What Exactly Am I Missing By Not Having a F1New?

I am and always have been convinced beyond any shadow of doubt that black and white film photography is the highest form of the art. My modest camera collection includes an AE-1 (bought new in 1979), a very beautiful A-1 and a just purchased FTb-N (it's being shipped as we speak). I have resisted getting an F-1 or F-1 New for decades but have now decided that the time could be right. There are some awesome examples on eBay right now. Is the F-1 merely a status symbol with bragging rights for us old timers or is it actually Canon's version of the Holy Grail? I am quite serious about my need for some guidance here. Edited December 29, 2020 by danac

An F-1 is just like any other camera in that the person operating it is the most important component. That said, I can only speak about the original F-1, which I used for a few decades. Completely mechanical, beautifully made, and feels almost bulletproof. Match needle exposure only (without the Servo EE finder), and the meter sensitivity is limited to 1/15 shutter speed with ASA 400 film (without the Booster T finder). Limited area meter was a welcomed change for me, but you certainly needed to understand exposure, especially if you had color slide film loaded. I had 3 focusing screens, but tended to use just the combo split rangefinder/microprism screen).

 

Enjoyed using it with my FD lenses, but sold it well over 20 years ago for an EOS system. You will need to find a solution for the mercury battery operated meter circuit. In many respects, an Ftb-N will operate in a similar fashion, with somewhat lesser weight, though still quite robust. If you don't like the Ftb, I would not bother with an F-1.

My first camera was a Pentax Spotmatic purchased while studying judo in Tokyo during the Summer of 1969. It had a stop-down meter with a needle that had to be centered in the finder. I really miss that camera and found the (now archaic) meter to be a joy to use. So I don't think the match needle meter of the FTb-N or F-1 New would be anything but fun to use. My images here in the Rocky Mountain West are almost entirely of landscapes so they are not rushed.

The last version, the New F1, does not use mercury batteries. Instead, it takes any of the following batteries:

 

Lithium 6V

Alkaline - manganese 6V

Silver Oxide 6V

Duracell PX 28L Eveready (UCAR) No. A544 IEC 4LR44 Eveready (UCAR) No. 544,

Durqceli PX 28,

IEC 4SR44

 

Do not confuse the "New F1" with the "F1n". The F1n takes a mercury battery.

Although I have a number of Canon AE-1, AE-1p, A-1, EF and even had a Canonflex but never an F1 .reading on the Canon New F1 I found it's of a very complex design. It has hybrid shutter electronic/mechanical. It's capable of Av mode with the right viewfinder and motor drive. I am not sure but it's capable of Tv mode as well with the right accessories. So among all of the Canon FD bodies I would think the New F1 is the one to get.

I have a similar accumulation to that of BeBu, and have never found any good reason to try out the admittedly very fine F1 series.

 

You might want to take a look at the T90, which I consider to be the finest of ALL FD mount Canons.

If only it didn't have persistent problems with the shutter magnets:oops:

The F-1N, operationally, is probably the best of the F-1's. What I like the best are the viewfinder and metering system. Selective area metering (12% rectangle like the original F-1), a spot meter, and a center-weighted metering are all options depending on what view screen you use. Multiple automation options too, depending on what accessories you attach. The F-1N AE finder gives you aperture-preferred automation. If you attach a motor winder of motor drive, you have shutter-speed automation. All of these options combined with a rugged, weatherized body make an F-1N a compelling camera. Plus it takes a more readily available 6V battery. I bought mine back in 1982. Still works like brand new.

I think the New F-1 is great. I collected all of the FD bodies except the TX & TLb a few years back, along with quite a lot of lenses. In the end I have kept only the New F-1 and T90 which are IMO the pinnacles of the Canon line.

 

For me Av mode and proper open aperture metered manual are what I need. The F-1N provides the Av mode which elevates it over the original for my needs. I have both the plain head, AE head and a chimney type finder. I also have a few screens with different meter patterns and a grid.

 

Building out a full kit like that is now quite pricey but the chimney type finder used in manual mode would be nice for slow paced landscape work off a tripod.

I'm confused as to the availability of aperture priority metering in the F-1N. Does the unmodified stock camera have this capability or does it absolutely need the AE Finder FN for it to have aperture priority mode?

