The Minolta-16 MG-S was the flagship of Minolta's subminiature camera series, and the penultimate Minolta 16. In an attempt to compete with the new Kodak 110 film cartridge, it featured a bigger frame size than the earlier Minolta subminis (12×17 vs. 10×14 mm). A further advantage was the choice between manual CdS-meter supported match-needle aperture setting and fully automatic aperture control. A flash cube adapter served as flash device in the camera's standard outfit. Other flashes were available. Several close-up and color filters were also available for the MG-S.
Type: subminiatureviewfinder camera Manufacturer: Minolta Year of launch: 1970 Film: Minolta 16mm film with speeds 25 to 400 ASA Frame size: 12×17mm Lens: fixed-focus Rokkor 1:2.8/23mm with 4 elements in 3 groups, a sliding door with an additional close-up element can be shifted into the position in front of the lens Shutter: Speeds set manually between 1/30 and 1/500 sec.; X sync at all speeds Aperture: set manually between 1:2.8 and 1:16, or fully automatically, controlled by a CdS meter close to the lens (EV 8–17) Viewfinder: optical bright frame finder with parallax marks and control flags for low light and for close-up setting Size: 107.5×26.5×46mm Weight: 210g
Source:
The Olympus OM system was released by Olympus in 1972. The Olympus OM bodies were divided in a high range and a middle range. The top range were the one digit models with a hyphen: OM-1/2/3/4. The two digit models were the middle range. All these bodies could take Olympus OM lenses (which means all potentially have DOF preview functionality, as this was standard on most OM Lenses).
Following the introduction of autofocus into the market, Olympus released two motor-driven bodies: the OM707 and the OM101. Later yet, a re-branded Cosina model was released, known as the OM2000.
The OM10 was the first consumer OM series body. Launched in 1979 it accepted the full line of OM lenses and most of the OM accessories for a lower price. The lower price was reflected in the construction of this camera and the features available, however, it was still a very competent performer and it reflected the elegant lines established by the compact OM-1 and 2 designs. Early production runs of the OM10 have known malfunction issues with electronics, metering, and shutter magnets. Olympus later changed the shutter to a 'Type II' design to correct the latter problem.
In its standard configuration the OM10 offered aperture priority automatic exposure, simple and accurate enough for a consumer camera in most lighting situations. It also offered exposure compensation for more complicated lighting situations and for more advanced users. Selection dial upon the top allowed for selection of Aperture Priority, B and Manual adapter, The small plug-in manual adaptor was available as an accessory to enable manual control of shutter speed, if no Manual Adapter was plugged in and the camera switch set to Manual Adapter then the camera shutter speed was set to fixed 1/60 for flash work.
While not well known to consumers, the focusing screen for the OM10 is indeed interchangeable, though not as easily as the OM-1. It shares the same focusing screen as the OM-1, but the extra protruding tab needs to be cut off as the OM10 doesn't have a placeholder for it.
The OM10 can accept all the lenses of the OM system.
The finder screen is fixed, as well as the back. It can accept the winder but not the motor drive. It existed in chrome and in black finish.
Film Format : 24mm x 36mm
Type: :TTL auto-exposure 35mm SLR camera
Lens mount : OLYMPUS OM Mount. About 50 different Zuiko interchangeable lenses.
Shutter : Electronically controlled cloth focal plane shutter. Manual exposure: B, 1 - 1/1,000 sec. with adapter.
Synchronization : X type contact, hot shoe.
Automatic exposure control : Aperture preferred automatic exposure control electronic shutter type. TTL Direct Light Measuring System, center-weighted average light measurement. Measuring range: ASA 100 from F1.2, about 60 seconds to F16, 1/1,000 second.
Programmed Automatic Exposure : TTL direct, measuring range : approximate. -5 EV ~ 18 EV , 50mm F 1.4
Manual exposure : With a Manual Adapter
Self timer : 15sec. delay
Metering system : Olympus direct metering in body. Full aperture center weighted metering.
Measuring range : EV1.5 - EV17 (ASA 100 with F 1.2 standard lens).
Film speed Setting : ASA 12 - 3200
Power source : Two 1.5V silver oxide batteries Eveready S-76 or equivalents or alkaline manganese batteries LR 44
Viewfinder : Pentaprism type finder.
Finder view-field : 93% of actual picture field.
Reflex mirror : Quick return type (without lockup).
