Canon T50 User Manual

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Welcome to the world of SLR photography! Your new T50

combines built-in power winding with the sophisticated

for interesting and professional-looking photo

graphs. The

Before you begin, take a few minutes to read these

It is a good idea to acquaint yourself with the camera by

When reading these instructions, unfold the front and back flaps or this booklet

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electronics of Canon's programmed SLRs. It is as easy to
use as a compact camera, yet affords the special flexibility
that only SLRs give: lens interchangeability. The T50 takes
care of every exposure worry for you from regular daylight
shooting, to flash photography when accompanied by the
Canon Speedlite 244T. Even film loading is automatic.
You'll find the built-in power winder very helpful when taking
"action" pictures or shooting by remote control with the
Remote Switch 60 T3. And because it is an SLR, you can
use the T50 with any of Canon's over 50 interchangeable
FD lenses.

for easy reference to the camera's parts.

T50 is truly the camera for all and everyone, regardless of
experience.

instructions. They have been written so that you can quickly
master the operations of the camera, while also providing
some tips and explanations on photography.

first taking some pictures without any film loaded in the
camera. Load film once you feel comfortable with the
camera

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Table of Contents

1.

Attaching the Lens

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2. Setting the Lens for Programmed AE 8

3. Loading the Batteries 9

4. Checking the Batteries 10

5. Selector Dial 11

6. Setting the Film Speed 12

7. Loading the Film 13

8. Learning to Hold the Camera Correctly 15

9. Shooting 16

10. Continuous Shooting 18

11. The T50's Viewfinder 19

12. Focusing Aids 20

13. Viewfinder Information 21

14. Self-Timer 22

15. Rewinding the Film 23

16. Dedicated Flash Photography with the 244T 24

17. Photography with the Remote Switch 60 T3 26

18. Other Accessories 27

19. Carrying the Camera 29

20. Caring for Your Camera 30

21. Specifications 32

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1. Attaching the Lens

Turn the rear lens cap in the di-

rection of the arrow until it stops.

To reattach the rear lens cap, align it

This camera is designed for use with

Fish-eye 7.5 mm f/5.6

AE signal pins

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Then pull it off the lens.

Remove the body cap.

with the lens as illustrated. Then
lightly push it in and turn it clockwise
until it stops.

Canon FD lenses only. Lenses and
accessories shown below cannot be
used with the T 50.

FL series lenses
TS35 mm f/2.8

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Reflex 500 mm f/8
Macrophoto 20 mm f/3.5
Macrophoto 35 mm f/2.8
Close-up system accessories such as
Extension Tubes or Bellows without

To mount the lens, first align the

red positioning point on the lens

Then turn the lens in the direc

tion

To dismount the lens, turn the lens

After mounting the lens, make

Be sure to place the lens with its

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with the red dot above the camera
mount as illustrated.

of the arrow until it stops and the
lens release button pops out with a
click.

in the direction of the arrow while
pressing the lens release button.

sure the lens release button has
popped out. Otherwise, the lens
will not work properly. DO NOT
press the lens release button
while mounting, or it may not
pop out.

front end down (as illustrated) to
avoid damaging the protruding pins

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2. Setting the Lens for Programmed AE

Remove the front lens cap

While pressing in the AE lock pin,

"A" will be in line with the red dot

Note:

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turn the aperture ring in the
direction of the arrow until "A"
click-stops at the distance index.

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on the camera. If you forget to do
this, automatic exposure will be
impossible. Since programmed
AE requires this setting, be sure
to always check that the lens is
set at "A"

If you disengage the aperture
ring from the "A" mark, the
camera's shutter speed will
remain set at 1/60 sec. At the
same time, a red "M" will appear
in the viewfinder when you
depress the shutter button
halfway.

3. Loading the Batteries

The T50 needs batteries to power it.

Use two new penlight (size AA, 1.5V)

Push the battery chamber cover

Load the batteries so that their

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batteries of the same brand. We
recommend Alkaline-manganese
(LR6) batteries for longer battery life.
Carbon-zinc batteries may also be
used, but their life is shorter.
DO NOT use Ni-Cd batteries.

opening latch. The battery chamber
cover will flip open.

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terminals face the directions indicated
on the back of the battery chamber
cover.
The camera will not function if the
batteries are loaded incorrectly.

4. Checking the Batteries

Hints:

1. Wipe the battery terminals and the

If you hear beeping sounds, you can

Battery Life

Figures = shooting in normal temperatures (20°C, or 68°F)

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camera contacts with a clean, dry
cloth before loading to ensure
proper contact.

2. When shooting in temperatures
below 0°C (32°F), keep your
camera and spare batteries close
to your body or in a pocket until
you are ready to take a picture.
Although batteries may not
function well in low temperatures,
do not throw them away. They
may work perfectly again once
they are restored to room
temperature.

3. Remove the batteries if you do not
expect to use the camera for
about three weeks or longer.

start taking pictures. If the beeping
sounds are not emitted, battery
power is insufficient. In this case,
replace the batteries. (The selector
dial automatically returns to "L" when
you remove your finger.)

Rotate the selector dial to "B.C."

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5. Selector Dial

"PROGRAM" is the picture-

taking

position.

"SELF" is the position for self timer

"L" locks the shutter to prevent

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photography.

accidental shutter release. Turn the dial
to "L" when not using the camera; this
conserves battery power.

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6. Setting the Film Speed

While pressing the lock release

button, rotate the film speed dial

A film's ISO/ASA number (for

(Figures in parentheses are intermediate film speeds represented by

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until the ISO/ASA of your film is
aligned with the green index. This
is necessary for getting correct
exposure.

example, ISO/ASA 100)
represents its sensitivity to
light. The higher the number,
the less light needed for an
exposure. Thus, with ISO/ASA
400 film you can shoot even in
dim light.

dots on the film speed dial )

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7. Loading the Film

Pull up the rewind knob until the

back cover pops open.

The T50 uses color or black and

Pull the film leader across the

Shield the film from direct

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white film (negative or slide) in
standard 35 mm cartridges.
Place the cartridge in the film
chamber as shown. Then push
the rewind knob down, turning it
until it drops into its normal posi­tion.

camera so that its tip is aligned
with the orange index in the
lower right-hand side of the film
chamber. If the film leader ex­tends past the orange line,
manually wind the excess film
back into the film cartridge.
Make sure the film perforations
are engaged with the sprocket
teeth, then close the back cover.

Too much film slack.

sunlight while loading it.

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Turn the selector dial to

“PROGRAM."

Keep your finger pressed on the

Each time you advance the film,

While loading the film, take

Since exposure will not be cor-

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shutter button until the frame
counter automatically stops at
"1." While doing this, keep an eye
on the rewind knob. If it rotates in
the direction of the arrow (see
above right), the film is loaded
correctly.

the frame counter also advances
to the next frame. It can count up
to 36 frames. The numbers 12,
20, 24, and 36 are in orange to
call your attention to the fact that
rolls with those numbers of
frames are or are almost finished.

care not to touch the shutter
curtain (shown in red).

rect between "S" and "1,"
please do not take pictures
before you have advanced the
film to frame “1.”

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8. Learning to Hold the Camera Correctly

Loading the Film in Low or

Humid Temperatures

The slightest movement of your

Hints:

Take care not to touch the rewind

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In low temperatures, film with a
long leader may become curled.
Manually wind the excess leader
back into the cartridge to
straighten out the curl. Then pull
the film back out and align its tip
with the orange index.
When the humidity is high, film
becomes soft and easily torn.
Keep the film stored in its
canister until just before you load
it to keep it from tearing.

body during shutter release may
cause blur in the picture. The
best way to prevent camera
movement is to hold the camera
firmly, with your left hand sup­porting the camera and lens.
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.

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1. Lean against a steady support
like a tree, a wall, or a table, if
available. This way your
pictures will be just that much
sharper.

2. 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.

knob and button when taking
vertical shots.

9. Shooting

Make sure that the selector dial is set

to "PROGRAM."

Shutter speed is the amount of time

Look into the viewfinder. Turn the

the basis of exposure. Since the T50

Gently press the shutter button

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the shutter remains open for
exposure. Aperture in photo ter­minology refers to the size of the
lens opening. Shutter speed and
aperture are the variables forming

focusing ring until the main subject is
sharp and compose the picture.

is programmed to select and set the
best aperture/shutter speed
combination for you automatically,
you will not have to worry about
making any manual settings.

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halfway to check for correct exposure.
If a solid green "P" appears in the
right side of the viewfinder, exposure
will be correct.
A slowly blinking "P" (about 2 times
per second) is a camera shake
warning. This means the shutter
speed is 1/30 sec or slower, so it is
best to use flash. If flash is not
available, bring more light into the
picture, or mount your camera on a
tripod.

A rapidly blinking "P" (about 8

times per second) means shooting

The solid line indicates the meter coupling

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is not possible without the use of
flash. See p. 24 for more on
photography with the Canon
Speedlite 244T.

range in programmed AE when the FD 50 mm
f/1.4 is used.

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10. Continuous Shooting

Press the shutter button all the way.

The film will automatically advance to

One of the greatest features of the

The film will be automatically ad-

For a single exposure:

Remove

For continuous shooting:

Just keep

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the next frame.

T50 is its built-in power winder. This
lets you concentrate on the action in
front of the camera, so that you can
take a whole roll of pictures without
ever removing your eye from the
viewfinder.

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vanced as long as the shutter button
is depressed.

your finger from the shutter button as
soon as the shutter is released.

your finger on the shutter button for as
many pictures as you wish to take.
Continuous shooting takes place at a
maximum speed of 1.4 fps (frames per
second).

11. The T50's Viewfinder

The T50's viewfinder is bright and easy to use, displaying only the

necessary information through a Light-Emitting Diode (LED) system of

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illumination. You may have been wondering how the T50 measures lighting
conditions and provides correct exposure. This is accomplished through the
Center-Weighted Averaging System by way of a silicon photocell. It reads
the entire viewing area with emphasis on the central portion where the
subject is most likely to be placed. Canon has used this system in all of its
"A" series cameras, and it has proven to be very reliable and accurate.

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12. Focusing Aids

Out-of-focus

The focusing aids in the center of the

1. Laser Matte Screen --------When it

Note:

The center of the view finder is

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viewfinder will help you focus all your
pictures sharply. They can be used
alone or in combination. See the
illustration on the facing page.

enlarged for your easy understanding.

In-focus

is difficult to focus the subject, use
the laser matte screen. It appears
fuzzy until the subject is in focus.

2. Microprism Rangefinder -----­Shimmers when the subject is out
of focus. It is clear and steady
when in focus.

3. New Split Rangefinder -------­Divides the subject in half
horizontally. Especially useful for
subjects with 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, half of the
split-image rangefinder may take on a
slight color.

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13. Viewfinder Information

4.

Manual control LED

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Blinks when the lens aperture ring
is detached from "A." Warns that
exposure may not be correct

5. Programmed AE control
LED/Camera shake, Under­exposure warning "P" lights up to
indicate correct exposure.
Slow blinking warns for camera
shake; rapid blinking means
shooting not possible.

6. Flash-charge completion LED;
with 244T, also flash exposure
confirmation.
Lights up when flash is charged,
and with the 244T, confirms auto
flash exposure.

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14. Self-Timer

Set the selector dial to "SELF" and

focus your picture.

To start the self-timer, press the

At two seconds before shutter

Hint:

The T50 sets the exposure the

If you have started the self-timer

Following exposure, unless you

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shutter button. A beeping sound will
be emitted. The shutter will be
released automatically ten seconds
later.

release, the camera will begin to
beep at a faster rate.

When a tripod is not available, put
the camera on a table for self-timed
photography.

moment you press the shutter
button. To ensure correct expo­sure, be sure to look through or
cover the viewfinder when press­ing the shutter button to avoid
stray incoming light. Also do not
stand in font of the lens.

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and wish to cancel it before shutter
release, rotate the selector dial
back to "PROGRAM" or "L."

want to use the self-timer for the
next frame, reset the selector dial to
"PROGRAM" or "L."

15. Rewinding the Film

At the end of the roll of film, film

First press in the rewind button.

