Canon FT QL User manual

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Canon coi
INSTRUCTIONS

Technical Data
■ Type : 35mm single-lens reflex camera.
■ Viewfinder: Eye-level using pentagonal prism. Waist-Level Viewer 2 can be attached.
■ Focusing Screen : Highly efficient in resolving power, using Fresnel lens and microprism
screen rangefinder.
■ Mirror: Shockless quick return system. Mirror can be fixed upwards.
■ Standard Lens: Canon Lens FL 50mm F 1.8, FL 50mm F 1.4, FL 55mm F 1.2. With FL
(breech-lock bayonet) mount.
■ Aperture: Automatic preset aperture mechanism built-in. Instant-return diaphragm.
Pre-set is possible to reviewing depth-of-field.
■ Shutter: Cloth focal-plane shutter with speeds from 1/1000 to 1 sec., B(T) and X. Single
pivot dial.
■ Exposure Meter: Built-in. Using CdS photocell. Zero-adjustment type coupled to shutter
speed dial and aperture setting. ASA 25-2000. With ASA 100 film, EV2.5 (f/1.2 at 1/4 sec.)-EV 18
(f/16 at 1/1000 sec.) one stage system. Powered by one 1.3 v M20 (#625) mercury battery.
■ Light Measurement: TTL (Through-The-Lens) system using condenser lens. Exposure meter
functions with the meter circuit switch. Semi-spot meter reading system, measures 1/3 of
the,angle-of-view. Continuous measurement is possible with the meter circuit switch lock.
Battery checker built-in.
■ Measuring of Ultra-Low Illumination : EV2.5 1/4 sec.-EV —3.5 15 sec. at f/1.2 can be mea¬
sured with the attachment of the Canon Booster (auxiliary meter for extremely dim lighting).
■ Flash Synchronization : FP and X contact. Synchronizing possible for FP, M and MF flash
bulbs and electronic flash units.
■ Self-Timer: Built-in.
■ Film Rewinding: By button and crank.
■ Film Advance Lever: Single operation 174°, possible to wind with several short strokes.
■ Film Loading: By opening back cover. Accepts any standard 35mm film roll in cartridge.
QL mechanism for quick loading of film.
■ Interchangeable Lenses: Automatic pre-set aperture type Canon FL lenses.
■ Frame Counter: Self-resetting type.
■ Size: 144x93x43mm (5^''x 3^^'x
m Weight: 740 grams (lib. 10>^ oz.) — b o d y only. Subject to alterations.
4

Lens
Pre-Set Aperture Ring
Focusing Ring
Bayonet Mount Ring
Meter Circuit Switch Lock
Meter Circuit Switch
and Self-Timer Lever
Film Advance Lever
ASA Film Speed Scale
ilm Plane Indicator
Film Speed Set Ring
Time Lock and
Safety Lock Lever
Frame Counter
hutter Release
Button
-DIN Film
Speed Scale
Shutter Speed Dial
Mirror Lock Lever
Flash
Film Rewind
Crank
Battery
Lever
Accessory Sh

We are highly gratified that you have selected
the Canon FT—a wise choice that promises you
many delightful years of photographic experiences.
Canon is recognized the world over as the fore¬
most pioneer in the development of photographic
equipment of the highest quality and performance.
Whether your new FT is for the home, labora¬
tory, or for traveling, make the most of your
opportunities!
Before Using ..,
Please read this instruction booklet carefully, and
master the manipulations of the various parts of
the FT completely. Once thoroughly versed in the
correct handling of this camera, you can use the
Canon FT to the fullest extent of its capabilities.

Contents
Mercury Battery Loading and Checking.8
Film Winding.10
Shutter and Aperture Adjustment.12
Using Built-In Exposure Meter.16
Exposure Settings.18
Coupling Range of Built-In Exposure Meter .... 20
Focusing.21
Composition and Viewfinder.22
Holding the Camera.23
Film Loading.25
Film Rewinding.28
Synchronizing Flash Unit.29
Uses of' Lenses.30
Using Self-Timer.35
Double Exposures.36
Filters.37
Interchangeable Lenses and Accessories.38
Canon Booster.40
Proper Care of the Camera.43
5

Follow these simple steps for normal
photography;
Load the film simply with the QL mechanism.
2 Set the ASA film speed.
3 Wind the film advance lever.
Remove the lens cap.

