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Seeking Canon EF Camera Information


timwitt

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It seems to me that, given the EF's intended audience, an eveready case would have been made for it -- and one of the leather ones, too. Not the pressed paper stuff that deteriorates over time. But given the EF's relatively low production numbers, perhaps these cases are rare.

 

I have three EFs, none of which came to me with a case. Serial numbers and date codes are:

 

235545 / O1114 (November, 1974)

299413 / Has film in it.

392118 / Q1131 (November, 1976)

 

I've always just liked the looks of the EF -- it's one of Canon's most handsome cameras, IMO. But I've never been a big fan of its metering method, which is pretty much the same as the AE-1's, AE-1P's, and A-1's. Centerweighted with a slight lower than center emphasis. This type of metering method is fine for general photography using print film. But if one is shooting slides, one must be continually vigilant with respect to light sources within the frame. Strong light sources will cause the camera to stop the lens down too far (when shooting in Shutter Priority), or the meter will indicate too small of an aperture when shooting in manual mode.

 

It is for this reason why I have always preferred the FTb and original F-1, which meters only within a 12% rectangle, visible on the focusing screen. Because metering occurs only within this rectangle, it is possible to position it, or move it around to average a scene, such that correct exposure can be obtained, which is crucial when shooting with slide film.

 

I can only assume that Canon decided on the averaging meter because of the Shutter Priority mode. To me, this has always been an erroneous decision on their part. Both the EF and all the A-series cameras would have benefited greatly if Canon would have stayed true to a partial metering method. They did finally realize its importance when they developed the T70. It's partial metering pattern is one of the big reasons why I really like the T70 a lot. More than my A-1 in fact.

 

Nonetheless, I remain a big fan of the EF for lots of other reasons. Not the least of which is it is simply a pleasure to look at.

Edited by mwmcbroom
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A solution for the eveready case could be the case for the New F-1 called N.F-1 S. It fits the New F-1 (but not with the AE finder), the original F-1 and the EF like a glove. It’s secret is that it doesn’t have a tripod receptacle, making life much easier. I happen to own one, it still looks like new with no deterioration as some other cases have. Oh yeah, the interior is dressed with lush black velvet...
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Don't know if these detail was already discussed in the posts missing from this thread: There are two different versions of the ON/OFF switch.

 

“Old” switch:

 

163957731_CanonEFON-OFFswitchold.JPG.3d25a430e2391d898d647bca718b5e71.JPG

 

“New” switch:

 

1827994663_CanonEFON-OFFswitchnew.JPG.83f709f5cd798c74119dfcc02cb211fd.JPG

 

  • EF 2119XX, O114, microprism, “old” switch
  • EF 2448XX, O1216, microprism, “old” switch
  • EF 2624XX, P... (numbers illegible), microprism, “old” switch
  • EF 4002XX, Q1231, split-image, “new” switch
  • EF 4208XX, Q628 (? – hardly legible), split-image, “new” switch

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As others have found, Canon DID make/sell an eveready case for the EF. Unfortunately, it WAS made of that pressed paper stuff. However, that pressed paper covered a steel frame for the lower half so it is possible to re-cover it in leather, which is what I did. Because I never liked the floppy up-and-over top cover I wasnt concerned that the top half had crumbled away. I like to use just the bottom half because it protects the camera body from my often sweaty palms and also gives the camera a nice padded thickness that I find more comfortable than gripping the bare body. Edited by steven_endo
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I found this thread to be very interesting and have had it bookmarked for several years. Thanks to every one. Here's my EF collection. My first EF was purchased new in the spring of 1976. It was split screen. I don't have that one anymore. #118***/0306 MP #211***/01015 MP #302***/P621 SS #328***/Q325 SS #399***/Q1231 SS #406***/R232 SS #416***/R732 SS They all work great. I always liked the FD lenses. Thanks again, Joe.
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I started photography with an AE-1P for a couple of years and quickly got the T-90 in 1986 which got me past the EOS film stage. A couple of years before going digital I did a ton of FD research and determined the back up camera that I thought would be most useful and fun was the EF. I don't remember all the ins and outs, but it did more of what I wanted than any of the F-1 models, and with a one of the F-1 models I had to add so many optional pieces to get what I needed. I never did get one, so it is a joy that I missed.
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The EF probably lingered into 1977.  Once the AE-1 came out, there was little reason to keep it around.

Edit:  Peter Dechert, of Canon rangefinder fame, also wrote a book on Canon SLR's.  He states that the production of the EF was from July, 1973 until July, 1977.  No serial numbers or production data was listed.  

Edited by jim_bielecki1
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Just got this one, high mileage EF.

Purchased it mainly to satisfy my curiosity how it looks from the inside. 😀

And for parts maybe. (PO ripped it apart, not me...)

Might as well try to get her back together and working again. 🤔

 

252850 / P11x (01/1975) / microprism

 

IMG_1964.JPG

IMG_1967.JPG

Edited by PO911
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I am still wondering, how the f-stop-metering (position of needle in viewfinder) is transformed into the correct aperture setting on the lens? Has to be some sort of delicate mechanics. Anybody here can explain this?

Thanks, Arno

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