@japancamerahunter]

Wow, thanks!

[@connorbowen3704]

Thank you! More of a Nikon shooter myself, but your videos are always something to look forward to! I love the green/safari aesthetic!

[@Apreche]

I have a New F-1 with the red A on the shutter dial. It does have much more electronic functionality compared to the F-1 and F-1n, but it is not "fully" electronic. You can operate it at quite a few shutter speeds just fine in purely mechanical mode without a battery. Anyway, great video. I love this camera. I started with an A-1, but wasn't entirely happy with it. The New F-1 is my #1 35mm film camera.

[@trevorsowers]

You are correct. The New F1 works at 1/90 to 1/2000 SS without a battery. It’s an electronic-mechanical hybrid

[@slr7075]

The New F-1 black matte paint is truly something else. It nearly resembles a fine firearm.

[@y2ktube]

Video @ 1:58 "a meter in the finder" - Others have mentioned, but just to clarify, the meter is built-in to the body (don't use an Alkaline battery. Acquire instead a MR9 adapter with a Silver Oxide battery). The system slide-on finders in conjunction with the split-beam in the sophisticated removable screens, simply reflect the reading...

[@japancamerahunter]

Thanks for the clarification.

[@AlexLuyckxPhoto]

Great review of the F-1! I had one for a couple of years and enjoyed the camera. It was bequeathed to me by another photographer who loved talking film with me at Church. Being heavily invested in Nikon I passed it along to another photographer with a larger FD collection and they continue to use it today!

[@japancamerahunter]

Thank you!

[@ldelcarmen]

BATTERY NOTE: I just purchased an F-1 (eBay) manufacture date of Feb 1976 and the Wein Cell MRB625 Zinc battery (available on Amazon) is a one for one replacement of the original 1.35 volt PX625 or PX13 Mercury battery. No adapter is necessary. I also own a Minolta SRT101 which uses the exact same battery.

[@thomasmoje5926]

I ran into the battery issue with a Nikon F with Photomic Ftn meter head it too originally used the mercury batteries. I ended up buying two adaptors with built-in voltage correction circuitry to allow for use of modern equivalent silver oxide batteries. Works great.

[@maxwellwellmax878]

2 dislikes are from people who complaint about its lack of IBIS.

[@guillermoperezsantos]

No touch screen.... :P

[@Magneira]

Haha yes

[@Kwright304]

No dual card slot

[@calambrito07]

Pedestrian ISO

[@crispin8888]

When using the camera is it obligatory to wear matching coloured shorts and headgear ?

[@japancamerahunter]

I felt it was somewhat appropriate.

[@pablojinko]

Great video. The F-1 is the best SLR ever made, in my book. Found a Montreal Olympics edition 4 years ago and I've been carrying everyday since

[@scottmurphy650]

Have you ever used an Nikon F2 or F3? I am guessing no.

[@lucacondorelli]

i love this green model

[@basedhalcyon]

We really do need more cameras in olive drab, it looks great.

[@japancamerahunter]

It does!

[@obsidian00]

I LOVE the olive drab 😩

[@connorp1218]

What an amazing camera! Nice review, and JCH is looking fit!

[@japancamerahunter]

Thanks a ton!

[@k.hansphotography4810]

Very well explained. Not to much bla bla behind a desk . Instead samples of wonderful pictures taken. Keep this presentation style alive. 👍🏆👏🌟

[@japancamerahunter]

Thank you so much 🙂

[@WesleyVerhoevePhotography]

yes I was just hoping for a new JCH video!

[@DrJRaven]

I bought my first F1 in 1971, I now own 5 with a couple of motor drives as well

[@apistosig4173]

Interesting - I had 5 AE1+Ps (two since given away) and recently purchased the FE

[@RobertFalconer1967]

Yes, Bellamy, but do you have a nice, minty black one? Looking for one. And, yes, one of the great Hall of Fame cameras of the 1970s; every bit the equal of the Nikon F2 against which it competed. They were the two greatest, fully mechanical SLRs ever made.

