CANON T90 - - - Although old, who recommends buying one.???

[pityacka]

Always wanted one of these years back (about 1999). I was put off due to a magazine article, which said that if the internal battery failed, then the camera would need a professional repair. I thought that meant the camera would be useless, but apparently the battery is only a back-up for when the main batteries are not installled.(It powers the LCD display when the camera is turned off, but a film is loaded.) Now that it looks as though there is nothing to fear re failure of the internal battery, I am looking forward to try and find a good T90. The only other point raised in reviews is the fact that the magnets(which fire the shutter ?)can become sticky, causing the EEE message. Apparently this can be prevented by firing the shutter occasionally, when the camera is stored, for a few times, and at reasonably frequent intervals of say, a few weeks.
Anyone with good feedback, suggestions, and personal experience of the Canon T90 please feel free to post your comments. Through not going digital I have saved hundreds of pounds (££££'s) and like to stick to film(APG) and love manual focus cameras.

 

[cooltouch]

I owned a T90 only briefly during the early 90s and loved it, except for one thing. Like all other electronic Canon cameras except the AT-1, when in manual mode, it does not show the aperture you select, only that which the camera recommends. So to me this is not a "true" manual mode, since by my way of thinking one should be able to determine correct exposure while adjusting the shutter speeds and apertures while keeping ones eye to the viewfinder and watching the meter readout. Canon finally "fixed" this problem with their EOS cameras. Having said all that though, the T90's metering modes are sophisticated enough where you can probably just leave the camera in Program mode and forget about it.

So anyway, if you can deal with this one drawback, then I would say, absolutely, go for it. I know a number of people (members of another forum) who shoot regularly with T90s and love the camera.

 

[Rick A]

Tho I'm not familiar with the T90, I just bought one of my daughters a T70. So far(three rolls of film) no problems. The exposures look spot on and as of Monday, we are awaiting the arrival of a 70-210 Canon FD zoom for it(Hunts Camera, $22.50 w/warranty).

 

[BrianL]

My concern would be the loss of the LCD screen. Back then life expectancy was only about 5 years. Never found out what the hbf estimates were. I never had one but it was on a short list one time when I was considering a 35mm slr system along with the Pentax LX and the Contax RTS III. Finally decided just to buy a 35mm back for my Bronica.

 

[SkipA]

I had a T90 back in the mid to late '90s. I bought it used, with a data back. It had seen a lot of use already before I got it, but I never had a problem with it. It was a good camera. I sold it in order to buy an EOS 3.

The EOS 3 was a good camera too, but it didn't take me long to regret selling the T90. I could use all my FD mount lenses with the T90. I never manged to build up a comparable set of EF mount lenses, and frankly, I found I preferred the build quality of the FD lenses. The autofocus on the EOS 3, the main reason why I bought it, was also a disappointment to me. I still have and occasionally use the EOS 3, but I really wish I still had my T90.

I might be wrong about this, but I seem to recall that there was only one Canon flash that would work with the T90. The 300TL. I had that flash, and when it went out, I was never able to find a working replacement. The camera lacks a PC sync socket too.

If you buy a T90, keep in mind that you might have a hard time locating parts for it if it ever needs repair.

 

[Laurent]

I had a T90 back in the mid to late '90s. I bought it used, with a data back. It had seen a lot of use already before I got it, but I never had a problem with it. It was a good camera. I sold it in order to buy an EOS 3.

The EOS 3 was a good camera too, but it didn't take me long to regret selling the T90. I could use all my FD mount lenses with the T90. I never manged to build up a comparable set of EF mount lenses, and frankly, I found I preferred the build quality of the FD lenses. The autofocus on the EOS 3, the main reason why I bought it, was also a disappointment to me. I still have and occasionally use the EOS 3, but I really wish I still had my T90.

I might be wrong about this, but I seem to recall that there was only one Canon flash that would work with the T90. The 300TL. I had that flash, and when it went out, I was never able to find a working replacement. The camera lacks a PC sync socket too.

If you buy a T90, keep in mind that you might have a hard time locating parts for it if it ever needs repair.

I love the EOS3, but agree with you. I had a T90, and it has all the features of the ESO3 + BPE2 for 1Kg less ! I loved mine until it failed with the EEE error, and it is now out of repair

If you buy one, you won't be disappointed !

 

[Jeff Kubach]

T-90 is a great camera, get one!

Jeff

 

[Paul Howell]

I have looking to buy either an FI new or T90, the prices of some really good Canon FD lens are just too good to pass up. Last night I picked the T90, will get 2 bodies, one for parts. I have not used much in the way of Canon, just a couple of fixed lens rangfinders and a Canon 7 with a few lens. First Canon SLR.

 

[dnjl]

The life expectancy of the T90 lcd is rated at about 25 years. Add to that the dreaded EEE-error and buying one becomes a risky affair. However, I hear everywhere that it is a very fine camera, one of the best in the FD system. I never owned one myself, but I would surely get one for the right price.

 

[Rol_Lei Nut]

Age in itself doesn't have to be major problem for a camera's reliability (there are some cameras which don't even use foam).
That said, cameras which are 30+ years old could probably need or at least benefit by a CLA.

The big question is if you want a camera loaded with all kinds of electronic components (trying not to use the word gadgets here....) which aren't repairable, only replaceable.
If you consider it as a disposable, just use it until it dies, then o.k. Otherwise, something less electronic will probably last you far longer.

 

[benjiboy]

T-90 is a great camera, get one!

