While EOS rules today, back in the day there were breech-lock SLRs in the Canon stable. Which is your favorite?
In terms of overall ease of use, I like the AV-1. AV exposure mode is generally more useful to me than the Tv mode that the AE-1 has.
I have an AL-1 with a broken battery latch that I am hopefully going to fix but the T90 has everything I could ever want in a camera including spot metering which can be very handy. I also have an EF and a FT QL that I need to work on. Unfortunately getting film exposed is quite pricey in my area so I have not shot any of my film cameras in over a year. Digital is just so much easier and cheaper.
I kinda love my Canon T70, it is crank-less and leaver-less and too good for amateures according to the 1984 review in Popular Mechanics. mated to a 55mm F1.2 lens, its a pretty sweet setup. Its not a overly heavy camera when used with the lighter 50mm, 35mm or 28mm lenses. The 8 bit processor was high powered computing in 1984. What I like the most about it is the simple and basic design with not a lot of electronic dodads to confuse the user.
So basically, it has program mode and built-in winding? Or, everything's auto except the focus? I'm kind of torn between fully mechanical cameras with electronics for the light meter, and cameras that have a built-in winder and other amenities. Must be why I have way too many cameras (I only have my Canons listed on my profile).
The T70 has a sliding switch on the top left next to the flash mount which allows for self timer, then ave metering and partial metering and lock or off, Between the sliding switch and the Flash mount is 3 small buttons, BC for see how much battery power( a pair of AAs), ISO for film selection and mode selection, TV, program wide, Program tele and program. TV is shutter selection. Program allows for aperture/shutter selection. Program wide allows for aperture priority. Program Tele allows for shutter priority. There is also a metal button to disengage the film drive mechanism to allow for rewind. It has a primitive metering and is still a little bit clunky in its use but isn't that the appeal of these cameras. Have a look at the T70 on youtube.
Do all the T-series have that non-user-servicable battery? And does it matter if it dies (other than losing your settings)? Has anyone used both a T70 and T90, and like the T70 more?
All the T series cameras use AA size batteries but I do not know about what the T90 uses. The T70 has no battery backup and no need to preset it The T90 has battery backup. The T50 was aimed at the amateur market with no manual control, a programed mode, aperture control on the lens and no shutter control. I have no info on the T60 The T70 was the last of the T series manual focus cameras. The T80 was the first of the T series to have a primitive auto-focus lens. The T90 was the last of the T series and the beginning of the shape and features of most modern cameras. I prefer the T70 as it was at that point of evolving prior to the advent of auto focus and full auto. It is so different to a modern camera, it will attract a hipster at 20 paces away.
As a side note, I am trying out a M42 to FD adapter and using a 50mm F1.4 and 55mm F2 Takumar lenses. I have other M42 lenses but will stick with these two for the present roll of film. The camera's light meter seems to work OK with them but I will find out how they really perform when I develop the film
I just acquired an FTb. I haven't run a roll of film through it yet, but the heft reminds me more of my Nikkormat than the AV-1 or AE-1. My only real concern about it is if it can take the alkaline equivalent of the original mercury battery, or whether I absolutely need a voltage-adjusting adapter and a silver battery.
May I suggest you get onto the web site of one of the large battery makers and send them a email inquiring about what they sell that is the same dimensions and voltage, it could save a bit of mucking around adapting some thing else.
The only option that exists like that is the Weincell, which is expensive, and doesn't last. I've already got adapters that take SR43 batteries.
You seem to have it covered, I only need two disposable AA batteries for my T70 and the rest of my cameras us available batteries. the only other thing that comes to mind is have a look on youtube there might be something there or one of the vintage camera sites on facebook might be worth a look.
I keep changing my mind after getting different bodies I recently acquired an A-1, and I really like how it's basically all the other A-series cameras together (Well, except for the AL-1, but that came later). I like how all the controls are physical, unlike a lot of later SLRs. Now I just need to eliminate the squeal on exposure and wind...
Good afternoon. I have a Canon EF, film camera that I received for my birthday back in 1974 from my family. This is a great camera and mine is ib "like new" condition.
Hard one to answer this. I have in my stable, a FT Ql, an EF and an F1. As I have dispensed with bothering to fit batteries in any of these cameras, I use them all either by guessing exposure or using a separate meter. The FT and F1 have really smooth shutter and mirror action, the EF less so, but the EF's shutter speed dial is much more convenient. The F1 is the most refined camera overall but also the heaviest. The FT must be around 50 years old, does not look like it has ever had a service and still works perfectly, even the meter, not that I bother with it, and only cost me £15 a couple of years ago from a charity shop - complete with a 50mm f1.8 FD BL lens. I really like the FL glass I have acquired - 35mm f2.5, 50mm f3.5 Macro, 58mm f1.2 and 85mm f1.8 - which although work perfectly with the EF and F1, do not quite match their styling. So for purely frivolous cosmetic reasons, and the fact that I do like a good bargain I would have to vote the FT as my favourite Canon camera
I was given a Cannon EF with a 50mm 1.4 lens for my birthday in 1974. Te camera has worked great ever since and that's even with both my son and daughter having used it. The camera looks like new though it has been setting for many years. I have been thinking about sending it in and have a expert check it out to make sure everything is still working correctly. Recently I have been debating ordering a Cannon SX70 hs, mainly because it would be nice to be able to review the pictures immediately and not wait for developing. I still think that the old EF is a great camera !
Right now, I like the FTb with Ilford 100 speed for street and the AE-1 Program with HP5 400 speed for indoors. I need to reseal the AV-1 before I shoot it. I am looking for a T70 though. Nice looking camera.
The T70 is a excellent camera, I have used on for a number of years now, till the film drive foo foo itself. In its day it was advertised as too good for amateurs and had the largest display screen on a camera.