[@kohala1815]

Those iconic Canon colors, man…and I mean the photographs, not the camera body. Especially with the 50 1.4, which Canon used as their reference standard for color rendering for their entire line of FD lenses. Legendary.

[@N1k37ick]

your compositions are mint today! Would love to have one of these - Love the idea of just popping off the finder for some waist-level shooting

[@japancamerahunter]

Thank you.

[@Eliehbk]

PS: what film did you shoot? Gorgeous colors.

[@slr7075]

The Canon F-1 is truly an underrated camera. While other people are paying up to $1000 for fancy fragile point & shoot film cameras, I'll take this any time. It is built like a tank and can easily last another 50+ years.

[@japancamerahunter]

It most definitely can.

[@slr7075]

@@japancamerahunter Any chance of getting a hold of the Canon New F-1 in the future?

[@thomasmoje5926]

Like that Nikon camera chart in the background in the opening segment. I remember when the Canon F-1 came out it's one of those 'tank' cameras that harkens back to when film cameras were built to last. Years ago it was under consideration for purchase of a 'professional grade' SLR camera but I went with Nikon instead because my brother in law had a Nikon and I could use some of his lenses. Always admired the Canon F-1 though.

[@CoreIceX]

Great video, also love the background music. Good choice.

[@AdamBreard]

Love it. So. Much.

[@thanaflix3896]

What film are you using!? I really want to know because i love the skin tone!

[@michaelkrupka6933]

Lovely photos by the way

[@felipeignaciocornejooyarce2170]

I’ve always thought that the F-1 is the best mechanical SLR or even the best mechanical camera, it’s a tank, it’s easy to service. Also has a good amount of shutter speeds, light meter is inside of the body, which is great due it allows to use great finders as is the Speed Finder. I’ve used my ‘72’s unit since 2015 and I love it, the camera even allows to shoot precisely without the finder, I can’t do it properly with my F, the closest one in that point is the F3 of Nikon.

[@ticoman90]

i recently got my hands onto an original series F-1 from a thrift store. For $10 i think it was a steal. It appears to be in good condition, but the advance lever is stuck and travels only about 5 degrees. What do you suspect might be causing this?

[@scottmurphy650]

Anyone who really was serious about their photography used an external incident/flash meter. The center weighted averaging meter of those cameras was at best an approximation and was often wrong. The problem with having the meter in the camera is you had no flexibility when meters were upgraded, like when Nikon upgraded from the Cds to Silicon diode meters in their finders.

[@felipeignaciocornejooyarce2170]

@@scottmurphy650 I’ve used external metering but that system isn’t the best for all the cases, imagine the situation of hard work on sports, war or demanding shutting conditions, you don’t have time to constantly measuring the light with an external device, so if the camera has an internal light-meter is a tremendous extra point. Of course, any time you have the option, an external light-meter is ideal, by the way I love to use my F without any light-meter, or using my phone as an reflect light measuring system. I sold my Sekonic cause I never felt comfortable with them

[@scottmurphy650]

@@felipeignaciocornejooyarce2170 That is where 50 years of experience comes in. I can look at pretty much any scene and get within 1 EV. I always have a Sekonic L-358 and Minolta Color meter hung around my neck. Plus there are the rules of thumb, BSD, etc. Things any competent photographer should know by heart.

[@theodorekr9701]

I have an ODF-1 with the original bag and strap. Absolutely love it but I'm afraid to use it very much. They're so rare. You can actually use a modern battery, just over-expose about a stop from what the meter tells you to do.

[@benjaminfargen]

Love my F1...maybe I need to put a roll through it this weekend?

[@japancamerahunter]

You should.

[@benjaminfargen]

@@japancamerahunter Nice video by the way !I always enjoy them👌📷😎

[@michaelc4917]

What film stock were you using? Such clarity and low grains!

[@erniewu27]

whats the difference between canon f1, ae-1 and the nikon f? which one do you think is better? which one should i buy

[@akisoga2345]

The F-1 was my main camera back in the day and I still have two bodies collecting dust. I love the system, but I never found a satisfactory solution to the battery issue so I'd be interested in what you use. I don't like the Wein cells because of their short life span and they always seem to die the next time I pick up the camera. Thanks. BTW, I'm currently shooting my first roll of Streetpan 400 a bit slow going because the weather is not the best this time of year in northern Vermont. I'm anxious to see how the images turn out.

