The Legendary Camera Everyone Missed

[@gemini2261]

I bought mine new in 1984, it was flagship at the time and cost me a whopping 2.5K AUD. Came with tripod, flash, 35-70mm lens and flash. It took superb quality photos at the time. Mine has been sleeping for a few decades mothballed, I got it out 2 days ago with a view to using it again. At the time I was keen to learn photography properly but access to information to learn was difficult in 1984. Fast forward & the net & digital cameras, clubs etc have allowed me to get to a high level of competence. Now looking at all the numbers and buttons I know how to push this camera creatively.

[@CalvinDraht]

If I’m honest I love this camera! It’s so cool to hear your story so thank you for sharing!! I think many people simply dismissed this camera due to look or the lack of dials. I think that is a huge mistake!! Good luck pushing the camera and finding new shots!!

[@burntoutelectronics]

How did you go breaking it back out again? I’ve had one for about five years now and I’ve always found myself coming back to it and never could quite work out why

[@gemini2261]

@@burntoutelectronics I have to fix the battery door, the metal plate is no longer secure therefore closing the door is not possible. I will find a simple fix hopefully, then I will source some film and give her a burl, boy the shutter sound is very satisfying 😍

[@amoscaul3264]

Got the T50, but finally, someone gives this series its praise.

[@CalvinDraht]

I think when people hear it was designed to be a beginner- or entry level camera, I think they forget its still a full frame banger! Simplicity does not always equate quality

[@amoscaul3264]

@@CalvinDraht Truly, it's still solid without shutter speed option!

[@CalvinDraht]

@@amoscaul3264 100%! It forces focus on composition

[@97nelsn]

The one’s I’ve come across have the batteries corroded, but the one I had in the past worked and it was a sign where Cameras were eventually going to go (from mechanical parts to full on electronics).

[@CalvinDraht]

Yeah man! I think going electric and mechanical flaws and advantages!

[@R3.W]

high quality stuff dude, keep it up!

[@CalvinDraht]

Thanks man!!

[@cleomaddiem3581]

My father bought me the Canon T70 as a gift when l was 12 years old! ..in Melbourne, Australia!!! I still own it in MINT condition. Will absolutely never ever part with it!! LOVE IT

[@CalvinDraht]

Thats such a cool gift!!! I hope you capture many, many life moments with that camera!

[@cleomaddiem3581]

@@CalvinDraht Thankyou so much... I absolutely TREASURE it!!!

[@LupeCabre30]

AMAZING video! Just recently got back into manual film photography and got my hands on this T70.. I have been struggling with understanding metering and felt a little underwhelmed but you just inspired me to keep trying and exploring the world with this beautiful camera. thank you!!!

[@CalvinDraht]

Thank you!! That means a lot!! I appreciate that you’re willing to keep going with that camera!!

[@ryan2stix]

Just got my uncles old t70, tossing some black and white in it this weekend. This vid helped me make sense of things, fingers crossed I get some decent results

[@CalvinDraht]

Sick! Glad to hear it helped- I hope you enjoy it!

[@jamilor]

Got a T70 from my older brother after he went digital. I love the sound of the shutter, and the 50mm f1.4 FD lens it’s coupled with is a gem.

[@CalvinDraht]

Certainly! I really enjoy this camera, Its so beautifully built!

[@jickers1977]

Thanks for this great video! My Dad bought a T70 back in the 80’s but it was stolen a few years ago. I just bought one right now after seeing your video, hoping to bring back some good memories 😊

[@CalvinDraht]

Awesome! Thanks for sharing- and I hope you capture come good memories along with your shots!

[@joenmass]

I dusted off my T70 a few days ago. I bought it new back in 1984 and it hasn't taken a picture since the 1990's I would guess. I still have it and it's in pristine condition and it still has the original padded eye cup that are rare to find on most T70 cameras sold today. I bought myself a couple of rolls of Fujifilm yesterday. Now if only the rain would stop so I can try out my old friend once again and take some great landscape photos.

[@CalvinDraht]

thats awesome!! Its so cool to hear about people dusting off these old cameras. I wish you the best with your old "new" camera!!

