Canon New F-1 Question

[dynachrome]

I just got back a nicely serviced Canon New F-1. It has the AE finder. With the shutter speed dial set at A and the aperture ring of the lens not set at its A mark, I have aperture priority automation. The shutter speeds are displayed at the bottom of the finder and go up to 1/1000. The top shutter speed of the camera is 1/2000. I can think of three reasons for why the 1/2000 speed is missing from the finder in aperture priority mode:

1) There is no room in the finder for the extra speed

2) With certain film speeds and lighting conditions the 1/2000 speed would go beyond the range of the meter

3) Canon was trying to discourage the use of the 1/2000 shutter speed

Any other ideas?

 

[benjiboy]

I have had three Canon New F1 AE's bodies for about thirty years and have never thought about this, it's probably No 2 because you need to have the Powerwinder FN or the Motordrive FnN fitted to the cameraand the lens set on A to get 1/2000 sec automation for fast-moving subjects..

 

[dynachrome]

My other F-1N is attached to the Motor Drive and also has an AE finder attached. When set for Aperture Priority it too shows speeds only up to 1/1000. In Shutter Priority it has no problem with the shutter speed set to 1/2000. I rarely need speeds higher than this. If I do I can use one of my Nikon N90S cameras or a Minolta Maxxum AF film camera. I have a number of the older Canon F-1 cameras, which I also enjoy using, but I don't think I would have the patience to fiddle with a Servo EE finder.

 

[dxqcanada]

Hmm, just looking at the Manual (Butkus) it specifically states aperture priority AE EV-1 to EV19 (1/1000 at f/22) ... odd, I never mentally paid attention to that when I had the F-1

 

[Mackinaw]

This question has come up on other forums I'm on. I've never heard a good explanation why the shutter speed is limited to 1/1000 in aperture priority mode. I guess only Canon engineers know the reason.

Jim B.

 

[benjiboy]

I've been using New F1'AE's for thirty years and it's never been an issue.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

I've been using New F1'AE's for thirty years and it's never been an issue.

Same here. I rarely use 1/2000 s. anyway.

 

[flavio81]

I just got back a nicely serviced Canon New F-1. It has the AE finder. With the shutter speed dial set at A and the aperture ring of the lens not set at its A mark, I have aperture priority automation. The shutter speeds are displayed at the bottom of the finder and go up to 1/1000. The top shutter speed of the camera is 1/2000. I can think of three reasons for why the 1/2000 speed is missing from the finder in aperture priority mode:

1) There is no room in the finder for the extra speed

2) With certain film speeds and lighting conditions the 1/2000 speed would go beyond the range of the meter

3) Canon was trying to discourage the use of the 1/2000 shutter speed

Any other ideas?

The 1/2000 speed is mechanically controlled, while the AE speeds are electronically controlled. Probably due to the electromagnet system used wasn't good to electronically time the 1/2000 speed reliably.

 

[flavio81]

I just got back a nicely serviced Canon New F-1.

BTW

Welcome to the club of the few select owners of the best 35mm professional SLR ever (i don't own the Pentax LX but many people prefer the MX instead, which I own.)

 

[benjiboy]

BTW

Welcome to the club of the few select owners of the best 35mm professional SLR ever (i don't own the Pentax LX but many people prefer the MX instead, which I own.)

I agree with you Flavio, they are so good I have no desire to own any other 35mm SLR, in fact, they will have to praise my three out of my cold dead hands.