[@michaelbuckley8986]

Great review

[@roiloubia4483]

The SR43 battery you are using with the MR-9 battery adapter, is it Alkaline battery or Silver Oxyde battery. How long these batteries last when being used and left in the camera. Thank you very much for you help. I really enjoy your videos. Best regards.

[@mickey91920]

Which is better in all aspect? F-1 (1970) F-1n (1981) F-1N (1984) Im planning to buy...im kind of unsure on what to buy that will last ...

[@coach_yo]

That olive green!!! 😊😊😊😊

[@FamingoSpace]

m8 keep up the channel for us so we can make FILM GREAT AGAIN....... come on kodakkkkkk

[@MeMesofSavagery]

I have a Canon F1 with loads of extras like waist leveler finder , filters and 2 lens, Do you guys buy them?

[@obsidian00]

Great video, Great photos, Great camera! 👍🏾

[@jonathanlanderos2266]

What battery do you use for the F1? Just bought one and searching for the right battery.

Great Bellamy! When a video on your scanning method?!

[@DartzIRL]

If you want a heavy weapon that works to bludgeon someone into utter insensibility - and can be used to take a photo of the remnants afterwards - that'll do the job. I found a 1972 in a garage that'd been covered in BBQ grease for *at least* 20 years unused. It worked immediately on clean-up. I've since bought a load of random accessories - from an original in-box data back from 1980 that 'technically' still had it's warranty since I was the first person purchased it 'new' from a Canon Dealer - a motordrive and grip, and the CAT-flash system with adaptor shoe, ring and speedlite 133. Fully loaded, it's heavy with something like 11 various batteries in it. The shutter ran over some grain of sand a picked up a pinhole, but it's happy with a little patch on it. It's had to be adjusted a little in the meantime by a service engineer but is generally fairly reliable. I've a second body floating around in my drawer as a parts donor when it finally packs in.

[@Nafregamisrocanob]

Had a Canon FTb QL as a teenager in the 70’s and wanted the F-1 badly. Turned out I had an opportunity to purchase a Nikon F instead and haven’t owned anything else but Nikons since.

[@qvarfoto]

Just ordered a F-1 (earliest version) today, finally! I have the AE-1 Program and FTb-N. The latter is one of my all-time favs, but I find myself wishing for a faster shutter more often than not. Enter this beast! Cheers /Fred

[@gusatvoschiavon]

The camera looks good but the lenses not so much, the FD mount have alternatives? I know that you can use a adapter to use m42 lenses

[@Aguycalledjack]

Ace video mate

[@TamarkinCameraChicago]

Great video and great camera!! Thank you!

[@japancamerahunter]

Thanks for watching!

[@DJ-jx1yt]

I bought an original F1 last week online and then saw this video when it came out and enjoyed it. The colour is lovely but the lenses sort of stick apart more than complement each other. It stuck in my mind still and so I was curious to see the price as I remembered the small amount allegedly made. I am awaiting to see my purchase. If it was in mint condition as presented it will have been worth the price. However it sort of amazes me the price of yours.

[@gewglesux]

Great Job! love this thanks for posting!

[@japancamerahunter]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@brandonskr3w]

What is the battery adapter I need for this camera?? Or where can I get it?

[@hedger0w]

1:56 Yes confusing, if that tries to be Canon F-1 Olive Drab aka ODF-1 version, then it's based on the Canon F-1N version. It seems to have plastic tip on the advance lever and shorter stroke. But I'm not expert, just FD fanboy.