Manual film advance : Lever type with 130° angle for one long or several short strokes, pre-advance angle 30°
Exposure counter : Progressive type with automatic reset.
Film rewind : Rewind crank
Weight : 430g , body alone
Dimensions : 136 x 84 x 50mm, body
The cute little Mimy was the most basic of several half-frame Yashica models. Half-frame cameras (18x24mm, half the size of the 35mm format but using the same film) had a brief spell of popularity in the mid 1960s; other examples on this site are the Canon Demi and Minolta Repo. The Mimy was essentially a dressed-down version of the Yashica 72-E (see below). Like the 72-E it was a viewfinder camera but with fixed focus and without manual exposure controls. Due to the short focal length of the lens (28mm, equivalent to about 40mm on full frame) the depth of field was relatively large, which was why Yashica could get away with a fixed focus lens. The focus distance was set at 3m, so one needed to stop down to at least f/11 to get infinity focus. Thus, this camera was more practical for street photography.
The Mimy was equipped with auto exposure: upon pushing the release button half-way down the bottom left corner of the viewfinder frame would change from red to yellow if light was sufficient. The camera could also run in aperture-priority mode, although it appears this was mainly meant to be used with flash, as the lightmeter window did not clearly indicate if the exposure was fine. Film was advanced by means of a small thumb wheel at the bottom of the camera. The Mimy was succeeded by the Mimy-S, which had a redesigned viewfinder area and a lens that could be focussed.
The Yashica Mimy is a lovely half-frame 35mm camera from the early 1960s. The half-frame picture format is 18×24 mm rather than the 24x36mm of standard 35mm. This means that you get double the amount of shots out of a standard film roll (48 photos out of a 24-exposure roll or 72 out of a 36-exposure roll); this of course means your photos will have more noticable film grain.
This camera has a fully automatic exposure mode powered by a selenium cell (no battery required). In addition, you can manually pick an f-stop (use this mode for flash photography). The lens is a nice fixed focus Yashinon 28mm f2.8; At f.28, everything from 2.39m-4m will be in focus; by f11 everything from 1.5m to infinity will be in focus (see the manual linked below for a full depth of field chart).
In 1977, Pentax had introduced two compact 35mm SLRs, the MX and the ME, after the Olympus OM-1 presented in 1972 had introduced a new trend for compactness in SLR cameras.
The Pentax ME was the automatic model, but it had no manual mode. It was replaced in 1979 by the simpler MV and the more advanced ME Super, which was the smallest and lightest SLR (440g) available, with the following changes:
manual mode added
shutter speed range from 4s to 1/2000, sync at 1/125
additional shoe contact for dedicated Pentax flash units
different finder magnification
The marking "ASAHI" in the pentaprism housing was eliminated sometime between the ME and the ME Super
The Pentax ME Super was an aperture priority automatic camera, with an electronic focal plane shutter from 4s to 1/2000, flash synchronized at 1/125. The camera also shoots manually (no battery) at the 1/125 flash speed. The shutter curtains were metal and had a vertical movement. For manual mode, the customary shutter knob was replaced by two buttons, up and down, to select the shutter speed. The exposure meter was of the standard TTL open aperture center weighted type. It was activated by a slight pressure on the release button.
The Pentax ME Super had a 0.95x viewfinder, covering 92% of the field. The finder screen was fixed, with a split image and a microprism ring in the center. The shutter speed chosen by the camera or the user was displayed in the finder, the aperture was not.
There was a self-timer and a hot shoe on the top of the prism with an additional contact for dedicated Pentax flash units. The selector around the release button had five positions: L (lock), Auto, M (manual), 125 and B. The Pentax ME Super could attach the external winder ME (1.5 i/s) or the later Winder ME II (2i/s). The Pentax ME Super could also mount a Dial Data ME databack, or the later Digital Data M databack via a cord adapter.
The lenses were interchangeable with the K bayonet mount. Together with the ME and MX, the SMC Pentax-M series of compact lenses were introduced.
The Pentax ME Super existed in chrome or black finish. There was a special edition called ME Super SE, only sold in chrome finish; the differences are the SE marking and the diagonal instead of horizontal split-image device in the focusing screen.
A derivative with a primitive autofocus mechanism, called the Pentax ME-F, was released in 1981. Production of the ME Super stopped in 1986.
