Category: 1970’s

Even though the camera would cost more, shutter speed-priority AE cameras were important to Canon since users could comprehend shutter speeds easier than aperture settings. However, in America and other overseas markets, aperture-priority AE 35mm cameras were in the majority.

Overseas distributors also clamored for an aperture-priority AE model. Canon responded with the Canon AV-1.

The Canon AV-1 was very similar to the Canon AE-1 but provided aperture priority auto-exposure rather than the AE-1’s shutter speed priority AE. The camera is not capable of fully manual exposure.

The AV in the name referred to the type of auto-exposure; Av (Aperture Value) is a common abbreviation for aperture priority.

When the Canon AV-1 appeared, a new range of FD lenses was introduced, with instant mounting/unmounting of the lens. This was called the New FD mount and did away with the older type of mounting ring which was fitted on to the rear of the lens and was awkward to use and needed two hands, to a newer, easier system whereby the user lined up the red dot on the lens, with the red dot on the camera and simply turned the whole lens clockwise until it clicked into place.

The Canon AE-1 with shutter speed-priority AE and TTL metering became wildly popular in Japan and overseas.

However in a few overseas markets, the AE-1 had a high price tag. There were also many users who still preferred manual metering. In response to these people, the Canon AT-1 was developed. It had the same body as the AE-1. It featured match-needle metering and TTL center weighted averaging metering with CdS photocell. The camera could use the same accessories as the AE-1.

Introduced in April 1976, the Canon AE-1 was a very successful camera worldwide. When it came out, TTL manual-metering models (including the Canon FTB QL were still the mainstream in the 35mm SLR market. Auto-exposure models were still at the very top end of the SLR market. They were expensive and produced in small numbers.

The camera, however, was designed from the ground up with five major units and twenty-five minor units. They were centrally controlled by a microcomputer. By incorporating electronics, the parts count could be reduced by 300. The manufacturing of the camera was also highly automated. This made it possible to produce a low-cost camera having high-end features.

Overall, the Canon AE-1 was a groundbreaking camera that offered advanced features, excellent performance, and ease of use. It played a significant role in popularizing photography as a hobby and making high-quality cameras more accessible to a wider audience. Therefore, it can be said that the Canon AE-1 was indeed a good camera.

The Canon A-1 was the top-of-the-line A-series camera. It was a sophisticated electronic camera with all-digital control.

Besides the shutter speed-priority AE and aperture-priority AE modes, it featured the first fully automatic program AE mode, preset aperture-priority AE, and Speedlite AE mode.

The viewfinder information was also easy to read with a 7-segment red LED readout. The control settings were displayed at the same time which made it very useful.

Besides Power Winder A, developed at the same time as the Canon AE-1, accessories for the A-1 included the compact Motor Drive MA which attained a maximum shooting speed of 5 fps. This Motor Drive had a convenient vertical-grip shutter button. Also, there was the Speedlite 199A which had bounce flash capability. The Canon A-1’s body had a fine black finish.

The Canon TLb was marketed overseas in September 1974 as the cheaper version of the Canon FTb QL. It was later sold in Japan in April 1976. The basic specifications were the same as the Canon TX except for the hot shoe which was omitted. X-sync was possible only with the PC terminal.

It was a relatively basic camera, but it offered solid performance and was considered to be a good camera for its price range at the time.

Some of the features of the Canon TLb include:

Manual exposure control: The camera had a fully manual exposure control system, which allowed photographers to fine-tune their exposure settings.

Through-the-lens (TTL) metering: The camera had a TTL metering system that measured the light entering the lens and provided an accurate exposure reading.

Shutter speeds: The camera offered a range of shutter speeds from 1/500 to 1 second, as well as a bulb mode for longer exposures.

Lens compatibility: The Canon TLb was compatible with Canon’s FL lens mount, which allowed photographers to use a wide variety of high-quality lenses.

Lightweight design: The camera was relatively lightweight and compact, making it easy to carry around and use.

Overall, the Canon TLb was a good camera that offered solid performance and features for its price point. It was not as advanced as some of Canon’s other SLR cameras from the same era, such as the Canon AE-1, but it was still a reliable and easy-to-use camera that could produce high-quality images.

The Canon TX was a stripped-down Canon FTb for the mass market overseas. The fastest shutter speed was only 1/500 sec. The metering pattern was center weighted averaging instead of 12% partial at the center. The stop-down lever had no locking feature. A PC terminal and hot shoe were provided for flash.

