"..in the
Beginning...."
In 1971, Canon's first serious attempt to bring out a top-of-the-line SLR system
camera catered for professional photographers/serious amateurs around the globe
during the early seventies.
It was the F-1 that Canon inc. invested a large amount of
money and labor in producing it and took five years of time to go into
production of a highly durable and reliable camera with which the users could
photograph wherever they were, even under difficult conditions.
As a result of using highly durable materials, the camera was built to endure
100,000 picture-taking cycles, temperatures ranging from -30 C to 60 C, and
90% humidity.
The various kinds of accessories were prepared for the camera including the
newly designed FD lenses, and the FD lens mount which equips with the
sequential and automatic correction mechanism, and also the remote
picture-taking system were developed for the camera.
| Marketed |
March
1971 |
| Original
Price |
117,000
yen (w/FD 55mm f/1.2), ($985.
US$ )
100,000 yen (w/FD 50mm f/1.4), ($842.
US$ )
92,800 yen (w/FD 50mm f/1.8), ($781.
US$ )
78,000 yen (body)
($656. US$ ) |
History - of two models
1. In 1971, the F-1 was introduced.
 | First introduced in March, 1971
| Picture size : 24mm x 36mm
| Lens mount : FD mount (both FD and FL lens available)
| Viewfinder : Interchangeable eye-level pentaprism
| Exposure meter : CdS cell for TTL full-aperture / stopped-down-aperture
metering, center weighted light reading
| Film speed range : ISO 25-2000
| Shutter : two-axis, focal plane shutter with titanium curtain
| Shutter speeds : B, 1-1/2000sec.
| Self-timer : built-in
| Flash sync contact : FP, X
| Film wind : lever
| Film rewind : crank
| Power resources : 1.3V HD mercury cell
| Body dimensions : 146.7x98.7x43mm
| Body weight : appox. 820g. |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
2. In 1976, the
F-1N was introduced as an upgraded F-1.
| Operation arc of film wind lever decreased from 180 deg. to 139 deg |
| Film speed range was increased from ISO 2000 to ISO 3200. |
| PC terminal had a fastener to prevent the PC cord from disconnection. |
Film type indicator was added on the rear cover.
|
