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Post by doubs43 on Oct 12, 2007 12:29:23 GMT -5
I've been trying - hard - to stay away from Canon cameras and lenses because I already have too many systems. Then along comes Peter with his smooth talk and accolades for Canon that has the lure of a siren to an ancient sailor. My resolve gone, I've spent the past three weeks scouring ebay for Canon stuff. Here is most of what I've gotten. Now see what you've caused me to do, Peter!!    Walker |
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Post by herron on Oct 12, 2007 13:18:56 GMT -5
walker:
that's an impressive start! Nice looking mini-collection, all in itself!
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Post by doubs43 on Oct 12, 2007 14:01:48 GMT -5
Ron, thanks. The 28mm, 85mm and 100mm all came with original Canon bayonet hoods. All of the lenses have perfect glass.
I've replaced the seals on both camera bodies and I've checked the shutter speeds on the FT which are slightly slow from 1~1/8, close to dead-on from 1/15~1/500 and slightly fast at 1/1000. Both have working meters and both are clean.
Oddly enough, while the FTb-N is an "improved" model of the FT, I find that the FT "features" may suit me better. I'll know more once I've used them both with film. I'm impressed by how solid they are. Quality just seems to ooze from them.
In truth it was my respect for Peter's opinions that swayed me and at this point I think he's 100% correct. Canons are well made and should stand up to any use I might give them without complaint.
Walker
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Post by herron on Oct 12, 2007 14:16:59 GMT -5
My son uses the high-end Canon digitals in his architectural photo business, and swears by the Canon glass. by it, not at it.......... |
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PeterW
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Post by PeterW on Oct 12, 2007 20:59:24 GMT -5
Oh dear! Sorr..... No, I'm not. I'm completely unrepentant! . You've got two very fine looking FTs there, and some lenses to go with them that look pristine. I just know you're going to enjoy those cameras and lenses, and the results you get from them. I've had a string of pre-A Series Canons, all of them very well used and brassed here and there, and never had a moment's trouble with any of them. Before I got more serious about collecting I traded most of them in against other models, and now I'm left with just three, a Canonflex RM, an FP and an FX. I actually own another FX but that's on 'permanent loan' to a friend who shows not the slightest sign of wanting to give it back! He's running it on an alkaline battery for the meter (non-TTL) and says that it agrees within half a stop or so with the readings from his Weston even though it hasn't got a bridge circuit. I traded in my last FTb N against a new A1, and despite its well-used look got a surprisingly good price in p/ex in a pro shop, a main Canon dealer. One day I'll find another one, just for old time's sake. I've also got an AV1, three A1s, an F1n and two T70s one of which is my main user camera. My favourite lens for it is the 35-70 'short' zoom. I've also got a stable of other lenses, some Canon and some Canon-fit, and the nice thing is they'll all fit all the pre-EOS Canon SLRs - except the Canonflex which has a different aperture lever system. Oh yes, I've also got a gaggle of assorted Canonets. I like the T90, and the EOS range, but can't justify any more expenditure at the moment - let alone thinking about one of the digital SLRs. Once you get used to the FTs you'll start to wonder what the A Series are like to use, then the T-Series and ... Oh, to heck with it. Just enjoy the wonderful world of Canon! BTW, if you haven't seen it have a look at Canon's Museum website www.canon.com/camera-museum/ but be prepared to spend some time there. As well as giving all the Canon models back almost to the year dot, and their specifications, it's got fascinating things like a video on how the lenses are made, and an absorbing full history of the company. In the early days they almost worshipped the quality of the Leica and strove to equal, if not improve, on it. But, interestingly, they turned from rangefinders to designing SLRs when the M Series Leica appeared. Apparently they thought it was pointless to try to compete with perfection!! OK, that's enough, Peter. They all know you're a Canon addict. PeterW |
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Post by doubs43 on Oct 14, 2007 1:16:45 GMT -5
Oh dear! Sorr..... No, I'm not. I'm completely unrepentant! . You've got two very fine looking FTs there, and some lenses to go with them that look pristine. I just know you're going to enjoy those cameras and lenses, and the results you get from them. I've had a string of pre-A Series Canons, all of them very well used and brassed here and there, and never had a moment's trouble with any of them. Before I got more serious about collecting I traded most of them in against other models, and now I'm left with just three, a Canonflex RM, an FP and an FX. I actually own another FX but that's on 'permanent loan' to a friend who shows not the slightest sign of wanting to give it back! He's running it on an alkaline battery for the meter (non-TTL) and says that it agrees within half a stop or so with the readings from his Weston even though it hasn't got a bridge circuit. I traded in my last FTb N against a new A1, and despite its well-used look got a surprisingly good price in p/ex in a pro shop, a main Canon dealer. One day I'll find another one, just for old time's sake. I've also got an AV1, three A1s, an F1n and two T70s one of which is my main user camera. My favourite lens for it is the 35-70 'short' zoom. I've also got a stable of other lenses, some Canon and some Canon-fit, and the nice thing is they'll all fit all the pre-EOS Canon SLRs - except the Canonflex which has a different aperture lever system. Oh yes, I've also got a gaggle of assorted Canonets. I like the T90, and the EOS range, but can't justify any more expenditure at the moment - let alone thinking about one of the digital SLRs. Once you get used to the FTs you'll start to wonder what the A Series are like to use, then the T-Series and ... Oh, to heck with it. Just enjoy the wonderful world of Canon! BTW, if you haven't seen it have a look at Canon's Museum website www.canon.com/camera-museum/ but be prepared to spend some time there. As well as giving all the Canon models back almost to the year dot, and their specifications, it's got fascinating things like a video on how the lenses are made, and an absorbing full history of the company. In the early days they almost worshipped the quality of the Leica and strove to equal, if not improve, on it. But, interestingly, they turned from rangefinders to designing SLRs when the M Series Leica appeared. Apparently they thought it was pointless to try to compete with perfection!! OK, that's enough, Peter. They all know you're a Canon addict. PeterW Apologies, Peter, for not answering sooner. Last night was the first time that my tap water (I filter it) has been cold enough to allow me to develope the three rolls of B&W film that I've been holding since last August. I did two of them in a double tank last night and the last tonight in a single tank. I spent much of today scanning the first roll and part of the second. Then there were numerous American college football games on TV today......... My idea was to stay with mechanical Canons and I'm not familiar enough with the various models to venture much past the FT & FTb types. I think the TX would suit and I may put it on my list for a long time down the road after I recover financially. Maybe an F-1 too, assuming I hit the lotto!  Both of the cameras in my picture are in quite nice shape and the FTb-N looks unused inside. There are no marks on the pressure plate at all and it's extra clean inside. I want to measure shutter speeds, then check the meter for accuracy. After that, I'll be ready to run some film through it. While the FTb-N is "improved", I believe that I like the FT controls better. What is it about the A1 and T70/T90 that would make you choose them over the FT series? I'm sure you have solid reasons for preferring them. As you observed, the lenses I managed to find on ebay are all in excellent or better condition. One of the draws for me to Canon is how reasonable the lenses are. I found the 85mm f/1.8 FD lens with case, caps and hood for considerably less than other brand 85mm lenses for an SLR would cost. All I'm missing at the moment is two normal Canon bayonet lens hoods (52 & 55mm) and I'll need nothing more. (I actually thought I had a 52mm somewhere but, of course, I can't find it now.) Thanks for the link to the Canon Museum. I can see that I'll spend a lot of time there. Thanks again for the wealth of information and I know I'll be asking for your advice again. Walker |
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Post by Just Plain Curt on Oct 14, 2007 5:19:17 GMT -5
Hi Walker,
If you're looking for all manual Canons, you still need the TL, TLb and TX. There is also the Bell & Howell version called the FD which if I remember correctly is a TX. Nice collection you have there.
