A look back at the black beauty, a manual focus autoexposure 35mm SLR film camera, the electronic version of the Canon F-1.
The Canon EF 35mm SLR film camera, not to be confused with the EF series lenses that Canon built for their digital SLRs, is a manual-focus SLR film camera produced by Canon between 1973 to 1987. It was built as an electronic version of Canon's very successful professional Canon F-1 system camera. Though the EF shares the rugged construction and tough metal body of the F-1, it does not, however, support the F-1's motor drive attachments or interchangeable viewfinder screens.
In Canon's lineup, the EF was placed below the F-1 but above the FTb. It was the only model in the lineup, and was in production for just over 4 years, making it one of Canon’s shorter-lived models. The EF was also the only camera in the manual focus Canon line of the 1960s and 1970s (which includes the FTb, the F-1, and the FT) that can be used with common 1.5-volt batteries without modification to the internal electronics.
Unique to the Canon EF is the electro-mechanical Copal Square vertical-travel metal blade focal plane shutter with a speed range from 1/1000 second down to 30 seconds. While speeds from 30 to 1 second are controlled electronically, the range from 1/2 to 1/1000 second is actuated mechanically. This feature is used for conserving battery life while allowing the camera to be used even when the batteries are depleted. Film ISO The speed setting is from ASA 12 to ASA 3200.
CANON EF SLR FILM CAMERA | FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Video Description ----------------------------- After a gentleman giving me this Canon EF SLR Camera I thought I'd go and try it out. Great camera. Love it! The camera is well built, as expected, and feels great to use. I wouldn't want to drop it on my foot though! It is a heavy lump.
Metering on the EF is a center-weighted average, with less influence from the top of the frame to minimize underexposure due to a bright skyline. The camera is fitted with a 10-second delay self-timer, battery check light, multiple exposure function, and depth of field (DoF) prpreviewsThe camera is powered by a silicon photocell light meter with a metering range from EV -2 to EV 18 to EV -2.
Basic Camera Features
For its gorgeous design out of pure metal with strong and proportional lines, the Canon EF is also known as the "black beauty".
On the camera front plane, aside from the lens mount housing, the front of the EF is plain aside from the Self-Timer/Stopped Down Metering/Mirror Lockup combination mechanism. This multifunction mechanism, with levers both top and bottom, may need a bit of practice to understand its functions fully.
To the left of the pentaprism housing of the top plate is the Film Rewind Crank, which is integrated with the film ISO Selector dial. In between the rewind dial and the pentaprism, towards the front, is the Battery Check LED, and towards the back of the top plate, the AE Lock button.
On the right is the Shutter Speed dial, Film Advance Crank, and Shutter Release button integrated on a single axis, beside which is the Film Counter window.
On the right of the back portion of the top plate is the On/Off Switch which will activate the exposure meter. Switching the lever On will also release the Film Advance Crank from its lock position. On the axis of the switch is the Multiple Exposure button. The film back is a hinge type.
On the bottom plate of the EF is located the twin-pot Battery Chamber, with a red Battery Check switch on its side, the Tripod Socket, and towards the left of the plate, the Film Rewind Release button.
The film box is a typical easy load type with a slotted take-up spool. Film loading on the EF was designed without Canon's QL (Quick Load) mechanism.
Viewfinder Readout
The viewfinder displays a horizontal Shutter Speed Scale at the bottom of the screen with an indicator showing the speed setting, and a vertical Aperture Scale on the right side of the screen with a meter needle pointer showing the aperture setting. Red over- and underexposure warning marks are at either end of the scale.
Center-Weighted Average Metering
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| Canon EF Metering Pattern |
The Canon EF utilizes a center-weighted average metering system which is specially configured to be less influenced by the area at the top of the frame. This is to minimize underexposure which may be caused by a bright skyline. The system is powered by a silicon photocell light meter with a range of EV 18 to EV -2. For a proper meter reading, the recommendation is for the camera to be held horizontally.
The Canon EF can operate in shutter priority or in full manual mode with FD-mount lenses. In automatic mode, the exposure value can be locked with the button, located on the top plate of the camera, between the pentaprism and the film ISO selector dial.
Variable Aperture AE (Automatic Exposeure) Shooting Moxe
>As recommended by Canon, the Variable Aperture AE, commonly known as the 'shutter priority EE' shooting mode, is the preferred shooting mode on the EF. This method varies the aperture opening of the lens based on the shutter speed you select. This method gives you better control over image composition and camera shake.
Set the lens aperture ring to its auto 'O' mark (or 'A' for later FD version lenses), set the shutter to your preferred speed, frame, focus, and release the shutter.
The Canon EF can also be operated in shutter priority or in full manual mode with FD-mount lenses. In full manual exposure mode, you need to first release the auto setting of the lens, set the aperture manually, focus, and adjust the shutter speed so that the aperture needle matches the aperture setting on the lens, and release the shutter.
AE (Automatic Exposure) Lock
An AE lock button is located between the pentaprism and the ASA ring. To use, press, and hold the button while you re-frame the subject and release the shutter.
Multiple Exposures
A Multiple Exposure button is located on the axis of the main switch. Pressing this while cocking the shutter prevents the film frame from being advanced. The Film Frame Counter is also disabled during this operation.
Self-Timer Mode
Self-Timer shooting mode on the Canon EF is activated by first pressing the small Self-Timer Lock Button on top of the Self-Timer Lever, which will release a catch that will let you turn the self-timer lever out (counterclockwise). Press the Shutter Release to start the time delay, the mirror will flip up, and the shutter will fire after the delay times out.
Stopped-down Metering
To do Stopped-down Metering, push the Self-Timer Lever in (clockwise) towards the lens mount housing. This will close the lens aperture to the aperture value you set on the aperture ring of the lens. The lever is spring-loaded and it will revert to its original position once you release your finger pressure from the lever.
Mirror Lockup
Mirror Lockup is a two-step process. First set, the Self-Timer Lever to its Stopped-down Metering position (toward the lens mount housing), hold, and then turn the 'L-M' lock lever, located on the lower part of the self-timer to the 'M' position. The mirror will stay locked up till you reverse the 'L-M' lever setting, after taking the shot.
Loading and Unloading Film
The Canon EF is fitted with an Automatic Blank Shot Mechanism, which frees you from using the Shutter Release Button when loading the film. The winding (film advance) lever works independently of the shutter button until you reach Frame 1.
Lens Compatibility
The camera is compatible with all breach-lock Canon FD lenses available by 1975, which range from a 15 mm fisheye to a 300 mm telephoto, including three zoom lenses. Older FL-mount and R-mount lenses can also be used on the EF in manual exposure and stop-down mode.
Using the Camera
An ON/OFF switch on the right side at the back of the top plate sets the meter on, disables the shutter trigger lock removes the lock, and frees the film advance lever to pop out 15 degrees from the camera body.
Really one of the most beautiful t cameras of all times!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteI agree this is the best most complete film slr in the similar range that I ever found
ReplyDeleteGood on you, thanks.
DeleteHow does one do manual metering do we need a hand held meter to set the shutter speed
ReplyDeleteYes, you do need an external light meter, a hand-held one, off a light-meter app that you can install on your smart phone, get the exposure reading off another camera that you might have, or just go for broke with the Sunny 16 Rule, thanks.
DeleteHere is a 'SUNNY 16' slider that you can print out and use: I found this nice sunny 16 printable slider that can be carried around. http://expomat.tripod.com/
DeleteYup, thanks, a good one to start learning with.
DeleteFor in body metering in manual set your preferred aperture (say f4) and then looking through the viewfinder you can adjust the shutter speed as normal until the needle sits over f4 on the viewfinder aperture scale.
DeleteLove my EF. Had it out just the other day.
ReplyDeleteI bought one in Hong Kong in the 70s. I doubt if I have 30 shots through it. Looks like it just came out of the box
ReplyDeleteMine looks brand new. 30 shots perhaps. Just never learned how to use it
ReplyDeleteJust give it a go! I'm sure you gonna enjoy it...
DeleteWant to sell it.?
DeleteSorry, sold a long while back, thanks https://www.filmcameramarketplace.com/
DeleteI bought the 2nd one in Tokyo in 1987.
ReplyDeleteI haven't used it for a long time now, the shutter is weak
Production for the EF ended in 1979.
ReplyDelete