John, I'm a senior citizen now but I made my living starting in the mid-70's with film cameras, almost exclusively Nikon. I became interested in the Canon F-1 after having been given an A-1 and some lenses recently. So I was searching on TH-cam for information on the more professional build F-1 and I found your video,. Unfortunately it was only after sitting through several others from mindless hipsters who had no idea what they were talking about or doing with a film camera, and were clearly using the cameras because someone told them it was "cool". One guy did a review in which he could not even identify what the dials on is camera were for, or locate the rewind release to get the film out of his camera. But your video was different. You clearly know exactly what you are talking about, and have a command of film camera knowledge that used to be common but which I was afraid would be lost when us dinosaurs die off. I'm happy to see I was wrong about that. I certainly hope you will do more videos. Thumbs up by the way on the use of the Cokin filters. Most people have no idea how much using filters can add to film photography. Best wishes.
Yes there are too many youtube hiptsters, many of them who says that older lenses are better and have caracter, bullocks, fx Canon FDn lenses are sharper and have better coatings are often more compact and lighter because the computers and programs to calculate lens design got better...
VERY informative and mostly accurate. My first camera was a Canon FTb purchased in Aug of 1971. I grabbed a brochure on the F1 just to dream for the future. Here it is 50 years later, and I just bought one with the Power Winder F. Thank you for overview.
I Purchased my Canon F-1 in 1974, when I was in High School, from a Pawnshop for $200, took it with me to Japan in 1980 Shot all over Asia, Africa & Australia! Had the Camera Stolen from me from a Shipmate, Broke into his house to get it Back! Had Every Accessory for it!!! I Still Still Shoot with it Today!
Minor Note. F-1 is 1971, IIRC. I've one with a factory production code of February 1972. It's a tough cookie - having spent 20 years or more in a garage getting covered in BBQ grease and mold. It cleaned up in a day - and worked like a watch. Even the lenses survived - a good 28mm, a great 50mm F1.4, and an awesome 135mm F2. The build quality is monstrous. The only thing that's ever gone wrong with it, is that a screw popped out of the clutch on the film sprocket. I managed to call the original shop that sold it - where the owner recalled a similar problem 40- years ago and how long it took the part to get sent by Canon because it 'never broke'. He sent me to the local Canon main dealer - who had one on the shelf up until a few months previous - was surprisingly helpful otherwise pointing me towards people who could find the part. It has, however, continued working through the worst winter we ever had, when the family-owned EOS100 decided it didn't like the cold and shut down There is no microprocesor for the exposure - in 1970 a processor would've cost more than the camera. It's resistance-based - which is why it overeads and unerexposes when overvolted. The one I have has had a bridging diode added to tune the voltages.
yes, resistance based! After I said microprocessor in my head I said that's definitely not the right term hehe. Thanks for the corrections and the story, much appreciated!
I’ve been a film photographer for about 1 and a half years now and I use an AE-1 Program, I’m VERY lucky because this camera literally sat on the shelf and was barely used for 20 years. So the only real problem I’ve had with it is light leaks due to the deterioration of the light seals, which I replaced. But great video! I subscribed! I love just listening to people talk about film cameras! Would love to hear more on what you favorite films are! 😊
Yeah I would love to do a video looking at the modern B&W and color film stocks! There is a lot of good stuff out there. Glad your AE-1 works, its a fine camera!
Hey thanks for the kind comment! I prefer the F-1. The AE-1, while definitely a game changer for Canon, was a little lower build quality. Mind you they had the same lenses but the AE-1 body had more little bits that could break (especially the plastic nubbin under the shutter speed dial...).
@@johnmessina1980 I actually got the FTB and the AE-1. I like the FTB better because o the way it's build, very dense, heavy but look super durable. The other one looks a little bit too flimsy tbh. Make more videos! :)
Thanks Edwin! You know the two are very different cameras. I would say if you have a lot of experience with shooting digital cameras than maybe the New F-1 is a good choice. If you want something more stripped down and not reliant on old electronics than I would say the F-1. Either way both cameras are rock solid!