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PeterW
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Post by PeterW on Oct 14, 2007 6:44:44 GMT -5
Hi Walker, I went for the A1 in the first place when I was shooting a lot of 35mm transparencies for motoring magazines. I wanted the automatic exposure feature because I was shooting maybe six or seven rolls of 36 exposure in a day covering a rally or race. Most of it was 'catch it while it happens' type of stuff, and the AE saved a lot of time. I also liked the idea of being able to switch instantly between aperture priority and shutter priority, using shutter priority for things that were moving, and aperture priority when I needed dof or when there was a tricky exposure in a scene that had both highlights and shadows where I wanted detail. I could check both and then guess a balance between the two very quickly. I also wanted a motor drive (the fastest way to use up film that I know of) which is invaluable for action shots, even if it's just people moving, turning, waving their arms and so on. A question of catching the right moment (shades of Cartier-Bresson!) Drawbacks with the A1? The well-known Canon 'shutter squeal' is one. This comes about because the speeds are controlled by a small flywheel. Eventually, the bearings dry out and squeal. It's not difficult to cure, just a lot of work because to get to them you have to take half the camera apart. I've heard of people just taking off the top plate and poking a syringe down inside to reach the bearings, but I think that's a bit of a hit or miss job, and easy to use too much oil. If you miss you're likely to get oil where you don't want it - like on the shutter curtains. I never actually got squeal on either of my two A1s, probably because when I was using them professionally I sent them in to Canon every year for servicing. Their pro service was - and I suppose still is - excellent. I regarded it as a necessary business expense, just the same as having the car serviced regularly. Valerie did the same with her two F1s. Our living depended on both car and cameras being reliable. Why did we each have two identical cameras hanging round our necks? To save being caught between films just at the wrong moment. I liked Valerie's two F1s (I've still got one of them), but at the time the A1s were doing all I needed. The only other fault I've come across, and I gather it's quite rare, is a partial short in the battery check circuit which can drain a new battery in about a fortnight. I had this on one of my A1s about four years after I retired from this sort of active pro work. The T-70? I don't know really. I tried one in a dealer's one day and just fell for it. I liked the way it handled and its balance, and the very light electric shutter button. It just felt right. I also liked the instant choice of AE modes and speeds just by pressing a couple of buttons. I liked the built-in motor drive without having to have a separate motor hanging on the bottom, and I really liked the fact that it ran on ordinary cheap AA size alkaline batteries which you can buy almost anywhere. It would also take all my FD lenses. I chose the T-70 over the T-90 because it was less expensive, and I didn't really need the T-90's extra features like interchangeable pentaprism/waist level finder. It was in nice condition, and the price was right, so I bought it. Faults? Yes, after about four years my first T-70 developed a fault in the 'down' selector switch button for the speeds and SAE settings. It just stopped working. The buttons for 'up' and 'down' are in a small sealed unit. Easy enough to replace, but Canon UK hadn't got any left. One day I might find a damaged T-70 as a donor and swap the switch unit. I put it by, and went back to using an A1, but them my son and daughter in law bought me an absolutely pristine T-70 for Christmas, and I now use that as my main camera. I suppose other people may have found other faults with Canons, after all anything mechanical or electrical can develop a fault, but those are the only two I've found. I think it's a case of initial quality and initial price. You can get similar features on cheaper cameras, but I wonder how long they stand up to hard use. As with most things, you don't get what you don't pay for. What's nice nowadays is that all film cameras are dropping in price, so there are some bargains about. I think Canon lenses are first class, but I think the reason why FD-fit lenses are cheap nowadays is that it's very difficult to find a reliable adaptor to fit them on other makes of camera, particularly digital, so only Canon film users buy them. I'm not grumbling . Why did Valerie and I choose Canon over Nikon in the first place? Quite simple. At the time, Nikon was using its 'prongs and pin' method of linking the lens to the camera, and this seemed a lot more trouble if you were in a hurry than the more easy to use Canon system. I've handled a couple of the EOS range, and quite liked them but, for me, the drawback is that they won't take my FD lenses - at least, not while retaining all the EOS features. I haven't yet had a chance to try a Canon DSLR. Maybe one day ... PeterW |
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PeterW
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Post by PeterW on Oct 14, 2007 10:15:44 GMT -5
