Canon AF35M .... anyone using it?

[raid]

I used such a camera yesterday. The only problem I encountered ocurred when rewinding a 36-exp film. The camera took forever to rewind half the roll and then just stopped. I used a changing bag to get the film out. I recall that the 38mm/2.8 lens is very sharp. Does anyone here still use such a camera?

Raid

 

[Kin Lau]

Try asking over at Nelson. I think Iggers has one.

 

[Mark Wood]

I still have one and yes, the lens is very sharp. (The metering is pretty accurate too.) The only time I've had a problem with slow rewinding is when the batteries have been exhausted but I guess you've checked that already.
Sadly, mine fell off a table and hit a concrete path (those "bendy" tripods from Jessops are a liability) but although the viewfinder glass is cracked rather badly and the filter rim is now a strange shape, it still works! Canon's first foray into autofocus compacts and still one of the best (IMHO of course).

 

[Mark Wood]

PS!!

Actually, thinking back, something similar did happen (25 years ago!) to my Mother's AF35M when she used a film in one of my Rowi reloadable cassettes which had a very tight light trap. Mind you, it's unlikely that this would affect rewinding if you've managed to get 36 exosures out of the film.
I've had a few films recently (Fuji particularly) where the light trap on the cassette has been very tight and one that was tight enough to cause an Olympus MJU II to rewind mid-roll, even with fresh batteries.

 

[raid]

I will try using a 24 exposure roll of film next time with this camera. I can recall having used the (similar) Canon AF camera with the 1.9 lens, but always found the AF camera with the 2.8 lens to be sharper.

Raid

 

[Mark Wood]

...I can recall having used the (similar) Canon AF camera with the 1.9 lens, but always found the AF camera with the 2.8 lens to be sharper.

Raid

In fact, this is exactly what Amateur Photographer found when they tested the f1.9 AF35ML about 25 years ago, so the simpler AF35M is a better bet.

 

[raid]

Mark: This makes me feel better since my two AF cameras with 1.9 lenses broke down. The 2.8 model is hanging in there.

Raid

 

[celerystalksme]

I have a mint one in my closet that I haven't used in literally 10+ years. I should pull that thing out...

 

[raid]

Try it out again. It looks outdated, but the images wll be great looking.

Raid

 

[TheHub]

Does anyone know where I can find a downloadable manual for this camera?

 

[FrankS]

I got one of these today at a thrift shop for $5. I just put a couple of AA's in and it seems to work properly - loudly, but properly. 🙂 Time for film.

It's very similar to a Nikon One Touch that I also got for the same price at the same place. During the first roll of film in the Nikon though, there were issues with the flash, film counter and rewind.

How about a photo challenge using these thrift store plastic fantastics?

 

[raid]

Good for you, Frank.
I still have not used my camera after this thread started.

 

[chubasco]

I got one of these off the 'bay for $10, turned out to be a paperweight, but came in a nice
Lowepro bag. ;o) I've seen some great shots on flickr, which is why I went after this
camera.

 

[camera.bear]

I have both the AF35M and the AF35ML (plus the AF35M II). I liked using both of these cameras. The AF35ML feels better designed and constructed with more metal in the camera. Despite being smaller in overall size, it packs in at more than an ounce more than the AF35M. The AF35ML also has a nicer control layout with a "mode" dial on the back and not the strange Pre-focus/Self-timer lever of the AF35M. It also has true focus lock by half depressing the shutter release.

On the other hand, the AF35M did turn out some sharp, clear pictures. This may be due to the smaller aperture. I need to go back and see what speed film I was shooting in each of these. I'm sure that with a faster film the AF35ML's aperture would stop down and sharpen up the images.

AF35M Set
AF35ML Set

 

[Kent]

Hi, I've got the Canon AF35 M II and I use it ... well ... occasionally.
It's a very good cam, but too much AF for me. 😉

And with the fitting tele converter:

 

[David Hughes]

I got one of these today at a thrift shop for $5...

Hi,

It's probably a silly question but what's a thrift store, please? I guess it's some American version of English but...

Regards, David

 

[charjohncarter]

I have the Canon AF35, I never use it. I remember that it eat batteries like popcorn. But it did take good pictures.

 

[Pompiere]

Hi,

It's probably a silly question but what's a thrift store, please? I guess it's some American version of English but...

Regards, David

In the US there are charities that operate stores that take donated items and sell them to support the charity. The giver gets a tax break for the value of the donated goods. Goodwill and Salvation Army stores are two national names, but there are many smaller shops run by local churches. Since the goods are sold for bargain prices, they got the generic term "thrift stores".

Back on topic, my wife had a Sure Shot when we met. It got something in the mechinism and wouldn't open or close, so we bought a newer camera, but she still talks about how much she misses the Sure Shot.

 

[David Hughes]

In the US there are charities that operate stores that take donated items and sell them to support the charity. The giver gets a tax break for the value of the donated goods. Goodwill and Salvation Army stores are two national names, but there are many smaller shops run by local churches. Since the goods are sold for bargain prices, they got the generic term "thrift stores".

Many thanks. It's what I'd call a charity shop; for example Oxfam, which is a generic title for them in this part of the UK. Not many cameras about in them nowadays but the books are good. And over here they've a good presence on ebay.

Thanks again. Regards, David

 

[TheHub]

My grandfather bought one when they first came out. He gave it to my mom who still uses it regularly. I bought one with case for about $15 last year. They show up at my local camera fair, in the junk bins for about $5 a piece.

Be careful of the battery compartment. If it breaks, you're up a river. Also it's not a quiet camera by any means. But it's very simple to use and takes nice photos.