[@pamanthanos9742]

i just wondering slr with weist level finder. and this video pop-up

[@dustysprockets1505]

Damn my GAS just flared up looking at that green machine... I think my AE1 needs an older brother now

[@evilted8291]

The F1 OD is pretty rare and finding one that is not dinged up, hasn't had a fungus infection and has a working meter is pretty hard. The one in the video here sold for $2000. There are 2 currently on Ebay. 1 has a broken meter and is mint cosmetically - $2380 The other is minty and has had fungus but comes with the original strap - $1799 I just bought one for $1300 rated at 93% by the seller. Fully functional and beautiful. Yes, just like I buy rare records to play them, this one is getting outfitted by a nice case and strap by famed Leica craftsman, Luigi Crescenzi from Italy and then I will shoot the crap out of it :)

[@joelmulder]

The reason I got an F-1 over the arguably better and cheaper Nikon alternatives (F-2, F-3, etc), is because it's one of the very few 35mm SLR's that I know of that is both fully mechanical, still has the option to use an internal light meter, and has a waist level finder.

[@Magneira]

What's the name of the bag you are using?

[@japancamerahunter]

It is an ONA Bowery JCH special edition. Thanks.

[@Magneira]

@@japancamerahunter awesome, tks

[@katiealexandra20]

do you know how to tell the difference between the old vs new canon f1??? i wanna buy a different viewfinder for it but don’t know if it will support both old and new.

[@ArodsClassics]

What film did you use?

[@brianhall8585]

Exceptionally good sample images. So many "reviewers" seem to think that a review is all about quoting specifications and their sample images are simply no better than random exposures. Please can you give details of processing and scanning. Your composition skills notwithstanding.

[@japancamerahunter]

Thank you so much. I believe it was Kodak Gold 200 developed in CineStill CS41 and scanned on an Plustek scanner.

[@Eliehbk]

Why does Leica make the Safari editions??

[@RicoJocson]

I have one...but the result was all of my shots came out blurred. Any idea why it happened?😢😢

[@RedHell2884]

Do this use FD mount lens? Thanks

[@mugshot749]

The New Canon F1 wasn't "fully electronic " it had a hybrid electro/mechanical Titanium shutter that was only electronic on the slow speeds all the normally used shutter speeds were mechanical and worked without a battery.

[@japancamerahunter]

Thanks for the info.

[@Sushi0923]

I own the Canon EF aka the Black Beauty (and also nicknamed as "camera repairman's worst nightmare" LOL). I love the quality of the SLRs back then and man, I do envy you when you got that olive colored F1! Really dreaming to own a F1 as well. :) Thank you for this review.

[@jaihawkins]

Sold my black version a couple of months back, regardless a beautiful camera that will get the job done. Maybe a couple of regrets watching this vid...

[@commandermegatron5469]

the shutter with the nf1 maybe the best shutter i have ever used,anyway the lightmeter not as solid as it look.

[@Biker_Gremling]

The light meter on the F1 is amazingly accurate, but needs recalibration and the use of the voltage regulated Kenko adapter.

[@QeZobaBazZz]

Besides the 3 models there where more versions, besides this green one is the us navy edition, the los Angeles olympics edition, the 50 year anniversary canon edition, the golden or white font editions, im not sure if there are more of them but those im aware of. O and this is the peter parker camera.

[@mizra99]

In the mid to late 80's I had a F1 with the motor drive MF that took 8 AA batteries

[@jonlouis2582]

I enjoy using my two. The price of film cameras has gone way up in the last few years, but at least here in the US, these cameras are ridiculous bargains. I paid $100 for one with a lens including shipping.

[@dongxu2059]

Great Review !

[@japancamerahunter]

Thanks!

[@flowermaze___]

I hope the New F1 gets a showing on JCH. Very curious how that stacks up akin to the F3 and LX. Seems appropriate!

[@goldenhourkodak]

Can you do a video on the Canon T90?

[@abraxamovic]

The Canon New F-1 in my opinion is the best 35mm manual focus camera ever made, and despite the shared name of F-1, with its predecessors, it has nothing in common. With the electromechanical hybrid shutter: 1/125th s - 1/2000th s + 1/90th s (X-sync) + Bulb all work mechanically and without a battery, while 1/60th s down to 8 s operate electronically. The choice of 32 focusing screens, the interchangeable finders, and 3 metering nodes: average center-weighted, partial spot and spot metering. The availability of aperture as well as shutter priority (with the right accessories). Oh and of course the solid brass body covered with gorgeous matte black paint, I would take that beast of a cameta over the Nikon F3 any day. The New F-1 definitely needs a video of its own.

