Comments are always welcomed, as I’ve learned quite a bit from reader feedback. As always, thanks for stopping by, and while you’re at it, feel free to visit my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com (CC Design Studios hosted by Etsy). – Chris Whelan
Canon NFD 24mm f/2.8 lens. I should have used a yellow or orange filter.My 1978 Canon F-1 loaded and ready to go on a photo walk.Canon NFD 24mm f/2.8 lens.I got better results using the meter in the F-1 when using a 1.35v Wein Cell.Canon NFD 24mm f/2.8 lens. A slightly better exposure.The World-famous Palace Saloon, Fernandina Beach Historic District.
Processing and scans were done by The Darkroom at medium resolution. The images below I used a 625A 1.5v battery which, on average made the camera’s meter two stops off.
Canon FD 50mm f/1.4 SSC lens. In the tight confines of the historic district, a 50mm lens isn’t my favorite lens to shoot with. I’m a wide-angle lens guy.OK exposure but, I’m not happy with it.Missed it by a country mile!Canon OD F-1 with a Canon FD 50mm f/1.4 SSC lens (my original lens from 1978).
Comments are always welcomed, as I’ve learned quite a bit from reader feedback. As always, thanks for stopping by, and while you’re at it, feel free to visit my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com (CC Design Studios hosted by Etsy). – Chris Whelan
Comments are always welcomed, as I’ve learned quite a bit from reader feedback. As always, thanks for stopping by, and while you’re at it, feel free to visit my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com (CC Design Studios hosted by Etsy). – Chris Whelan
Comments are always welcomed, as I’ve learned quite a bit from reader feedback. As always, thanks for stopping by, and while you’re at it, feel free to visit my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com (CC Design Studios hosted by Etsy). – Chris Whelan
Canon New F-1 Los Angeles 1984 Olympic Games Edition. From Canon: Instead of being a next-generation successor to the F-1, this camera was called the “New F-1” and not the “F-2.” With the first F-1 in 1971, Canon promised that the camera would remain unchanged for 10 years. This promise was fulfilled. During those ten years, remarkable electronics, precision manufacturing, and optics advances existed. The successor to the top-of-the-line F-1 had to incorporate the best electronic technology for better automation, versatility, and specifications.
The New F-1 uses interchangeable focusing screens to change the metering pattern, and it has a segmented metering element for metering flexibility. System AE is incorporated for automation to ensure optimum operation. The camera’s basic controls are the same as those of the old F-1, so F-1 users can easily adapt to the new F-1.
There are significant differences between the original F-1 and the New F-1. I like them both.The closest I got to owning the 1976 Montreal Olympic edition was the lens cap. It’s shown here on my F-1 that I purchased new in the summer of 1978 while stationed in Japan.
Comments are always welcomed, as I’ve learned quite a bit from reader feedback. As always, thanks for stopping by, and while you’re at it, feel free to visit my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com (CC Design Studios hosted by Etsy). – Chris Whelan
As part of my New Year goal setting, I decided to round up my Canon F-1 cameras to do an inventory check and photograph them all together. After editing my pictures, I “found” another unaccounted-for F-1 and a box! Here is the family. On the upper left is my original F-1, which I purchased in Japan in the summer of 1978 (without the motor drive). The others evolved over the years with the green F-1, my latest acquisition (I hope).
There’s one missing, an early model from 1971. I’ll update my pictures soon.Here is the later 1978 model F-1 that I picked up for a song, and it’s in mint condition, too (missing from the group shot).I love the early chrome nose lenses.My earliest F-1. It’s from August 1971 and is in the first batch of 20,000 made. It also has a <E.P> Mark.
Comments are always welcomed, as I’ve learned quite a bit from reader feedback. As always, thanks for stopping by, and while you’re at it, feel free to visit my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com (CC Design Studios hosted by Etsy). – Chris Whelan
They make a handsome couple, although the classic chrome nose lens isn’t age-appropriate for this camera. The Canon O.D. F-1 is from January 1978, and the lens was produced in May 1971 (a very early batch). The O.D. (Olive Drab) cameras were a limited edition, with about 3,000 made for the Japanese market (maybe a few sneaked out to Europe, but that hasn’t been confirmed).
I’ve wanted the Olive Drab F-1 for as long as I can remember, and this past year, I finally found one I liked and could afford.It’s far from mint condition, but since I wanted one I could use and not worry about, this one is perfect.
Comments are always welcomed, as I’ve learned quite a bit from reader feedback. As always, thanks for stopping by, and while you’re at it, feel free to visit my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com (CC Design Studios hosted by Etsy). – Chris Whelan
Comments are always welcomed, as I’ve learned quite a bit from reader feedback. As always, thanks for stopping by, and while you’re at it, feel free to visit my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com (CC Design Studios hosted by Etsy). – Chris Whelan
“The Canon OD F-1 (released in March 1978) is a color-variation model of the F-1(later model) released in 1976. OD stands for Olive-drab, the camera’s body color, which was reminiscent of the U.S. army and a color popular with young people. Its specifications are the same as the F-1 (later model).” The preceding is a direct quote from Canon’s website.
My Canon OD F-1 with my homemade strap.
I say mysterious only because Cano was tight-lipped about it when it was released in early 1978. No official documentation exists other than that it was made, but no explanation of why it was made and in such limited quantities (estimated between two to three thousand). It’s not a military camera; it wasn’t made for the US Army or the Japanese forces, and other than being olive drab, it bears no markings that differ from a regular black Canon F-1 of the same period. Here is the only known supporting documentation.
The cover page of a flyer that wasn’t published until early 1980 and only released in Japan.The back page of the flyer. I’m not sure this flyer was published by Canon. When the camera was released, it didn’t include a lens, only the body. The camera depicted has a zoom lens, which wasn’t original to the set.The set was issued by Canon in early 1978.
Complete sets such as this command appropriate attention and value among collectors.
The set included a special olive drab case.
My fully decked-out OD F-1.
I’ve attached a power winder and what would have been the correct era lens for the body.
I’ll have more about the camera in future posts. Thanks for stopping by, Chris
Comments are always welcomed, as I’ve learned quite a bit from reader feedback. As always, thanks for stopping by, and while you’re at it, feel free to visit my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com (CC Design Studios hosted by Etsy). – Chris Whelan
None better. My Canon F-1 ‘Super Set’: a Canon F-1 body (1978), a Canon FD 55mm f1.2 Chrome Nose lens (1972), a Canon Motor Drive MF with Grip MF, and finally, a Canon Servo EE Finder. Everything is part of my collection, and everything works as designed. It is a tribute to Canon’s designers and engineers.
It stands tall. It’s not light—it’s not something you tote around on a photo walk. It’s shown here without the Servo-EE finder. It’s certainly better suited for a studio or at a fixed point at a sporting event.My original F-1 (body only) was purchased at the US Navy Exchange in Yokohama, Japan, in the summer of 1978. The f/1.2 lens and the motor drive were added much later.
I believe it will stay in my collection until I pass it along to another collector at a much later point. I must get serious about thinning my collection over this next year. I now have some very nice cameras in my Etsy camera shop that you may find interesting. Check it out at http://www.ccstudio2380.com. Thanks for stopping by, Chris
Comments are always welcomed, as I’ve learned quite a bit from reader feedback. As always, thanks for stopping by, and while you’re at it, feel free to visit my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com (CC Design Studios hosted by Etsy). – Chris Whelan
Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris 