After more than a decade of searching, I found a boxed set.
Canon’s only non-black F-1. This very special, limited-edition set was made only for the Japanese domestic market in 1978, and around 3,000 were produced (likely fewer). How many survive today in mint new condition?Flawless surfaces, just as it left the factory.Canon OD F-1.This one was made in February 1978.
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
My early F-1, July 1971, with a matching July 1971 50mm f1.4 lens and a November 1971 instruction book (PUB. NO. 5366G). These very early books are almost harder to find than the cameras. What’s interesting about this camera is that the serial number is less than 3,000, but the date stamp inside reads L712C, indicating July 1971. I have an August 1971 camera, and its SN is just shy of 20,000. My guess is that, for whatever reason, this body sat around long after its serial number was issued. The ‘C’ after the date stamp may tell the story that we’ll never know.
If you’re a Canon F-1 fan and a collector, you can’t go wrong with these first edition F-1s.
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
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
Happy to say that my most recent F-1 purchase from Japan did not disappoint. It’s hard to imagine a camera from January 1976 can still be this nice.
I see these early F-1s as little bits of Canon art – few cameras can match the design, elegance, and toughness of these gems.
The Canon patch was included with a bunch of early 1970s Canon brochures. I believe it was made at the same time the F-1 was released.My 1978 limited edition Canon F-1 in OD paint. Only 3,000 (or fewer) were made and only for the Japanese domestic market.
I believe the seller undervalued his camera by quite a bit. He did describe it as *Top Mint*, which is accurate. It’s unfortunate that more sellers don’t realize that when you call a camera mint, this is it.
It’s one of the best 35mm SLR cameras ever made.
Classic Canon SLR design.Brochure from the late 1970, just before the F-1’s March 1971 release.
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
I never knew this existed. The Canon EF in a commemorative edition for the 1976 Montreal Olympics. It was never offered for sale, and only a few were built for Canon’s own use. Photo: Joseph DeLora.
Previously unknown Montreal 1976 EF camera.The F-1 Montreal 1976 was Canon’s first Olympic Games special-edition camera.
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
I’ve always viewed the Canon Seiki logo of the mid to late 1930s as a phoenix rather than any other bird. To me, the feathers on the rear of the head do not suggest an eagle or a vulture. The phoenix is almost always depicted with its wings outstretched.
I showed my wife the SEIKI logo and told her it was for a Japanese camera from the mid-to-late 1930s. She identified it immediately as a phoenix. When I mentioned that some see it as an eagle or vulture, she reminded me of how important a phoenix is in ancient Japanese culture.
The feathers on the rear of its head, which are a prominent feature of the logo and of a phoenix, whereas vultures are generally identified by a ‘bald’ head.
*A common trait of vultures found in Asia (Old World vultures) is their reliance on exceptional eyesight to spot carrion from high altitudes. They also have bare or lightly feathered heads to keep clean while feeding on carcasses.
If I were picking a logo for a new camera company in Japan in the 1930s, I would seriously consider the phoenix.
*In ancient Japanese culture, the phoenix—known as the Ho-o or Hoo—is considered the most sacred bird, symbolizing the imperial family, fire, the sun, and the virtues of faith, duty, and mercy. Often paired with the dragon (representing the emperor) to symbolize marital bliss and harmony, the Ho-o is a powerful emblem of longevity, rebirth, and political authority.
The original Canon logo from the 1930s.Embossed on a leather camera case.
What do you see? An eagle, a vulture, a phoenix, or something else? Canon never acknowledged what it was.
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
The Nikon F2A set is exceptionally nice and complete. It even features a Nikon motor drive!The Canon New F-1 is a limited edition 1984 LA Olympics set.Sales brochures. I have hundreds of brochures and instruction books.
I ship nearly worldwide. Please reach out if there’s something specific you are looking for – I likely have it! Here are two of the best 35mm SLRs from the late 1970s and early 1980s (see below).
My super-sharp, complete Nikon F2A set.(Sold) The 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Special Edition Canon F-1.
The Canon F-1 LA Olympic set was just sold from my Etsy Camera Shop – thank you!
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
Happy to add this wonderful Canon FL 28mm f3.5 lens to my hoard (did I say that out loud?) of Canon gear. It’s the first and only FL in my collection. It looks unused.
It also has an <E.P> mark. It’s reported to have been introduced in December 1966 – is that correct?
7/7, 6-blades, 269 g, W-60-B hood, 58mm filters, and 60mm metal cap.
Looking forward to taking it for a spin.
FL lenses feature the same Canon breech lock mount as the previous Canon R lenses and the most modern FD lens, which came out in 1971.
A true gem of a lens.Reportedly, the lens was released in 1966.Even the inspection sticker looks untouched.For me, the coveted <E.P> mark, which indicates the lens was likely sold at a US military store in Japan.These details were published by Canon in 1971.
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
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
Part of the fun of collecting is when all of the bits come together. My Canon F-1 is from 1971, the first year of the F-1 (released in March). The lens is from late 1972 and is affectionally known as a chrome nose (for obvious reasons). The chrome filter is from 1963, but it would have still been the appropriate filter for this later lens. The lens hood is an all-metal model designed for this lens. Even the rear lens cap is correct.
It’s a beautiful lens that Canon described as a super-wide-angle lens back in the day.Top view with the correct front lens cap.
The beauty of collecting these early Canon F-1s is that they are still very affordable and still plentiful. Because of their popularity, they are easy to have professionally repaired and adjusted by qualified technicians at a reasonable price.
The early F-1. Serial numbers start at 100001, so my F-1 was number 2,597 and was assembled in July 1971.1971 price list. It wasn’t an inexpensive camera.
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
Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris 