[Canon] F-1| March 1971

F-1

 After five years and a large investment in money and labor, the top-of-the-line 35mm Canon F-1 system was born.

The FD lens mount was newly developed for the new line of FD lenses. This 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 camera was built to endure 100,000 picture-taking cycles, 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.

• Type: 35mm focal-plane shutter SLR camera
• Picture Size: 24 x 36 mm
• Normal Lens: Canon FD 55mm f/1.2, FD 50mm f/1.4, 50mm f/1.8
• Lens Mount: FD mount: Three-lug bayonet mount (spigot type) with 48mm inner diameter and 42mm flange back. Camera body equipped with signal lever, aperture signal lever, and auto aperture lever. FD lens equipped with AE switching pin, signal pin, and auto aperture lever. The mount enabled full-aperture metering and auto-exposure without requiring changes in its basic specifications.
• Shutter: Four-axis, horizontal-travel focal-plane shutter with metal curtains. X, B, 1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/15, 1/30, 1/60, 1/125, 1/250, 1/500, 1/1000, 1/2000 sec. Built-in self-timer (self-timer lever also functions as a stop-down lever). Multiple exposures enabled.
• Flash Sync: FP- and X-sync automatic-switching sync contacts with German socket
• Viewfinder: Interchangeable eye-level pentaprism. 0.77x magnification and 97% coverage. Microprism rangefinder at the center of the standard Type A fresnel matte screen. Eight other interchangeable focusing screens available. Metering indicator, exposure match needle, stopped-down metering needle, shutter speed indicator, low-light warning, and light window for exposure display provided. A diagonally-cut condenser lens block is semi-silvered on the diagonal surface. This beam splitter enables the incoming light to be split for the viewfinder image and metering cell. Mirror lockup provided.
• Exposure Control: CdS cell for TTL full-aperture, match-needle partial metering at the center, or TTL stopped-down, match-needle partial metering at the center (12% of center). Metering range at ISO 100 and f/1.4: EV 2.5 – 18. Film speed range from ISO 25 to 2000. 1.3 V MD mercury cell power source. Battery check provided.
• Film Loading & Advance: Camera back with safety latch and slotted take-up spool. Advances with camera-top lever’s 180-degree stroke (partial strokes enabled). Ready position at 15.
• Frame Counter: Counts up from 0 to 40. Resets automatically when the camera back is opened.
• Film Rewind: Camera-top crank
• Power Source: One 1.3 V HD mercury cell
• Dimensions & Weight: 147 x 99 x 43 mm, 820 g