I'm amazed that you mention Canon F-1 being cheaper than Nikon F2. I have owned four Nikon F2 in great shape in the last 8 years, they weren't so expensive. In that period i only found one mint F-1 and one mint New F-1, and they were not cheap. Yet I bought them.
8:52 you're wrong, using alkaline or silver batteries on the F-1 will throw metering off by 2 stops in some cases which is a lot. Use a 675 zinc air cell which gives the correct voltage.
Yes, the Canon F-1 are good, but the Canon F-1 New are even better, there are an in between CanonF-1n that one have smaller diffrencies to the first Canon F-1.
i own both. The F3 is more ergonomic, rhe F1N viewfinder is FAR better in all regards. F1N feels heavier and tougher. I think the choice depends more on the lens system
Thank you for this video!! I have been shooting with an old F-1 for the last two months and I just realized that my aperture ring is not communicating with the in-camera metering. I'm not very worried about it but I am curious if I still need a battery at all? I want to test myself by shooting in full manual mode anyway so I was just wondering If I could still shoot without a battery.
Hey there, thanks for the comment. So the aperture simply moves a little circle in the meter, the actual electrical part relates to how the needle moves. To be clear the F-1 only has full manual mode, perhaps you are talking about the New F-1? For the old F-1 camera the battery only operates the meter, i.e. the camera works fully without a battery,
John Messina sorry, I totally worded that wrong. I’ve had a battery in it (old f-1 btw) so that the meter works but for some reason it doesn’t work anymore so now I haha to resort to fully manual; which I’m more than willing to accept the challenge. But thank you for the reply! Full manual it is!!
I see! perhaps it just needs a new battery? or the contact needs to be cleaned? I have accidently left the switch to 'on' and drained the battery before!
Helo,,, maby you have heard about Canon F1 24fps motordrive, whit 250 frame film holder,, it was big noise and so very fast,,, 24fps... if you can and have info of this 24fps motordrive, i looking forward... best regards from Good Old Cold Sweden
Hi Sune, unfortunately I don't have any information on that motordrive. Nowadays items like that are likely just obtained by collectors, anyone who needs to be shooting that fast is just going to be shooting digital! Canon maintains a nice 'museum' website of old products, you might find some info there. Good luck!
John Messina I see. :) after watching your video earlier today I've been having a bad case of GAS. Is it wierd that I want an F1 with a lot of brassing?
Not weird, I think the patina these cameras develop is beautiful. If you get a camera with little to no brassing then all the more incentive to use it more!
I hate to give a thumbs down (my first!), but I gave up after 12 min. because he rambled on and on without getting to real particulars about how to use this incredible camera. Sorry. Maybe he'll do better in his 2nd video.
John, I'm a senior citizen now but I made my living starting in the mid-70's with film cameras, almost exclusively Nikon. I became interested in the Canon F-1 after having been given an A-1 and some lenses recently. So I was searching on TH-cam for information on the more professional build F-1 and I found your video,. Unfortunately it was only after sitting through several others from mindless hipsters who had no idea what they were talking about or doing with a film camera, and were clearly using the cameras because someone told them it was "cool". One guy did a review in which he could not even identify what the dials on is camera were for, or locate the rewind release to get the film out of his camera.
But your video was different. You clearly know exactly what you are talking about, and have a command of film camera knowledge that used to be common but which I was afraid would be lost when us dinosaurs die off. I'm happy to see I was wrong about that. I certainly hope you will do more videos. Thumbs up by the way on the use of the Cokin filters. Most people have no idea how much using filters can add to film photography. Best wishes.
Yes there are too many youtube hiptsters, many of them who says that older lenses are better and have caracter, bullocks, fx Canon FDn lenses are sharper and have better coatings are often more compact and lighter because the computers and programs to calculate lens design got better...
