In praise of the Canon F-1N

dave olson · Apr 25, 2024

nt's
I first began using a Canon F-1N in the 1970's. My photography had evolved when I was building my stock photo agency and taking editorial assignments. During this time I was using both 35mm and 120 medium formats depending on the client's request. My first Canon was an F-1N and it was an impressive machine. I had read where people had described it as a tank. It is large, heavy, and durable. The Canon FD lens lineup was impressive and excellent in performance. My photography today consists of candid shots, street photography, and macro, all for my own pleasure. I still have two F-1N's decades old and still flawless in performance. Used F-1N's are readily available, particularly from Japan.

Marcelo Paniagua · Apr 25, 2024

To be honest, not my favorite F1n. Had two of them and the broke down. One got a damaged advancement mechanism and the other got a broken shutter. That under normal conditions of use. I do photography as a hobby not job so no extreme use.

I even sold 2 Nikon F2n (fully working lighmeter) thinking Canon F1n would had similar performance. Really regret selling those Nikons.

dynachrome · Apr 25, 2024

I have a fleet of F-1 cameras. All of them have been overhauled, two of them twice. The earliest F-1 cameras are now 53 years old. When they were made, it was not thought that they would still be in use a half century later. The New F-1 came out in 1981, still a long time ago. I think it was officially sold until 1996. I was disappointed when Ken Oikawa finally retired because he did such nice work. I hope he is enjoying his retirement. It is still possible to get many F-1 cameras repaired. Over time I have found the F-1 cameras reliable and very nice to use. They have good finders and many useful accessories. With some luck I will use them for many more years.

Laurent · Apr 25, 2024

I have two of them (one on the way...) with one being regularly used, one under a slow overhaul process and the third one will need a CLA too.

It was my dream camera when I was a teenager, and I'm glad I can now have them and use them.

I also got a speedfinder, which is marvel.

I used to have a F1 old (early model) with the Servo EE but I stupidly sold for next to nothing 'cause I needed cash at this time

Paul Howell · Apr 25, 2024

The Navy used F1 and F1n along side the Topcon Super D, the F1 were used in photo reconnaissance, and later replaced the Super Ds after Topcon dropped out of the camera market. Rugged, reliable, and Canon of course made great lens. I looked at Canon when I upgraded to Nikon F2 but kept with Nikon as all my lenses were Nikon and UPI who I worked for the time had all Nikon gear. Still a great camera.

benjiboy · Apr 26, 2024

dave olson:
nt's
I first began using a Canon F-1N in the 1970's. My photography had evolved when I was building my stock photo agency and taking editorial assignments. During this time I was using both 35mm and 120 medium formats depending on the client's request. My first Canon was an F-1N and it was an impressive machine. I had read where people had described it as a tank. It is large, heavy, and durable. The Canon FD lens lineup was impressive and excellent in performance. My photography today consists of candid shots, street photography, and macro, all for my pleasure. I still have two F-1N's decades old and still flawless in performance. Used F-1N's are readily available, particularly from Japan.
You're preaching to the converted here Dave, my only cameras are four Canon F I's, (2 F1N AE's,and 2 Canon F1n's) that I have been shooting with for about thirty years, they are all the cameras I will ever want or need.

loccdor · Apr 26, 2024

I have an F-1 and I like it but find myself reaching for the Spotmatic more often for its lighter weight if I want a manual 35mm. The F-1 is mainly serving as a backup for the T90 and its lenses. I do like that you can pop off the prism when you need to, but that seems to also create a potential water intrusion problem in bad weather. It's all about trade-offs in photography...

Tony-S · Apr 29, 2024

My F-1n works great. My F-1N, not so much. I can't get accurate meter info from it but it seems to expose ok in aperture or shutter priority.

kl122002 · Apr 30, 2024

My F-1n have followed me since new, It was my camera for work and leisure. I always though I would probably leave it in someday but eventually it is still on my shelf .

I almost feel guilty when I decided to put a Pentax next to it.

88E30M50 · May 6, 2024

I've only had my F-1N since last September and have only put 16 rolls of film through it. It's become my favorite camera to shoot. The viewfinder is very nice and bright and the whole camera just feels good to shoot. I have an early F-1 as well and that camera is a great one also, but it is not as nice to shoot at the F-1N. I grew up shooting an A-1 and had always lusted after an F-1. I had given my A-1 to my 27 year old son a while back and his enthusiasm for it got me thinking that I needed to get back into film again. This time, with an F-1N and I am quite happy with the camera. It's lived up to everything I'd hoped it would be.

TheFlyingCamera · May 6, 2024

I just recently acquired an early version F1 with some beautiful brassing in all the right places on it, and a 58mm f1.2 to go with it. The overhaul on it wasn't cheap, but now it is like butter in use. I'll have to get a battery adapter to use it with the meter, but as I'm used to unmetered cameras (my Rolleiflexes, my Chevron, the Pentax 67, all the large format stuff) that's not a big deal. I also like the solidity of the camera.

eli griggs · May 7, 2024

I bought my first F-1 slightly used from a roommate on Eniwetok in December, 1979, it was. F-1n and I loved it.

After a few of these cameras, I bought my first F-1N in 1980, as part of a great lens system and an A-1 and loved it from the first time I picked it up.

The F-1N I have now, is from about 1989, never failed once, until a few weeks back, when, running a motor winder, I managed to jam the advance lever.

AE Meter works fine, stop down works, meter view window closes, self-timer, advance lever simply do not engage.

Battery changed for new, no joy, and I think I locked it up by shooting motor and slipping the actuator to self-timer, at which point, it froze up.

It's the only F-1 I've ever messed up, beyond a few falls that only left scratched it slightly dented metal and I hate I can not continue my love affair with this particular model though I'm very happy to have the F-1N to fall back on, etc.

If I win a lottery, not only would I supplement the Hasselblad kit with what it does not have, including A spare body or three, but likewise the F-1N and The motors and FD glass I love so much.

The Leica Screw mount and 'M' analog are timeless, like the Hasselblad and even more importantly, the Canon F-1 family, and that love is shared across the World by many whom, like me, are still thrilled by the use of this kit, and when well used, it loves us right back, no!

1957ExaktaVarexIIa · Jul 9, 2024

I had been in love with the New F-1 for many years - and finally I got three of them some years ago. All of them have been CLA'd by a former Canon service.

It's a joy to take pictures with them, especially in rain, snow and winter. I love their tank-like construction and its many-sidedness.

dynachrome · Jul 9, 2024

I used a Canon New F-1 with the New FD 28-85/4 on July 4th to take pictures at our town's car show. The results were good. The film was Fuji Superia 400. It may have been my last roll of that film.

GarageBoy · Jul 10, 2024

The F1 and F1n have the nicest film advancement feel. That all ball bearing feels.

In praise of the Canon F-1N

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