Using Canon EF

<p>Hi i recently purchased a Canon EF (fantastic camera ) i have been using it in A mode and all the pics are well exposed with no problems . I would like to use it in manual mode is this only possible in stop down mode with a FD lens in place and using the notch at the bottom of the Fscale in the finder ,Thanks </p>

<p>Canon, for some reason, discourages using FD lenses in stop down mode. I've used them that way and it seems to work fine though. The only other way to use the EF in manual mode, after taking the lens off "A" or "o", is to read the recommended f-stop from the vertical scale with the lens wide open and then manually changing the lens to that recommended f-stop. Of course, you have to stop looking into the viewfinder and look at the lens because there is no f-stop window in the EF as in the New F-1. IIRC, the latter method is the way the owner's manual recommends operating the EF in manual mode with an FD lens.</p>

<p>FL lenses, OTOH, must be used with stopped down metering.</p>

<p>Their is a notch at the bottom of the F scale (through the viewer) that if you go into stop down and take the f stop ring off A and get the needle in the notch it corresponds to what you get to the reading when set to A ( a lot simpler if you do it lol) </p>

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<p>Canon, for some reason, discourages using FD lenses in stop down mode. I've used them that way and it seems to work fine though.</p>

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<p>The EF is by far my favorite Canon camera, bar none.</p>

<p>The manual for the Canon A-1 states that the stopped-down mode is used for non-FD lenses, such as the earlier FL and R lines. This mode is also useful for low-light metering when doing macro/micro photography.</p>

<p>The reason Canon discourages stopped down mode is that "If you return the lens aperture to "A" but leave the stopped-down lever on the camera pushed in (A-series' cameras), . . . . . . . this severely strains the camera mechanisms."</p>

<p>So not exactly applicable to the EF or other models.</p>

<p>I love using the EF and I totally agree when people call it the black beauty. I also love its simplicity. </p>

<p>At first, I read you "have been using it in A mode", and I was surprised because it doesn't have an A mode as in Aperture priority Auto Exposure. Then I realized that you meant putting the lens aperture to A, which really means the Shutter speed priority mode. Wow, one reason I love my EF because it has S mode, but I guess many of us don't realize that these cameras also have AEL(ock).</p>

<p>I always use a camera in manual mode, but with the EF, I always put the aperture in A(uto) and use it in Shutter Priority mode. So how did I use it as manual mode: <br>

1. I set the shutter speed by the shutter speed dial, it is shown nicely on the viewfinder.<br>

2. If the aperture is larger (smaller number) than what you want, point your camera to some brighter things nearby will shrink the aperture (using a bigger number). Similarly, if the aperture is narrower than what you want, point your camera to a darker place around.<br>

3. When you have the aperture you want, press the shutter release halfway (just like you do with new camera). This will hold the aperture setting (AEL). Then re frame, manually focus, and press the shutter release all the way down.</p>

<p>With a little practice, you will see that is very easy and fast.</p>

<p>Yes, of course, the EF can be used in manual mode. However, there are only four FD cameras that I'm aware of that have the aperture ring coupled to the meter: the FTb, old and New F-1s, and the AT-1. All others, including the EF, require that you transfer the suggested aperture shown in the viewfinder to the aperture ring to obtain correctly recommended exposure.</p>

<p>To me, this is the only deficit with the EF, which is an otherwise superb camera. Well, it doesn't have provisions for interchangeable focusing screens or a motor option either, but I can live with these discrepancies. But not having a coupled aperture ring is somewhat of an annoyance for me.</p>

 

<p>Michael the aperture ring is coupled to the meter but in stop down mode and you use the notch at the bottom of the F F scale on the right through the viewfinder. Canon says first focus on subject then apply stop down lever and adjust aperture/ shutter speed to the desired setting and the needle sits in the notch on the F scale . </p>

<p>Best looking Canon ever. And, it takes modern batteries. (Voltage regulation circuit.)<br>

<img src="https://basepath.smugmug.com/photos/i-7ZSDbKf/0/O/i-7ZSDbKf.jpg" alt="" width="512" /></p>

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<p>Michael the aperture ring is coupled to the meter but in stop down mode and you use the notch at the bottom of the F F scale on the right through the viewfinder. Canon says first focus on subject then apply stop down lever and adjust aperture/ shutter speed to the desired setting and the needle sits in the notch on the F scale .</p>

 

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<p>Yes, I'm aware of stop-down metering and how it works. This is a handy feature that most FD cameras support. But it is not the same as full-aperture metering using the aperture ring, such as one does with the F-1s or FTb or AT-1 or Nikon F-series or FE- and FM-series, or Nikkormats, or the Pentax K-series. Etc. And that was what I was referring to.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Michael, my post showed how we can set and see the aperture in the viewfinder, without really turning the aperture ring. It's very convenient and efficient. And isn't it the way the Canon 1D IV is doing now? in Manual mode</p>

<p>I guess many of us, even my dear brother, don't like the method I use. But I just want to set the speed and aperture as I decided, using the electronic system to do that is not guilt, just convenience.</p>

<p>I have almost all the Canon FD range of cameras including the F1n, and New F1 and the EF has the smoothest wind on and shutter operation of all of them.</p>

<p>With all respect, John Tran, you seem to be describing a different camera--a Konica Autoreflex, for example: "3. When you have the aperture you want, press the shutter release halfway (just like you do with new camera). This will hold the aperture setting (AEL). Then re frame, manually focus, and press the shutter release all the way down." This is incorrect and contradicts the instructions. I own two Canon EFs and the one I use now is my fourth. If you try to press the shutter release button half way, you will release the shutter. The dedicated exposure lock button is on the left (from the back) of the pentaprism, NOT in the shutter release. I actually prefer the Konica method although the EF is my favorite SLR.<br /><br />Also, there is no "S" mode. The camera--as we know--has automatic aperture control based on the shutter speed set. There is no "S" setting. The closest thing to that is the "A" setting on the lens.<br /><br />After trying Canon AE-1, AE-1 Program, A-1 and New F-1 in 2016, I've decided on the EF as my main 35mm film camera. I haven't found anything that comes close in smoothness, precision feel and simple functionality (the nearest maybe Minolta XD). The speed and latitude of aperture automation is important to me and my exposures have been perfect so far. On a sunny day with ISO 100, I just set the shutter speed to 1/125 and the camera automatically adjusts up to seven stops brighter than sunny 16--down to f:1.4. Comparatively, with an automatic shutter (aperture preferred), I can set the aperture to f:5.6 (1/1000 @ ISO 100 and sunshine) and only get three-stop latitude down to 1/125. Shutter-preferred automated exposure is clearly the most convenient and most flexible, in my opinion.<br /><br />If the EF had speeds up to 1/4000 second, an exposure lock like Nikon FE or Konica Autoreflex, on/off integrated into the film advance lever like Nikon, spot metering capability, TTL flash and showed any aperture manually set--it would be the perfect MF 35mm SLR. In my opinion. Multi-mode exposure automation would be the cherry on top.</p>