Many photographers may disagree with my comment that the AE-1 was Canon’s best compact 35mm SLR. It was, at the time it was released, a hyper-popular camera and broke numerous sales records for the industry and made Canon a boatload of money. Some might say the A-1 was the best, but it was a bit more expensive, and although it was much more capable, it may have been too smart for casual users.
Simple, user-friendly, and affordable.Some of Canon’s best.
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
As I continue to reduce my camera collection, I’ve added these two gems to my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com.
The original Nikon F 35mm SLR film camera was introduced in 1959. Here is my 1969 model.Introduced in 1971, this is a mid-1973 model of the Canon F-1 35mm SLR film camera.You can’t ask for a better camera in the Nikon line.Canon’s top-of-the-line camera for a decade.
Off subject, here is a beautiful picture that a dear friend took along the north coast of Long Island.
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
Appreciating my first FTb-N in gorgeous black. Now I can see the F-1 DNA. I’ve overlooked this model for decades. It’s simple and uncomplicated. It just works, and of course, the best part is Canon glass.
Shown here with a classic chrome nose FD 50/1.8 lens.
This camera is dated February 1977. The lens is from April 1972.
This isn’t a display piece; it shows its dents, dings, and brassing with pride earned from years of careful use.
The FTb was produced from 1973 (in this version) until late 1977.I’ve added an early Canon chrome nose lens. They look good together.Still has a glow to it after all these years.Near perfect, blemishes and all.
The Canon FTb-N is still widely available, and with production continuing until late 1977, there are still some super sharp bodies out there at a fair price.
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 Canon FTb-N from 1974. It was an update to the original FTb, which was released in March 1971 – the same date as the Canon F-1. The FTb-N was released in July 1973. OK, that’s a lot of dates, how about some pics?
A big-bodied camera and lens. The ‘QL’ designation indicates it is ‘Quick-Loading’.A close cousin of the Canon F-1.The Canon FD 50mm f/1.8 lens was released in April 1972. It’s affectionately called a chrome nose.Stylish and simple design.Actually, this is a depiction of the original FTb from March 1971, before the updates made on the FTb-N.The Canon FTb-N is a worthy addition to your list of Canon must-haves.
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
Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris 