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| Canon T50 (1983-1989) |
History and technical features
The Canon T50, introduced in March 1983 and discontinued in December 1989, was the first in Canon's new T series of 35mm single-lens reflex cameras compatible with Canon's FD lens mount. SLR sales were falling in 1983 from the market's 1981 peak, and Canon chose to try greater automation to revive sales and remain competitive. This approach had found favor in compact cameras such as the AF35M "Autoboy" (Japan) or "Sure Shot" (US). The T50 had a power winder built in giving a continuous shooting rate of 1.4 frames per second, as well as an advanced auto-exposure mode, although it was still a manual focus camera. Unlike those compact cameras and the higher-end models in the T series, the T50 did not have power rewind, relying on a manual crank. The camera's electric systems were powered by two AA batteries in the grip, which gave enough power to shoot 75 24-exposure rolls, or 50 36-exposure rolls.
The T50 used a new shutter design. Canon's previous A series cameras used a horizontally travelling cloth shutter, while the T50 (and subsequent T series models) used a vertically travelling metal blade shutter which allowed for faster shutter speeds and higher flash X-sync speeds. Only a modest increase was seen in the T50; more would be available in subsequent cameras.
Only Program AE (Auto Exposure) mode was available on the T50, in line with its role as a simple beginner's camera. A couple of years earlier, Konica had tried a similar approach with their FP-1.
Canon released a new flash unit for the T50, the Speedlite 244T. This simple-to-use flash used an infrared preflash to judge the distance to the subject, and only had two buttons; a power switch and a film speed setting which toggled between 100 and 400 ISO film speed.
Source: wikipedia
The Canon T series models were a new breed of SLR cameras introduced by Canon to replaced the A Series model. The Canon T-50 featured here was the first model within the T Series. It was built with the concept of everything convenient and easy to use, packed in a light weight body with a built-in integral winder to handle loading, remote control capability ready, offering automatic film advancing except for automatic rewinding and DX coding features from the high-end T-90 model - all sound too luxurious for a bare-bone A series model which may require the attachment of accessories like motor drive or power winder to perform similar tasks. And on its own, the T-50 stands between simplicity and sophistication. It is a simple to operate, inviting and user friendly SLR camera. It shares with most of the system accessories in the huge Canon FD lenses photographic system. It also patches some of the key weaknesses found in the A series model. The silk fabric shutter curtain was replaced with a newly developed vertically travelled metal curtain, which result in a higher achievable sync speed (varies with individual models) as compared with the standard 1/60 sec among all the A series models. The T50 featured here, was almost designed to handle like a P&S camera - other than the film rewind knob, other confusing knobs and switches have been replaced with simple control knob.
The conventional film advance lever is also missing from the top of the camera. It may look a bit bulkier physically but this wondeful SLR can accept more than 50 top rated interchangeable FD lenses and most of all, with some dedicated accessories attached, you can still tailor the camera to your individual needs and requirement.
In short, it can enhance with extended photographic capabilities - which are not possible even with the top of the line P&S models.
Automated Operation From the moment you insert a film cartridge until you release the shutter, everything, apart from focusing, is performed automatically. A built-in winder loads the film ready for your first shot. The T50 computes the light and sets the correct programmed combination of lens aperture and shutter speed. It's the same story with flash: full automation of exposure with little calculations or guesswork involved.
The A series SLR models offer powered film advance as an optional feature, where you purchase and attach a separate power winder or motor drive to the camera and even then, none of the models within the A series use less AA-size batteries than the T50.
And since none of the A series models have power film rewind with power winder or motor drive, the high-end T-Series cameras like the T70 and T90, offered powered rewind with only four AA-size batteries. The T50 has these advantages built in without having to cough out more to purchase them as optional accessories. The integrated micromotor advances the film automatically each time you take a picture, doing away with the need for a conventional winding lever. Press the shutter button once and the film advances one frame, ready for the next frame. Keep the button depressed and the T50 will fire at a maximum of a pretty low speed rate of around 1.4 frames per second - although not much, it was still better than winding the film manually. When you reach the end of the film, an audible warning is given and the motor switches off. Press the film release button underneath and rewind the film the usual way. Remote controlled photography is also possible, using the Remote Switch 60 T3.
Despite its many automatic functions, the T50 consumes surprisingly little power. Two slim AA-size alkaline batteries will take over 75 rolls of 24-exposure film (or 50 rolls of 36-exposure) under normal conditions. Contributing to energy efficiency is the Electromagnetic Attraction Shutter (EMAS).
The vertical-travel, focal plane shutter is activated by two attraction magnets to provide stepless, electronically controlled speeds from 1/1000 to 2 sec. for Programmed AE photography. The metal EMAS shutter was a clear departure from the traditional cloth shutter used in the A-Series models.
Warning: The Canon A and T series models use the previous FD mount and thus are not compatible with the many current autofocus EOS mount optics or accessories. If you have already owned a SLR system, I don't actually recommend a buy - unless for some specific personal reasons or may be if you have already built-up a FD system over the years and you don't want to abandon them (Because it doesn't make sense, an entry EOS model will be more logical if the price is the same). I don't like to mis-led anyone who comes into my site, please make note of that before any decision is made.
Fact remains, the T-50 is a very user friendly camera. In fact, you don't have to be an expert to take perfect pictures - even the very first time you handle it. Advanced electronics make it simple. Just set the lens on "A" and the selector dial at "PROGRAM", gently press the shutter button. That is all. The camera will measure the light, concentrating on the center where the subject is usually positioned. Using this and other data, it selects the most appropriate combination of shutter speed and lens opening for the lighting conditions. That is how "Program" automation works in camera. Of cause, the T50 is not an autofocus camera yet, you still need to turn the focusing ring on the lens to make sure the subject snaps into focus.
Clear Symbols Tell the Story
The T50 with its built-in winder is designed to respond instantly to a photographer's needs - without the hassle of manually wind the film forward. The Programmed AE mode was designed and written to lessen the risk of blurred pictures in low light, the T50 will choose the fastest shutter speed the conditions will allow. (Referred to the EV chart above if you can read and understand). In order to gather as much light as possible, the lens' widest aperture is maintained at all speeds up to 1/60 sec. From that point, the shutter speeds and f/numbers increase sharply.
Source: mir.com.my
Specifications
Type: 35 mm SLR (Single-Lens Reflex) camera with electronically-controlled programmed AE (Automatic Exposure)
Exposure Modes: Programmed AE and programmed AE flash with Canon Speedlite 244T, 255T, 277T or any dedicated flash units Format: 24 x 36 mm.
Usable Lenses: Canon FD series lenses only.
Viewfinder: Fixed eye-level Pentaprism.
Field of View: 92% vertical and 93% horizontal coverage of the actual picture area.
Magnification: 0.83X at infinity with a standard lens.
Viewfinder Information: Information is displayed by way of LED digital display positioned to the right of viewing area.
( P ): Programmed AE indicator. 2 Hz flashing indicates camera shake warning; 8 Hz flashing indicates underexposure warning
( M ): Manual aperture setting. 4 Hz flashing indicates exposure may be incorrect.
( ): Flash charge-completion display
Light Metering System: TTL (Through The-Lens), Center-weighted average by SPC (Silicon Photocell). Stopped-down metering is impossible and Non-FD lenses and close-up system accessories without AE signal pins cannot be used.
Meter Coupling Range: EV I to EV 18 with ISO 100/21°, ASA100 film.
Film Speed Scale: ISO 25/15°, ASA 25 - ISO 1600/33°, ASA
Shutter: Vertical travel focal-plane, electromagnetic attraction shutter. Electronically controlled.
Shutter Speed: Automatically controlled ffom 2 sec to 1/1000 sec at "A" 1/60sec when disengaged from "A"
Mirror: Instant-return, with shock and noise absorber.
Self-timer: Electronically controlled. Ten-second time lag activated by pressing shutter button. Beep sounds to indicate operation sound frequency increases two sees before shutter release Selector Dial: Four positions: "SELF," "PROGRAM," "L," and "B.C.". At "L" all active circuits are cut offas a safety feature.
Shutter Button: Two-step, electromagnetic shutter button Pressing it halfway activates the indicators. Pressing it all the way sets shutter m operation.
Flash Synchronization: X-sync at 1/60 sec. Direct contact at accessory shoe for hot-shoe type flash. When used with Canon "A" series Speedlites, 533G, or 577G, shutter speed is automatically set and aperture is also automatically set to the aperture value of the flash when the pilot lamp glows.
Automatic Flash: Programmed with the Canon Speedlite 244T. Afler infrared light is radiated, shutter speed and aperture (f/2.8 f/4, f/5.6) are automatically set according to the shooting distance and the reflectivity of subject.
Remote Control: Possible. With three-terminal contact for remote control. Remote Switch 60 T3 exclusive is required.
Power Source: Two size-AA alkaline-manganese or carbon-zinc batteries. Ni-Cd batteries cannot be used
Battery Check: Beep sounds when rotating selector dial to "B.C." Absence of sounds indicates insufficient power.
Back Cover: Opened by pullmg up rewind knob. non-removable type.
Film Loading: Loaded automatically. Automatically advances to "1" at 1/1000sec by keeping the shutter button pressed
Film Advance: Advanced automatically by a built-in power winder. Approximate 0.7 sec for film advance. Continuous shooting is possible by keeping the shutter button pressed.
Film End Warning: Warned by beep sounds.
Film Rewind: By pressing rewind button and cranking rewind knob.
Frame Counter: Additive type. Automatically resets to "S" upon opening back cover.
Dimensions: 150.2mm x 87mm x 48.4mm (5-15/16" x 3-7/16" x 1-15/16") body only
Weight: 490 g (17-5/16 oz.) body only
Source: mir.com.my
Model
Mine has the serial number 1030421.
Reference sites
mir.com.my
wikipedia
Manual
English manual
Batteries
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| 2 AA batteries |
Film
Pictures taken with this machine
Videos
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