What's your favorite classic Canon?

<p>What <em>is</em> your favorite classic Canon? Not just FD (otherwise this should be in the FD forum) but all classic Canons, SLRs and RFs. While I've really been on a huge Minolta trip lately (and still am for the most part) I've been primarily a Canon user for a long time, so this is getting back to my roots, so to speak. I've had a number of Canons ranging from FTs to Canon DSLRs, and a lot of stuff in between, but there are a lot I'd still like to have such as a Canonflex or some of the older Canon RFs. The FT is the only non-FD classic Canon (SLR, that is...) I've used, but my FD list includes the FTb, FTbn, AE-1, AE-1P, A-1, F-1(original), F-1N, and the T-90. Of all of these the original F-1 is my favorite. In fact, it's probably my favorite classic camera of all (you thought a Minolta would have that title, didn't you?) and one of my favorite cameras period. I love the fact that it's a mechanical camera built to stringent professional standards, and I love its smooth and quick operation. The shutter is smooth, as smooth as the Minolta/Leica shutter on my Minolta XE-bodies, but faster. I like the look of the camera as well, with its low-profile prism and sizeable but not too hefty body. My favorite lenses to mount on it are the FD 50/1.4 and the FDn 35/2 and with those mounted, it delivers amazing pictures. So what's your favorite classic Canon? Show a picture of it if you care to. Here's mine...</p><div></div>

<p>hi andy, my favorite canon is the old canon fp, i think its the only canon slr that did not have a meter. my dad bought it in 1964, over the years he aquired several fl lenses, those lenses are still mint condition, the camera has a small ding or two but still works like a charm. thanks for the post. </p>

<p>Well Andy....so many great Canons....which to choose? I mostly use my F1, but also use the T90 and Ftb's a lot as well.<br>

I have a few rangefinder Canons, including a 11D, which is my favourite amongst these. The only old SLR that I have is a Canonflex RM, which is not as well put together as the later FT's IMHO.<br>

Oh, a favourite! That would have to be an FTb I suppose, great build quality, nice to use, and an absolute bargain these days.</p><div></div>

<p>Canonflex RM</p><div></div>

<p>T90</p><div></div>

<p>Currently my only classic Canon is my Canonet GIII 17 that I bought new in 1981. I do have an EOS Rebel XT and a Rebel K, but they are not classics. So I guess for now my favorite classic Canon is the GIII 17. I am looking to acquire a manual Canon SLR in the near future. Hopefully an F or if money's tight, an FTB. I will start with the 35mm f2 lens most likely.</p>

<p>I'd have to say my Canonflex, the original one, it is a solid camera, and has a convenient bottom wind lever. It is closely followed by Canon Pellix and the EX-EE.</p>

<p>Canon L-1, with 50/1.8.</p>

<p>RF VI-T</p>

<p>I like the Canon F1n. It's simple, precise and reliable. Built like a tank, it offers a full range of professional accessories and fine FD optics.</p><div></div>

<p>The (new) F-1 AE is probably the finest 35mm camera ever made. Built like the infamous brick outhouse, it has redundent mechanical/electronic shutter speeds, two different metering systems, 100% viewfinder, a large Lithium battery which lasts for years, interchangable screens, and I guess every trick that Canon could come up with. It's the camera that one would take with him for a year long trip to the Gobi Desert. Unfortunately, it's also quite heavy, doesn't have hig-eyepoint finder, and sucks ergonomically. I lost mine to a home burglarly or I'd still have it.<br>

The Canon that I do still use is an Elan from 1991, but only as backup for my Digital Rebel Xsi.</p>

<p>My favourite Canon is definitely the F-1 both the new and old. I really like the looks of the old F-1, espceially with a Flash Coupler F on the top and a Motor Drive MF on the bottom! That said the New F-1 is easier to use with the dedicated A,G and T-series flashes (esp the 299T) and its much more convenient AE operation and metering pattern choices. Of course it has to have the motor drive underneath it as well! I also like the built in light for the meter info window (I do have a Finder Illuminator F for the old F-1s). The power rewind is great and it leaves the leader out unlike the nikons of the time. The only thing i don't like is that it is missing mirror lock up. But 'll admit that i never used that on my old F-1. If you use a tripod and set the timer or use a cable release, you pretty much don't need MLU unless you are doing high magnification work.</p><div></div>

<p>Bill, a Speed Finder FN takes care of the high eyepoint issue! That was a nikon gimmick anyway - on its F3 fhat had only one operable shutter speed without battery power!</p>

<p>My first and only canon of that time period : F-1 with 50mm F-1.4 My son has it now :</p>

<p>My "favorite" classic Canon is the AE-1 Program, but it's my only classic Canon SLR, I'm afraid. At the time it was sold new, I was still a Nikonite, so I missed the excitement of the switch to EOS.</p>

<p>Although I'm sure it's not what you mean, I actually quite like my little Canonet 28. It's really nicer to use than the Rollei 35 that was my backup camera for so many years.</p>

<p>Canonets count too, JDM. Great responses so far, with a number of Canons I've not had the pleasure of using.</p>

<p>I owned as many as three A1's at one point in time, and my son still has one of them.</p>

<p>Still, for me, the L1 rangefinder is the favorite.</p>

<p>The EF with FDn 35-105 f3.5. It's actually a toss-up between this and the F1 but, the EF is lighter and I like the oversized shutter speed control.</p><div></div>

<p>Canon AE-1 for me. My son used one for his college photography classes, as well. My father's favorite camera, any make, any type, was the Demi EE17. I still have it, and it still in first class working condition. </p>

<p>apologies for the tacky unoriginal lens, i have a proper f/1.4 breechlock around here somewhere...<img src="http://rick_oleson.tripod.com/collection/canonef.jpg" alt="" width="525" height="420" /></p>

<p>Andy<br>

I have one exactly like yours but brassy and srcatchy looking, I'm so ashamed to post it up. Cheers</p>

<p>F1N AE, EF, FTbn, I don't much care for the A series especially the AE1, although I have an A1 I use it very rarely these days.</p>

<p><strong>Minh</strong> --brassiness shows character and means your camera has been used for exactly what it was designed. <strong><em>Show it!</em> </strong></p>

<p>First of I love my AE-1 and always will as it was my first camera. I also love my T-80. Very simple and no manual controls but fun to use and the optics are great (even if there is only 3) I have a FTb and a FTb QL both are nice cameras though I have yet to use them. Would love to get an A-1, F-1, F-1n, T-90 and an AE-1 program. T-50 is a decent basic camera, don't care to much for the T-70. I would also love to get a Pellix. I have a Canonet 1.9 but the aperature blades are stuck so I don't know how good of a camera it is, but I like the feel of it.</p>

 

<p ><a href="http://www.photo.net/photodb/user?user_id=1182693">Andy Collins</a> <a href="http://www.photo.net/member-status-icons"><img title="Frequent poster" src="http://static.photo.net/v3graphics/member-status-icons/1roll.gif" alt="" /></a>, Jun 01, 2009; 07:19 a.m.</p>

 

<p><strong>Minh</strong> --brassiness shows character and means your camera has been used for exactly what it was designed. <strong><em>Show it!</em> </strong><br>

<strong></strong><br>

<strong>Not necessarily -- the black finish on the F1N was so soft, that they literally came out of the box with brass showing in several places.</strong></p>