 

JDMvW: I like the features of the T90 but not the look. My mind is still stuck in the late '60s to early '80s. I love the look of the Japanese motorcycles of that period. My Suzuki TU250X has that retro appearance. I even own a '66 MGB roadster and a '72 Alfa Romeo GTV. The camera bodies of that time have the same irresistible appeal.

 

All: My A-1 does most of these things with

Edited December 30, 2020 by danac

I'm confused as to the availability of aperture priority metering in the F-1N. Does the unmodified stock camera have this capability or does it absolutely need the AE Finder FN for it to have aperture priority mode?

 

Actually, you can get aperture-priority automation with the standard FN finder. Only caveat is that you can't see the shutter speed the camera is selecting. The AE FN finder has a visible shutter speed scale on the bottom of the viewing image with a needle pointing to the shutter speed. I bought my camera with the AE Finder but picked up a cheap FN finder sometime back. I use the FN finder more than FN AE finder.

I've been a member for some time but haven't posted in a while. Have been lurking for the last few months, though...

 

IMO, there are three reasons to get a F-1n/New F-1:

1. 12% selective metering. "My" first camera was a Canon FT I took over from my father. I learned to love the 12% metering area with that camera and now I dislike using anything else, whether averaging or "spot" metering. It's good you are getting the FTbn. Use it a while and see if you get hooked on the 12%...

 

2. Power Winder F/FN. Having a winder to advance your film really helps lighten the load, so to speak. I prefer the Winder F (for the F-1n only) over the Winder FN (for the New F-1 only) because the Winder FN requires you to set up a reverse counter which, if done incorrectly, can tear the film or jam the camera. The Winder F relies on the low torque of the motor to stop the film winding. Much simpler. Don't bother with the Motor Drives, unless you actually need the speed. Carrying around 12 AA batteries gets really heavy...

 

Also, the Winder FN will get you shutter priority automatic exposure.

 

3. Speed Finder/Speed Finder FN. For me this is the best reason to buy an F-1/New F-1. It allows you to view the subject without smashing your face against the camera. You can view the focusing screen from a distance such as overhead shots. Great for when you need to grab a quick shot. It can be used as a right-side up waist level finder, as well.

 

You can get a winder for your A-series cameras, but not the 12% metering or speed finder. The combination of the three options makes the F-1 the most versatile camera ever IMO.

 

Sorry about the long post. Discussions about F-1s get me a little overly excited...

Edited December 31, 2020 by steven_endo

I like the idea of using the FTb-N for a while to test the 12% metering. I'll run a quick roll of 24 through it, process immediately and study the results.

 

Jim: Why did you eventually settle on the standard finder over the optional one?

I own a F1 New since many years and I think is one of the finest camera made. Feels great in the hands. All functions are at the right place. Accept common batteries. Tons of accessories. Immense reliability. Go for it, now are very affordable, is the right time to buy it.

.....Jim: Why did you eventually settle on the standard finder over the optional one?

 

One foolish reason, I think it looks cooler. The other more practical, the camera plus FN finder is slightly smaller and less bulky. Plus I find that I don't really need automation for most of my work (portraits), the standard finder works just fine.

So far the most desirable advantage of the F-1N over the other contemporary Canon bodies seems to be the choice of three metering angles.

12% limited area meter is available on all 3 F-1 models makes it much easier to isolate a tone and location within your scene to meter than with the center weighted meter in an A-1. The A-1 also does not have manual match needle (or diode) mode, requiring you to pull the camera from your eye to set the aperture using the camera's recommended aperture as a guide. Using exposure compensation, in an AE mode, also requires you take the camera from your eye and there is no indication in the viewfinder that EC has been set or at what amount. I would not be happy using an A-1 with color slide film, but could manage OK with color or B&W negatives, especially B&W chromogenic films. I will admit that while I own and really like my A-1, which was inherited about 10 years ago, I was not using film anymore and never ran a roll through it. Edited December 31, 2020 by Ken Katz

So far the most desirable advantage of the F-1N over the other contemporary Canon bodies seems to be the choice of three metering angles.

 

That's probably the most useful feature. When I use the AE finder, I usually use a center-weighted screen. With the FN finder, I use a spot meter screen.

 

Other advantages are overall build quality (very rugged) and the fact that the camera uses seals and gaskets at crucial spots. The accessory finders are nice too. Plus you can use the camera sans finder (just look down at the focusing screen), if you want to take "surreptitious" pics.

