kbg32
neo-romanticist
Canon lenses focus in the same direction as Leica lenses.
Canon f-1n or Nikon F3HP?
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Photo_Smith
Well-known
I've owned both and feel the Canon was the better camera.
Apparently it was the first NC machined camera all the gears were laser welded and the shutter works without batteries from 1/90-1/2000
The model I had had the AE finder and when you put a winder on it it became a multi exposure mode camera.
You could change screens and meter patterns, and the SPD meter went down to -1EV with 100ASA film.
It was probably the most advanced pro camera of it's day with a huge system
The FD lenses were every bit as good as the Nikons, my faves being the 24mm ƒ1,4L the 85mm ƒ1,8 and the underrated and super cheap 100mm ƒ2,8 which is as good as the Nikon 105mm (which I currently own)
I wish I hadn't sold mine but traded it for digital D30 boy how daft!
I now own a Nikon F2 both Nikon and Canon are excellent I'm sure if you pick either you will be happy–just I'd have the Canon.
Apparently it was the first NC machined camera all the gears were laser welded and the shutter works without batteries from 1/90-1/2000
The model I had had the AE finder and when you put a winder on it it became a multi exposure mode camera.
You could change screens and meter patterns, and the SPD meter went down to -1EV with 100ASA film.
It was probably the most advanced pro camera of it's day with a huge system
The FD lenses were every bit as good as the Nikons, my faves being the 24mm ƒ1,4L the 85mm ƒ1,8 and the underrated and super cheap 100mm ƒ2,8 which is as good as the Nikon 105mm (which I currently own)
I wish I hadn't sold mine but traded it for digital D30 boy how daft!
I now own a Nikon F2 both Nikon and Canon are excellent I'm sure if you pick either you will be happy–just I'd have the Canon.
maggieo
More Deadly
This.
My F3hp has served me faithfully through years of work and pleasure shooting and is still going strong and my 105/2.5 is Legen.....wait for it......DARY! 😀
Phil_F_NM
Camera hacker
Both are amazing, just as everyone has said BUT there are a very few lenses that exist in the Canon stable that do not in the Nikon one.
I say get the Canon if only for the ability to mount the FD 24mm f/1.4 SSC or L lens. They are essentially the same with aspherics and flourite but the L designation came at a later date. The 24/1.4 is one of those lenses that you buy and never ever sell because it's so special. Nikon has the 28mm f/1.4 AFD ED and it sells now for twice as much as it did when new. The Canon 24/1.4 usually sells for just under $1000 USD while the Nikon 28/1.4 can hit $2500 all day long for a well used lens.
Both are amazing cameras and if you have a Nikon digital you can use Nikon F, Ai and AiS lenses on it as well as all the autofocus lenses, so that's also a consideration. Not so for Canon since they changed the mount and lens registration when they moved to the EOS system.
Either camera will serve you perfectly well.
Phil Forrest
I say get the Canon if only for the ability to mount the FD 24mm f/1.4 SSC or L lens. They are essentially the same with aspherics and flourite but the L designation came at a later date. The 24/1.4 is one of those lenses that you buy and never ever sell because it's so special. Nikon has the 28mm f/1.4 AFD ED and it sells now for twice as much as it did when new. The Canon 24/1.4 usually sells for just under $1000 USD while the Nikon 28/1.4 can hit $2500 all day long for a well used lens.
Both are amazing cameras and if you have a Nikon digital you can use Nikon F, Ai and AiS lenses on it as well as all the autofocus lenses, so that's also a consideration. Not so for Canon since they changed the mount and lens registration when they moved to the EOS system.
Either camera will serve you perfectly well.
Phil Forrest
dogberryjr
[Pithy phrase]
sevo
Fokutorendaburando
Now that is somewhat unlikely as a attribute for a 1981 camera, more than a decade after CNC had become a regular technology in consumer goods production. All of the affordable, advanced small consumer SLRs from the seventies used CNC machining in the production - that is one of the reasons they could drop price and size while adding features. If any, it may have been the first to pass some particular CNC milestone like cutting from a solid block (rather than a cast raw body), cutting from some particular alloy or doing all steps on a single machine.
My guess would be that Zeiss Ikon were first to use CNC on their late cameras, as by the late sixties Zeiss as a whole was more into CNC equipment than optics - throughout the seventies the Zeiss subsidiary (and former shutter maker) Prontor was the leading CNC machinery supplier world wide...
raid
Dad Photographer
I am surprised by the overwhelming support for the Canon. I am used to seeing people favoring the Nikon.
