The AE-1 with shutter speed-priority AE and TTL metering became wildly popular in Japan and overseas.
However in a few overseas markets, the AE-1 had a high price tag. There were also many users who still preferred manual metering. In response to these people, the AT-1 was developed. It had the same body as the AE-1. It featured match-needle metering and TTL centerweighted averaging metering with CdS photocell. The camera could use the same accessories as the AE-1.
Canon introduced the AT-1 in late 1976, about eight months after the immensely popular AE-1 made its debut. Both SLRs utilize the FD lens mount.
While outwardly the two models are near-twins, and share many accessories, the AT-1 was an export-only model offering cost-conscious buyers a cheaper alternative. Where the AE-1 offers shutter-priority autoexposure, the AT-1 is a pure match-needle, manual-exposure camera. Its viewfinder display is a simplified throwback to earlier match-needle SLRs: an analog needle floats to reflect a TTL reading of the scene brightness; and the user adjusts either aperture or shutter speed until the EV "lolipop" aligns with the needle position. There is no indication of either the selected aperture or shutter speed in the viewfinder.
Despite these appearances, the AT-1 is not a full-blown retro mechanical SLR: it is based on the innovative cost-cutting electronics of the AE-1. The shutter is electronically timed and entirely dependent on battery power. A 10 second self-timer with blinking LED indicator is activated by rotating a tab alongside the shutter release to its forward position. (Rather illogically, returning the tab to its normal position does not cancel the self-timer; instead it fires the shutter immediately.)
While never selling in the same numbers as the AE-1 or AE-1P, today an AT-1 offers photographers access to numerous inexpensive, used FD-mount lenses, in a body free from extraneous bells and whistles.
Type: 35mm focal-plane shutter SLR camera
Picture Size: 24 x 36 mm
Normal Lens: Canon FD 50mm f/1.8 SC
Lens Mount: FD mount
Shutter: Four-axis, horizontal-travel focal-plane shutter with cloth curtains. X, B, 2, 1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/15, 1/30, 1/60, 1/125, 1/250, 1/500, 1/1000 sec. All speeds controlled electronically. Built-in self-timer (with blinking LED).
Flash Sync: X-sync automatic-switching sync contacts with German socket and hot shoe.
Viewfinder: Fixed eye-level pentaprism. 0.82x magnification, 93.5% vertical coverage, 96.3% horizontal coverage. Split-image rangefinder encircled by microprism rangefinder at center of fresnel matte screen. Metering match needle, overexposure warning (also battery check indicator), and underexposure warning provided.
Exposure Control: CdS cell for TTL full-aperture, match-needle centerweighted averaging metering. Metering range at ISO 100 and f/1.8 lens: EV 3 – 17. Film speed range from ISO 25 to 3200.
Power Source: One 4G-13 6 V mercury oxide battery or 4LR44 alkaline battery
Film Loading & Advance: Slotted take-up spool. Advances with camera-top lever’s 120 stroke (partial strokes enabled). Ready position at 30.
Frame Counter: Counts up. Resets automatically when camera back is opened.
Film Rewind: Camera-top crank
Dimensions & Weight: 141 x 87 x 48 mm, 590 g
The Canon A-1 is an advanced level single-lens reflex (SLR) 35 mm film camera for use with interchangeable lenses. It was manufactured by Canon Camera K. K. (today Canon Incorporated) in Japan from April 1978 to 1985. It employs a horizontal cloth-curtain focal-plane shutter with a speed range of 30 to 1/1000 second plus bulb and flash synchronization speed of 1/60 second. It has dimensions of 92 millimetres (3.6 in) height, 141 millimetres (5.6 in) width, 48 millimetres (1.9 in) depth and 620 grams (22 oz) weight. Unlike most SLRs of the time, it was available in only one color; all black. The introductory US list price for the body plus Canon FD 50 mm f/1.4 SSC lens was $625, the camera was generally sold with a 30–40% discount (roughly $375 to $435).
The A-1 is a historically significant camera. It was the first SLR to offer an electronically controlled programmed autoexposure mode. Instead of the photographer picking a shutter speed to freeze or blur motion and choosing a lens aperture f-stop to control depth of field (focus), the A-1 has a microprocessor programmed to automatically select a compromise exposure based on light meter input. Virtually all cameras today have at least one program mode.