[@possdin5341]

I recently got this camera about 3 weeks ago, such a charm to use.

[@CalvinDraht]

That’s awesome! Honestly it’s a super unique shooting experience. I enjoy it a lot

[@sarahdraht4477]

So good

[@Allurestudios]

I inherited a Canon T70 that my father in law had purchased brand new. Still had the manual and the warranty. Im going on a trip and excited/nervous to use film. I have not used film in such a long time but it is a nice camera for sure!

[@CalvinDraht]

I totally get it- this was partially my intro into film. They made it super super simple! I hope you have some amazing photos with a pretty amazing camera!! And merry Christmas!

[@derya7603]

The camera that silently pushed the industry forward. Still use it. Nothing beats the better which is just fantastic

[@CalvinDraht]

It seems there are a lot of cameras we don’t talk about that push the market ahead- I totally agree that this one made strides!

[@eriksnel6461]

I have it and love it! I do use my ae1-p more but i love the clunking if the mechanics and the extremely loud winding noise. But because i have almost all a and t type camera’s i gets rarely used

[@CalvinDraht]

@@eriksnel6461 I totally get it! This camera slips through the cracks for me often, but whenever I decide to take it out for a day I’m always rewarded!

[@basilbcf]

Not everyone missed this camera! The T-70 was my first serious camera. I bought it when I was stationed overseas with the Air Force in the 1980s. Even though today I have a Canon R5, I still own and use my wonderful T-70.

[@CalvinDraht]

Thats awesome! I love hearing people tell me about their experience with this camera. as silly as it sounds in comparison to some film cameras ive tried- it still feels futuristic. What was your experience and opinions when you got it?

[@basilbcf]

@@CalvinDraht This was my first SLR camera so I didn't have much experience with other cameras (besides pint and shoots). However, I liked the automated features and the easy to read LCD as this made it possible for even a beginner like me (at the time) to get great photos right out of the gate. Compared to other more mechanical cameras that I could have bought, I felt this was a big leap in technology. I really enjoyed shooting with this camera while I was stationed overseas on a remote. It really helped my learn to be a better photographer.

[@CalvinDraht]

@@basilbcf that’s awesome!

[@milesian1]

I just found your channel and I'm really enjoying it - especially since I am feeling immune to the temptations of GAS right now. You're making some really nice videos, so keep it up. I had a T70 many years ago, but to me it didn't offer anything that the AE1 didn't. And I just couldn't get along with the quirky setting controls. The T90, on the other hand, is truly a step up from the T70 and lots of fun to use. It looks great, feels great in the hand, and functions a lot like our current DSLRs, except with manual focus using FD lenses. Try one if you get a chance!

[@CalvinDraht]

Thank you a lot- I super appreciate you looking at multiple videos!! And that makes sense- the t-70 is just a strange camera but I certainly think there are alternatives- especially if you like playing with your exposure ect. I hadn’t really had the t90 on my radar! Thanks for mentioning it- I’ll have to have a peak!!

[@alexeizhiltsov6797]

Thank you for your video and for devoting it to T70! I did not know about this camera, but encountered it at second hand shop in Helsinki. Bought it and loved it at first glance, although I already had Canon Ae-1Program. Now I have two t70s, just to have a backup. There is something special in this model, the feel, the design. I have Canon eos-300v, with much more bells and whistles, but I do not like using it, cannot explain why. Yet my favourite cameras of all time are Olympus, OM-1 and OM-4TI. But that is anothet story - metal body, vintage design, spot metering with 4TI. T70 stands next to them.

[@CalvinDraht]

Thank you for watching!! It’s such a pretty and unique camera! I think it also has a super unique vibe, especially compared to later v300, or revels. I think an amazing camera sometimes is something that just “gells” with you! I one day want to try an Olympus om-1 so thanks for the recommend! Merry Christmas and happy shooting!

