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 1978 Canon limited edition OD F-1. No, it’s not a military model. It wasn’t made for the Japanese military either.
So, why did Canon produce a one-off? They say, in their brochure, that it was made to celebrate (my words) the love of the wilderness and being outside in nature. Since it was made for only a few months in early 1978 and then never again, time has hidden the true reason they made this rare gem.
A good friend and fellow Canon collector in the UK sent me this rather hard-to-find Japanese instruction book for this model. It’s not made specifically for it, but released and updated at the same time to coincide with this OD F-1.
Pictured with its correct Japanese edition instruction book.One of my favorite kits.
It’s been reported that less than 3k of these were made. How many have survived? It’s a fun camera to add to your collection.
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 very early 1971 (maybe as early as March) Canon F-1 box. These original F-1 boxes are difficult to come by, but I was extremely lucky to add this one to my collection recently. As a side note, I graduated from high school in 1971.
Earliest F-1 box.This set included the camera body and lens, with a lens hood and case. I have all the proper bits.Looks almost pristine.On one side of the box is a list of available accessories (accessories obtainable).Shown here with Canon’s part or model numbers. I think it was super smart of them to include this information on the box, as most buyers purchased additional items at the time of sale or shortly afterward.One of my early sets.
If you’re chasing classic camera gear, finding 55-year-old boxes in excellent condition is very difficult but not impossible. Happy hunting!
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
This is the first time I’ve seen a Canon camera box (any model) with a tax-free sticker. Apparently, it was placed by Canon. These tax-free cameras were not sold in U.S. military exchange stores in Japan. They were for sale at duty-free shops scattered around the country. So, no <E.P> markings on the camera.
Here is one of my Canon F-1s with an <E.P> mark. It’s an early model from August 1971.
Early original Canon F-1 with the <E.P> mark.The mark is affixed to the leatherette on the lower right of the film back.
The <E.P> mark indicates that the item was an exempt purchase at a U.S. military exchange store overseas, mainly in Japan. It’s not to be confused with Canon cameras and lenses that are marked ‘U.S. Navy’.
Canon 400mm lens with U.S Navy markings. The lens is from 1985.U.S. Navy marked Canon F-1n (late model). The camera is from 1981, the last year of the original F-1.Canon OD F-1. This limited-edition olive-drab-painted camera was made by Canon in early 1978 and was sold only in Japan. It was not made for any military organization.
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
Canon New F-1 with a Canon U.S. Navy NFD 100mm f2.8 fixed focus lens. The lens was designed by Canon for use by the Navy as a point-and-shoot option for quick shots from aircraft and from ships’ bridges. Sailor Proof.
To use aperture priority on a New F-1, set the shutter speed to ‘A’ and release the stop-down slide (the chrome thingy with the red line to the left of the lens). The AE Finder will then set the exposure for the shutter speed it selects. Canon calls it ‘Stopped Down AE. The camera was made in December 1982, and the lens in September 1987.
Compact point and shoot short telephoto lens that can be used on the Canon New F-1 (pictured), and select other Canon FD lens mount 35mm SLRs.Canon NFD 100mm f2.8 fixed focus lens.Rare Canon NFD 400mm f4.5 U.S. Navy marked long telephoto lens.Canon T70 with U.S. Navy markings.
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
Here is an early Canon advertisement for its F-1 (and others).
In the United States, Bell & Howell was the distributor for Canon products.
The Canon F-1 was first released in the US in March 1971. Some cameras were produced as early as September 1970 to meet the release date. If you find an F-1 with a very low serial number (less than 1000), it could have been made in 1970. The internal date code would carry a ‘K’ as its first letter (K=1970).
My earliest F-1 is from mid-1971.
A complete, early, original Canon F-1 set.The F-1’s serial numbers started at 100001. Mine was number 2,597.
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
A Canon New F-1 (1981 onward) made for the Canadian military.Its unique outer shell provided protection and a better grip.I don’t know much about this camera set. Not sure about the red leatherette either. This may be an aftermarket kit and not made by Canon.
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
Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris 