Canon F1N User Manual
Canon New F1
Instructions Manual
Lars Heineken
23rd December 2002
1
CONTENTS CONTENTS
Contents
1 Attaching the Lens 4
2 Battery 6
2.1 Loading the Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2.2 Checking the Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
3 Shutter Release and Self-timer/Lock Lever 9
4 Holding the Camera 11
5 Focusing 12
6 Loading the Film 14
7 Setting the ASA/ISO Film Speed 15
8 Frame Counter 16
9 Exposure 18
10 Shutter 19
11 How to Choose a Shutter Speed 21
11.1 Freezing Motion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
11.2 Blurring the Subject’s Motion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
11.3 Panning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
12 Aperture 23
13 Exposure Modes 25
13.1 Full-aperture Metering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
13.2 Stopped-down Metering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
14 Meter Mode Selector 27
15 Which viewfinder did you purchase? 28
16 Eye-Level Finder FN 29
16.1 Match-needle Metering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
16.2 Stopped-down (Fixed-index) Metering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
17 AE Finder FN 33
2
CONTENTS CONTENTS
18 Aperture-priority AE 33
18.1 Stopped-down AE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
18.2 Match-needle Metering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
18.3 Stopped-down (Fixed-index) Metering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
19 Shutter-priority AE 38
20 Meter Coupling Range 41
21 Metering Sensitivity Areas 42
22 Exposure Compensation 45
23 Rewinding the Film 50
24 Depth of Field 52
25 Self-timer 54
26 Multiple Exposures 57
27 Exposure in Multiple Exposures 60
28 Flash Photography 61
28.1 AE Flash Photography with Speedlites 011A, 133A, 155A, 166A,
177A, 188A, 199A, 533G and 577G. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
28.2 Slow-sync Flash Photography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
28.3 General Flash Photography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
29 Shooting with Close-up Accessories 65
30 System Accessories 71
30.1 Canon AE Motor Drive FN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
30.2 Canon AE Power Winder FN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
30.3 Canon Film Chamber FN-100 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
30.4 Canon Data Back FN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
30.5 Canon Wireless Controller LC-1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
31 Specification 76
3
1 ATTACHING THE LENS
1 Attaching the Lens
To remove the body cap, turn it counterclockwise until it stops and pull it off. To
reattach, align the red dot on the cap with the camera’s red dot. Then lightly push
the cap in and turn it fully clockwise.
Turn the rear lens cap in the direction of the arrow until it stops and pull it off. To
reattach, align the arrow on the cap with the lens’ red dot. Then lightly push the
cap in and turn it fully clockwise.
To mount the lens, align its red positioning point with the camera’s red dot and
turn the lens in the direction of the arrow until it stops and the lens release button
pops out. To remove the lens, turn it counterclockwise while pressing the lens release button.
CAUTION
Do not mount the lens if the red dot inside the camera mount and the red line
on the stop-down slide are showing. In this case, push in the stopdown slide so that
it lo cks in the normal (retracted) position and these warning marks can no longer
be seen.
4
1 ATTACHING THE LENS
The following lenses cannot be mounted on the New Canon F-1:
FL 19mm f/3.5 R 100mm f/3.5
FL 58mm f/1.2 R 100mm f/2
R 50mm f/1.8 FLP 38mm f/2.8
R 58mm f/1.2
Notes:
• Do not push the stop-down slide while advancing the film. Otherwise, it may
be imp ossible to mount the lens.
• Do not press the lens release button while mounting the lens or it may not
pop out, thus causing the lens to work incorrectly.
5
2 BATTERY
2 Battery
2.1 Loading the Battery
The action grip of the camera also serves as a battery chamber cover and therefore
must be removed to load a battery. To do this, press the release button and lift up
the grip.
Use one of the batteries listed below or an equivalent of another brand:
Lithium 6V Duracell PX 28L
Alkaline - manganese 6V Eveready (UCAR)
No. A544 IEC 4LR44
Silver Oxide 6V Eveready (UCAR)
No. 544,
Durqceli PX 28,
IEC 4SR44
To ensure proper contact, wipe the battery terminals with a clean, dry cloth before
loading. Load a new battery so that its terminals are in the directions indicated by
the diagram inside the battery chamber. Insert the negative end first, then push
down and insert the positive end. The camera will not function if the battery is
loaded incorrectly.
Then slide the action grip’s tab into the guide hole as shown, and lower the grip
until it locks in place.
6
2 BATTERY 2.2 Checking the Battery
2.2 Checking the Battery
The battery can be checked with the shutter dial at any setting other than ”A”, and
at any ASA/ISO film speed setting. With the shutter dial on ”B,” battery check is
possible only after the film has been advanced. To check the battery, press the check
button for about three seconds while looking in the viewfinder. Battery power is
sufficient when the meter needle is above the battery check index. The weaker the
battery, the lower the needle. However, even if the battery is weak, exposure will
still be correct as long as the shutter is released when you press the shutter button.
If the meter needle rests at or below the index, the battery is almost exhausted. In
this case, have a new battery ready.
With normal use the battery should last about one year. Battery po’wer may decrease, however, at temperatures below 0◦C (32◦F). In this case, load a new battery
and keep the camera warm until you are ready to shoot. Do not throw the original
battery away; keep it as a spare. Alternate the two batteries, keeping the one that
is not in use warm. Although a battery may not perfomm well in the cold, it may
work normally again at higher temperatures. Lithium batteries are recommended
for use at low temperatures.
IMPORTANT
The New Canon F- 1 can be used even if the battery fails simply by removing the
exhausted battery from the camera. The mechanically controlled shutter speeds are
1/2000 to 1/125 sec., ”S” (1/90 sec.) and ”B” (bulb).
Notes:
• Remove the battery if you do not expect to use the camera for about three
weeks or longer.
• Do not try to take the battery apart and never dispose of it in fire.
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2.2 Checking the Battery 2 BATTERY
Try to make a habit of checking the battery at the followingtimes:
• After loading a new battery.
• If the shutter won’t function with the selftimer/lock lever on ”A.”
• Before and after making many long exposures at slow speeds other than ”B.”
• When you are using the camera at low temperatures.
• Before shooting important events.
• When the camera is used frequently.
• After storing the camera for a long time.
• Before going on a trip.
The battery check button also serves to cancel the self-timer, meter reading, illumination of viewfinder information (”LIGHT” setting of meter mode selector), and
shutter operation during long exposures. The c ircuit is cancelled the moment you
press the button, and the second curtain will close when you remove your finger.
The shutter will not be released if you press the shutter button while pressing the
battery check button.
8
3 SHUTTER RELEASE AND SELF-TIMER/LOCK LEVER
3 Shutter Release and Self-timer/Lock Lever
The self-timer/lock lever of the camera has three settings. With the lever at ”A,”
press the shutter button halfway to activate the meter. To release the shutter, gently press the shutter button all the way down. When the level is at ”L,” the shutter
button is locked. It is advisable to turn the lock lever to ”L” when the camera is
not in use to prevent accidental shutter release and battery consumption. With the
lever at ”S,” the camera’s 10-second self-timer can be activated simply by pressing
the shutter button. For further details on self-timer photography.
Shutter release is electromagnetic as long as there is a battery in the camera. Once
the battery is removed, the camera switches to mechanical release, and only those
speeds which are mechanically controlled can be used. The shutter button has a
threaded socket in the center to accept a standard cable release.
IMPORTANT
The New F- 1 has a built-in safety circuit which prevents shutter release if the
lens aperture ring is on the ”A” mark and a power drive is not attached.
First push the advance lever out to its 30◦stand-off p osition To advance the film,
turn the advance le ver all the way to the right in one continuous 139◦stroke or
several short ones. This also cocks the shutter and prepares the diaphragm and
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3 SHUTTER RELEASE AND SELF-TIMER/LOCK LEVER
mirror for the next shutter release. The film must be advanced fully to the next
frame or the shutter will not release.
10
4 HOLDING THE CAMERA
4 Holding the Camera
The best way to prevent image blur from camera movement is to hold the camera
as steady as possible, with your left hand supporting the camera and lens. Lightly
rest your right index finger on the shutter button, and the tip of your thumb on the
film advance lever or on the body. Wrap your other right fingers around the action
grip. Then press your left elbow to your body and lightly press the camera against
your cheek or forehead. For a vertical shot, steady at least one elbow against your
body. Spread your feet slightly apart. one foot ahead of the other, and relax. Lean
against a steady support if one is available.
There is, of course, no one correct way to hold the camera.
Experiment to find the most suitable way for you. Select a method that provides
comfort in addition to stability. It may help to practice in front of a mirror.
When shooting at a shutter speed of 1/30 sec. Or slower or with a telephoto lens,
it is advisable to mount the camera on a tripod. If the tripod screw is especially
long, be careful not to screw it in beyond the limit of the camera’s tripod socket.
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5 Focusing
1. Laser-matte screen
2. Microprism rangefinder
3. New split rangefinder
4. Overexposure warning mark
5 FOCUSING
5. Meter Needle
6. Stopped-down metering/battery check index
7. Aperture ne edle
8. Underexposure warning mark twhen using f/1.4 lens)
9. Shutter speed display
out of focus in focus
12
5 FOCUSING
Turn the focusing ring of the lens as you look in the viewfinder until the main subject is sharp. The three focusing aids of the standard screen can be used alone or
in combination according to the subject and your own preference.
Note:
The New Canon F- 1’s focusing screen, which makes precise focusing possible, also
determines the metering sensitivity area. There are 13 types of focusing screens and
three different metering areas optionally available to suit your particular focusing
and metering requirements.
1. New Split Rangefinder
The new split-image rangefinder divides the sub ject in half horizontally and is especially useful for a subject which has vertical lines. The subject is in focus when
the two halves merge to become one unbroken image. When using a lens with a
maximum aperture of f/5.6 or smaller, one-half of the split-image rangefinder may
take on,a slight color.
2. Microprism Rangefinder
When the subject is out of focus, the microprism ring breaks the subject into tiny
fragments, causing a shimmering effect. It is clear and steady when your subject is
in focus.
3. Laser-matte Screen
The laser-matte screen appears fuzzy until the subject is -in focus. It is particularly
effective when you are using accessories for copying or close-ups.
Note:
Ten eyesight correction lenses from +3 to -4 diopters are available. They may make
viewing and focusing easier if you are near- or farsighted. Choose the one closest to
your eyeglass prescription, then make a practical test if possible.
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6 LOADING THE FILM
6 Loading the Film
Pressing the safety stopper, pull up the rewind knob until the camera back pops
open. Be sure to shield the film from direct sunlight while loading. P lace the cartridge in the film chamber as shown. Then push down the rewind knob, turning it
until it drops into its normal position.
Note:
Remove the plastic insert from the pressure plate before loading the first film cartridge.
Pull the film leader across the camera and insert the tip into any slot of the take-up
spool.
Advance the film once. Make sure the sprocket teeth engage the film perforations.
The film should be taut. If there is any slack, unfold the rewind crank and gently
turn it in the direction of the arrow until it stops. Note that the rewind crank must
be unfolded before you turn it; otherwise, the knob will turn freely. Then fold the
rewind crank back in. Close the camera back.
Take several blank shots, releasing the shutter and advancing the film until the
frame counter reaches ”1.” While doing this, keep an eye on the rewind knob. If it
rotates in ,the direction of the arrow, the film is loaded correctly.
CAUTION
NEVER remove the camera’s rewind coupler cover from the baseplate when film
is loaded in the camera. This will expose the film to light. It is not necessary to
remove the coupler cover except for attaching the AE Motor Drive FN.
14
7 SETTING THE ASA/ISO FILM SPEED
7 Setting the ASA/ISO Film Speed
Turn the setting dial, while pressing the lock release button, until the desired film
speed aligns with the index. The dial cannot be turned lower than ASA6 or higher
than ASA6400. The table on the next page shows the ASA/ISO film speeds which
can be set on the New Canon F-1. Figures in parentheses are intermediate speeds
which are indicated by dots on the ASA/ISO dial.
ASA/ISOis a numerical rating of the film’s sensitivity to light. The higher the number, the faster the film and the more sensitive it is to a given amount of light as
compared to a film with a lower number. The film manufacturer’s ASA/ISO rating
can be found on the film cartridge, the carton, and the data sheet.
15
8 Frame Counter
8 FRAME COUNTER
Each time you advance the film, the frame counter also advances to the next number. It can count up to 39 frames. The numbers 1, 12, 20, 24 and 36 are in orange,
the latter four to call your attention to the fact that rolls with those numbers are
or are almost finished. The frame counter automatically returns to ”S” when you
open the camera back. During multiple exposures, the frame counter advances each
time you wind the advance lever.
The New Canon F-1 will also accept bulk film loaded into standard cartridges. In
this case. be sure to trim the leader as shown before loading it into the camera.
Memo Holder
The camera back has a memo holder. It conveniently holds the end of the film box
as a reminder of the type of film in use and the rnumber of exposures.