Jeff

I agree, I have three of them.
1- The internal battery that powers the LCD display is a flat round CR 1220 Lithium one that can be replaced by a camera repairer quickly and easily.
2- To avoid the shutter magnets from becoming magnetized put the camera on "B" keep the shutter release depressed and remove the batteries to keep the magnates apart.
3- The EEE problem can sometimes be corrected by hitting the camera base on a firm object like the palm of your hand , a pillow or a carpeted floor to free the magnets.

Two of the three T90s I own were given to me by people who had left them in cupboards for years and couldn't make them work that had the EEEE symbol on the LCD display.

 

[pityacka]

Well I have started something here, and I did not expect so many replies in such a short time. It looks as though the majority are recommending I acquire one, because they still own one, or they did have one and have regretted selling it.
The only faults or potential faults are the two I have raised in my original post, ie the internal battery, and the 'sticky magnets'. But from the subsequent postings the battery is nothing to worry about - if it fails the LCD will not give a reading when the main batteries are not installed. The magnet problem can and should be prevented by firing the shutter on occasions when the T90 is stored for a period of time. Plus benjiboy's "unique" suggestion for the same problem - worth noting and bearing in mind.
I think after reading all the comments above I will be going for a T90.
Thanks,
pityacka.

 

[benjiboy]

Well I have started something here, and I did not expect so many replies in such a short time. It looks as though the majority are recommending I acquire one, because they still own one, or they did have one and have regretted selling it.
The only faults or potential faults are the two I have raised in my original post, ie the internal battery, and the 'sticky magnets'. But from the subsequent postings the battery is nothing to worry about - if it fails the LCD will not give a reading when the main batteries are not installed. The magnet problem can and should be prevented by firing the shutter on occasions when the T90 is stored for a period of time. Plus benjiboy's "unique" suggestion for the same problem - worth noting and bearing in mind.
I think after reading all the comments above I will be going for a T90.


Thanks,
pityacka.

As I wrote I have three of them and can't use them all all the time and firing the shutter on "B" and removing the batteries keeps the shutter magnets apart and prevents them from becoming magnetized.

 

[Mackinaw]

I hear that the lens mount can come loose on the T90. Easy fix though, just take off the lens mount cover and tighten the screws.

Jim B.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

If you like the EOS concept but want to shoot FD lenses, then the T90 is perfect.

I use a New F-1, and usually recommend that if someone wants all the features of the New F-1 like spot metering, etc., without having to wait to acquire all the bits and pieces of a New F-1 kit, then the T90 has all of that in one package, as long as you're okay with more of an electronic camera, and are aware of potential issues with the LCD screen.

 

[MattKing]

One small point:

On APUG, referring to a T90 as "old" may confuse some of the regular contributors.

 

[benjiboy]

One small point:

On APUG, referring to a T90 as "old" may confuse some of the regular contributors.

That's right Matt, although they only made the T90 for around one year in 1986 it was about twenty years ahead of it's time and was the concept that just about all of the modern SLR s are based on both film and digital, to me it's still the height of sophistication even after twenty five years.

 

[cdholden]

I love the EOS3, but agree with you. I had a T90, and it has all the features of the ESO3 + BPE2 for 1Kg less ! I loved mine until it failed with the EEE error, and it is now out of repair

If you buy one, you won't be disappointed !

Laurent,
If you need yours fixed, Steve @ Camera Clinic in Reno, NV does good work.
Send him an email: steven40@aol.com

Chris

 

[dxqcanada]

I had a T90 and the New F-1 ... I got the T90 for when I got lazy.
Like Cooltouch stated ... viewfinder info.

I did not like the loss of information ... so I sold it.
Otherwise, it is a great camera.

 

[SkipA]

I will mention that despite my appreciation for the refinements of the T90, my favorite Canon 35mm SLR, and the one I shoot most often, is a New F-1 with a motor drive (Battery Pack FN that uses 12 AA batteries!) and an AE finder. There's just something about that big heavy solid brick of a camera that makes using it such a pleasure. It rocks.

 

[dxqcanada]

I agree with SkipA ... I actually pounded a nail with my New F-1 once (and only once).
I even left it out in a rainstorm (too many beers) ... just had slight corrosion on a contact in the base (water leaked in since the time I pounded a nail), and just a simple cleaning fixed it.

 

[2F/2F]

They are good, and feel solid. But the few added features over the New F-1 still don't make me prefer the T-90, when it comes to cameras with automatic modes. The price is the real advantage over the F-1, IMHO. I'd get one if I found it in very good condition for $150 or less. If any more than that, I'd just save a bit more and get an F-1.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

The thing is, if you want spot metering on a New F-1, you need a spot-metering screen, and they tend to go for $80-100 last I checked, and then while you're at it, you might want a normal one and one optimized for long lenses, and then that sports finder seems like a nice thing, and if you ever want to use shutter priority AE, well, you need a motor drive, and the AE finder and screen for aperture priority, and...well at least the darn thing takes a normal cable release.

If there's one thing that irks me about modern 35mm SLRs it's those proprietary electronic release cables. You can use an electric release cable on a New F-1 as well as a normal mechanical release, but the electric release uses a normal audio miniplug, just like many movie cameras, instead of some three-pin connector that works on some Canon bodies and not others.

 

[BrianL]

David, you just talked me into a Kodak Pony 135. Simple thing that does 1 thing, takes pictures and no accessories and use of the Sunny 16 rule in lieu of a meter.

 

[largely]

I currently have 2 T90's and will happily buy another as soon as the cash becomes available. The best of the FD cameras IMHO.

Larry