Features

Manual exposure control: The Canon TX was a fully manual camera, which meant that photographers had complete control over their exposure settings. It featured a match-needle metering system that displayed the recommended shutter speed in the viewfinder based on the selected aperture.

Through-the-lens (TTL) metering: The camera had a TTL metering system that measured the light entering the lens and provided an accurate exposure reading.

Shutter speeds: The camera offered a range of shutter speeds from 1/500 to 1 second, as well as a bulb mode for longer exposures.

Lens compatibility: The Canon TX was compatible with Canon’s FD lens mount, which allowed photographers to use a wide variety of high-quality lenses.

Self-timer: The camera had a built-in self-timer that allowed for delayed shutter release.

Flash compatibility: The Canon TX had a hot shoe for attaching an external flash, as well as a PC sync port for connecting a flash via a cable.

Conclusion

Overall, the Canon TX was a reliable and versatile camera that offered many of the same features as more expensive models, at a more affordable price point. It was a popular choice among amateur photographers and enthusiasts who were looking for a high-quality, manual SLR camera.

Like the flagship Canon F-1, the Canon FTb QL was compatible with FD lenses. It was a mass-market camera having the same basic features as the Canon F-1.

Like the F-1, it had maximum-aperture TTL metering, match-needle exposure adjustment, and high-precision 12% partial metering at the center. Being a mid-tier 35mm SLR camera, the Canon FTb QL was well received by many amateur photographers. It also allowed stop-down TTL metering (match needle) for FL lenses and situations when stop-down viewing was required.

The Canon FTb QL was primarily intended to be a camera for the advanced amateur photographer, offering many of the same features and same build quality as the Canon F-1, but without the option of interchangeable prisms, focusing screens, or motor drives.

The Canon FTb QL has an all-mechanical horizontally traveling focal plane shutter with timed speeds from 1/1000 to 1 second and bulb. The FTb has rubberized silk shutter curtains rather than the more durable but more expensive titanium curtains found on the F-1.

In 1973, the FTb design was revised slightly. The camera was given a plastic tipped film advance lever plus, the stop down lever was changed to the same style as that found on the F-1. The PC sync socket was given a spring-loaded plastic cover and the ring around the outer edge of the shutter speed dial was changed from a scalloped design to a diamond textured design. Finally, a shutter speed display was added in the lower left hand corner of the viewfinder. This model was unofficially known as FTb-N or FTbn.

The Canon F-1 was a highly regarded camera and considered by many photographers to be an excellent camera. It was introduced by Canon in 1971 as a professional-grade 35mm SLR camera and was the flagship model of the Canon F-series cameras. The camera was built with a sturdy and durable design, which made it suitable for use in tough environments. It was also known for its accuracy, reliability, and versatility, making it a popular choice among photographers of all levels.

Lenses

The FD lens mount was newly developed for the new line of FD lenses. The new lens mount enabled fully-coupled automatic exposure metering. The camera system also included the first accessory ever for remote picture-taking with the camera. The many accessories enabled seamless and instant compatibility.

The Canon F-1 uses the Canon FD lens mount, which was introduced alongside the camera. In addition, between 1970 and 1979, a total of 68 different FD mount lens models were produced, ranging from 7.5mm to 800mm in focal length.

The Canon F-1 camera was built to endure 100,000 picture-taking cycles. Also, it was a well built cameras as it could handle temperatures ranging from -30 C to 60 C, and 90% humidity. Being a highly durable and reliable camera, the F-1 gained many followers including pros. Except for a one-time revision, the camera was manufactured and sold for ten years.

Viewfinder

The F-1 had interchangeable viewfinders like most professional 35 mm cameras of the 1970s. To remove the viewfinder, you must press the two small buttons at the rear sides of the finder, and slide the finder toward the back of the camera.

The camera shipped with a standard pentaprism finder, called an “eye-level finder” by Canon, also other finders available included a waist-level finder, Speed Finder, Booster T finder, and Servo EE finder.

The F-1’s back was removable. A Data Back F (for the original F-1 and F-1n), Data Back FN (which being mechanical is now incapable of putting the current year on a photo) or a bulk film back that could hold 250 exposures could be attached. The Film Chamber 250 could be used alone or with the Motor Drive Unit or Motor Drive MF (the MF’s grip had to be removed and coupled via a dedicated cord).

Conclusion

Overall, the Canon F-1 was a high-quality camera that was popular among professional photographers and hobbyists alike. Even today, it is still sought after by collectors and enthusiasts as a classic example of a well-made and innovative camera.