Question on Canon FD-mount SLRs

[Colin06]

Hi Everybody,

I've got a question regarding the Canon F-1 (and all other FD-mount SLRs, I'll be choosing the model based on the answers here):

Is it possible to operate without a battery, and, if yes, with which limitations?

Thanks, Colin

 

[Removed Account2]

Canon F1 : Yes! everything is mechanical, except for the lightmeter of course. But if you have trouble finding batteries F1 used oldfashioned mercury cells - now illegal all over the world, get a Gossen Lunasix and don't look back!

Other FD models, notably newer A-models and T-models are battery driven more or less, but uses newer battery types, like silver oxide.

Early F-models like FT, F1, F1 New are mechanical marvels, F1 strong like a hammer, built for professional use.

 

[Pumalite]

Canon FTb-no batteries-no meter
F-1-no batteries-no meter

 

[Colin06]

Canon F1 : Yes! everything is mechanical, except for the lightmeter of course. But if you have trouble finding batteries F1 used oldfashioned mercury cells - now illegal all over the world, get a Gossen Lunasix and don't look back!

Thanks, that sounds good.

(If I really go ahead and get an analog SLR I want everything to be manual, and no electricity involved; the opposite of the DSLR that I normally use. I just wasn't sure how far back in time I have to go, but there didn't seem to be anything appropriate in the Canon EOS analog SLR line, although that would have allowed me to share lenses with the DSLR. Luckily used FD lenses seem to be reasonably priced...)

Colin

 

[benjiboy]

The last version of the F1 the F1N has a part mechanical part electronic shutter so does the EF and need batteries to work at all speeds, but it's the 21st century why can't you carry a spare set of batteries ? , I do, and I've been using canon FD cameras for more than twenty five years, and batteries have never been a problem.

 

[Colin06]

The last version of the F1 the F1N has a part mechanical part electronic shutter so does the EF and need batteries to work at all speeds, but it's the 21st century why can't you carry a spare set of batteries ? , I do, and I've been using canon FD cameras for more than twenty five years, and batteries have never been a problem.

Well, for the 21st century there's my DSLR.

But sometimes I'm sick and tired of all the 21st century gadgets that constantly need to be recharged, camera, cellphone, laptop, GPS, mp3-player, for some people even headsets, keyboards, mice, you name it.

Makes the idea of a useful device without a battery seem quite refreshing to me.

Colin

 

[Paul VanAudenhove]

To the best of my knowledge, there were three versions of the F-1: the F-1; the F-1n; and the F-1N. It can be confusing. The first two only need a battery for the meter, the last version (F-1N) needs a battery for the shutter speeds. If you search a little, you can find out what batteries you can use in an F-1. I am using hearing aid batteries (675) plus an o-ring to keep the battery centered in the chamber.

 

[Removed Account2]

Right on Paul, I left out that part about my F1 answer, there certainly was 3 versions, I had the original F1 for more than 20 years, never had a hickup, and was fool enough to sell it. Now I have the last version, the battery dependent F1N. I have no problem finding batteries, they are for sale on €bay.

 

[hpulley]

Canon F-1 original version, FTb and FTbN and TX and TLb only use the mercury cell for metering and can be operated completely without a battery. The Canon EF (body, not lens mount) and New F-1 have hybrid shutter which can operate at some speeds without a battery but not all speeds. The A series and T series cameras are completely dependent on batteries, HOWEVER they use modern batteries which can still be readily purchased.

I too like using the older bodies without anything. Winding the film myself, choosing the exposure myself, selecting the aperture by actually turning an aperture ring can be refreshing. Doing that and developing my own film and making my own prints the only electricity I need is for the enlarger bulb, no electronics at all since I don't use an electronic timer. It is nice to prove you can still do things without electronics once in a while ;-)

 

[Removed Account2]

Besides, the FD lenses was the worlds *best* lenses!

;-))

 

[benjiboy]

Well, for the 21st century there's my DSLR.

But sometimes I'm sick and tired of all the 21st century gadgets that constantly need to be recharged, camera, cellphone, laptop, GPS, mp3-player, for some people even headsets, keyboards, mice, you name it.

Makes the idea of a useful device without a battery seem quite refreshing to me.

Colin

Colin. I've had the current battery in my Canon A1 ( that is completely battery dependant) for more than ten years, and in the twenty three years I have owned it it's only the third one it's ever had in it, I don't understand what the problem is.

 

[johnalex141r]

The last version of the F1 the F1N has a part mechanical part electronic shutter so does the EF and need batteries to work at all speeds, but it's the 21st century why can't you carry a spare set of batteries ? , I do, and I've been using canon FD cameras for more than twenty five years, and batteries have never been a problem.

I have an F1N (or F1n??) that uses the same batteries as the AE-1 and my Bronica SQ-A. Picked a couple batteries up at the local store recently.