Look through the viewfinder and focus
Compose the picture
Determine the exposure with built-in meter
Press the shutter release button gently

Mercury Battery Loading and Checking
The built-in exposure meter of the Canon FT functions
only when the mercury battery is properly loaded.
1 Press thumb against the battery compartment cover
and turn to the left to remove.
2 Face the central contact of the mercury battery in¬
wards and insert.
2 Replace the cover by turning it to the right.
■ Before inserting, wipe all battery poles clean of finger¬
prints or stains with a dry cloth. Unclean poles may
cause corrosion and damage the contact points of the
camera.
■ A 1.3v M20 (#625) mercury battery should be used—
equivalent to Mallory RM-625R, Eveready E625N,
Burgess Hg-625R.
■ Be sure the battery Is inserted in the correct direction
by referring to the diagram on the compartment cover.
Otherwise, the meter will not function properly and the
cover cannot be screwed in.
■ When the camera is not to be used for a long period,
remove the mercury battery and keep in a dry place.
Central Con
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8

Sgfticiant Power
t
--
Insufficient Power
(Must be replaced)
Meter Need e
Battery Check
Check the mercury battery after loading it. Especially
when loading a new battery, be sure to check the voltage.
1 Set the? film speed scale at ASA 100/DIN 21 and the
* shutter speed dial at " X For the film speed setting,
lift up the outer ring of the shutter speed dial and turn.
See page 16.
■ An accurate check cannot be made if settings other
than those mentioned above are used.
O Turn the battery check lever on the outer side of the
^ film rewind crank to "C" index.
Q If the meter needle inside the viewfinder swings up to
” or over the "o” index, the battery has sufficient
power. If the needle stays below the edge of the “o"
index, voltage is insufficient and the battery must be
replaced.
■ Life of the battery in normal use is approximately one
year.
■ The battery releases current only when the meter
circuit switch is pressed.
9

The film advance lever winds the film, cocks the shutter,
and prepares the aperture and mirror for the next shutter
release all in one motion.
1 Turn the film advance lever until it stops. The film
* will be advanced one frame and the shutter cocked.
The frame counter is simultaneously advanced to the
next number.
O When the shutter release button is pressed, the mirror
^ flips up, the diaphragm simultaneously closes down
to the pre set f/stop and the shutter operates. After the
shutter is operated, the advance lever can be wound for
the next frame.
■ Be sure that the safety lock lever is set at "A".
■ Winding may be done by moving the lever with several
short strokes.
■ After loading the film, make another wind, since the
first winding may not be complete.
■ The shutter will not function when pressing the shutter
release button unless the winding is completed. In such
a case, check the winding once more.
Frame Counter
Each winding will advance the number of the frame
counter, indicating the number of pictures taken. When
the back cover is opened, the indicator automatically
returns to starting oosition "S".
W12‘/g|

0-J
Safety Device for Shutter
When the safety lock lever around the shutter release
button is turned to the " L" position, the shutter is
locked and will not move. This device may be used when
the camera is carried in a wound condition.
Attaching the Cable Release
Separately available Canon Release can be attached to
the FT by screwing it into the threaded hole in the center
of the shutter release button. Even if the safety lock
lever is at " L" position, the shutter will operate by using
the release.
11

Shutter and Aperture Adjustment
Exposures are adjusted by the shutter and aperture. The
shutter controls the exposure time and the aperture con¬
trols the amount of incoming light. The Canon FT uses
the zero-adjustment coupled meter, a very simple method
of obtaining proper exposures.
Shutter Speed Dial
Adjust the shutter speed by turning the shutter speed
dial to the desired index number. The index on the dial
shows the denominators of 1/1000sec., 1/500sec., etc.
■ The shutter speed dial does not revolve between the
indexes " B ” and "X
■ Be sure to set the index at a position where the click-
stop catches. In case of "B" index, adjust it to the
white dot just below the "B" index.
■ “ B " indicates bulb exposure, and is used when making
exposures of more than one second. When the shutter
speed dial is set at “B", the shutter remains open as
long as the shutter release button is pressed.
■ When time exposure is necessary to make an exposure
over an extended time, first set the shutter speed dial
at " B ". Keep the shutter release button pressed, and
turn the time lock lever to "L". The shutter remains
open even if the finger is removed from the button.
When the lever is returned to "A", the shutter closes.
■ Time exposure is also possible by using the lockable
cable release.