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8 FRAME COUNTER
17
9 EXPOSURE
9 Exposure
The amount of light that exposes a frame is determined by the aperture and shutter
speed. The size of the aperture controls the amount of light allowed to reach the
film, while the shutter speed controls how long the light strikes the film. For the
same exposure, a change in shutter speed requires an equal and opposite change
in aperture, and vice versa. There are usually several combinations of shutter
speed and aperture which will give the same exposure. If. for example, the meter
indicates that exposure will be correct at f/4 and 1/60 sec., you usually have other
combinations to choose from. Some of the combinations in this example include
f/5.6 at 1/30 sec. and f/2.8 at 1/125 sec. The two main considerations involved in
selecting one particular combination over the others are the subject’s motion and
depth of field; each of these affects the way a picture will look. You can control
the effect of a picture simply by choosing a certain shutter speed and aperture
combination. The next three sections provide information which you may find
useful whether you are using the camera manually or automatically with an AE
accessory.
18
10 SHUTTER
10 Shutter
The New Canon F- 1 ’s hybrid shutter is electronically as well as mechanically controlled. Shutter speeds from 1/2000 to 1/125 sec., ” f ” 1/90 sec.) and ”B” (bulb)
are mechanically governed, while 1/60 to 8 sees. are electronically controlled. With
the AE Finder FN attached and the shutter dial on ”A,” s hutter speeds from 1/1000
to 8 sees. are electronically controlled.
The shutter dial of the camera has settings from 2000 to 8, ”A,” ” f ,” and ”B.” The
slow shutter speeds from 2 to 8 seconds are in yellow, while shutter speeds from 1
to 1/2000 sec. are in white. The white numbers are reciprocals of the true shutter
speeds; ”125,” for example, indicates a speed of 1/125 sec. Intermediate settings on
the dial cannot be used, and the dial cannot be turned between ”B” and ”A.”
The red ”A” is for shooting in the aperture priority and stopped-down AE mo des
with the Canon AE Finder FN attached. For this setting, pull up the outer ring
and turn the dial until ”A” is aligned with the index on the finder. A scale with
shutter speeds from 8 to 1/1000 sec. will now be displayed below the field of view
as long as the AE Finder FN is attached.
The ” t ” setting is for synchronized flash photography at an X sync. speed of 1/90
sec. It is not necessary to set the shutter dial to ” t ” when using a dedicated Canon
Speedlite; once the Speedlite’s pilot lamp glows, the camera automatically switches
to 1/90 sec. provided the shutter dial is not on ”B.”
When the shutter dial is set to ”B,” the shutter will remain open as long as you
press the shutter button. The camera’s meter will not give a reading on ”B,” thus
AE photography and match-needle metering are impossible. You will have to experiment or use a separate exposure meter to find the b est exposure. It is advisable
to use a tripod and locking cable release for long exposures.
Since ”B” is mechanically controlled, the battery will not be drained on this setting
19
10 SHUTTER
regardless of the exposure duration.
To cancel shutter operation during a long exposure, press the battery check button.
Mechanical Operation
There are several shutter speeds available with the New Canon F-1 even if the battery fails. In this case, remove the battery from the battery chamber. Shutter speeds
from 1/2000 to 1/125 sec. , ”S” (1/90 sec.) and ”B,” which are all mechanically
controlled, c an be used. If the shutter dial is set to any speed between 1/60 and 8
secs., the camera switches automatically to 1/90 sec. when you press the shutter
button.
IMPORTANT
The camera will not operate if you leave the exhausted baterry in the battery chamber.
20
11 HOW TO CHOOSE A SHUTTER SPEED
11 How to Choose a Shutter Speed
The shutter controls exposure by the length of time it remains open. The basic
function of shutter speed is to provide correct exposure, but you can also use it to
control the expression of your subject’s motion and to control the effect of camera
movement.
11.1 Freezing Motion
The faster the subject is moving, the higher the shutter speed required to stop the
action. To freeze the motion of a pedestrian, for example, choose a speed of at least
1/60 sec.; for a moving car, as fast as 1/1000 sec. The motion of the motorcycle in
this photo was frozen at 1/2000 sec.
21
11.2 Blurring the Subject’s Motion11 HOW TO CHOOSE A SHUTTER SPEED
11.2 Blurring the Subject’s Motion
Blurring part of the picture can give a convincing sense of action. To blur the subject, simply set a shutter speed which is too slow to freeze its action. In this photo
it was blurred at 1/15 sec.
