Old F1 vs. Eos1n or Eos-3

I've just rediscovered photography after a 20 year hiatus and have an old F1 in excellent shape. Should I stick with my F1 or upgrade to the newer autofocus stuff? I know this is subjective and depends on what I'm shooting , etc., etc., but I'm interested in any and all opinions based on any assumptions you want to make. Thank you . Regards, Tom.

Dr. Tom, I get the feeling that you are not a young man, not the

newest model - is that reason for your wife to trade you in?

 

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I like the older cameras - I feel like I am taking the pictures, not

the camera - hence I am shooting a Canon AE-1P and A-1. Fine old

cameras, which I bought (used) recently.

 

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If you already have an F-1 and lenses - USE THEM - then borrow newer

equipment and see what Dr. Tom prefers!

 

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How should _-I-_ know what is best for you - YOU figure it out! GRIN

Rich, thank you. I forgot to mention that I also have an AE-1 and 2

tele zooms : a 28-85 and a 70- 210. I also just picked up a MF motor

drive. What opinions do others have? Thank you, Tom.

Well Dr, you've got a nice camera. What do you think is going to be

better in a new camera ? F-1's are proven, reliable workhorses that

let you take full control of the image. What more could you want?

Honestly, if you aren't covering fast action, and your eyesight

doesn't limit your focusing ability, AF isn't likely to improve your

photography. I'd say enjoy your F-1, they don't make them like that

anymore.

Tom

Tom, thank you for your response. The only action I shoot is my

teenage son playing hockey. All other shots are not really action

shots. I really appreciate the advice. I'm still waiting for the

batteries for the light meter in the F1 to come in from Radio Shack.

Is there another source for these batteries? Thank you. Regards, Tom.

A contrary viewpoint from one who loved the F-1.I sold my old F-1

last year, mint,original and Motor Drive MF and speedfinder for a

simple reason-- too heavy a package. But I havent gone EOS yet. I may

in fact look at the Minolta line's new flagship model coming in April,

the Maxxum 9. These are as far from the F-1 as card punch is to a

modern scanner, Tom. F-1 may be a tank but no auto exposure even and

that is the least automation one wants and needs nowadays for kid

photography. The T-90 is the least of the Canon FD bodies you will

want to aspire to IMO. Now Canon USA wants you to think of the EOS

line from a marketing standpoint. I expect once you get into the EOS

or any autofocus model you will kick yourself for not doing so sooner.

My only personal inhibition is the expense of duplicating all those

lenses and a certain inertia. If you have the bucks,Tom, dump the

manual focus system now and get into the modern era. So many have done

this for good reason.

Gerry, thank you for the contrarian veiwpoint. I appreciate it.

Regards, Tom.

I too have just returned to 35mm after 20 years. My first impulse was

to trash old gear and buy EOS. I did in fact buy some EOS gear then

decided I could not afford the kit I wanted so sold it and returned to

my F-1s. Also the old gear is not worth much, my entire F-1 kit is

worth less than a single EOS3 body. I am now cornering the 2nd hand FD

market :-)

 

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Even though a shoot a lot of wildlife I still think FD is OK. To be

fair the auto focus IS better for fast moving subjects but the prices

are prohibitive (for me anyway) as I want 300/2.8, 500/4.5 type

lenses.

 

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Therefore I am sticking with FD and using gear that I could only dream

about 20 years ago.

 

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regards

Rob

 

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PS. Actually forget all I just said, move to EOS and sell me your F-1

for $100 :-)

Well, if you want to get rid of all the old junk, just let me know. :)

 

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In our house we have an F-1 (2nd mechanical), A-1 and T90, and LOT of

FD lenses. I see no reason to change. The stuff still works well,

takes good pictures. Overall it does what I want. And for teh price

of a new high end EOS system, I can add to my current system.

First, do yourself no harm. I have a pair of T-90s and every once in

a while I am tempted to "upgrade" to some mutation of the EOS system.

