They call me Black Beauty

[cidereye]

While I am mainly a Nikon guy flirting with OM, this is a Canon camera that I found interesting while reading about it, and was lucky to find in great shape for a great price on eBay. Just the slightest hint of brassing on the shoulder edges, with 50f1.4 SSC. $75

I'm pretty much done now.

What a beauty! 🙂

My first ever SLR camera was an EF at the age of 14, I had to walk to school and back to save my bus fare for 18 months to be able to pay for it too. A truly great and very underrated camera, I sold mine after a couple of years as I pursued all things Nikon F2 back then.

I was reminiscing about it only a few months back and happened to spot a nice F1n in a dealers window going for a song and bought that. Nice camera but personally I preferred my old EF - have fun!

 

[mynikonf2]

At the prices that old film cameras are going for these days I can afford to buy almost every camera I have ever longed for. My wife says I already have... 😀

 

[HuubL]

The old F1👎 and EF are the same size, and the case of the F1 would fit the EF. However, the tripod screw buses of the two are not at the same position, so I expect the case can not be secured. Same holds for the FTb case which is also a few millimeters smaller than the F1 and EF.

The EF was my very first newly bought SLR in the early 1970s. A beautiful camera that was a pleasure to shoot. I passed it on to my brother-in-law when I got an A-1. A couple of years ago I bought another one from ebay in like-new condition. The overhanging shutter speed wheel, the highly sensitive Si-metering system and the auto-power adjustment, together with the heft and size of the camera are big pros. The non-automatic switch-off is a big neg though. If you forget to switch the camera off, it drains its batteries within a day or two.

Check the link in my signature picture for pictures of my Canon FD SLRs 😉

 

[FrankS]

So finally today I bought #625 batteries (alkalines - no problem), loaded film (APX 400), fitted a black nylon strap with plastic buckles (so they won't scratch the paint), and took a few shots around the yard. Love the viewfinder info and the way it handles. Nice camera, I think I'll keep it!

 

[kuzano]

FrankS.. you may already know this....

FrankS.. you may already know this....

The Alkaline batteries will drop rather fast on voltage and within a couple of weeks to a month will be below the 1.35v needed for proper exposure on this camera.

I use the MRB625 Wein Cells sold on eBay (Zinc Air). Not a long life, but the voltage curve is flat for the duration, like the mercury batteries were.

You'll be able to test with Alkalines, but the dropping curve will throw the meter off fairly soon.

I make the Zinc Airs last longer by taking them out of the camera between uses and covering the holes that allow air for the chemical reaction.

Hope this helps if you didn't already know. Frankly, I don't have near the problem with Wein Cells that most imply. They get a bad rap. They cost about $4-5 when you buy them 2 or 3 at a time. Usually they are advertised mostly for Olympus OM-1 cameras on eBay.

 

[lmd91343]

The F1, F1n, FT, FTb, and FTbn all have the same form factor for the body as the EF. However there are two problems with using those cases:
1) FT, FTb, and FTbn all are made of cardboard like material covered with vinyl. They may look nice but they will quickly fall apart with much use as they are 35-50 years old. Only the F1 and F1n cases are made of leather and perhaps some *old* FT cases.
2) The EF stop down/self timer lever is located lower on the front of the body. It may not fully function with these cases.

Therefore if you are willing to live with potentially partially compromised stop down/self timer, use an F1 or F1n case.

N.B. The F1N (AKA F1 New, F1 3rd model, F1 latest) has a different body shape and will not work.

 

[cidereye]

The Alkaline batteries will drop rather fast on voltage and within a couple of weeks to a month will be below the 1.35v needed for proper exposure on this camera.

I use the MRB625 Wein Cells sold on eBay (Zinc Air). Not a long life, but the voltage curve is flat for the duration, like the mercury batteries were.

You'll be able to test with Alkalines, but the dropping curve will throw the meter off fairly soon.

I make the Zinc Airs last longer by taking them out of the camera between uses and covering the holes that allow air for the chemical reaction.

Hope this helps if you didn't already know. Frankly, I don't have near the problem with Wein Cells that most imply. They get a bad rap. They cost about $4-5 when you buy them 2 or 3 at a time. Usually they are advertised mostly for Olympus OM-1 cameras on eBay.

Agreed.

I use one of these in my F1n & OM's and it works just great, I must buy a few more so I don't have to keep swapping the battery around cameras! 😀

http://www.paulbg.com/Nikon_F_meter_batteries.htm

 

[easyrider]

This was my main camera before I switched to digital. Love it. I still have it but I think the meter no longer works. I still use it occasionally. My "standard" lens is and was the 85mm f1.8. Great portrait lens.

I recently loaned it to an art student who had to do an assignment with "an analogue camera."

I bought it in 1976 and I am sure I paid more than $75!!

Congrats.