Then turn the rewind crank in the

If you do not remove your

DO NOT open the back cover

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advance will stop automatically
and, after a pause, the camera will
beep to inform you.

finger from the shutter button
after film advance has stopped.
the camera will continue to
beep until you let go of the
shutter button.

(Once you have pressed it, you
can remove your finger.)

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direction of the arrow. Keep
turning until you feel no further
pressure on the rewind crank.

until the film is completely
rewound. Doing so may ruin
most or all of your film.

16. Dedicated Flash Photography with the Canon Speedlite 244T

When the rewind crank feels loose,

open the back cover. The frame

Switch to flash photography when

The 244T should only De used

Turn the main switch ON and set

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counter will automatically return to
"S." Remove the film cartridge as
illustrated and place it back in its
canister. It should be developed as
soon as possible.

Note:

There is an extremely rare
possibility that, after rewinding your
film, the mirror inside the camera
body may not flip back to its normal
position. If this happens, simply
press the rewind button. The mirror
will then return to its normal
position.

the green "P" starts to blink. For
best results, we recommend using
the 244T with the T50. It is
incredibly easy to use, and has
been designed exclusively to go
along with the T50.

with the T50.

the ISO/ASA film speed on the
flash.

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Depress the shutter button half

way;

once the " ! " mark signals that the

If the subject is too far from the

When using "A" series

It is recommended to use a

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flash is charged, you are ready for
flash photography.
You need not make any settings.
The aperture is automatically set for
the best exposure results. The
shutter speed is also set au­tomatically to X-sync (1/60 sec).

flash, the green "P" will blink rapidly
to warn you. Move closer to your
subject in such cases.

Speedlites and the 533G or
577G with the T50, the shutter
speed is set automatically to X­sync (1 /60 sec), and the
aperture is adjusted au­tomatically to the aperture value
of the flash as soon as the pilot
lamp glows.

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Canon flash unit on the T50.
Using a flash or flash accessory
of another make may cause the
camera to work improperly or
even possibly damage the

-

camera itself.

17. Photography with the Remote Switch 60

The Remote Switch 60 T3 is a

useful accessory that has also

Attach the 60 T3 to the remote

Depress the remote switch

Since the remote switch

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been designed exclusively for
the T50. Attached directly to the
camera body, it enables you to
shoot by remote control. And
since the T50 has a built-in
power winder, you do not need
an extra accessory to advance
the film. With the optional Exten­sion Cord 1000 T3 (approxi­mately 10 m, or 30 ft), you can
shoot from a distance, especially
useful when photographing wild­life.

control socket of the camera
body.

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release button to take a picture
For continuous shooting, slide
the release button to the running
lock position.

shutter button and the camera
shutter button are independent
of each other, the camera's
shutter button may be used,
even if the Remote Switch 60
T3 is attached.

18. Other Accessories

Lens Hood

Dioptric Adjustment Lenses S

We strongly recommend the use of a lens hood to keep

out side light which may cause flare and ghost images to

Ten eyesight correction lenses are available in the powers

Note:

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form on the image. Rigid Canon hoods also help to
protect the lens from shock. Use only a hood which is
specified for your particular lens. Most Canon hoods fit
into the bayonet mount and are fixed by turning. For more
details, please see the lens instruction manual.

of +3, +2, +1.5, +1, +0.5, 0, -0.5, -2, -3 and -4 diopters.
They may make viewing and focusing easier if you are
near- or farsighted. Slide the Eyecup T up to remove it
before you attach the dioptric adjustment lens to the
camera. Choose the one which is closest to your eyeglass
prescription, and make a practical test if possible.

Attaching the dioptric adjustment lens with the Eyecup T
is not possible.

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Canon Wireless Controller LC-1

Interval Timer TM-1 Quartz

This accessory is a remote control photography

device using infrared rays to control cameras from a

The Canon Interval Timer TM-1 Quartz allows

Note:

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distance. The LC-1 is particularly useful
in sports photography, wildlife photography, news
coverage, and for numerous other fields. The
Wireless Controller LC-1 consists of a transmitter
and a receiver. Up to three cameras can be operated
in series when the receivers are set to different
channels.

unmanned shooting at timed intervals between 1
second and 30 minutes in fourteen steps. Its quartz
control assures a precise time interval. It is
especially handy for the observation, recording, and
analysis of plant and animal life.