Walker, There used to be a website called The Canon FD documentation project run by Christian Bollinger in Luxembourg, a great Canon enthusiast, but it disappeared when the person who was hosting it for him either died or went off the net. It was full of downloadable (free) Canon factory manuals and literature relating to Canons that used the FD lens system. Christian sold his EOS stuff to go back to FD cameras - he likes them better! I thought it was lost for good. Christian is trying to revive it, but he has lost a lot the material that went on there in recent years. However, good news. I discovered today, through another Canon addict, that you can still at the moment find it in web archives at web.archive.org/web/20070629023915/www.canonfd.com/choose.htm I don't know how long it will stay there, but it's there at the moment. It's worth having a look. There are user manuals for lots of Canon FD cameras, including the FTb, repair manuals for quite a lot of them, and loads of other stuff including a couple of books. It's all still downloadable. Some repair manuals look like photocopies, and the quality isn't great, but with a spot of cleaning up they're readable. I presume Christian has clearance from Canon and others to put them on the web, though I haven't asked him. I've had several useful things from it. Check it out. PeterW |
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casualcollector
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Post by casualcollector on Oct 14, 2007 18:28:46 GMT -5
What is it about the A1 and T70/T90 that would make you choose them over the FT series? I'm sure you have solid reasons for preferring them. Walker The A-1 has a great number of features that make it attractive. When I was looking for a backup body back in '82 the choice was between a "New" F-1 and an A-1. The A-1 offered shutter priority, aperture priority and programmed automation all built into the body with a digital LED readout in the finder that showed shutter speed and lens opening. More flexibility and lower cost made it a no brainer for the shooting I was doing at the time. It has been a durable camera with only one incidence of unreliability in 25 years of use. If I'm packing a kit for travel, the A-1 is the body of choice as it's smaller and lighter than the earlier Canons. Automatic time exposures to 30 seconds have made some nice night shots. Bill |
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Post by doubs43 on Oct 15, 2007 13:08:27 GMT -5
Walker, There used to be a website called The Canon FD documentation project run by Christian Bollinger in Luxembourg, a great Canon enthusiast, but it disappeared when the person who was hosting it for him either died or went off the net. It was full of downloadable (free) Canon factory manuals and literature relating to Canons that used the FD lens system. Christian sold his EOS stuff to go back to FD cameras - he likes them better! I thought it was lost for good. Christian is trying to revive it, but he has lost a lot the material that went on there in recent years. However, good news. I discovered today, through another Canon addict, that you can still at the moment find it in web archives at web.archive.org/web/20070629023915/www.canonfd.com/choose.htm I don't know how long it will stay there, but it's there at the moment. It's worth having a look. There are user manuals for lots of Canon FD cameras, including the FTb, repair manuals for quite a lot of them, and loads of other stuff including a couple of books. It's all still downloadable. Some repair manuals look like photocopies, and the quality isn't great, but with a spot of cleaning up they're readable. I presume Christian has clearance from Canon and others to put them on the web, though I haven't asked him. I've had several useful things from it. Check it out. PeterW Peter, your logic is - as usual - impeccable and given your needs I'd likely have done exactly the same thing. When I was strictly using Olympus OM gear, I'd have used the OM-2 in situations where I didn't want to think about all the various settings. I need to learn more about the A-1 and the T70. I have lots of time because the important factor is missing: Money!! LOL Thank you for the link to Christian's Canon Documentation site. I have it bookmarked and I'll likely be visiting often. There's lots of useful stuff there. I developed the third roll of B&W film from last August Saturday night and spent most of yesterday scanning the negatives. The film is Agfa APX-100 and I used D-76/ID-11. I'm not sure they're contrasy enough but Photo Shop should help bring the best out. I'm really impressed by the solid feel of the Canon bodies in the F-series. I picked up an EOS about an hour ago at a pawn shop and it's so......... plasticy! I'm sure they're fine cameras but I like more weight in my hands. The EOS is still at the pawn shop. Walker |
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Post by doubs43 on Oct 15, 2007 13:12:30 GMT -5
Curt & Bill, thank you both for your posts. There's nothing better than personal recommendations by people who have years of experience with a particular brand. I'll keep my eyes open for the manual cameras that Curt has listed and Bill, you have mirrored Peter's thoughts on the A-1. Thanks again.
Walker
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