11.3 Panning
You can blur the background while keeping the subject relatively sharp by ”panning.” Choose a shutter speed suitable for the subject’s motion and release the
shutter as you follow the movement, turning the upper part of your body.
22
12 APERTURE
Blurring part of the picture can heighten the sense of action. In most cases, however, image blur is undesirable. To avoid blurred pictures from camera movement,
choose a shutter speed of at least 1/60 sec. for handheld shooting with a standard
lens.
With a telephoto lens, it is advisable to use faster shutter speeds. The rule of thumb
is to use a shutter speed no slower than the reciprocal of the lens in use. This means
that for a 100mm lens, the shutter spee d should be at least 1/125 sec.; for a 500mm
lens, it should be at least 1/500 sec.
12 Aperture
The size of the aperture determines the amount of light allowed to reach the film.
The apertures are indicated by a series of numbers, called f/stops or f-numbers,
iV‘hich can be found on the aperture ring. The smaller numbers are called large
f/stops while the larger numbers are called small f/stops. This is because the smaller
numbers represent larger apertures which allow more light to pass through the lens.
The largest f/stop on the lens is called the lens maximum aperture; the smallest
f/stop the lens minimum ape rture. The maximum and minimum apertures differ
depending on the lens.
Each time you turn the aperture ring from one f/stop to the next smaller one,
the amount of light allowed through is exactly halved. Using f/2 as a standard, the
amount of light striking the film will change according to the f/stop indicated below.
How the Aperture Affects the Picture
In addition to controlling the quantity of light, the aperture influences depth of field
which, in turn, affects the way a picture will look. When your subject is in focus,
there is a certain area in front of and behind it which will also be in focus. This
range of sharpness is called depth of field.
f/stop (1.2) 1.4 (1.8) 2 2.8 4 5.6 8 11
Brightness ratio 3 2 1-1/4 1 1/2 1/4 1/8 1/16 1/32
f/stop 16 22 32
Brightness ratio 1/64 1/128 1/256
23
12 APERTURE
The smaller the aperture, the wider the range of sharpness. This is illustrated by
the picture above which was taken at f/22. Compare it with the photo to s right.
This extended depth of field is especially good for such subjects as landscapes .
The larger the aperture, the narrower the range of sharpness. An aperture of f/1.4,
for instance, can isolate your subject from its surroundings. This is often used to
blur a disturbing background in portraiture.
Depth of field is also greater the shorter the focal length of the lens. A 24mm lens,
for example, will show greater depth of field than a 50mm lens, provided the aperture and shooting distance are the same. Depth of field is also greater the longer the
shooting distance, and is generally greater in the background than in the foreground
by a ratio of two to one.
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13 EXPOSURE MODES
13 Exposure Modes
The New Canon F-1 is basically a manual-exposure camera capable of through-theiens, full-aperture metering and stopped-down metering with the Eye-Level Finder
FN. It can be converted to automatic e xposure (AE) simply by attaching the suitable AE accessory, such as the AE Finder FN for aperture-priority AE, or the AE
Power Winder FN or AE Motor Drive FN for shutter-priority AE. Manual exposure
is still possible with one or both of these accessories attached.
The following exposure modes are possible with the New Canon F-1:
• Match-needle Metering
• Shutter-priority AE
• Aperture-priority AE
• Stopped-down (Fixed-index) Metering
• Stopped-down AE
Detailed information of these modes is provided in the sections entitled ”Eye-Level
Finder FN,” ”AE Finder FN,” and ”Shutter-priority AE.”
13.1 Full-aperture Metering
With a Canon FD lens, metering is done with the lens at maximum aperture. This
is called ”full-aperture metering.” The lens diaphragm does not close down until the
shutter is released. Afterwards, it reopens automatically to the maximum aperture.
One of the primary advantages of full-aperture metering is that you are able to view
and meter the subject with the viewfinder at its brightest.
1. Match-needle Metering
Set the desired shutter speed and turn the lens’ aperture ring until the meter needle
bisects the aperture ring. The position of the meter needle is determined by the
film speed, shutter speed and the lighting conditions. This manual mode is suitable
for virtually all subjects.
2. Shutter-priority AE
Set the desired shutter speed and the camera automatically selects the proper aperture according to lighting conditions. This AE mode is suitable for most subjects
but especially useful in action photography.
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