Canon F1 camera and some Canon FD lens

Canon launched in marz 1971 this camera along with the new FD mount lens ("breech lock system"). Beeing the top-of-the-line camera, Canon promised to keep it in the market without significal changes for at least 10 years. So, it suffered no changes until september 1976, when minor adjustements where made (the camera still was the same model, but unoficially was known as nF1), beeing definitively replaced in september 1981 with the "New F1". The Canon F1 camera was build like a tank, with a extremely high quality. Completely mechanical, use bateries only for the expositometer, has the hability of changinf the focusing screens, the prism, uses diopter lens and a ot more of features. If there is an ideal camera for astrophotography, this one is very close to it. Another relevant feature of this camera it that it one can raise the mirror with a level. This, and with the self-timer, allows the posibility of avoid a great amount of vibrations. There is an enourmous avalability of FD lens, most of them with great optical quality, being the best of them the "L" proffessional line. The only disavantage of this camera over the new ones is that you cannot use the new EF lens with it, that includes new technology. Otherwises, the consum lens aren't at all better than the FD ones... it is only true with the high-end L-series lens (and also the expensives ones) .

The camera was built to endure 100,000 picture-taking cycles, temperatures ranging from -30 C to 60 C, and 90% humidity.

Dimensions: 147 x 99 x 43 mm

Weight: 820 g

SN: 258918 - O1237 (made in december 1974)

If you want more information, download the oficial manual and the reparation's manual. Other information about the focusing screen is avalaible in this manual.

My lens

Canon FD 28mm f/2.8 S.C
SN: 65825-Q607 (Jun. 1976)

Marketed March 1975
Original Price 35,000 yen
Lens Construction (group) 7
Lens Construction (element) 7
No. of Diaphragm Blades 5
Minimum Aperture 22
Closest Focusing Distance (m) 0.3
Filter Diameter (mm) 55
Maximum Diameter x Length (mm) 64.6 x 49
Weight (g) 280

-O-

Canon nFD 50mm f/1.4
SN: 3488130-V615 (Jun. 1981)

Marketed June 1979
Original Price 32,000 yen
Lens Construction (group) 6
Lens Construction (element) 7
No. of Diaphragm Blades 8
Minimum Aperture 22
Closest Focusing Distance (m) 0.45
Filter Diameter (mm) 52
Maximum Diameter x Length (mm) 63 x 41
Weight (g) 235

Enter the optical test here

-O-

Canon FD 135mm f/2.5 S.C.
SN: 175016-S110 (Jan. 1978)

Marketed March 1973
Original Price 30,500 yen
Lens Construction (group) 5
Lens Construction (element) 6
No. of Diaphragm Blades 8
Minimum Aperture 22
Closest Focusing Distance (m) 1.5
Filter Diameter (mm) 58
Maximum Diameter x Length (mm) 69 x 91
Weight (g) 630
Metal lens shade included

Enter the optical test here

-O-

Canon nFD 200mm f/4
SN: 105470-W404 (Abr. 1982)

Marketed June 1979
Original Price 39,000 yen
Lens Construction (group) 6
Lens Construction (element) 7
No. of Diaphragm Blades 8
Minimum Aperture 32
Closest Focusing Distance (m) 1.5
Filter Diameter (mm) 52
Maximum Diameter x Length (mm) 63 x 121.5
Weight (g) 440
Metal lens shade included
Internal focus system

-O-

The optical quality of all of this lenses are very good, specially over f/4.0. The only one that still has some vigneting problems is the 28mm. If you want to see how they work please go the wide field gallery.

By the way, there are a lot of resourses for comparisons and tests, like: Canon FD Lens Test and also the group CanonFD (in Yahoo!).

Before ending this, there is something to say about the FD mount. All the Canon FD lens uses a system called "Breech Lock", very similar to a bayonet. It is a excelent mount that allows the lenses to be in a rigid place. The laters Canon nFD lens, that in the optical field could be better ones, but the mount is not as ideal as the old ones were. Neverless, I haven't noticed troubles with the lens I have... perhaps with bigger ones the difference is noticeable

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