[@orcatype225]

Just wanted to write in to say that this video is lovely! The Canon T70 is quite an interesting camera. Not so stripped out of controls like the T50 but also not so full featured like the T90. Its a beautiful in between XD

[@CalvinDraht]

Thank you very much! I found just the same interest- there are so few similar cameras

[@GonzoTheRosarian]

My aunt got one of these and loaned it to me when my camera was out of commission. The photos I took with it were amazing. I missed it when I returned it to her.

[@CalvinDraht]

I can see why- these guys are super nice, especially with the FD glass!

[@emc_1994]

Great video!! Actually just bought mine today w/ an accompanying 35-70mm F3.5 lens! Was also curious as to what film you're using. The colors look true-to-life and ideal. Thanks in advance!! :)

[@CalvinDraht]

I used Kodak ektar 100, a super robust lovely film to work with! In Canada I found it cheapest on B&H! Thanks for watching and I hope you love your camera!!

[@ThinkingAboutCameras]

An excellent video. Entertaining and informative. I’m thinking the T series is an exciting, low cost way to get into FD lenses.

[@CalvinDraht]

Thank you muchly! It is a killer way to enter a lens lineup that has some gorgeous hidden gems!

[@derbyshireguru5680]

In 1984 when this camera came out I was using a 1975 Canon TLb; and so I was really wowed by the T70, it had a look like nothing else at the time.. I really wanted one, But being that I was a coal miner in NE-Derbyshire at the time, there was the inconvenience of being on strike and having NO money... FF to 2017; and I managed to get my hands on a mint example in perfect working condition. Yes its quirky; but it takes pride of place among my Canon collection of TLb, FX, FT, FTb, F1, AV-1, A1 and EOS630... I just love using the T70; the images from it are pure 80's nostalgia so I mostly use it at various 80's events.. We recently did a DeLorean/ Back to the Future' day at our local car museum and it totally eclipsed every other camera for the attention it got... some people know; others just wonder what the hell it is, but everyone notices it.

[@CalvinDraht]

@@derbyshireguru5680 it surprised me in the same way! Everyone who sees it recognized the sharp angles, and “mysterious “ styling. And while the camera certainly has its quirks it’s so fun to shoot as a high quality “auto only” camera for me!!

[@MatthewSnyderPhoto]

Banger

[@TheAboutChannel]

Banger.

[@CalvinDraht]

Thank

[@pdtech4524]

Interesting camera 📷 I've seen a few around and was tempted but I have the later Canon EOS500n or Rebel G in the USA, which uses the EF lens system, do the FD lens also fit? I've added your channel hopefully you'll connect with another retro film photographer?

[@CalvinDraht]

Yeah man! It is super interesting- though this camera is one of the final FD mount cameras. Though the FD and EF cameras are not interchangeable in mount- i think they both have fascinating lenses! And yeah man! I look forward to seeing what you make

[@okaro6595]

EF and FD are incompatible. There may be some third party adapters but they have optical elements which will ruin the whole thing.

[@DartzIRL]

It's a prototype - a pre-alpha for the ideas which would become EOS - tinkering with the idea of introducing electronic control and determining what the user-interface paradigms were to be. A lot of the ideas in it culminated in the T90 - then would go on to inform the EOS philosophies. On its own, it's problem is that it sounds like an old cat that's caught in a bear-trap. It makes a hell of scream from the servos. But it is compact and pocketable - especially with a 50 F1.8 on it. It's a point-and-shoot SLR -- or an SLR for people who were used to point-and-shoot cameras.

[@CalvinDraht]

I mean there were some seriously gorgeous sounding cameras in the past. There was also the T70, and to be honest, most tech sounded rough from that era. Printers to any toy with servos in- so no disagreement from here!

[@ThatGuy-ul5ow]

My goodness, I never knew that your hair was once short😁

[@CharlesR-x6d]

I just bought one very cheap but i want to start as a hobby..see where it goes always like photography but didnt know a thing about it...

[@CalvinDraht]

Naturally I would normally recommend starting with digital- but I hope this camera treats you well! Welcome to photography!!

[@faresfarhoud9100]

Thanks for the review! I found one in perfect condition listed for $150 including a 35-70 lens and two films. Is it worth it?

[@CalvinDraht]

To be honest- ive seen them ranging from 80$ -180$ CAD locally. On Ebay they tend around 25$-100$. As unfortunate as it is- I would say wait for a lower cost one to show up. In my personal opinion you should also aim for a 35, 50, or 28MM prime- as those are AMAZING FD mount lenses, that often are sold along side the T70! Thanks for watching btw!

[@eikotehgrowingmouse]

The real one everyone forgets is the T80... canons first ever AF camera. Been searching for one ever since I found the 50mm for it....

[@frankmcgarry3155]

Got one on eBay with a lens for less than $30.

[@CalvinDraht]

That’s a steal man! I hope you enjoy it!

[@TalDSruler]

I bought this for 50USD from a goodwill. The batteries burst, but after cleaning it, its pretty good. Its been fun to figure out how it works and how it operates. But man, the film is almost as much as I paid for this thing...

[@CalvinDraht]

That’s unfortunately the curse of film- gorgeous full frame in your pocket. Not to mention some of the most unique, cheap cameras you can find- but every shot costs.

[@furri-boiuwu288]

Nice video!

[@CalvinDraht]

Thanks a lot!

[@MatthewSnyderPhoto]

uwu

[@Hitesharma]

Hi can I switch my canon fd 28mm for a canon fd 35-70mm or a 70-210mm on my canon T70?

[@CalvinDraht]

You most certainly can! FD is the mount- so any lens that says “FD” is good to go! You can also use 50 1.8, 1.4, 1.2, and all number of great lenses!!

[@okaro6595]

Most camera makers used aperture priority but Canon preferred shutter priority as they said it was batter to stop motion. I did not get it then as with aperture priority you can just set the largest aperture and the shutter speed is minimized. The argument would make more sense on modern digital cameras with auto ISO. Having both modes was a an exception and used in high end cameras like Canon A-1.

[@CalvinDraht]

It’s cool to hear some of the reasons! Thanks!

[@MastaKeahi]

I have a T80 should I try a T70?

[@CalvinDraht]

@@MastaKeahi you could- but they are both super similar in era, the only big thing is the contacts in the t80s mount allowing for the use of an autofocus FD lens, but other then that I don’t think there’s a huge difference. That said if you like how the t70 looks they can be found for cheap!

[@MastaKeahi]

@ thanks! I was trying to look for another Canon Film Camera but I wasn’t sure what to look for. I wanted more control over settings. I hear the AE-1 is overpriced now, and I liked the looks of the AL-1 but I just wasn’t sure what to get.

[@CalvinDraht]

@ if you can find the ae1 on a deal (sometimes it takes some looking haha) it can be fantastic- also check out the canon F1, it has the FD mount, manual settings- and even an interchangeable viewfinder. You can swap it to waist level as well as a few others. Expensive but worth a peak!

[@knotingspecific]

Is this a film camera

[@CalvinDraht]

I must have forgot to mention- it certainly is! 35mm Film specifically. the same size as a full frame digital sensor

[@boyruns]

Got one for 30 bucks recently

[@CalvinDraht]

Noice!

[@andrew4127]

".... why did everyone miss this camera..?". Uh, they didn't zillions of the T70 were sold. In no way was it a rare beasr, then and now. I notice that you mae no mention of the lenses, you're so busy dissing the camera. The lenses are cracking, whether the 35-70 kit lens, or the 28mm, or the 50mm. nFD lenses all.

[@CalvinDraht]

Super interesting take! This camera is generally lesser known and mentioned when in comparison to to the AE-1, Nikon f1-4, Canon F1, all Leica cameras, and I could go on for a while. While I do see that many have been made and sold, it’s a camera that I think is not brought up or mentioned often. especially being that it is dismissed, on grounds of the more beginner friendly T50 ect. I said it was missed, not rare. Unfortunately it appears mentioning the flaws, or more retro aspects of a product is not the same as dissing it. The FD glass is fantastic and I totally agree! Not to mention the FD 50, and 85 F1.2! Simply dreamy! That said I wanted this video to be largely regarding a camera, not the lenses. I think that would be a fantastic separate video though! There’s so much to mention regarding the topic!