Indest
■ The “X" index is used for synchronizing an electronic
flash unit such as the Canon Speedlite. Although the
shutter speed at “X" is 1/60 sec., it is equivalent to a
very short exposure time during the flash of the flash
unit.
Aperture
Incoming light and depth-of-field are adjusted by turning
the pre set aperture ring to the desired f/stop.
■ As the f/stop value gets larger, the amount of light
reaching the film plane becomes correspondingly less.
For each f/stop up, the light is reduced one-half. Accord¬
ingly, when the aperture is increased by one f/stop, the
exposure is doubled, and when it is increased by two
f/stops the exposure is quadrupled.
■ Certain lenses, however, have no relation to the light¬
ness being halved between the maximum and the next
f/stops on the pre-set aperture ring.
■ The pre-set aperture ring can also be set between two
f/stops.
■ The ratio between the aperture and the amount of
exposure, using f/2 as the basis, is as follows:
f/stop:
1.2 1.4 1.8 2 2.8 3.5 4 5.6 8 11 16 22
Exposure Ratio:
3 2 1.25 1 1/2 1/3 1/4 1/8 1/16 1/32 1/64 1/128
Pre-Setting Aperture and Checking Depth-of-
Field
Lens with A-M Ring
1 Pre-Setting of Aperture: Set the A-M ring at “A".
* Then set the desired f/stop on the pre set aperture^^
J

ring to the index. The diaphragm will close down to the
pre-set f/stop only for the instant that the shutter is re¬
leased. Except for that instant, the diaphragm remains
fully open.
O Manually Operated Aperture: When the A-M ring is
^ set at “ M", the diaphragm closes down to any
desired f/stop by turning the pre-set aperture ring and
the depth-of-field at the time of shutter release can be
checked. When the A-M ring is reset at "A" the dia¬
phragm again returns to maximum opening.
Lens with Manual Aperture Ring
1 Pre-Setting of Aperture: Set the desired f/stop on
* the pre-set aperture ring to the index. Then set the
index of the manual aperture ring to this pre set f/stop.
The diaphragm will close down to the pre-set f/stop only
for the instant that the shutter is released.
O Manually Operated Aperture: When the manual aper-
^ ture ring is turned in the direction of closing down
the diaphragm, after setting the desired f/stop on the
pre-set aperture ring to the index, the diaphragm will
close down to the pre set f/stop and the depth-of-field
can be checked. The manual aperture ring cannot be
turned when set at the maximum f/stop.
■ Refer to pages 32-33 concerning depth-of-field.
Index
FL 50mm F 1.4
M Ring
FL 85nnm F 1.8
14

Relationship Between the Shutter, Diaphragm, and Mirror
Press the shutter release button.
The shutter clicks.
The diaphragm closes
down to pre-set f/stop.
The diaphragm returns
to maximum opening.
Mirror begins to snap up.
Mirror is up.
Mirror returns to
the former position.
15

Using Built-In Exposure Meter
The Canon FT provides the most accurate light measure¬
ment possible with it's unique TTL (Through-The-Lens) sys¬
tem. The CdS photocell of the exposure meter is placed in
the closest position to the beam-splitting condenser lens.
The semi-spot meter reading system enables accurate
measurement of the main subject even in counter-light
conditions. The rectangular frame in the viewfinder rep¬
resents the light measurement area of the CdS photocell.
Place the main subject within this frame and measure the
intensity of light so as to obtain the proper exposure.
Film Speed Setting
Set the ASA/DIN film speed scale to the speed of the
film being used. Film speeds are normally shown on the
film box cover and/or explanatory sheet.
Lift and turn the film speed set ring around the shutter
speed dial. If the film is ASA 100, for example, make
the correct setting by showing 100 in the small window.
■ The following film speeds may be used :
(32)(40) (64)(80) (125)(160) (250)(320) (500)(640)
ASA 25 • • 50 - • 100 - • 200 • • 400 • • 800
DIN 15 • • 18 • • 21 • • 24 • • 27 • • 30
(16)(17) (19)(20) (22)(23) (25)(26) (28)(29)
(1000)(1250) (2000)
• • 1600 •
. . 33 •
(31)(32) (34)
Figures in parentheses represent intermediate film speeds.
16

