canon F1...heavy

Mackinaw said:
First generation F-1, built June, 1975.

Jim B.
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thanks jim!
sounds about right to me...this body looks like the one i bought in nyc in the early 70's.
amazing in what good shape this one is...looks new, barely a mark on the pressure plate. i need to put the 24 on it and go for a walk.
 
Tim Murphy said:
Dear backalley,

But I don't see the Canon F-1 as heavy?

I obviously did this before I started typing, but I held in one hand a Canon F-1n with the power winder F and a 28-80 zoom. In the other hand I held a Nikon 8008S with a 24-135 zoom.

If they differ in weight by more than 2 or 3 ounces I'll be amazed. I swear the Nikon 8008S body weighs as much as a Canon EOS 1DMK3, body for body.

I shoot wildlife pictures almost exclusively. I'm used to a 150-600 zoom hanging off my digital bodies. I'm sure my Canon F-1n with the motor drive MF and my Vivitar 120-600 weighs more than my Canon EOS 1DMK3 with a the 150-600. However, neither feel crippling to me.

It might help that I'm a gigantic Neanderthal but I grew up with an F-1 so it will always be the standard by which I judge when comparing camera's weight and dimensions.

Regards,

Tim Murphy

Harrisburg, PA :)
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how old are you and what kind of shape are you in?
for me, who used to be able to carry a domke sized f2 bag filled with gear for hours hiking in the bush...and now i need to rest after a few steps up the stairwell...life can be a bitch sometimes.
 
back alley said:
do you know the current canon guru for a cla and battery conversion?
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Ken Oikawa in California. Ken's a retired Canon repair tech specializing in Canon FD and FL gear. Phone number: 951 246 9136.

His address:

28288 West Worcester Rd., Sun City California 92586.

No internet or email. Excellent work and fast turnaround. He did have a supply of NOS F-1 parts, though I'm not sure if he still does.

Jim B.
 
One annoying thing about the early Canon F1 (at least for me) was the fact that the pentaprism seemed lightly built because they always seemed to have dings in them. moreso than other cameras of the era. And it was the look oft hat low slung pentaprism that I think added to the visual appeal of the camera.
 
If that’s the F1 and 24mm I sold you it was CLAd by Ken Oikawa and the meter was adjusted to use 1.5v batteries. The advance lever should be solid metal with no plastic tip.
 
wjlapier said:
If that’s the F1 and 24mm I sold you it was CLAd by Ken Oikawa and the meter was adjusted to use 1.5v batteries. The advance lever should be solid metal with no plastic tip.
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thanks! my memory is fading slowly and i had no recollection of the actual purchase...thanks for the update and the original purchase...did i get a good deal? ;)
though the advance lever looks plastic to me. it is a solid tip though...

thanks again!
 
peterm1 said:
One annoying thing about the early Canon F1 (at least for me) was the fact that the pentaprism seemed lightly built because they always seemed to have dings in them. moreso than other cameras of the era. And it was the look oft hat low slung pentaprism that I think added to the visual appeal of the camera.
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Indeed the normal prism looks very nice on these, but I find the Speed Finder very useful for not much aesthetic or weight cost. Worth finding and trying, if you haven't.
 
back alley said:
thanks! my memory is fading slowly and i had no recollection of the actual purchase...thanks for the update and the original purchase...did i get a good deal? ;)
though the advance lever looks plastic to me. it is a solid tip though...

thanks again!
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You got a great deal on a super clean CLA'd vintage Canon camera. And two lenses. I know I sent you a 24mm lens, but there might have been a 50 in there as well. You remember them coming in a Crumpler pouch? I have the photos on my Flickr acct.
 
wjlapier said:
You got a great deal on a super clean CLA'd vintage Canon camera. And two lenses. I know I sent you a 24mm lens, but there might have been a 50 in there as well. You remember them coming in a Crumpler pouch? I have the photos on my Flickr acct.
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I remember once being offered an F1n with just about every finder made for it including the speed finder which was very impressive to use. (See this link at MIR for the full list of options) http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/canonf1n/viewfinder/index.htm

As part of the package it had a power winder plus AE Finder FN which converted it to shutter priority as an option and also aperture priority when used with the power winder. It was a cool set up and when it was offered (must have been around 1995) it would have cost from memory about $1200. This was quite a bit of money then but it was still a huge bargain given what you got for your money.)

If you think the standard Canon F1 is heavy try that set up.
 
wjlapier said:
You got a great deal on a super clean CLA'd vintage Canon camera. And two lenses. I know I sent you a 24mm lens, but there might have been a 50 in there as well. You remember them coming in a Crumpler pouch? I have the photos on my Flickr acct.
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well then, thanks once again.
i have a very clean fd100mm to make up a nice 2 lens kit.
i also picked up 200/2.8 lens...
and an enormous 300/5.6

i'm feeling a bit nostalgic handling this old gear...memories of better times and better health flood back in.
 
back alley said:
i also picked up 200/2.8 lens...
and an enormous 300/5.6
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Ah, memories ... I had that pair when I had a New F-1 back in my youth. Best film camera I ever had. It survived being left out outside in a light shower (blame it on the beer), and even drove in a nail (I think that also should be blamed on beer). Loved using the Power Winder without batteries, just because it was a great grip.

I miss my Canon gear, though I can't justify repurchasing it again.
 
dxq.canada said:
Ah, memories ... I had that pair when I had a New F-1 back in my youth. Best film camera I ever had. It survived being left out outside in a light shower (blame it on the beer), and even drove in a nail (I think that also should be blamed on beer). Loved using the Power Winder without batteries, just because it was a great grip.

I miss my Canon gear, though I can't justify repurchasing it again.
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whereabouts are you located?
 
aside from the f1 i also picked up a used canon t90 around the time i got the f1...that also was a pretty incredible camera.
 
I still remember how I got into photography...

The salesman told me I cannot afford the Nikon stuff. So I picked up a Canon FD system instead. A humble AE-1 body + FD 35-70mm f/3.5-4.5 plastic lens. And have lusted for the F1 since then...

Although I have other cameras to use now, the Canon FD system and specifically the F1 will always have a special place in my heart.


Canon F1 Olive Drab + FD 35mm f/2.0 S.S.C.

I hardly bring these classics out for the same reason stated in the title... they are HEAVY!! I guess I'm spoilt by the Micro 4/3 system and my trusty iPhone.

Cheers,
 
back alley said:
how old are you and what kind of shape are you in?
for me, who used to be able to carry a domke sized f2 bag filled with gear for hours hiking in the bush...and now i need to rest after a few steps up the stairwell...life can be a bitch sometimes.
Click to expand...

Dear back alley,

Round is a shape, right? If so that's me and I'll be 58 in a couple of months.

I sometimes think I can do what I once did, and often try for an hour or two. It then takes a couple of days for me to almost anything, so I try not to do that too often! ;)

Regards,

Tim Murphy

Harrisburg, PA :)
 
Let's not exaggerate. Theses aren't pocket cameras but one body with lens
and one or perhaps two additional lenses would not be terribly large or heavy.

Chris
 
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