VERY informative and mostly accurate. My first camera was a Canon FTb purchased in Aug of 1971. I grabbed a brochure on the F1 just to dream for the future. Here it is 50 years later, and I just bought one with the Power Winder F. Thank you for overview.
Fantastic
Ordered my F1n from Japan! Should be coming this week I’m so excited, I’ve used a few other slrs but am excited to move up to this!
How’s the camera?
I Purchased my Canon F-1 in 1974, when I was in High School, from a Pawnshop for $200, took it with me to Japan in 1980 Shot all over Asia, Africa & Australia! Had the Camera Stolen from me from a Shipmate, Broke into his house to get it Back! Had Every Accessory for it!!!
I Still Still Shoot with it Today!
Now that's Gangsta Lol
I love that you stole your shit back. Kudos!
I have 3 Canon F1s. 1 old F1, 1 F1n, and a New F1. All have motor drives. I enjoy them so very much.
Sin I wrote this, I have bought 2 more
Hi John, Congratulations on your inaugural TH-cam upload. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, I am a Canon F-1 aficionados, just like you.
Me too. I now own 5.
I inherited one from my father, so this camera has a special place in my heart.
This was amazingly informative! Thank you so much
Best F1 review
Minor Note. F-1 is 1971, IIRC. I've one with a factory production code of February 1972.
It's a tough cookie - having spent 20 years or more in a garage getting covered in BBQ grease and mold. It cleaned up in a day - and worked like a watch. Even the lenses survived - a good 28mm, a great 50mm F1.4, and an awesome 135mm F2. The build quality is monstrous.
The only thing that's ever gone wrong with it, is that a screw popped out of the clutch on the film sprocket. I managed to call the original shop that sold it - where the owner recalled a similar problem 40- years ago and how long it took the part to get sent by Canon because it 'never broke'. He sent me to the local Canon main dealer - who had one on the shelf up until a few months previous - was surprisingly helpful otherwise pointing me towards people who could find the part.
It has, however, continued working through the worst winter we ever had, when the family-owned EOS100 decided it didn't like the cold and shut down
There is no microprocesor for the exposure - in 1970 a processor would've cost more than the camera. It's resistance-based - which is why it overeads and unerexposes when overvolted. The one I have has had a bridging diode added to tune the voltages.
yes, resistance based! After I said microprocessor in my head I said that's definitely not the right term hehe. Thanks for the corrections and the story, much appreciated!
I’ve been a film photographer for about 1 and a half years now and I use an AE-1 Program, I’m VERY lucky because this camera literally sat on the shelf and was barely used for 20 years. So the only real problem I’ve had with it is light leaks due to the deterioration of the light seals, which I replaced. But great video! I subscribed! I love just listening to people talk about film cameras! Would love to hear more on what you favorite films are! 😊
Yeah I would love to do a video looking at the modern B&W and color film stocks! There is a lot of good stuff out there. Glad your AE-1 works, its a fine camera!
THIS IS AN AWESOME VIDEO, SUPER INFORMATIVE. i JUST GOT THE f-1 AND THE AE-1... WHICH ONE YOU RECOMMEND?
Hey thanks for the kind comment! I prefer the F-1. The AE-1, while definitely a game changer for Canon, was a little lower build quality. Mind you they had the same lenses but the AE-1 body had more little bits that could break (especially the plastic nubbin under the shutter speed dial...).
@@johnmessina1980 I actually got the FTB and the AE-1. I like the FTB better because o the way it's build, very dense, heavy but look super durable. The other one looks a little bit too flimsy tbh. Make more videos! :)
Man my camera system is equal! F-1 (real O.G year) + 1.4 Chrome Ring + Cokin Filter Adapter! Great Content
Great video. Very informative. Been looking into getting an F-1 or a New F-1.
Thanks Edwin! You know the two are very different cameras. I would say if you have a lot of experience with shooting digital cameras than maybe the New F-1 is a good choice. If you want something more stripped down and not reliant on old electronics than I would say the F-1. Either way both cameras are rock solid!