Maker: Pentax
Dates: 1980-1986
Variants: chrome, black, SE
Lens mount: Pentax K with fully automatic diaphragm linkage
Shutter type: SEIKO MFC-E2 electronic focal plane, vertical, metal
Min. shutter speed: 4s
Max. shutter speed: 1/2000
Exposure meter: TTL, open aperture, center weighted by GPD cells. EV 1-19
Exposure modes: aperture priority, manual, 125 mechanical, Bulb
ASA/ISO range: 12 to 1600 ISO
Finder screen: fixed split-screen
Shoe: fixed hot shoe, contact for dedicated flash
X sync speed: 1/125
TTL Flash: no
Motor drive: external Winder ME (1.5i/s) or Winder ME II (2i/s)
Battery: 2 × 1.5V (SR44, LR44 or equivalent)
Weight: 445g w/o lens
Number produced: unknown
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
Anasuma and Co était un groupe japonais, tout à fait sérieux, fabricant pendant plus de 80 ans, des accessoires d'optiques. Au milieu des années 80, cette firme sortit une série de mini 110 gadgets dénommés Torel.
Revue SC5 auto aka Cosina C2 sold by the German mail-order house Foto Quelle. Entry level SLR for 35 mm film with Pentax K-mount from 1993. Manual film advance and focussing was a bit old fashioned at that time.
The C2 is a manual-focus 35mm SLR made by Cosina and using the popular K-mount bayonet for lens interchangeability. The camera offers a choice between manual match-LED exposure settings and aperture-priority autoexposure. In auto mode, the electronically-timed shutter offer speeds from 1/1000 sec down to 8 seconds. Flash sync is at 1/60th sec. Pressing the transparent red button on the front of the camera activates a electronic self-timer delay of 10 seconds, with an indicator lamp whose flashing speed becomes more rapid in the final 2 seconds.
The Cosina C3 is essentially the same camera, but with shutter speeds from 1/2 to 1/2000 sec. The Cosina C1s is a close sibling, lacking the electronic shutter and auto-exposure of the C2, but with a 1 to 1/2000 sec. shutter range and flash sync at 1/125.
The features of the Cosina C2 resemble those of the Cosina-manufactured Canon T60 and (with modifications) the Nikon FE10. The C2 has also been sold under other names, such as the Revue SC 5 auto and Carena 1000 SX. The C3 has appeared rebranded as the Voigtländer VSL 43, the Phoenix P2, and likely several other names.
Manual exposure mode and aperture-priority AE mode.
Shutter speeds: 1 to 1/1000 s and B (M), 8 to 1/1000 s (AE), flash synchronisation 1/60 s
Film speed: 25 to 1600 ASA
Metering range: EV 1 to EV 18 (f/2, 2 s to f/16, 1/1000 s at ISO 100)
Batteries: 2x LR44 (1.5 V)
Weight: 370 g (body only)
Displays in viewfinder: array with shutter speeds, exposure modes, under/over exposure and B with LEDs aside. In M-mode selected and suggested shutter speed is indicated. Split image, micro prism collar.
Tripod socket, self-timer, cable release socket, hot shoe, frame counter, shutter button lock via "lock" on the dial. Vertically operating metal focal plane shutter, electronically controlled.
This camera has a mechanical sibling, the Cosina C1s.
The Beauty Lightomatic is a series of 35mm rangefinder cameras made by Beauty Camera from 1959 to 1963. The early Lightomatics helped pioneer integral coupled metering, following the Mamiya Elca, Minolta Autowide and Konica S, made possible by their use of the Copal SV series of shutters.
List of versions:
Beauty Lightomatic or Beauty LM
Beauty Lightomatic II
Beauty Lightomatic III, Lightmatic III and Beauty Lite III
Beauty Lightmatic SP
It is sometimes said that the "Lightomatic LM" is a name variant of the Lightomatic II, but this is perhaps a mistake. A Beauty LM2 is also reported.
Cosmetic restyle and improvement of Lightomatic / LM chassis.
Addition of brightline finder window at front panel.
Coupled selenium meter with squared match-needle window on top, and magnified match-needle window seen in finder.
Copal-SV shutter with speeds B, 1sec to 1/500s.
Biokor-S 45 mm / f1.9 lens with 5 aperture blades. Rotation for focusing is opposite from earlier lenses.
And again the advance lever must be pulled out to unlock shutter release.