Beginning with the amateur level Canon AE-1 of 1976, there was a complete overhaul of the entire Canon SLR line. The 1970s and 1980s were an era of intense competition among the major SLR brands: Canon, Nikon, Minolta, Pentax and Olympus. Between 1975 and 1985, there was a dramatic shift away from heavy all-metal manual mechanical camera bodies to much more compact bodies with integrated circuit (IC) electronic automation. In addition, because of rapid advances in electronics, the brands continually leapfrogged each other with models having new or more automatic features, and less expensive components and assembly. The industry was trying to expand out from the saturated high-end professional market and appeal to the large mass of low-end amateur photographers keen to move up from compact automatic leaf shutter rangefinder cameras to the more "glamorous" SLR but were intimidated by the need to learn all the details of operating a traditional SLR.
The A-1 is the high technology standard bearer of the landmark Canon amateur level A-series SLRs. The other members of the A-series are the Canon AE-1 (released 1976), AT-1 (1977), AV-1 (1979), AE-1 Program (1981) and AL-1 (1982). They all use the same compact aluminum alloy chassis, but with differing feature levels and outer cosmetic acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) plastic panels. By sharing most major components, and an inexpensive horizontal cloth-curtain shutter, costs could be spread out over a larger production volumes. The A-1 represented Canon's bid to defeat Nikon through more features and the cheapest price.
The A-1 caused a sensation when it was released in early 1978. Most photographers were amazed at its advanced features, years ahead of the competition, but in the face of changing technology, not all comments were positive. Professional photographers worried about the long term reliability of its consumer-level mechanical and electronic components under heavy daily use, the relatively slow flash sync and top shutter speeds. Traditionalist photographers complained about an "excess" of automation ruining the art of photography, a criticism that was leveled at all of the newly automated cameras released in the 1980s. However, automation turned out to be the right way to entice many new amateur photographers on a budget, and paid off very well for Canon.
The Canon A-1 was a runaway best seller, as it offered new SLR buyers considerable features and value for the price. It was reliable for its day in amateur usage. But as competitors brought out their own programmed SLRs,[1] the A-1 began to show its age. This is especially true for its horizontal cloth-curtain shutter, viewfinder information display and autoflash control. The A-1 was due for replacement when the Canon T90 came out in 1985. Canon's abandonment of the FD lens mount for the EOS design also had a significant effect on demand for the A-1 on the used market. But it is still regarded as one of the most fascinating SLRs of its generation and many are still in regular use.
The A-1 accepts any lens with the Canon FD breech lock mount (introduced in 1971) or Canon New FD pseudo-bayonet mount (sometimes called the FDn mount, introduced 1979). It can also use most earlier FL lenses and some even older R (or Canomatic) series lenses, albeit with reduced functionality. This excludes all of Canon's EF bayonet mount autofocus lenses (introduced in 1987). During the late 1970s and 1980s, there were approximately 55 Canon FD lenses available for purchase. They ranged from a 7.5mm f/5.6 fisheye to an FD 800mm f/5.6 telephoto, and included lenses with maximum apertures to f/1.2 and a line of L-series lenses of exceptional quality. Accessories for the A-1 included the Canon motor drive MA (automatic film advance up to 5 frames per second), the Canon Databack A (sequential numbering or date stamping on the film), and the Canon Speedlight 155A (guide number 56/17 (feet/meters) at ASA/ISO 100) and Canon Speedlight 199A (guide number 98/30 (feet/meters) at ASA/ISO 100) electronic flashes.
The A-1 is a battery-powered (one 4LR44 or PX-28) microprocessor-controlled manual-focus SLR with manual exposure control or shutter priority, aperture priority or programmed autoexposure. A fifth mode is "stopped down AE", in which the aperture is closed and alterable by the photographer and the camera selects the shutter speed based on the actual light reading. This differs from aperture priority in which the aperture is not closed until a photograph is taken and the shutter speed is calculated based on the light measured through the fully open aperture. Stopped down AE existed so that old FL lenses could be used with at least some kind of AE, and was also useful for photomicroscopy, manual-aperture lenses, etc. The A-1 is the first SLR to have all four of the now standard PASM exposure modes. It has a viewfinder exposure information system using a six-digit, seven-segment per digit, red alphanumeric LED display on the bottom of the viewfinder to indicate the readings of the built-in centerweighted, silicon photocell light meter. The focusing screen also has Canon's standard split image rangefinder and microprism collar focusing help.
Shutter: Four-axis, horizontal-travel focal-plane shutter with cloth curtains. X, B, 30, 15, 8, 4, 2, 1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/15, 1/30, 1/60, 1/125, 1/250, 1/500, 1/1000 sec. All speeds controlled electronically. Built-in self-timer (with 2- and 10-sec. delay and blinking LED). Multiple exposures enabled with a lever. Electronic shutter release.
Flash Sync: X-sync automatic-switching sync contacts with German socket and hot shoe.
Viewfinder: Fixed eye-level pentaprism. 0.83x magnification, 93.4% vertical coverage, 95.3% horizontal coverage. Split-image rangefinder encircled by microprism rangefinder at center of fresnel matte screen. Eyepiece shutter provided. Six interchangeable focusing screens optional (installed by service personnel). The standard screen was later replaced by the brighter and sharper Laser Matte screen.
Viewfinder Information: Digital readout with 7-segment red LED for shutter speed, aperture, dedicated Speedlite flash-ready, manual settings, and warning displays.
Metering & Exposure Control: SPC for TTL full-aperture centerweighted averaging metering or TTL stopped-down metering. Exposure compensation range of 2 EV. AE lock provided. Five AE modes: Shutter speed-priority AE, aperture-priority AE, program AE, preset aperture-priority AE, and Speedlite AE (with dedicated Speedlite). The mode is set with a selector dial. Metering range at ISO 100 and f/1.4: EV -2 – 18. Film speed range from ISO 6 to 12800 in 1/3 steps.
Power Source: One 4G-13 6 V mercury oxide battery or 4LR44 alkaline battery. Battery check with button and blinking LED.
Film Loading & Advance: Slotted take-up spool. Advances with camera-top lever’s 120 stroke (partial strokes enabled). Ready position at 30.
Frame Counter: Counts up. Resets automatically when camera back is opened. Counts down during rewind.
Five years after the original AE-1 was introduced, Canon brought out an excellent upgraded version in 1981, known as the AE-1 Program or AE-1P in short. The AE-1 Program was considered as one of the two most elegant looking A series bodies (the other was the Canon A-1 in 1977).
The AE-1 Program was certainly a worthy successor. It was packed with improved features, which were not found in its predecessor. Among the features was the Programmed AE, (first debut in the A-1) in addition to the Shutter-priority AE and manual override modes. It also has eight user interchangeable focusing screens, using the new laser matte types as well as some with extra bright laser matte technology developed for the flagship model, the New Canon F-1. It has a new, dedicated Power Winder A2 that has additional remote capability, but the camera still accepts the older Winder A and can even share the Canon A-1's Motor Drive MA for up to 4 fps burst rate for action photography.
It also accepts most of the accessories within the FD system, including Data Back A, macro accessories, A and G-type of Canon Speedlites for fully automated flash photography. All FD, New FD and FL lenses are usable with the AE-1P. Full aperture metering is only possible with the FD and New FD lenses. Stopped-down metering with the FL lenses.
As with the Canon A-1, the AE-1 Program was indeed, very popular and well received by consumers. Although there were some minor shortfalls in its design to make it a true classic, it was still a worthy camera among its class during the years of its availability, from early to the mid-80s.
Obviously, the AE-1 Program was a much easier camera to use as compared to the multi-mode Canon A-1. Although the A-1 has more features and functions to control exposure, those available on the AE-1 Program were actually improvements over what the A-1 has and it has a more simplified way in controlling exposure, which made the camera an easier model for beginners to use.
Type: 35mm single-lens reflex (SLR) camera with electronically-controlled automatic exposure (AE) and focal-plane shutter.
Exposure Modes: Programmed AE, shutterspeed priority AE, AE flash photography with specified Canon electronic flash units, and manual override.
Format: 24 x 36mm.
Usable Lenses: Canon FD (for full-aperture metering) and Canon FL and non-FD (for stopped-down metering) series lenses.
Standard Lenses: FD 50mm f/1.2, FD 50mm f/1.4, FD 50mm f/1.8
Lens Mount: Canon breech-lock mount.
Dioptric Adjustment: Built-in eyepiece is adjusted to standard -1 diopter.
Focusing Screen: Standard split-image/microprism rangefinder. Seven other types of interchangeable screens are available optionally.
AE Mechanism: Electronically-controlled programmed AE and shutter-speed priority AE metering system using one IC and three LSl's with .
Light Metering System: Through-the-lens (TTL), Center-Weighted Averaging by silicon photocell (SPC).
Meter Coupling Range: EV 1 (1sec. at f/1.4) to EV 18 (1/1000 sec. at f/16) with ISO/ASA 100 film and f/1.4 speed lens.
Exposure Memory: EV locked in when shutter button is pressed halfway and the AE lock switch is pressed once. Exposure is memorized as long as shutter button is pressed halfway.
Exposure Preview: By pressing shutter button or exposure preview switch.
Shutter: Cloth, focal-plane, 4-spindle, electronically-controlled. With shock and noise absorbers.
Mirror: Instant-return, with shock-absorber.
Film Speed Scale: ISO/ASA 12 - 3200.
Shutter Speed Selector Dial: 2 sec.- 1/ 1000 sec.. plus "PROGRAM" and "B" With guard.
Shutter Release Button: Two-step, electromagnetic shutter release button. Also serves as exposure preview switch. With lock, cable release socket, and finger rest.
Main Switch: Three positions: "A" "L," and "S." At "L" all active circuits are cut off as a safety feature. "S" position is for self-timer photography.
Self-timer: Electronically-controlled. Main switch set to"S."Activated by pressing shutter button. Ten-second delay with electronic "beep-beep" sound. Number of beeps emitted per second increases two seconds before shutter release. Cancellation possible.
Stop-down Lever: For depth-of-field preview (FD lens) or metering (non-FD lens or close-up accessories).
Power Source: One 6v alkaline-manganese (Eveready [UCAR] No. A544,IEC 4LR44) silver oxide (Eveready [UCAR] No. 544, IEC 4SR44, Duracell PX 28), or lithium (Duracell PX 28L) battery. Battery lasts about one year under normal use.
Battery Check: "Beep-beep" sound when pressing battery check button. Six or more beeps per second indicate sufficient power; three or fewer beeps per second indicate insufficient power.
Flash Synchronization: X synchronization at 1/60 sec.; M synchronization at 1/30 sec. or slower. Direct contact at accessory shoe for hot-shoe flash. PC socket (JIS-B type) with shock-preventive rim for cord-type flash. Accessory shoe has contact for normal automatic flash plus special contact for AE flash with dedicated Canon Speedlites.
Automatic Flash: Full AE flash photography with specified Canon Speedlites. Shutter speed set automatically. Aperture controlled automatically according to setting of flash when pilot lamp glows.
Back Cover: Opened with rewind knob. Removable, interchange with Databack A. With memo holder.
Film Loading: Via multi-slot take-up spool.
Film Advance Lever: Single-stroke 120° throw with 30° stand-off. Ratchet winding possible.
Frame Counter: Additive type. Automatically resets to "S" upon opening back cover. Counts backwards as film is rewound.
Film Rewind: With rewind button and crank
Other Safety Devices: Camera will not function when power level insufficient. Film winding impossible while shutter is in operation.
The Canon A-1 is an advanced level single-lens reflex (SLR) 35 mm film camera for use with interchangeable lenses. It was manufactured by Canon Camera K. K. (today Canon Incorporated) in Japan from April 1978 to 1985. It employs a horizontal cloth-curtain focal-plane shutter with a speed range of 30 to 1/1000 second plus bulb and flash synchronization speed of 1/60 second. It has dimensions of 92 millimetres (3.6 in) height, 141 millimetres (5.6 in) width, 48 millimetres (1.9 in) depth and 620 grams (22 oz) weight. Unlike most SLRs of the time, it was available in only one color; all black. The introductory US list price for the body plus Canon FD 50 mm f/1.4 SSC lens was $625, the camera was generally sold with a 30–40% discount (roughly $375 to $435).
The A-1 is a historically significant camera. It was the first SLR to offer an electronically controlled programmed autoexposure mode. Instead of the photographer picking a shutter speed to freeze or blur motion and choosing a lens aperture f-stop to control depth of field (focus), the A-1 has a microprocessor programmed to automatically select a compromise exposure based on light meter input. Virtually all cameras today have at least one program mode.
Beginning with the amateur level Canon AE-1 of 1976, there was a complete overhaul of the entire Canon SLR line. The 1970s and 1980s were an era of intense competition among the major SLR brands: Canon, Nikon, Minolta, Pentax and Olympus. Between 1975 and 1985, there was a dramatic shift away from heavy all-metal manual mechanical camera bodies to much more compact bodies with integrated circuit (IC) electronic automation. In addition, because of rapid advances in electronics, the brands continually leapfrogged each other with models having new or more automatic features, and less expensive components and assembly. The industry was trying to expand out from the saturated high-end professional market and appeal to the large mass of low-end amateur photographers keen to move up from compact automatic leaf shutter rangefinder cameras to the more "glamorous" SLR but were intimidated by the need to learn all the details of operating a traditional SLR.
The A-1 is the high technology standard bearer of the landmark Canon amateur level A-series SLRs. The other members of the A-series are the Canon AE-1 (released 1976), AT-1 (1977), AV-1 (1979), AE-1 Program (1981) and AL-1 (1982). They all use the same compact aluminum alloy chassis, but with differing feature levels and outer cosmetic acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) plastic panels. By sharing most major components, and an inexpensive horizontal cloth-curtain shutter, costs could be spread out over a larger production volumes. The A-1 represented Canon's bid to defeat Nikon through more features and the cheapest price.
The A-1 caused a sensation when it was released in early 1978. Most photographers were amazed at its advanced features, years ahead of the competition, but in the face of changing technology, not all comments were positive. Professional photographers worried about the long term reliability of its consumer-level mechanical and electronic components under heavy daily use, the relatively slow flash sync and top shutter speeds. Traditionalist photographers complained about an "excess" of automation ruining the art of photography, a criticism that was leveled at all of the newly automated cameras released in the 1980s. However, automation turned out to be the right way to entice many new amateur photographers on a budget, and paid off very well for Canon.
The Canon A-1 was a runaway best seller, as it offered new SLR buyers considerable features and value for the price. It was reliable for its day in amateur usage. But as competitors brought out their own programmed SLRs,[1] the A-1 began to show its age. This is especially true for its horizontal cloth-curtain shutter, viewfinder information display and autoflash control. The A-1 was due for replacement when the Canon T90 came out in 1985. Canon's abandonment of the FD lens mount for the EOS design also had a significant effect on demand for the A-1 on the used market. But it is still regarded as one of the most fascinating SLRs of its generation and many are still in regular use.
The A-1 accepts any lens with the Canon FD breech lock mount (introduced in 1971) or Canon New FD pseudo-bayonet mount (sometimes called the FDn mount, introduced 1979). It can also use most earlier FL lenses and some even older R (or Canomatic) series lenses, albeit with reduced functionality. This excludes all of Canon's EF bayonet mount autofocus lenses (introduced in 1987). During the late 1970s and 1980s, there were approximately 55 Canon FD lenses available for purchase. They ranged from a 7.5mm f/5.6 fisheye to an FD 800mm f/5.6 telephoto, and included lenses with maximum apertures to f/1.2 and a line of L-series lenses of exceptional quality. Accessories for the A-1 included the Canon motor drive MA (automatic film advance up to 5 frames per second), the Canon Databack A (sequential numbering or date stamping on the film), and the Canon Speedlight 155A (guide number 56/17 (feet/meters) at ASA/ISO 100) and Canon Speedlight 199A (guide number 98/30 (feet/meters) at ASA/ISO 100) electronic flashes.
The A-1 is a battery-powered (one 4LR44 or PX-28) microprocessor-controlled manual-focus SLR with manual exposure control or shutter priority, aperture priority or programmed autoexposure. A fifth mode is "stopped down AE", in which the aperture is closed and alterable by the photographer and the camera selects the shutter speed based on the actual light reading. This differs from aperture priority in which the aperture is not closed until a photograph is taken and the shutter speed is calculated based on the light measured through the fully open aperture. Stopped down AE existed so that old FL lenses could be used with at least some kind of AE, and was also useful for photomicroscopy, manual-aperture lenses, etc. The A-1 is the first SLR to have all four of the now standard PASM exposure modes. It has a viewfinder exposure information system using a six-digit, seven-segment per digit, red alphanumeric LED display on the bottom of the viewfinder to indicate the readings of the built-in centerweighted, silicon photocell light meter. The focusing screen also has Canon's standard split image rangefinder and microprism collar focusing help.
Shutter: Four-axis, horizontal-travel focal-plane shutter with cloth curtains. X, B, 30, 15, 8, 4, 2, 1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/15, 1/30, 1/60, 1/125, 1/250, 1/500, 1/1000 sec. All speeds controlled electronically. Built-in self-timer (with 2- and 10-sec. delay and blinking LED). Multiple exposures enabled with a lever. Electronic shutter release.
Flash Sync: X-sync automatic-switching sync contacts with German socket and hot shoe.
Viewfinder: Fixed eye-level pentaprism. 0.83x magnification, 93.4% vertical coverage, 95.3% horizontal coverage. Split-image rangefinder encircled by microprism rangefinder at center of fresnel matte screen. Eyepiece shutter provided. Six interchangeable focusing screens optional (installed by service personnel). The standard screen was later replaced by the brighter and sharper Laser Matte screen.
Viewfinder Information: Digital readout with 7-segment red LED for shutter speed, aperture, dedicated Speedlite flash-ready, manual settings, and warning displays.
Metering & Exposure Control: SPC for TTL full-aperture centerweighted averaging metering or TTL stopped-down metering. Exposure compensation range of 2 EV. AE lock provided. Five AE modes: Shutter speed-priority AE, aperture-priority AE, program AE, preset aperture-priority AE, and Speedlite AE (with dedicated Speedlite). The mode is set with a selector dial. Metering range at ISO 100 and f/1.4: EV -2 – 18. Film speed range from ISO 6 to 12800 in 1/3 steps.
Power Source: One 4G-13 6 V mercury oxide battery or 4LR44 alkaline battery. Battery check with button and blinking LED.
Film Loading & Advance: Slotted take-up spool. Advances with camera-top lever’s 120 stroke (partial strokes enabled). Ready position at 30.
Frame Counter: Counts up. Resets automatically when camera back is opened. Counts down during rewind.
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.
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.
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
The computer age was invitably found an in-route into SLR camera design - apart from affecting life-styles and the world we live in. And Canon foresees that as early as 1976 when the Canon AE-1 was introduced to the world. In 1984, a revolutionary new Canon camera was launched and it was changing the way we look at camera and photography. That camera was the Canon T70 model.
Like today's computers, the second model of the Canon T series was designed to perform a multitude of tasks with split-second response and unfailing accuracy.
The Canon T70 is Canon's first clunky 1984 attempt at the computerized cameras of tomorrow. Canon's sales brochures trumpeted "Photography Enters the Computer Age," and bragged of the T70's advanced onboard computer (OBC). The T70's OBC has an 8-bit custom microcomputer with 1,200 commands! It has 12 x 2 kilobytes of ROM and 8 x 16 bytes of RAM.
The T70, along with the T50, began the computerized camera era for Canon. The T70 is among Canon's last manual-focus cameras. Canon started with a clean slate when they came out with the EOS autofocus cameras.
The T70 may be primitive and cryptic compared to modern cameras, but used by itself, it does what it needs to with simplicity. I could shoot forever with this and miss very little, in fact, my biggest complaint is that the meter turns off the instant you remove your finger from the shutter: there is no "hang time" like modern cameras. Since the finder only reads the aperture, if you want to read the shutter speed, you have to keep holding the shutter button while you look at the top LCD without moving the camera!
It works only with Canon's manual-focus FD lenses. It may as well be Russian as far as compatibility with anything autofocus, EOS or digital from Canon. You easily can shoot it digitally.
See the big black grip on the left? That's the battery holder and internal motor drive. Rewind is also motorized-only.
I prefer this to the AE-1 or F1n for most shooting because it has Program mode, and a total of three variations of Program!
Laugh all you want, but it has a much bigger and better finder than any of Canon's amateur digital cameras of today like the 50D.
Data input into the T70's microprocessor brain give not one but three daylight programmed exposure modes. These select the most appropriate aperture/shutter speed combination for the lighting and the lens in use: wide-angle, standard or telephoto. Flash photography is also fully programmed. For fast-paced action, there's Shutter-Priority AE and when the situation demands, Manual override.
Another feature that makes the T70 really two cameras in one was its dual metering. Flick a switch to select either Centerweighted average or Selective Area metering.
Although the T70 was a quantum advance in camera technology than the first T-series model, the all programmed-AE-only T-50, the basic concept of the T series model remains - advanced doesn't mean complicated, simplicity in control and operation are the order of the day. The T70 was delightfully simple to use. With a streamlined compact design.
Gone was the tradittional shutter speed dial where the selection has been replaced with push button operations, no more manual film advance lever which was replaced with a built-in integral motor for automatic film advance and even rewind. And in another departure from the conventional, a large LCD panel displays all essential information. LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) was used because it is highly power efficient than LEDs, consumes only 1/10000 power of equivalent of LEDs. Only two AA-size alkaline manganese batteries are required to power all the camera's automatic functions.
Another significant breakthrough with the T-series was a new dedicated accessory, the Command Back 70, which performs like a command centre, like recording data on the film automatically and it will even instruct the camera to take pictures - regular shots and timed exposures - at set intervals. It was a vast improvement over the earlier T50 which was not designed to accept a databack. Naturally, the T70 also accepts the full line of FD lenses and accessories. The T70 was designed and aimed more directly at serious amateurs and professionals alike.
8 Exposure Modes
Standard Program
Wide Program
Tele Program
Shutter-priority AE
Programmed Flash
Electronic Flash AE
Manual
Stopped-down AE
Other interesting features like a sleek profile, superb balance and handling. Power-saving design. Reliability-enhancing features. System accessories including multipurpose Command Back 70 and programmed Speedlite 277T. Programmed Versatility The T70 is programmed for every conceivable photographic situation. The Program AE was a great improvement over the earlier versions used in the multimode Canon A-1 or the simpler AE-1 Program, as it has more options to fine tune exposures.
Multiple Program AE is excellent. There are three program modes. The usual mode matches the usual combinations: f/2.8 @ 1/30, f/8 @ 1/250, etc. There is a WIDE PROGRAM mode which shifts to apertures two stops smaller. The TELE mode optimizes for fast shutter speeds with a different curve. I prefer these to my infinitely shiftable modern cameras because these are the three programs I need. With modern cameras, I'm constantly piddling around to get to just these three modes.
Dual Metering System is Partial and Average metering. The Partial setting uses just the central 12mm spot and locks the exposure. The Average setting uses the entire finder, minus the edges, and doesn't lock the exposure.
Compatibility
Canon FD (manual focus) lenses.
Optimized for Canon's 277T flash.
Exposure Modes: Program (Normal and two variations: Wide and Tele), Shutter-priority (Tv) and Manual. No Aperture-priority (Av).
Finder: Big, bright pentaprism that puts Canon's 1.6x digital cameras to shame. Central split-image rangefinder surrounded by microprism and then bright ground glass. 0.85x magnification (50mm), 92% coverage. Yes, a 1.6x digital camera like the 40D might be rated at 0.95x magnification and 95% coverage, but that's 95% coverage of only 62% (1/1.6x) as much as a full-frame T70!
Finder read-outs: Four (count 'em) single LEDs: P for program mode. * for AEL. Bolt for flash ready. M for manual exposure. Two whole digits of 7-segment LEDs to read-out f/stops. In stopped-down AE mode (only usable with uncoupled lenses), these two digits read shutter speed. Since there are only two digits, 1/125 ~ 1/350 is indicated by "HL" and 1/500 ~ 1/1,000 is shown with "HH." Laugh all you want, but even the T70 is smart enough to vary the brightness of the LEDs for easy reading in any light.
Depth-of-Field Preview: NONE.
Shutter: 1/1,000 ~ 2 seconds and Bulb. Vertical metal focal plane. Bulb mode counts seconds on the dark top LCD up to 30. After 30 seconds, it starts counting up again from 0 and adds one of the three film motion dashes. If you add 30 for each dash, the display reads up to 120 seconds! Too bad there's no conventional cable release socket.
Flash Sync: 1/90. Hot shoe.
Frame Rate: 0.7 FPS; just hold down the shutter button.
Film Rewind: By motor; manual start. I measure 27 seconds for a 36-exposure roll.
ISO: 12 - 1,600.
Metering: Average (ignores only the edges) and Partial: 12mm center-weighted. Works EV 1 ~ 19 at ISO 100 with an f/1.4 lens.
Power: Two AAs: alkaline, Ni-Cd and even those crappy "heavy duty" ones you can find in any third-world tienda. Rated 40 rolls of 36 exposure with alkalines at 20ºC. Manual says there's a CR-1220 or BR-1225 lithium to remember the frame counter setting and ISO if you change the AAs, and that it needs to be changed every 5 years. In 2008, my T70 still works fine.
Size: 5-15/16 x 3-1/2 x 1-7/8" (151 x 89 x 48mm), rated.
Weight: 19.772 oz (560.6g), measured, with batteries but without lens, film or strap.
