Canon F-1
What a Canon F-1 actually produces — 10 photographs shot on one by members here.
Find one at KEH Canon F-1 → Affiliate link
The Canon F-1 of 1971 was Canon's first true professional system SLR, and the camera that launched the FD lens mount. It was designed to compete head-on with the Nikon F2, and it is just as rugged.
It is fully mechanical. The shutter runs from 1 sec to 1/2000, and the battery powers only the meter, which reads a central portion of the frame rather than the whole scene — closer to a partial or spot reading than to the averaging meters common at the time. You match a needle in the finder, and there is no automation unless you fit the accessory servo finder.
Finders and focusing screens are interchangeable, and the body takes motor drives. A revised version, usually called the F-1n, followed in 1976 with small handling refinements. Both are often found still working after decades of use.
The meter was designed for a 1.35V mercury cell, so check readings when using a modern replacement. FD lenses remain excellent value. An F-1 with a 50mm f/1.4 and a roll of HP5 Plus is a mechanical camera you can depend on.
Images taken with the Canon F-1
Love on the Beach FogdogPhoto · Kodak Portra 400
entered as “Canon F-1 Original”
TLC DIAL 3-1-1 Chuck Vaughan · Kodak Tri-X 400
Collings Castle Terry McDaniel · Kentmere Pan 100
entered as “Canon F1”
Kitchen Stories Between2Films · Kodak Gold 200
entered as “Canon F1”
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas Chuck Vaughan · Kodak Ektar 100
entered as “Canon F1”
Justin · Kodak Gold 200
Saltmarsh Stump Justin · Kodak Gold 200
Papa Turney Chuck Vaughan · Kodak T-Max P3200
entered as “Canon F1”
Snail shell Terry McDaniel · Kentmere Pan 100
entered as “Canon F1”
Driftwood Terry McDaniel · Kentmere Pan 100
entered as “Canon F1”
Lenses people use on it
Taken from what members recorded on the frames above, in their own wording. Counts, not recommendations.
Film shot on it
Each one links through to every frame on that stock, from any camera.