Canon FA

[Newt_on_Swings]

Hi all,

Picked up a pair of Canon FA's that just arrived today. Was wondering if anyone has a manual or more information regarding these cameras, there is scant info online.

All I know that they are specialized cameras for taking pictures of the human eye. This pair previously belonged to the National Institute of Health, in Bethesda Maryland. They don't have any iso or shutter speed settings, comes with a special motordrive, and a attached (non removable) prism. Supposedly based on the F1 body. The viewfinder has a extended variable dipoter of +2 to -4. Lens mount is also odd, perhaps tailored for an industry standard machine or optic? Also they have a focusing screen that is unmatted (clear) with cross hairs. It seems to fire at 1/30th of a second.

One seems to work fine, the 2nd I think has a failed electromagnet that fails to release when shutter is depressed, you have to nudge the release under the baseplate to get it to release the magnetic hold and then it fires.

Anyone have any experience? Modifiable for any other purpose other than its intended build? A free lensing 1/30th sec camera? Or just something to sit in a collection of oddities?

 

[darinwc]

Ash you are the prson that bought those. i was toying with the idea, but i dont need any more projects right now.
Best i can tell, they are auto-only versions of the AE1 series with a viewpeice magnifier (permanently attached? -can you confirm?)
I bet you that any service manuals for the A series will be applicable.

I am not surprised at the view screen.

Tell me about the lens mount. is it a screw mount or bayonet?

 

[Newt_on_Swings]

Haha it was me, they just looked cool, and the price was right . And yes its a bayonet mount and the eye piece is permanently attached though adjustable. Ive attached some pictures too.

sorry about the picture quality, iphone =[ resized to 1000 pixels on longest side.

 

[Jeff Kubach]

That is a new one on me, I didn't know there was a Canon FA.

Jeff

 

[Laurent]

They do not look to be based on the F1, more likely on an A-series.

I found this link : Canon FA

The mount does not seem that odd, it really looks like the FD mount.

 

[Rick A]

I have my daughters AE-1 sitting here in front of me, that's an FD mount. Oh joy, now you can buy some of the best lenses available for cheap.

 

[Mackinaw]

Yes, the FA is an "A" series camera (like the AE-1, A-1), etc.) and yes it does have the FD lens mount.

Jim B.

 

[Newt_on_Swings]

Ah, I'm not that familiar with the Canon FD system. But I dug out my grandpa's Canon Ftb, which had a 50mm lens on it and it does mount!

But: The image is upside down and reversed, and the large mirror gets blocked (it cant go up until you remove the lens).

Doh!

 

[John Koehrer]

You need a bellows or extension tubes. it was used for FUZZYGRAPHING the eye and wasn't made for that infinity thing.
Using a bellows and a 135mm lens head would get you infinity though.
Or a leaf shutter lens and you could use either shutter. Leaf = any speed w/flash

 

[Newt_on_Swings]

You need a bellows or extension tubes. it was used for FUZZYGRAPHING the eye and wasn't made for that infinity thing.
Using a bellows and a 135mm lens head would get you infinity though.
Or a leaf shutter lens and you could use either shutter. Leaf = any speed w/flash

Good call! I just bought my self a 60mm F4 APO Componon Makro lens that Ive been playing with =] Maybe ill put these two together. The leaf shutter probably wont work as I cant lock the mirror up, and there isnt a bulb setting, I wish there was though.

Thanks for all the replys guys!

 

[Rick A]

I was just comparing the inside of you FA to an AE-1, the mirror on your camera has clipped corners, plus that little square tube bar that protrudes through past the mirror. Wonder what those are about, and if they are the reason your lens won't function. Maybe try a zoom or short tele to allow the mirror to swing.
Doh, just realized the mirror on your body is longer than standard, comes down farther in front of the aperture control tab.. Maybe shorten it or replace it with one from a donor body.

 

[toka]

I can see that the previous post in this thread happened a while ago. As this is still Google hit #1 for "canon f-a" I will announce this here:
I accidentally obtained the manual for Canon CF-60ZA fundus camera. That is a fancy contraption for photographing the back of the eye (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fundus_photography). This is interesting because Canon F-A is just a component of CF-60ZA (and of CF-60UD as well, I think, FWIW) and is documented in its manual.

Canon CF-60ZA:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/3fgc0xvnpyatgye/Canon_CF-60ZA_Operation_manual.pdf?dl=0
Canon Polaroid Back Units CF-PB and CF-PC for the F-A camera body:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/3pwlw290qj1r7au/Canon_Polaroid_Back_Unit_CF-PB_Operation_Manual.pdf?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/r2zpk86i0...lor_Back_Unit_CF-PC_Operation_Manual.pdf?dl=0

 

[Newt_on_Swings]

that's pretty cool that you found those manuals. thanks for that. I never really got to do anything with these cameras as I had too many project cameras. I think with a bellows or a longer lens or a macro lens on an extension tube would allow the clipped mirror to clear and fire. the larger mirror is still a bit of a mystery. its a neat bit of history for sure.