Really dope video and very informative. Looking forward to this channel grow.
I'm amazed that you mention Canon F-1 being cheaper than Nikon F2. I have owned four Nikon F2 in great shape in the last 8 years, they weren't so expensive. In that period i only found one mint F-1 and one mint New F-1, and they were not cheap. Yet I bought them.
8:52 you're wrong, using alkaline or silver batteries on the F-1 will throw metering off by 2 stops in some cases which is a lot. Use a 675 zinc air cell which gives the correct voltage.
Yes, the Canon F-1 are good, but the Canon F-1 New are even better, there are an in between CanonF-1n that one have smaller diffrencies to the first Canon F-1.
I respectfully disagree. Having used both models, I prefer the older F1n.
Canon f1 march 1971 came out
Does AE work for aperture priority
The ASA in this camera goes to 1600 not 2000, it’s a beautiful camera love it
Are the end pictures take with the f1?
The New F1 or the F3? Cant decide. New buyer. Any advice and pro's cons? Cheers
i own both. The F3 is more ergonomic, rhe F1N viewfinder is FAR better in all regards. F1N feels heavier and tougher. I think the choice depends more on the lens system
Hi John what type of soft shutter button is that?
good shit john
They also make a battery that is the same voltage and is $5
Thank you for this video!! I have been shooting with an old F-1 for the last two months and I just realized that my aperture ring is not communicating with the in-camera metering. I'm not very worried about it but I am curious if I still need a battery at all? I want to test myself by shooting in full manual mode anyway so I was just wondering If I could still shoot without a battery.
Hey there, thanks for the comment. So the aperture simply moves a little circle in the meter, the actual electrical part relates to how the needle moves. To be clear the F-1 only has full manual mode, perhaps you are talking about the New F-1? For the old F-1 camera the battery only operates the meter, i.e. the camera works fully without a battery,
John Messina sorry, I totally worded that wrong. I’ve had a battery in it (old f-1 btw) so that the meter works but for some reason it doesn’t work anymore so now I haha to resort to fully manual; which I’m more than willing to accept the challenge. But thank you for the reply! Full manual it is!!
I see! perhaps it just needs a new battery? or the contact needs to be cleaned? I have accidently left the switch to 'on' and drained the battery before!
Helo,,, maby you have heard about Canon F1 24fps motordrive, whit 250 frame film holder,, it was big noise and so very fast,,, 24fps... if you can and have info of this 24fps motordrive, i looking forward... best regards from Good Old Cold Sweden
Hi Sune, unfortunately I don't have any information on that motordrive. Nowadays items like that are likely just obtained by collectors, anyone who needs to be shooting that fast is just going to be shooting digital! Canon maintains a nice 'museum' website of old products, you might find some info there. Good luck!
Congratulations on your new channel
That is an odd looking lens shade, haven't seen one like that before
Where did you get your shutter soft release?
ebay, from some vender in China. I would recommend going more local, it took forever to arrive.
Mike H. Try Themoregooder he has an instagram, I’m not affiliated but I’ve seen them and they are really nice.
What happened to your first upload?
The audio at the end of the first upload was not synced correctly so I re-uploaded. It's working now :)
John Messina I see. :) after watching your video earlier today I've been having a bad case of GAS. Is it wierd that I want an F1 with a lot of brassing?
Not weird, I think the patina these cameras develop is beautiful. If you get a camera with little to no brassing then all the more incentive to use it more!
John Messina Just bought a F1 now. If you keep making videos like this I'll go broke pretty soon.😂
Where do you post your photos btw?
Stop shaking the camera!
Too much talk sorry
I hate to give a thumbs down (my first!), but I gave up after 12 min. because he rambled on and on without getting to real particulars about how to use this incredible camera. Sorry. Maybe he'll do better in his 2nd video.
Ed Murphy Bitter Betty