■ When ASA 25/DIN 15 appear in the small windows,
this is as far as the film speed set ring turns to the left.
White dots at the right turn extremity read ASA 2000
and DIN 34.
Meter Circuit Switch
The exposure meter is actuated by pressing the meter
circuit switch towards the lens.
The meter circuit switch can be fixed for continuous
light measurement by pressing it towards the lens after
setting the meter circuit switch lock at " L" position. If
the lock is returned to its original position (white dot) the
meter circuit switch will return to its original position.
■ Be sure to release the meter circuit switch lock after
the continuous light measurement.
■ With the fixing of the meter circuit switch, telephoto
lenses can be conveniently handled. Also when shooting
subjects with different light intensities, continuous light
measurement is possible.
■ Due to the characteristics of the CdS photocell, the
movement of the meter needle may occasionally become
slack, owing to changes in the degree of light.
How to "Average'' Exposures
When measuring a subject with greatly differing dark and
bright parts, take two measurements, one each of the
dark and bright parts. Then obtain the average value
and set the f/stop or shutter speed accordingly.
17

Exposure Settings
The built-in exposure meter, which is of the zero-adjust¬
ment type, is coupled to the shutter speed dial and pre¬
set aperture ring. The exact exposure is easily deter¬
mined according to the brightness of the subject to be
photographed. There are two ways of determining the
exposure—either by first selecting the shutter speed or
by first selecting the f/stop of the aperture.
Shutter Speed Priority Method
^ Set the shutter speed di3l at the desired speed.
2 F ac e the camera towards the subject, lock into the
viewfinder, and press the meter circuit switch.
3 E i t h er keep pressing the meter circuit switch or lock
the switch and turn the pre-set aperture ring.
4 S e t the meter needle at the ''o" index within the
viewfinder for correct exposure.
18

f/Stop Priority Method
^ Set the pre-set aperture ring at the desired f/stop.
O Face the camera towards the subject, look into the
^ viewfinder, and press the meter circuit switch.
Q While pressing or locking the switch, turn the shutter
” speed dial.
i Set the meter needle at the "o" index within the
™ viewfinder for correct exposure.
■ Since the shutter speed dial cannot be set at the
intermediate positions, the shutter speed priority method
is recommended when exposure accuracy is a crucial
factor.
■ Light measurement at "B" and “X" of the shutter
speed dial is not possible with the built-in exposure meter
because “ B ” is used for long exposures over one second,
and “X" is for the electronic flash unit.
■ When the built-in exposure meter is outside the coupling
range, the meter needle will point to the top of the view¬
finder and will indicate that proper exposure cannot be
obtained. Refer to "Coupling Range of Built-In Exposure
Meter" on the following page.
19

Coupling Range of Built-In Exposure Meter
Film
Speed
Shutter Speed
ASA 25
DIN 15
1
1/2 1/4
1/8 1/15 1/30 1/60
1/125
1/250
ASA 50
DIN 18
1/2
1/4 1/8
1/15 1/30
1/60 1/125 1/250
1/500
ASA 100
DIN 21
1/4
1/8 1/15
1/30
1/60
1/125
1/250 1/500
L/1000
ASA 200
DIN 24
1/8
1/15
1/30
1/60 1/125
1/250
1/500
1/1000
ASA 400
DIN 27
1/15 1/30 1/60
1/125 1/250
1/500 1/1000
ASA 800
DIN 30
1/30
1/60 1/125 1/250 1/500
1/lOOOi
ASA1600
DIN 33
1/60
1/125
1/250
1/500
1/1000
ASA2000
DIN 34
1/125 1/250 1/500
1/1000
ft Stops f/1-22
1
f/1-22
1
f/1-22 f/1-22
1
jf/1-22
'f/1-22 f/1-16
The built-in exposure meter couples to
the following range of f/stops and
shutter speeds with respective film
speeds. When using the Canon Lens
FL 50mm F 1.4 and ASA 100 film, for
example, the exposure meter couples
fully within the range of f/1.4 at 1/4
sec. (EV 3) and f/16 at 1/1000 sec.
(EV 18).
20