What is your favorite Canon FD body?

[CameraQuest]

My favorite is easily the T90. I regard it as one of the best film SLRs ever. It was the most technologically advanced of the FD series and the design inspiration of the entire EOS lineup. I love the versatility and handling of the T90, along with its outstanding 300TL flash.

While I appreciate the versatility and ruggedness of both F1 models, their design concepts are laughably inept. Whenever you see a pro 35mm SLR with only a hopelessly awkward 3.5 fps motor that requires baseplate removal before attaching the motor (1st model F1) or an improved model that connects motor batteries with the camera via an outside of the camera connecting cord, you know the design team didn't quite know what they were doing.

Stephen

 

[raid]

The T90 was the best SLR ever made, in my opinion. Portraits taken with the help of the flash 300TL were incredibly easy to perfect, and it had some very advanced options too.
Is till have two T90 and two F1N cameras set aside for the time when I will return to film photography. The metering system in the T90 was 'too advanced", and when the EOS-1 came out, it was a downscaled (but AF) version of the T90. I skipped all AF cameras, and I depended on the manual focus ones instead. I never really bonded with the (old) F1n. I used it only for very long exposures, such as 30 minutes long, with its mirror lock-up feature. It also is great for self defense in case of a burglary!

 

[rlouzan]

Stephen,

Former combat photographer Chris Morris ,from Agency VII, is largely recognized as one of Canon's strongest assets.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BhXMugeOeH4/Ty8t7tNi4_I/AAAAAAAADiY/Qh0YfVwoVYo/s1600/VII_PopPhoto_a.jpg

He cut his teeth using "the Tank" in the Philippines, Chile, Afghanistan ...
(3)T90 Bodies, 20-35mm L, 135mm, Vivitar 285 + Fuji 100 (pushed to 200 asa).

Once at the Black Star photo library, he picked up my camera and said, " You drop the T90s and they bounce right up ... just avoid getting the control wheel wet".
Andy Levin was also another heavy T90 user.

I never got along with the 300tl flash, especially on vertical shots.

Marty Forscher, considered the original F1's motor drive "the best in its time" (American Photographer Magazine)

Regards,
Robert

My favorite is easily the T90. I regard it as one of the best film SLRs ever. It was the most technologically advanced of the FD series and the design inspiration of the entire EOS lineup. I love the versatility and handling of the T90, along with its outstanding 300TL flash.

While I appreciate the versatility and ruggedness of both F1 models, their design concepts are laughably inept. Whenever you see a pro 35mm SLR with only a hopelessly awkward 3.5 fps motor that requires baseplate removal before attaching the motor (1st model F1) or an improved model that connects motor batteries with the camera via an outside of the camera connecting cord, you know the design team didn't quite know what they were doing.

Stephen

 

[CameraQuest]

Stephen,

Marty Forscher, considered the original F1's motor drive "the best in its time" (American Photographer Magazine)

Regards,
Robert

I once took pics of a wondrous Monterey Bay Aquarium Jelly Fish exhibit with both a T90 with 300TL flash and the Nikon N90 with SB25 -- thru the glass, jellies about 2 feet away from the camera. T90 flash exposures were perfect. The more modern N90 flash pics were over 2 stops off.

Marty certainly knew his craft. Yet it all depends upon what qualities are considered "best."

Reliability and repair/maintenance are not the same as good ergonomics and design concept.

Stephen

 

[Timmyjoe]

Have owned a TX, two F-1n's, a NEW F-1, and an A-1. Like them all.

 

[wakarimasen]

At one time I've owned a TX, AE1, AE1-P, A1, T90 and an F1N (new). All gone and replaced with Nikon F. I wonder why the FD series doesn't seem to provoke the same cult following as the Nikon models?
After reading this thread, I'm tempted to get one again. 😀

 

[CliveC]

The popularity of this thread surprised me too. Now I have a couple more cameras for my wishlist, including the EF and the FTb. I was already on the hunt for a clean AE-1P and F-1.

 

[Kiwijohn]

I like my T70 as an all rounder with the 35-105mm zoom, but when the winder dies it's time to search the bay for another.
The FX is great with black & white, especially with the 58mm f/1.2 it came with, but the meter is bit of annoying. Though it works well on black & white.
So, today I finally ponied up for an EF on the bay, with an SSC 50mm f/1.4.
Now I just want an EF-M like my 21st present.
edit. & now i've found an EF-M.

 

[rlouzan]

Stephen,

The main problem with the 300TL was torque, when the camera was held vertically. The flash wouldn't fire most of the time (the camera's hot shoe didn't align with the 5 contacts on the flash).
Flash exposure was ok for single shoots, but not for secuences.

Regards,
Robert

I once took pics of a wondrous Monterey Bay Aquarium Jelly Fish exhibit with both a T90 with 300TL flash and the Nikon N90 with SB25 -- thru the glass, jellies about 2 feet away from the camera. T90 flash exposures were perfect. The more modern N90 flash pics were over 2 stops off.

Marty certainly knew his craft. Yet it all depends upon what qualities are considered "best."

Reliability and repair/maintenance are not the same as good ergonomics and design concept.

Stephen

 

[Icarus]

My first camera was a AE-1. Given to me by a friend. I ended up with two bodies and a kit of lenses before having to sell them during graduate school. Today, I have a mint one sitting on a shelf in my office just for memories. They are simple great tools that get the job done.

 

[DaveTheWalker]

New F1, hands down.

Absolutely. Totally cracking camera. Everything you might want, nothing you don't. Weighs a tonne, though(!)

 

[Travis L.]

For me it's the EF. A distant second would be the original F1

 

[Ezzie]

Only ever owned the EF, and love it to bits. Handled both the A-1, AE-1 and F-1. Wouldn't complain if I was gifted any which one of them.

 

[Coopersounds]

F1, finally nabbed one, never going to look back.

 

[Bille]

So FD shooters out there: what do you consider to be your favorite FD camera?

The FT for being the authentic FL system camera.
The F1 for design.
The F1N for performance.

 

[DominikDUK]

T90 the swan song of a great system

 

[ronnies]

I'm sentimental about my A-1 which has been with me since 1981.

Ronnie

 

[Kate-the-Great]

A-1 was my favorite by far for the control scheme. The combination of modern features like the control wheel and in-finder shutter speed / aperture / metering readout combined with the generous number of buttons and dials dedicated to specific functions excites me and I found the camera tremendously full-featured and easy to use. Kind of regret selling it, but shooting APS-C digital on Fuji X-system as my "small format" has proven to have numerous advantages while still keeping many of the things I liked about the A-1.

Maybe someday I'll get another A-1 "just for fun" and rebuild my old kit with the nFD 24mm 2.8 (quite possibly the sharpest small-format wideangle lens I've ever used), 35mm 2.8 and 70-210 f/4 🙂

 

[Kiwijohn]

T90 the swan song of a great system

Probably shouldn't mention the T60.

 

[Coopersounds]

For me it's the EF. A distant second would be the original F1

can I ask why?
just curious, no disrespect meant at all.