The camera will work without batteries, but slower shutter speeds will not work - something about the battery required to hold the shutter open... maybe 1/30 sec and slower?

Great camera. My daughter has adopted it now.

JohnS.

 

[benjiboy]

I have an F1N (or F1n??) that uses the same batteries as the AE-1 and my Bronica SQ-A. Picked a couple batteries up at the local store recently.

The camera will work without batteries, but slower shutter speeds will not work - something about the battery required to hold the shutter open... maybe 1/30 sec and slower?

Great camera. My daughter has adopted it now.

JohnS.

That's right, so does the EF it was the first Canon Camera to have this hybrid shutter even before the F1N, I didn't make it clear that only the slow shutter speeds are electronic the fast ones are mechanical and work without a battery.

 

[Jeff Kubach]

I've been using my FD system for years, I still love using it. For me batteries weren't much of a issue. Like Ben they usually last a long time.

Jeff

 

[Colin06]

Thanks for all the replies!

To summarise, certain (older) models work fine without a battery except for the exposure meter, others, in addition, have long exposure times that need power, and the more modern models need a battery to run at all.

Also, the issue of batteries is not as important as for digital cameras, because you'll drain a battery over the course of several years, not several hours of shooting.

-Colin

 

[benjiboy]

Thanks for all the replies!

To summarise, certain (older) models work fine without a battery except for the exposure meter, others, in addition, have long exposure times that need power, and the more modern models need a battery to run at all.

Also, the issue of batteries is not as important as for digital cameras, because you'll drain a battery over the course of several years, not several hours of shooting.

-Colin

That's about the size of it Colin.

 

[holmburgers]

In these discussions I always tout the EF. From 1/1000" to 1/2" are all mechanical and work w/o batteries. From 1" to 30" are battery controlled with two readily available 625 batteries. Voltage problems are NO concern with the EF.

The metering is central metering with bottom-half emphasis. I would prefer spot metering, but whatever. The meter goes down to EV -2.

Has mirror-lock up, double exposure, mechanical self timer, etc. They sell for much less than F-1's.

It's an awesome camera.

 

[hpulley]

On older cameras you had to swap focus screens or bodies to swap metering patterns. On later ones with computerized metering you can of course switch metering patterns with the turn of a dial.

 

[benjiboy]

In these discussions I always tout the EF. From 1/1000" to 1/2" are all mechanical and work w/o batteries. From 1" to 30" are battery controlled with two readily available 625 batteries. Voltage problems are NO concern with the EF.

The metering is central metering with bottom-half emphasis. I would prefer spot metering, but whatever. The meter goes down to EV -2.

Has mirror-lock up, double exposure, mechanical self timer, etc. They sell for much less than F-1's.

It's an awesome camera.

Indeed it is, the first F1 model that was manufactured at the same time as the EF didn't have the Silicon cell metering was still using the old Cadmium Sulphide cells and the EF had governed shutter speeds down to thirty seconds as well as flash sync at 1/125 sec, and a wonderful vertical running all metal Copal Square shutter, the only shutter Canon ever used that they didn't manufacture, in many ways it's superior to the F1.

 

[Mainecoonmaniac]

I have an F1N (or F1n??)[QUOTE/]

Here's a link to the F1N, the newer F1.

http://www.camerarepair.com/Used-Cameras/Canon-MF-SLR-C42/Bodies-C45/F-1N-P86/

I have a new F1. I think it's all electronic until you remove the battery. When the battery is removed, you'll get mechanical speeds 1/90th or slower. The meter won't work. On the old F1, all the shutter speeds will work.




that uses the same batteries as the AE-1 and my Bronica SQ-A. Picked a couple batteries up at the local store recently.

The camera will work without batteries, but slower shutter speeds will not work - something about the battery required to hold the shutter open... maybe 1/30 sec and slower?

Great camera. My daughter has adopted it now.

JohnS.

 

[petefoto]

A and T series

hi dont forget the great AE-1 series as well as the T70 and T90 the later run on aa batteries

 

[hpulley]

The AE-1 and later A-series cameras do NOT run on AA batteries. They take one 6V 2CR1/N3/L544BP/4LR44 battery which you can still get today though not as readily as AA cells. The motor drives do take AA cells but not the main body and the body battery is still required when the motor drive is attached unlike some later EOS cameras which could use the motor drive/battery pack to power the body.

The T-90 takes 4 AA cells. The T-80 takes 4 AAA cells. T-70 and T-50 take 2 AA cells... not sure about the T-60.

 

[Pumalite]

As good or better than then the F-1 ( The EF )

 

[benjiboy]

As good or better than then the F-1 ( The EF )

I'll drink to that, the EF was a much more sophisticated camera in some ways than the first version of the F1, and the only SLR camera that Canon ever made that they didn't manufacture the shutter for, it was made by the Copal Company

 

[3 Olives]

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