The Beauty Lightomatics are a series of 35mm rangefinder cameras made by the Beauty Camera Company between 1959 and 1963.
Each model shares some common features.
Viewfinder: Integrated coincidence rangefinder/viewfinder with self-correcting bright line.
Focus: Coupled rangefinder with manual ring on lens barrel.
Meter: Selenium meter electro-mechanically coupled to lens barrel aperture, shutter speed settings, and film speed index.
Exposure: Centre-the-needle system with pointer window on the top plate of the camera.
Lens: 45mm f1.9 (6 elements in unknown number of groups) stopping down to f16.
Close Focus: 0.8m / 2'7".
Shutter:. Five blade Copal-SV shutter with speeds: B, 1, 2, 4, 8, 15, 30, 60, 125, 250 & 500 sec,. plus B. Shutter speeds and aperture settings can be interlocked. The shutter release locks when the advance lever is flush with the camera body.
Cable Release: Standard socket in shutter release button.
Filter Size: 55mm screw in.
Flash: Cold shoe and PC terminal. M and X sync.
Film Advance Single stroke lever.
Frame Counter: Counts up. Resets automatically when camera back is opened.
Rewind: Collapsible crank, and rewind selector switch.
The Beauty Lightomatic II was introduced in 1960.
The lens is a Biokor-S.
The meter needle pointer window was re-designed so that it's shape changed from circular to rectangular, and the exposure adjustment graphic was abandoned along with the film type reminder. This was replaced by a table showing film speed setting parameters (e.g. a setting of 100 ASA accommodated films between 75 - 120 ASA.
The viewfinder was changed to Bright-Frame (i.e. projected lines) which required an illumination window, and this along with the rangefinder and viewfinder windows where unified by a singe glass covering.
he early Firstflex-35 model is a leaf-shutter SLR with waist level finder and a special lens bayonet, made starting in 1955 by Tokiwa Seiki. Other names used for that model were Soligor-35, Windsorflex-35 and Lafayette-35.
Two types of the later model exist, the Firstflex 35 and the PLUSflex 35, both with pentaprism finder, flash synchronized shutter, with and Exakta lens bayonet.
And here is an example of the second type Firstflex 35. This model was made around 1958 and has an unusual mix of features. A nicely styled camera with what would have been "clean, modern lines" back at the tail end of the fifties.
The reflex mirror acts as the shutter on this camera and has only two shutter speeds available, 1/125 second and "B". The standard pc flash contact on the front plate has a prominent "M" sign beside it, which I would presume to mean that the synchronization is preset for bulbs rather than for electronic flash.
The lens mount is Exacta bayonet and the standard 45mm f/2.8 Auto Tokinon lens has an auto diaphragm mechanism closing down to the taking aperture with light pressure on the shutter release button. You can see the lens release lever clearly in the picture above.
Something is missing here, can you tell me what it was?.............. I think I've figured it out now that I've seen another example, this threaded hole must have been used to mount an accessory shoe to allow you to use a flash on the camera. Interestingly, there is no mention of an accessory shoe in the instruction manual.
Another 'undocumented feature' is the shutter release lock, the nicely-knurled collar underneath the shutter release button can be easily wound upwards to block unintended release of the shutter. Because the shutter release button has quite long travel, the collar does not have to be raised far to do the job very well.
List price was £24/19/6 according to the "British Journal of Photography Annual 1966" which lists new camera models for 1964 and 1965. In June 1964 this model was being sold at the knockdown price of £15/19/6 by Westminster Photographic in London, according to their advert in the "Amateur Photographer".
The Dynax 300si is a 35mm SLR camera manufactured by Minolta and released in 1995. It is also known as the Maxxum 300si in the Americas. It was also sold in American Ritz Camera stores the as the Maxxum RZ300si.
A date version was also available called Dynax 300si QD while the Ritz Camera version is Maxxum RZ330si or 330si RZ as written on the body. A panorama variation called Maxxum 350si was also available. It was also known as Maxxum Panorama Elite. The Japanese version is called α-101si (Alpha 101si).
The user has a choice between fully automatic program mode "P" and five pre-set programs, including portrait, landscape, macro, sports and night-portrait. It has no manual program mode of any kind.
