Canon T50 - Excellent Budget Film Camera From The 80s

The Canon T50 was their entry level "T" Series SLR camera from the 1980s, and must have proved highly popular because it was in production from 1983 to 1989. Often overlooked nowadays, these "stylish" (stylish in 80s terms anyway) cameras from the mid 80s can offer excellent performance at a relatively low cost, and they're great fun to use too, so long as you don't want to be discreet, because the motor winds do tend to draw attention!!!
In the video we'll look over the camera and it's controls, before browsing through some shots taken on a roll of outdated Fuji Superia 200 film.
You can see my previous rolls looking at the Nikon F-501 here:
Nikon F-501 Demo • Nikon F-501 / N2020 - ...
Nikon F-501 Test Shots • Shooting Kodak Vision ...
F-501 + Harman Phoenix + Lensbaby • Harman Phoenix - Test ...
Start 00:00
Features And Controls 02:19
Auto Exposure Lock 03:58
Installing A Film 04:53
Viewfinder 06:13
Shooting Outdated Film 07:42
Gallery 1 08:43
The User Experience 09:58
Gallery 2 11:22
Summary 13:00
Outro 14:09
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Outro Music
"As Yet Untitled"
by GrumpyTim (available to download from GrumpyTim's Bandcamp page)
grumpytim.bandcamp.com/
Gallery Music
"Fallout Zone"
by GrumpyTim (available to download from GrumpyTim's Bandcamp page)
grumpytim.bandcamp.com/
www.grumpytim.com

[@GSchmitable]

Lovely photos and the beautiful shots of the classic vintage cars.

[@GrumpyTim]

Thanks Geoffrey, I always love going to classic car shows, and they're such good subjects to photograph too. The slightly desaturated look of the outdated film added to the classic feel of the images too.

[@mrstandfast2212]

Your summary of this oft maligned camera is spot on. I bought one from a charity shop years ago, mostly for the 50mm FD 1.8 lens. When I finally used it, I loved it for all the reasons you stated. Using this camera and lens combination with Ilford Delta 100, I achieved images to match anything 35mm I've ever owned or used.

[@GrumpyTim]

Hi Mr Standfast, I'm definitely guilty at times of dismissing "auto only" cameras because I don't have the level of control that I usually like, but I've loved using the T50. I've already put 2 films through it (I just haven't taken the second roll to the lab yet) and now I've got the video out of the way I'll be putting a third roll in.

[@andrewwilkin1923]

My favourite point and shoot. AA batteries, dedicated flash and FD glass.

[@GrumpyTim]

Hi Andrew, yes, it is just that, a point and shoot SLR, and a surprisingly good one at that. I didn't realise how much fun it would be to use, I expected to be frustrated at not being able to adjust the exposure but instead it allowed me to relax a bit more. I've already put a second roll of film through it, just haven't taken that roll to the lab yet.

[@ingrained5502]

I understand those points and I honestly find them more valid in regards to a T70 which offers proper T90 operation in a humble cut down size.. I have a T90, only replacing my broken T70 to try something new. This and my FTb are the full auto and mechanical successors that I like to use with my FD lenses depending on the mode of operation I feel like and are honestly the better options. Love your review, actually made me appreciate it despite my own choices.

[@GrumpyTim]

Hi Ingrained, I agree, my preferred choice is always either a fully manual camera or at least one that offers manual as well as auto. Of my cameras that do have various auto modes, I will occasionally use aperture priority auto but never program mode. It's possible, from my own point, that I'm applying a bit of snobbishness by saying that "I always shoot manual", or "I never shoot in program mode", but being forced to shoot in program mode on the T50 (because that's all it has), reminded me that program mode isn't all bad, and I should maybe give it a little more credit now and then.
Theoretically, the T50 should really be able to shoot in aperture priority mode, and I can only presume that Canon omitted that feature to ensure enough people went for the more expensive T70.

[@liveinaweorg]

I have the T90 which I just set to Program and shoot away on. Sometimes it doesn't want to rewind all the way but I can live with that. Tamron SP lenses are great, I have the 28-80 and the 90mm - heavy but gorgeous images.

[@GrumpyTim]

Hi Morris, the T90 is the big daddy of the T series isn't it - I don't think I've seen one in the flesh, but it looks like they were a little more reserved on the styling for the Pro / serious amateur model. Does the T90 also have a big "click" at the end of the film advance or have they damped that down a bit - I suspect it's the mirror cocking lever returning at the end of the wind, but I haven't checked.
I love the Tamron Adaptall lenses, especially the SP versions - I have quite a collection, but a few of them are still on the workbench awaiting cleaning or fixing. They are horrible lenses to get apart, I've had to make special tools, and even then they appeared to use some strong lacquer/threadlock or similar on some of the threads and I've not yet managed to get some of them apart.

[@Francois15031967]

It's a pity not to use multispot. It's a feature that disappeared from high end cameras that was very useful. Never missed the desired exposure with it.

[@liveinaweorg]

@@GrumpyTim It definitely makes the click.
I have a spare 28-80 27A that needs minor repairs; if you need one for parts just drop me a PM.

[@massmike11]

The T-90 is great but I think I prefer the Nikon F-100

[@touristguy87]

The words excellent budget Canon DSLR do not go together.
Excellent budget ehay Nikon DSLR is what you want .

[@GrumpyTim]

I couldn't think of an imaginative title for the video - I was stuck at "Canon T50" and it needed more words - I might change the title sometime if I get inspired with something a bit more interesting.

[@nigelcliff7390]

Got to disagree I've used the T50 and 70 both of with are horrible to hold with handling that makes your teeth itch

[@GrumpyTim]

Hi Nigel, I guess it slightly depends on what other cameras you're using - I've been using a KMZ Start, Kiev 4 and Argus C3 recently, all of which have their charm but they could also be described as ergonomic disasters, and in comparison the T50 is pure luxury.
Love that TR6 in your thumbnail by the way.