Attach the Remote Switch Adapter T3 when using
the camera with the Wireless Controller LC-1,
Interval Timer TM-11 Quartz, or older remote control
accessories. Also, cover the viewfinder of the
camera when using those accessories to avoid stray
incoming light.

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19. Carrying the Camera

Thread the ends of the strap

through the rings on the camera

For carrying the camera, in par-

Unsnap the top cover of the case

Do not forget to turn the

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as shown.

ticular, insert it into its semi-hard
case (optional accessory) as
shown.

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to remove it. Turn the lens
focusing ring to infinity (∞) before
closing the top cover again.

selector dial to "L" to prevent
accidental shutter release
while carrying the camera.

20. Caring for Your Camera

As with any precision instrument, proper care and

maintenance involve a few simple rules in addition to

1. The best thing you can do for your T50 is to use it

2.

Keep the camera and lens out of direct sun

light and

3. To keep the camera in top condition during prolonged

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common sense. Observing these few rules will keep your
T50 in top condition at all times.

regularly. In the event that you must store it for quite a
while, first remove it from its case or camera bag.
Remove the batteries. Wrap the camera in a clean, soft
cloth and place it in a cool, dry, dust-free place. If you
store the body and lens separately, attach both the body
and rear lens caps.

away from "hot spots," such as the trunk, rear window
shelf or glove compartment of a car. Do not store the
camera in a laboratory or other such area where chemi­cals may cause corrosion.

storage, occasionally insert the batteries and take
several blank shots to "exercise" the mechanisms.
Check the operation of each part before you use the
camera following long storage.

4. Water, spray, excessive humidity, dust and sand are
your camera's worst enemies. Clean it especially well
immediately after you use it at the beach.

5. To clean the exterior of the camera body, first blow off
dust with a blower brush. Wipe off smudges with a
silicone cloth or chamois leather. If smudges remain on
the eyepiece after using a blower brush, wipe it lightly
with lens cleaning tissue which has been moistened with
a couple of drops of lens cleaner.

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6. If the lens surfaces are clean, yet the view-

finder appears dusty, the picture will not be

8. To clean the lens surfaces, use only a blower

7. The film chamber needs cleaning from time to

Aerosol spray dust removers are not recom-

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affected by the dust in the viewfinder. If the
mirror gets dirty, it will not affect pictures but it
may make viewing difficult. Dust it VERY gently
with a blower brush. If further cleaning is
necessary, NEVER do it yourself but take the
camera to the nearest authorized Canon
service facility.

time to remove film dust which may scratch the
film. Gently dust it out with a blower brush. Be
careful NEVER to press on the shutter curtain.

brush, cleaning fluid and tissue made specially
for cleaning camera lenses. Carefully follow the
lens instruction manual. Chamois leather or a
silicone cloth may be used for wiping smudges
off the lens barrel-NEVER use such cloths on
the glass surfaces!

mended for the shutter curtain area. If used,
hold the can at least 20 cm (8 inches) away from
the curtain.

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SPECIFICATIONS

Type:

35 mm SLR (Single-Lens Reflex) camera with

electronically-controlled programmed AE (Automatic

Meter Coupling Range:

EV 1 to EV 18 with ISO

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Exposure).

Exposure Modes: Programmed AE and programmed AE

flash photography with Canon Speedlite 244T

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.

AE Mechanism: Electronically-controlled programmed

AE

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

100/21°, ASA 100 film.

Film Speed Scale: ISO 25/15°, ASA 25-ISO 1600/33°,

ASA 1600.

Shutter: Vertical travel focal-plane, electromagnetic

attraction shutter. Electronically controlled. Shutter
Speed: Automatically controlled from 2 sec to
1/1000 sec at "A." 1/60 sec 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 secs before shutter release.

Selector Dial: Four positions: "SELF," "PROGRAM," "L,"

and "B.C." At "L" all active circuits are cut off as a
safety feature.

Shutter Button: Two-step, electromagnetic shutter

button Pressing it halfway activates the indicators
Pressing it all the way sets shutter in 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.

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