Year of launch: 1995
Manufacturer: Minolta
Type: Autofocus system single lens reflex camera
Lens mount: Minolta AF mount
Film type: 35mm film with speeds of 25 to 5000 ISO, with auto DX (25 to 1000 ISO for flash photography)
Metering: TTL, 8 segment silicon photo cell.
Metering range: 1 to 20 EV (50mm f1.4)
Focusing: CCD TTL phase detection autofocus with AF illuminator.
Programs: landscape, sports, macro, portrait and night portrait
Flash: Guide number 12
Shutter: Focal plane shutter with speeds from 30sec to 1/2000sec, 1 fps
19315669322_841f1a26b4_m_d.jpg
image by John Warwick (Image rights)
Film advance: fully automatic morotorized advance and rewind
Viewfinder: Pentamirror
Battery: 1x 2CR5 6V Lithium battery
Dimensions: 147 × 101 × 68mm
Weight: 380g
K1000 is a 35mm film SLR camera made by Pentax and produced between 1976–97. Its design descends from the original Spotmatic series of screw-mount SLRs introduced in the 1960s.
An affordable camera for the amateur photographer, it was a fully mechanical, manual camera designed without any program modes. It survived much longer than originally intended and became the archetypal "student's camera." The K1000 was equipped with all features required for manual photography: a TTL metering system, wide-ranging shutter speeds from 1/1000 to 1 s, and the ability to use all the available K-mount lenses made by Pentax and licensees such as Ricoh and Cosina. The K1000 omitted some features found on more advanced models, such as depth-of-field preview, self-timer, and separate meter on/off switch.
Despite its great popularity and longevity of the same basic design, Pentax finally ceased production of the K1000 after more than 20 years in 1997.
The K series evolved from the classic Spotmatic SP 1000, in fact the K1000 itself is essentially a Spotmatic with a bayonet rather than M42×1 screw mount.
Lens release: lever on the right lower side of the lens mount, slide downward and turn the lens counter clockwise, when mounting the lens the red marks of the lens and the camera must be aligned
Focusing: manual front focusing, via Fresnel matte screen, ring and scale window on the lens
Shutter: horizontally traveling, rubberized silk focal plane, speeds: 1/1000–1 s +B; setting: speed dial knob on the top plate
Shutter release: on the top plate, with cable release socket
Cocking lever: also winds the film, short stroke, retractable, on the right of the top plate
Frame counter: additive type, auto-reset, window on the cocking lever
Viewfinder: eye level SLR pentaprism, needle index of exposure meter visible in it
Exposure meter: full frame averaging TTL metering with built-in coupled match-needle meter ASA range: 20–3200, setting: ring and window on the speed dial, lift and turn
Exposure setting: manual, turn the speed dial or aperture ring until the needle aligned to the center of the index, in the finder
Rewind: folding crank on the top plate, turns when winding
Rewind release: a button on the bottom plate
Flash PC socket: left lower front side of the camera, w/ removable lid, X-Sync. 1/60, red X mark on the speed dial
Hot-shoe
Self-timer: none
Back cover: hinged, opens by lifting the re-wind lever
Tripod socket: 1/4 in
Strap lugs
Battery: 1.5 V LR44 alkaline or SR44 silver oxide (only for exposure meter)
Battery chamber: on the bottom plate
Attention: leave the lens cap on when you are not using the camera, there is no on-off switch for the exposure meter, so it works continuously
The Pentax MG was a product of Asahi Optical Co later called Pentax Corporation, introduced in 1981 and produced until 1984. It was a replacement of the MV and MV1 cameras as entry level 35mm semi-automatic camera.
The Pentax MG was a manual focus, aperture priority camera, with no manual settings of speeds. The Pentax MG had an electronic focal plane shutter from 1s to 1/1000, synchronized at 1/100. The shutter curtains were metal and had a vertical movement. However, if the batteries fail the camera still operated at 1/100s or B, thus the selector around the release button had three positions: Auto, 100X (1/100, X sync) and B. The exposure meter is center-weighted TTL type with open aperture measuring for Pentax M compatible lenses. The Pentax MG can use any Pentax K-mount and can still be used with current Pentax lenses. There was a self-timer and a hot shoe with an additional contact for dedicated Pentax flash units. The Pentax MG used 2 SR-44 batteries or equivalent to power it.
