Canon’s ‘mysterious’ green camera.

December 13, 2024December 13, 2024Chris and Carol 2 Comments

The Canon OD F-1, as it is referred to by Canon here: https://global.canon/en/c-museum/product/film95.html

“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.

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

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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

Please respect that all content, including photos and text, is this blog’s property and its owner, Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Yashica Sailor Boy, Yashica Chris, Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris. Copyright © 2015-2024 Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris (Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic), Chris Whelan. All rights reserved.

Canon F-1 ‘Super Set’

December 9, 2024December 9, 2024Chris and Carol Leave a comment

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

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single frame

December 6, 2024December 6, 2024Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Limited Edition Canon OD F-1 from early 1978. Out of the blue (in this case, green), Canon in Japan released about 2,000 of these factory-painted olive-drab F-1s, reportedly only for the home market. They came with a special box, unique strap, custom case, and no lens. My OD F-1 has seen some action as it has just a touch of brassing in its key wear points, which I have no problem with. I’ve added a Canon Power Winder F and my trusty Canon FD 50mm f/1.4 S.S.C. lens. Canon only made the body green, so no green accessories or lenses exist. I have this set loaded with film and will take it out and about soon. Stay connected for more about this special camera and my images.

Thanks for stopping by, Chris

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Friday Fotos! – some recent cameras featured from my collection.

December 6, 2024December 6, 2024Chris and Carol Leave a comment

This is a fully dressed Canon F-1. The body is my 1978 original, with the addition of the Canon Servo EE Finder, a Canon FD 55mm f/1.2 chrome nose lens, and Canon Motor Drive MF. It’s crazy heavy.

This is an Asahi Pentax SL from 1968 with a super-sharp Asahi Super-Takumar f/1.8 55mm lens. It’s a basic camera with a mechanical shutter and no built-in meter. It’s a gem in all-black paint. This one is available for purchase in my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com.

Officially known as the Canon OD F-1. The ‘OD’ indicates olive drab. It was a limited edition F-1 made in early 1978 and in limited quantities. Possibly just over 2,000 made. I’ve also added a Canon Power Winder F and a Canon FD 50mm f/1.4 S.S.C. lens from 1978. Canon didn’t color-match any accessories or lenses to this special version. Sharp and cool.

**Photographic Excellence**
One of the reasons I enjoy using my Fujifilm X-T2 is that it handles like my favorite Contax RTS. I use the Yashica lens and its cousin, the Carl Zeiss Planar f/1,7 50mm lens, equally. Both are made in the same factory from similar-quality glass. By the way, the Yashica f/1.7 lens is heavier than the Planar if weight equals quality.
Fujifilm X-T2 from 2016 and the Contax RTS from 1976.

Thanks for stopping by, Chris

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I found my first E.P mark on a Canon F-1

September 27, 2024Chris and Carol Leave a comment

More about the E.P mark on Japanese-made cameras and lenses (1953-1977)

The Original Canon EF

July 5, 2024July 5, 2024Chris and Carol Leave a comment

A 35mm SLR from Canon in the mid 1970s. It’s a close cousin to the more famous Canon F-1.

If you can find a nice working EF it’s a keeper in any Canon collection. Thanks for stopping by, Chris

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Canon’s Super Fast FD lens

December 2, 2023December 2, 2023Chris and Carol Leave a comment

From 1972, an early chrome nose model of this desirable lens.

It’s super clean too – near perfect optics. A tribute to Canon’s lens designers.

Rare Canon FD 55mm f/1.2 Lens
First Version Chrome Nose 1972
w/ Canon Front and Rear Caps
– Mint Condition
– Fully Tested
– 7 elements/5 groups
– 58mm filter mount

SN 26473
M105 Date Code (OCT 1972)

This excellent lens is in my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com

Thanks for stopping by, Chris

Follow me on Instagram at @ccphotographyai

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 Motor Drive MF – for the original Canon F-1

November 27, 2023November 27, 2023Chris and Carol Leave a comment

When collecting classic Canon gear from the seventies, the Mother Drive MF is a desirable addition for the original Canon F-1 (after serial number 200000) – not the later Canon New F-1 (1981). I’ve added this beautiful motor drive in my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com

It is in mint condition and is fully functional. Capable of shooting at up to 3.5 fps!

It is a beautiful example of extraordinary Canon design and engineering.

Shown here mounted to my F-1 and Servo EE finder. BTW, the finder is also available in my camera shop.

Thanks for stopping by, Chris

Follow me on Instagram at @ccphotographyai

Canon ‘Super Set’

November 20, 2023November 20, 2023Chris and Carol Leave a comment

I’ve decided to part with some of the more important cameras in my collection and this set certainly qualifies.

None better… Canon F-1 ‘Super Set’. Canon F-1 body (1978), Canon FD 55mm f1.2 Chrome Nose lens (1972), Canon Motor Drive MF with Grip MF, and finally a Canon Servo EE Finder. Everything is part of my collection and everything is working as designed. A tribute to Canon’s designers and engineers.
I’ll be listing this set soon in my camera shop at www.ccstudio2380.com

Thanks for stopping by, Chris

Follow me on Instagram at @ccphotographyai

High Speed Fun!

October 27, 2023October 27, 2023Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Canon AE Motor Drive FN for the Canon New F-1 which was released in 1981 as a follow-up to the hyper-successful original F-1 from 1971 and an update in 1976 (or so).

Mint condition and fully tested – ready for you!

Eats film and batteries (12 AAs at a time)!

If you’re looking for a way to take your film photography to another level then check my motor drive out in my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com – Thanks for stopping by, Chris

Follow me on Instagram at @ccphotographyai

Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris

Yashica cameras and so much more!

Category Canon F-1

Canon’s ‘mysterious’ green camera.

Canon F-1 ‘Super Set’

single frame

Friday Fotos! – some recent cameras featured from my collection.

I found my first E.P mark on a Canon F-1

The Original Canon EF

Canon’s Super Fast FD lens

Canon Motor Drive MF – for the original Canon F-1

Canon ‘Super Set’

High Speed Fun!