Day October 11, 2026

Happy SUNday! * rescued F-1 *

Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Why I rescue F-1s. I enjoy collecting cameras, but I enjoy bringing a neglected F-1 back to life even more.

This one is likely a one-owner camera from April 1975. After 51 years, it works like a charm. Is it perfect? No, but it hasn’t been abused. I’ve detailed it, replaced the seals and pads, and it’s ready for the next photographer.

After some quality time spent with some Windex, IPA, and a bunch of Q-tips, as clean as new.
The start.
Shiny pro-black surfaces.
The dirtiest spot is always on the film back.
Except for the built-in exposure meter, the original F-1 is a fully mechanical camera (1971-1981).
This part was pretty dirty.
Mostly dust and dirt but not grimy.
This 51 year old camera still has a lot of life left in it.
This is an early original F-1 (1971-1976).

Thanks for stopping by, Chris

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Comments are always welcome; I’ve learned a great deal from reader feedback. As always, thanks for stopping by. While there, visit my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com (CC Design Studios, hosted on Etsy). – Chris Whelan

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