Canon F-1 original

[Tim Murphy]

Dear Board,

I recently bought an original Canon F-1 via auction. It came with a date back. The camera seems to work properly and the light meter is accurate with a 675 hearing aid battery in it. So far so good.

It also came with a Canon flash coupler. When I mount a known working flash on the coupler it will not fire. Even when I disconnect the data back sync cord and use a flash sync cord that works properly on other cameras it still won't fire.

I can't figure out why? Any suggestions?

Regards,

Tim Murphy

Harrisburg, PA 🙂

 

[Mackinaw]

Which flash coupler do you have? Canon made several, Flash Coupler D, L and F.

Jim B.

 

[Tim Murphy]

That's the $ 64,000 question?

That's the $ 64,000 question?

Which flash coupler do you have? Canon made several, Flash Coupler D, L and F.

Jim B.

Dear Jim,

That's a question I cannot answer. The only markings on the coupler say Canon-Japan. It looks like a flash coupler D though, and it mounts over the rewind crank. Maybe it's a fake but that still doesn't answer why it won't fire using a sync cord.

I had a Canon F-1 40 years ago and my Sunpak 411 always fired from the coupler mounted over the rewind crank without using the sync cord. I knew that was authentic Canon because I rode the train into Philadelphia and went to the original Photo-Cine Shop to buy it.

I'm trying to relive my youth here and if I could get a working flash it'd help.

Regards,

Tim Murphy

Harrisburg PA 🙂

 

[Mackinaw]

Your flash should fire, be it with the coupler or via synch cord. I dug out my old Flash Coupler D and it’s pretty simple, the pin on the coupler contacts with a pin on the camera. Since attaching a synch cord doesn’t help, maybe there’s something amiss with the internal flash synching mechanism? A corroded contact, loose wire, or something?

Jim B.

 

[Tim Murphy]

That's what I was thinking too?

That's what I was thinking too?

Your flash should fire, be it with the coupler or via synch cord. I dug out my old Flash Coupler D and it’s pretty simple, the pin on the coupler contacts with a pin on the camera. Since attaching a synch cord doesn’t help, maybe there’s something amiss with the internal flash synching mechanism? A corroded contact, loose wire, or something?

Jim B.

Dear Jim,

I had the same thought. I know of a camera repair shop outside Philadelphia who cleaned and relubed a couple of older Nikkor lenses for me that would probably take the look at the camera.

I'll email him after the Memorial Day Holiday and ask him if he is willing to take a look?

Regards,

Tim Murphy

Harrisburg, PA 🙂

 

[Mackinaw]

If they can't help you, try Ken Oikawa in California. Ken's a retired Canon repair tech specializing in FD gear.

Jim B.

 

[Tim Murphy]

Thank you!

Thank you!

If they can't help you, try Ken Oikawa in California. Ken's a retired Canon repair tech specializing in FD gear.

Jim B.

Dear Jim,

Thanks for the additional suggestion for a possible repair. Would you happen to have an email address or a phone number or snail mail address for Ken?

Regards,

Tim Murphy

Harrisburg, PA 🙂

 

[Mackinaw]

Ken Oikawa
28288 West Worschester Road
Sun City, Ca. 92586
951-246-9136

He doesn't do email or credit cards. His English isn't the best (he's Japanese) so he can be a bit hard to understand on the phone, his work though, is absolutely top-notch. His prices are reasonable and his service is fast.

Jim B.

 

[Tim Murphy]

Thank you!

Thank you!

Ken Oikawa
28288 West Worschester Road
Sun City, Ca. 92586
951-246-9136

He doesn't do email or credit cards. His English isn't the best (he's Japanese) so he can be a bit hard to understand on the phone, his work though, is absolutely top-notch. His prices are reasonable and his service is fast.

Jim B.

Dear Jim,

Ken's address is filed and saved. Thanks for the help.

Regards,

Tim Murphy

Harrisburg, PA 🙂