[@lenoxchan7126]

But the accessories are hard to find! Huhu or they are getting expensive! Bought mine from a camera repairman then started following your blogs and vlogs. I Even stopped by almost all the shops you listed in your blog when I went to Japan! Nice one JCH!

[@japancamerahunter]

Thanks for sharing

[@tallaganda83]

The first Canon I’ve ever liked he look of.

[@DixonLu]

A humble request: can you do a video or blog on why the F4 is so much more valuable than an F90X? I can't give away my great condition F90X, but I can get good money on my totally beat up F4, and the F90X seems to be better at autofocusing.

[@ProSimex84]

I have a f90x, its an amazing camera, it's just not sexy.

[@map3384]

Meter is spot on and it’s built like a tank. Cannon gave Nikon a run for it’s money.

[@JoseMorales-py6sy]

What’s a reasonable price range for this camera ?

[@yenjennifer]

BOKEHLICIOUS!

[@JonnyEnglish-gu1cs]

Really enjoyed the video while me and my dad are Nikon shooters a family friend had 2 F1 so in my younger day I was lucky enough to be able to shoot a a roll or 2 with but for me I stick with my Nikon’s be interesting to see a head to head with a F3 loaded with some street pan 👍🏻

[@bfs5113]

I bought my F2A + MD in the late seventies while my friend had a F-1, so I had experience shooting with both. Nevertheless, Nikonian for over four decades. Ok, I also had a few early Canon DSLR, such as the D30, 5D & 5D II. 🙂

[@sebarosca]

You take great photos 🎉 It’s rare on KZbin 😅

[@MrBarberousse]

Very nice video. I have a nitpick though since you hit a pet peeve of mine. Nikon cameras are great; I actually own 3. They also have “eleventeen” mounts. Think I am wrong? Look up a compatibility chart. They may technically have the same mount but it isn’t really the same mount with so many incompatibilities. And then you add the Nikon Z and 1 mount. Just a nitpick but I definitely wouldn’t consider Nikon better Canon in that regard.

[@antlerup]

Nice video, sweet camera... consider a better mic though mate

[@refard5]

I want an OD green camera now

[@MyNorthAmetican40]

I would love if you could do a video on the Topcon Super D

[@Thegreatestversionofonesself]

If I set the lens on that camera to A for auto aperture does the canon F1 original recognize that and set the desired aperture based on appropriate light????

[@Tumbleweed1961]

No. That option didn't come about until the F1N (New).

[@dalenulik5622]

While traveling thru Switzerland by train A father and son corrected me. F eins camera. P.s. mine took photos near the end of the vietnam war via an AP Photographer RIP.

[@yukakayu]

love your videos but can you get a better mic

[@julien.2573]

I really enjoy your channel and all the nerdy stuff about the cameras. That said, you should show some love to the sound recording and color grading (especially in the studio), they don't match the quality of the pictures and the story behind the cameras :)

[@japancamerahunter]

Colour grading and pro mics are expensive and this channel doesn’t get any sponsorship money so it will be a while yet before we can afford to do that sort of thing. Thanks

[@Orche7]

A cool video you could do would be one for the Nikon FA!!

[@TristanFerlesch]

sold mine a few months ago, too heavy!!!!

[@alexgeorge444]

Why did he wind it up at the end?

[@terencemorrissey4413]

Lovely camera but prefer the Nikon F2/T since it can take the modern Zeiss Otus lenses.

[@slr7075]

I use the rare Canon lens converter N for mounting Nikon F lenses on a Canon F-1. It retains infinity focus and I can use my Distagon Classic but only in stop-down metering.

[@Warbeaver]

Is it mandated to wear masks in Japan?

[@japancamerahunter]

No, it isn't. But you are asked politely to in stores and on public transport. People are fine with it as it is part of the culture anyway.

[@bartwaggoner2000]

NO STRAP