The Pentax MG had a 0.87x viewfinder, covering 92% of the field. The finder screen was fixed, with a split image and a microprism ring in the center. The shutter speed chosen by the camera was displayed in the finder by LEDs, which also indicated over/under exposure or slow speeds and the possibility of shaking. However the aperture was not displayed. The camera also had an exposure compensation from +2 to -2 EV.
Pentax MG with SMC Pentax-M 50/2 lens
The body resembles that of the M-Family of cameras such as the ME, MX, MV, etc. and as such was compatible with the external Winder ME (1.5 frame/s) or the later Winder ME II (2 frame/s). The Pentax MG could use the Dial Data ME databack with an adaptor to slide in the hot shoe, or it could make direct use of the Digital Data M databack. The Pentax MG was available in chrome or black finish.
General
Lens Mount: K
Mount Limitations: The lens must be set to a numerical aperture
Self-Timer: 4 ~ 10 sec
Mirror Lock-Up: —
Cable Release: mechanical
Infra-Red Release: —
Additional Features: —
Width x Height x Depth: 132 x 85 x 49.5 mm
Weight: 423 g
Exposure System
Exposure Modes: Av
Metering Modes with K and M Lenses: center-weighted
Metering Modes with A and newer Lenses: center-weighted
Meter Material: GPD
Exposure Compensation (Step): XXX
Exposure Lock: —
Meter Range: 2 ~ 19 EV
Manual ISO Range: 25 ~ 1600 ASA
Shutter
Construction: electronic (vertical)
Material: metal
Shutter Speeds: 1 ~ 1/1000, B
Mechanical Speeds: X, B
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 Pentax MX was a 35 mm single-lens reflex camera produced by Asahi Optical Co, later Pentax of Japan between 1976 and 1985. It was Pentax's flagship professional SLR until the introduction of the Pentax LX. Internally, the MX is essentially a smaller, lighter version of the Pentax KX, and otherwise has little in common with the rest of the Pentax M-series. However, the MX was designed as the mechanical twin sister of the remarkably successful entry-level Pentax ME.
The MX was solidly built, and featured a fully mechanical construction, including a mechanical shutter of the horizontal cloth type. Only the light metering system was dependent on batteries. The MX is all manual: it does not feature autofocus or autoexposure modes such as aperture-priority, shutter-speed priority, or full program.
A number of accessories were produced, among those: Focusing Screens
SC1: ground glass, split image device, microprism ring (standard)
SA1: ground glass, microprism patch
SA3: ground glass, microprism patch, for wide aperture lenses
SB1: ground glass, split image device
SD1: ground glass, cross collimator
SD11: aerial image, cross collimator
SE: ground glass
SG: ground glass, grid
SI: ground glass, axis,
Data backs, Dial Data MX and a bulk film back. Motorized winder Winder MX (2 frame/s) or a Motor MX (5 frame/s)motor drive.
Like all post-42 mm screwmount Pentax cameras, the MX accepts all K-mount lenses (with the exception of the newer FA-J and DA lenses without aperture rings).
Due to its complete lack of automatic functions, but excellent array of manual controls, the MX is often selected as a camera for photography students to practice their technique. The depth-of-field preview and self-timer functions render the MX superior in this respect to the earlier and cheaper Pentax K1000.
Year introduced: 1976
Mount: K
Meter range: 1 - 19 EV
Meter pattern: c
ISO range: 25 - 1600
DX ISO range: No DX coding
Exposure modes: M, B
Exposure compensation: Not applicable
Exposure lock: Not applicable
Shutter speeds (auto): Not applicable
Shutter speeds (manual): 1 - 1/1000s, B
Shutter speeds (mechanical): 1 - 1/1000s, B
Self timer: Yes
Mirror lock-up: No
Auto bracketing: Not applicable
Multiple exposures: Yes
Winder: External winder 2 fps, motor drive 1-5 fps
Built-in flash: No
TTL flash: No
P-TTL flash: No
Sync speed: 1/60s
Flash exposure comp: Not applicable
Autofocus: No
Autofocus sensitivity: Not applicable
Power zoom: No
Viewfinder: 0.97x, 95%
Viewfinder type: Pentaprism
Diopter correction: No
Exchangeable screen: Yes
Depth of field preview: Yes
Image size: 24 x 36 mm
Panorama format: No
Battery: 2 x S76
Battery grip/pack: Yes, for the motor drive
Size (W x H x D): 136 x 82.5 x 49.5 mm
Weight: 495 g