So there are three separate focusing screens for spot, partial and center weight modes (among many others) and you must physically remove it from under the finder in order to switch to another one. Is this correct? Looking at a youtube of this procedure looks easy enough but it's certainly not convenient.That means that whenever you purchase an F-1, you may not get the screen you want. Finding a used screen in clean unmarred condition could be a problem.

So there are three separate focusing screens for spot, partial and center weight modes (among many others) and you must physically remove it from under the finder in order to switch to another one. Is this correct? Looking at a youtube of this procedure looks easy enough but it's certainly not convenient.That means that whenever you purchase an F-1, you may not get the screen you want. Finding a used screen in clean unmarred condition could be a problem.

 

Screens are pretty readily available and the vast majority of New F-1 bodies for sale will have the AE screen. The screens have a two letter designation with the meter pattern first then screen type, so;

 

AE is average, PE is partial and SE is spot. E is the type which, in this case is the standard split image with microprism collar.

 

One other advantage not mentioned so far over every other FD body except the T90 is a the F-1 bodies offer a 1/2000 shutter speed.

 

Ultimately with the New F-1 you are getting the ability to tailor the camera to behave just how you want it to without extra options to distract when you are shooting.

So there are three separate focusing screens for spot, partial and center weight modes (among many others) and you must physically remove it from under the finder in order to switch to another one. Is this correct? Looking at a youtube of this procedure looks easy enough but it's certainly not convenient.That means that whenever you purchase an F-1, you may not get the screen you want. Finding a used screen in clean unmarred condition could be a problem.

 

This is correct. If you want to change metering pattern, you install a new screen. Changing screens on any F-1 is fast and easy (unlike the terribly clunky procedure Nikon used on the F and F2). I have had no problem buying mint viewing screens, but of course you may have to wait months before the one you want becomes available. I've bought the majority of screens from KEH in Atlanta. Canon made some very unique screens for the F-1N, one being the cross-split which splits the image in both the vertical and horizontal planes. Very helpful when focusing on a person's eye. Definitely my favorite screen for portrait photography.

Lots to think about here.

Actually, you can get aperture-priority automation with the standard FN finder. Only caveat is that you can't see the shutter speed the camera is selecting. The AE FN finder has a visible shutter speed scale on the bottom of the viewing image with a needle pointing to the shutter speed. I bought my camera with the AE Finder but picked up a cheap FN finder sometime back. I use the FN finder more than FN AE finder.

Now you have me curious. I do have a New F-1 with the AE finder. So what you are saying is that the aperture priority is built into the body and is independent of the finder? In other words, if I removed the finder and say replaced it with a waist level finder I'd still have auto exposure? I'll have to give it a try. Also curious as to how you found this out as I have never seen it in print.

Now you have me curious. I do have a New F-1 with the AE finder. So what you are saying is that the aperture priority is built into the body and is independent of the finder? In other words, if I removed the finder and say replaced it with a waist level finder I'd still have auto exposure? I'll have to give it a try. Also curious as to how you found this out as I have never seen it in print.

 

Yes. Aperture-preferred automation is built into the body, not the finder. The finder just shows you what shutter speed the camera has chosen. I learned about this feature on some other photo site 10-15 years ago. I occasionally put the shutter speed dial on "A" when using my FN finder. Works fine. As to why Canon did this, no idea.

Yes. Aperture-preferred automation is built into the body, not the finder. I occasionally put the shutter speed dial on "A" when using my FN finder. Works fine. As to why Canon did this, no idea.

 

This really amazes me. I will try it out as i have a smoke stack finder for macro. Odd too that I sold these things for several years and the Canon tech rep never mentioned it. Guess they wanted to sell the more expensive finder.

 

Thanks

I'm sure the profit margin was higher on the AE finder than FN finder.

 

Canon may have opted for two separate finders as a throwback gesture to those pro's who owned the original F-1. The FN finder was the standard finder (worked just like the prism finder on the original F-1) and the AE finder was for those daring pro's who were willing to try aperture-preferred automation. Shutter-speed automation was an add-on feature too, you need a motor drive or winder for it to work. Whatever, the F-1N was a great systems camera that could be configured any way you wanted. Very versatile.