In my case, I sold some Nikkor lenses, and I stuck with the FD line for about 20 years. The F1N is. Verywell built camera, with lot of accessories and three different meyering patterns, depending on the screen installed. I went with the Canon since the Nikon did not have a spotmeter while the F1N had this option. These days, and if you are starting new, without having lenses, either of the two cameras, Nikon or Canon, is a bargain.
Note that the F1N differs from the F1 or the F1n. The F1 and the F1n are mechanical, and I know that the F1n has mirror lock-up and an easier to use meter button tjan the F1.
The F1N is very different.
In my case, I sold some Nikkor lenses, and I stuck with the FD line for about 20 years. The F1N is. Verywell built camera, with lot of accessories and three different meyering patterns, depending on the screen installed. I went with the Canon since the Nikon did not have a spotmeter while the F1N had this option. These days, and if you are starting new, without having lenses, either of the two cameras, Nikon or Canon, is a bargain.
Note that the F1N differs from the F1 or the F1n. The F1 and the F1n are mechanical, and I know that the F1n has mirror lock-up and an easier to use meter button tjan the F1.
The F1N is very different.
drinkingeye
Well-known
Almost 30 years carrying this set around the world, no technical issues so far. It's built like a tank, it's a joy to use. FD glass is fantastic and still available at fair prices. This is one piece of equipment I can't imagine to get rid of...
rlouzan
Well-known
The only issue I have with Canon FD lenses is the use of Fluorite in some "L"lenses, extremly sensitive to humidity:bang:.
Photo_Smith
Well-known
Just going by what they said in their brochure (pictured under the camera in my shot) First camera to be completely made by CNC lathes?
Companies do this all the time–I can't verify it.
They also sais it was laser welded and laser focusing screens as a first–can't verify that either.
The screen was the brightest I've seen the prism wouldn't black out at any aperture.
Fraser
Well-known
I've still got a couple of New F1s bought them new-ish when I was a student 20 odd years ago still going strong, I've had an F3 in the past and never really liked it so if I had to choose between the two it would be the canon. I know if I had to choose a camera from that era and I know its not really an option for you but I would go for either an F4 or a Eos 1v.
Sid836
Well-known
And here we go! I have received my F1N, and it has some serious issue 🙁 With a fresh battery it had fired once. Now, when I have the battery in it does not fire. When I take it out it does (I guess mechanically).
Blame my bad luck, or I am doing things wrong?
Blame my bad luck, or I am doing things wrong?
sevo
Fokutorendaburando
Film in it? With motor attached the F1N will wind to frame 0 without having to fire blank frames, IIRC - and most cameras that do that won't fire with no film loaded. Without batteries it fires the short times mechanically, and there that mechanism probably would not apply.
Chriscrawfordphoto
Real Men Shoot Film.
I have a Nikon F3, and it is a beautiful, easy to use, durable camera. I have never liked Nikon's lenses for black and white work, however. I have always wanted a Canon F1N, but the silly prices they command keep me from getting one. On Ebay they go for over $300 for ones that are beat to hell. My F3 costs $200 in near perfect condition! Why is the Canon, a camera from a dead system that is not at all rare, so high priced?
FrankS
Registered User
I have both. (3x F3) I re bought an F1n recently as it is a very worthy camera, but I feel more comfortable with the F3 because of my long history with Nikon cameras.
raid
Dad Photographer
I have used my F1N for many years, with the T90 as the back-up camera. I use the MD and battery cord to power the F1N in very old weather. I may have ten screens for it, with some being treated by Maxwell for extra brightness. I have the 6x speedfinder for it.
It makes using the F1N a charm.
I use my FD lenses, including the 500/4.5L and the 85/1.2L, which are two of the best FD lenses.
It makes using the F1N a charm.
I use my FD lenses, including the 500/4.5L and the 85/1.2L, which are two of the best FD lenses.
Sid836
Well-known
Unfortunately I do not have a winder with it. It fired once, but now it just stays won't fire when I put a fresh battery in it. It meters perfectly, but it does not fire. I have it with the AE Prism.
Frontman
Well-known
Download the instruction manual and have a look at it. As the saying goes: "when all else fails, read the directions". There are several reasons why the camera may not fire; make sure you know what are doing. If it still won't work, return it and get the Nikon.
mervynyan
Mervyn Yan
My F1N AE meter (bottom) is fine, shutter priority meter needle doesn't bounce up even with a new battery. I took it to a reputable service shop for free estimate, they can't fix it because they either don't have parts no more or cost too much to repair.
Sid836
Well-known
The needle moves and shows correct information, but when it comes to fire the shutter... Bam! Nothing happens. I thought I had jammed the camera by trying to set the lens to A, but after removing it no luck!
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