Whenever I am struck by that particular malady I recall some of the

hundreds of stories and articles I have read wherein the writer opens

their dialog with the admonition to "...turn your camera to manual

mode." because you cannot do in autofocus what needs to be done to

accomplish your photographic aims. The better example of this is in

the realm of macrophotography. The uniquely singular advantage of

autofocus is the tracking or "predictive" mode, which literally

guesses the future destination of your next photograph. For the

dollars involved, I find I can live without that amenity.Good luck

with your return to photography and may you rediscover the joy this

magnificant hobby once brought to you.

I want to thank everyone who has offered an opinion. Since I posted my

original message, I have bought @ T90's and a number of very good FD

lenses. I also have bought just about every accessory I could find for

my old F1(except I'm still looking for a speedfinder! ). I'm having a

great time shooting with the T90's .These camera's are great. Thank

you all for your advice. It has saved me from making an auto focus

mistake. Best regards, Tom.

I'm 34, I cupped my first camera, a Kodak 126, at the age of nine,

since then Iv'e owned various cameras, (Nikon F, Nikon 801s, Pentax

LX, MX, MZ5) and now I own a Canon F1N AE. For what its worth The

Canon F1N AE wins by a mile, the Pentax LX a close second. There are

pros and cons in both camps Auto focus v manual, however, nothing

beats using a quality modular camera like the canon F1N AE, or indeed

the Pentax LX or Nikon F, F2, F3 series. I would keep the Canon F1

and add a few lenses, but then again I like old cameras. The choice

is yours my freind. one question however, do you like the F1, does it

suite your photography and would your heart ache if you got rid of it

(oops that a few questions),

 

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best wishes Mike

Mike, thank you for your input.I have kept my F1 and even bought a ton

of accessories for it that I could never afford when I first bought it

( I probably won't use half of them, but who knows?). I have also

bought a couple of T90's that i just love. I'm glad I kept the F1 ,its

always been my favorite. Regards, Tom.

Hi,

I just read this post and felt had to say something.

In my time(40 years) I have used a lot of cameras.

I started serious photography with a T90 and an F1N,to which I soon

added another T90.

Then, whilst shooting my asscociateship panel for the royal

photographic society I borrowed a Nikon F4 and discovered autofocus.

At around the same time I turned pro,and traded in all of the FD

stuff for 2 EOS 1 bodies and lenses, and also aqquired a couple of

Hasselblads for medium format.

They did the job at the time,but for one reason and another,time

passed and I retired from professional photography,and due to

financial pressure I sold the 'Blads and one of the EOS 1's, and kept

one for whatever personal photography I wanted to do.

To shorten a long story I now shoot with 2 T90' sand several FD

lenses,as well as owning a couple of Nikon F's, a Nikkormat, and an

old Canon FTB.

The T90's are the best handling 35mm SLR's I have ever used and had

the EOS 1 been an EXACT replica of the T90 but with autofocus I may

well still have it.

So to sum up, I think you have made a wise choice with your T90 and

in tandem with your F1 you have fine equipment capable of fabulous

results.

Happy Shooting!

Marc, thank you for your comments and not staying quiet. Its been a

long time since my original post and its time to give any one who

cares an update : I bought 2 T-90's , a lot of nice FD lenses, a 300TL

flash and also kept my F-1 and AE-1. I use the 2 T-90 almost

exclusively now and just love them. Last year I shot my family reunion

with it and was not surprised to find that the professional

photographer was also using a T-90 to set up his shots. I've shot many

of my son's hockey games around the Northeast and his High School

graduation last weekend, not to mention numerous other outings. I have

both T-90's "perched" on tripods pointing at bird feeders in my yard

when I'm not using them elsewhere and continue to enjoy shooting birds

and other wildlife with them. The advice to go with the T-90 was very

good and I couldn't be happier. The T-90 has met and exceeded my

expectations for the perfect camera(s). Regards to all, Tom.