Is 185$ a fair price for a Canon F1-n?

robonfilm · Jul 16, 2024

I've negotiated online for a Canon F1-n late production run (NOT New F1), settling for the price of 185$ shipped. It seems to be working ok (not properly tested, but the shutter fires, the film advances, etc.) Do you think that's a goodprice? I want to try it for some time maybe to sell it later, hoping to make a profit or at least break even. Sold products on Ebay don't tell me much because the prices vary a lot.

(http://imgur.com/a/6lZK3cC)

Don_ih · Jul 16, 2024

My guess is, you'd probably at least break even selling it - maybe $100 more, assuming you could say it worked. Probably a couple of hundred more if you added a 50 1.8 and said it was film tested and worked. Assuming it works. That one looks like it was hardly used.

1957ExaktaVarexIIa · Jul 16, 2024

I'm sure it will be a pleasure to film-test this beautiful camera .

When looking at the first photo it seems to me that there are some scratches on the finder's black surface - on the left slightly below the "Canon" logo...?
It would be interesting to know if the slow shutter times and the self timer run properly. And if the lightmeter works correctly, of course.

My best wishes, robonfilm, that you might get a lot more than 150$ .

Actually I've sold an old F-1 from 1976 (first model) for a friend last year - the camera worked completely, it looked a bit road-worn . My friend got payed 150 €.

Marcelo Paniagua · Jul 16, 2024

Looks like a good deal IMHO. I prefer this over the F1 New. On the past, when I did some pro work and put some use on cameras, 2 F1 New bodies broke down on me, while the F1n still is going strong.

runswithsizzers · Jul 16, 2024

Whenever a used camera is described as, "not tested," the safest assumption is that the camera is not working. If it turns out the camera works, great! But if there is some problem that can only be revealed by film testing, then any necessary repairs could easily double your cost.

Personally, if it is a camera I like and intend to keep, then I don't mind if the total cost to buy and repair a camera is $300-350(US). But as an "investment," that would probably not be wise.

Bottom line, unless the seller says they will definitely accept a return and refund your money, then I think the purchase is a gamble. Do you feel lucky?

If the seller has a time limit on returns, be sure it is enough time for you to shoot some some film and see the results, especially if you must rely on a lab for your processing.

robonfilm · Jul 18, 2024

Thanks to everybody who took the time to answer. I ended up buying the camera. If anybody is interested, I will post on this tread about its actual condition.

runswithsizzers said:
If the seller has a time limit on returns, be sure it is enough time for you to shoot some some film and see the results, especially if you must rely on a lab for your processing.

The return limit is three days from delivery, but I'm lucky enough to have a darkroom at home, so I can develop and make contact prints of the whole first roll the same day I receive the camera.
BTW, I've taken a look at your gallery, and your pictures are amazing!

Don_ih said:
My guess is, you'd probably at least break even selling it - maybe $100 more, assuming you could say it worked. Probably a couple of hundred more if you added a 50 1.8 and said it was film tested and worked. Assuming it works. That one looks like it was hardly used.

1957ExaktaVarexIIa said:
I'm sure it will be a pleasure to film-test this beautiful camera .

When looking at the first photo it seems to me that there are some scratches on the finder's black surface - on the left slightly below the "Canon" logo...?
It would be interesting to know if the slow shutter times and the self timer run properly. And if the lightmeter works correctly, of course.

My best wishes, robonfilm, that you might get a lot more than 150$ .

Actually I've sold an old F-1 from 1976 (first model) for a friend last year - the camera worked completely, it looked a bit road-worn . My friend got payed 150 €.

I really hope that's the case or at least that I fall in love with the camera so much that I decide to keep it!

1957ExaktaVarexIIa · Jul 18, 2024

I bet you will like it . The F-1n should be beautiful camera, just like the F-1 (pre-1976).
If it had shared more accessoires with my New F-1, I would have definitely kept it for myself.

I must admit that its depth-of-field lever is much more ergonomic than the knob on the New F-1.
I find the old F-1's waist level finder more practical because it can be closed.
And of course it's just beautiful to work with a professional and entirely mechanical body.

By the way, there is a competent and charming video about the F-1/F-1n en Francais . And I'm sure you will like this special site about the F-1 family.

GregY · Jul 19, 2024

$185 for a (then) top of the line pro level camera, whether it's a Nikon F or a Canon F1 will always be a bargain!
Have it serviced if it needs it & fire away!

BrianShaw · Jul 19, 2024

Good luck: Hopefully that camera works out. It will be a swell camera to make photos with.

Please keep us update. Posting additional details to this thread would be better than a new thread, for continuity sake.

robonfilm · Jul 24, 2024

UPDATE:
I received the camera, changed light seals and mirror damper, and tested it with film, trying all the speeds, etc.

I can confirm the camera indeed works well, except for a very strange behavior that occurs once every 5/6 times only selecting 1/125 speed, in which the camera does expose correctly, but the mirror does not lower and the shutter seems to close almost completely but not quite all the way, as I said without leaving any parts of the film exposed. The mechanism resets when the advance lever is pulled. Do I have to worry?

Apart from this the camera is in really good cosmetic condition but could use a focusing screen replacement. Is any of you selling one?

TheFlyingCamera · Jul 24, 2024

robonfilm said:
UPDATE:
I received the camera, changed light seals and mirror damper, and tested it with film, trying all the speeds, etc.

I can confirm the camera indeed works well, except for a very strange behavior that occurs once every 5/6 times only selecting 1/125 speed, in which the camera does expose correctly, but the mirror does not lower and the shutter seems to close almost completely but not quite all the way, as I said without leaving any parts of the film exposed. The mechanism resets when the advance lever is pulled. Do I have to worry?

Apart from this the camera is in really good cosmetic condition but could use a focusing screen replacement. Is any of you selling one?

I don't know how serious that issue is, but I would absolutely get it serviced. I have an original F1 with gobs of beautiful brassing, and after a full overhaul, it is a pure joy to shoot with. Super smooth, with very satisfying sounds, and no hesitations/misfires/glitches. It's actually similar in weight to my Contax RTS III, which has a built-in motor drive!

Is 185$ a fair price for a Canon F1-n?

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