Canon F1N Camera User manual

Canon New F-1

Film Speed Range
One of the widest ranges of any 35mm
SLR, the ASA 6-6400 film speed
provides plenty of latitude for
push-processing films.
The ASA is clearly displayed in the
window for easy reference.
Film Advance Lever
The film advance lever has a 30° stand-off
angle for readiness in action
photography. Contoured to fit the thumb
for comfortable and efficient operation,
the lever allows single or multiple stroke
film advance.
Battery Check Button
Press this button to monitor the battery
condition. Power is sufficient if the
meter needle moves above the battery
check mark in the viewfinder. The button
also serves to cancel the self-timer
exposure meter and viewfinder
illumination, as well as to release the
second shutter curtain during long
exposures.
Safety Stopper
A safety lock eliminates all risk of
accidentally opening the camera back and
exposing the film. To open,
simultaneously depress the stopper and
lift the rewind knob.

Canon Breech-lock Mount
The breech-lock mount is an exclusive feature which
assures total interchangeability of all Canon lenses and
accessories. Lens change is effected in one swift motion.
Exposure Compensation
Exposure compensation up to +2EV is
possible for special creative effects.
Calibrated in 1/3 EV increments, the dial
is released by pressing the lock button.
Stop-down Slide
A convenient feature which allows you
to
check depth of field and perform
stopped-down
metering with FL or non-fully coupled
close-up accessories.
Exposure Compensation
Exposure compensation up to +2EV is
possible for special creative effects.
Calibrated in 1/3 EV increments, the dial
is released by pressing the lock button.

Eyepiece:
Shutter The eyepiece shutter shuts out all
extraneous light. A useful safeguard
when taking long exposures or with
self-timed
or remote-control photography.
Shutter Button/Self-timer
The multifunctional shutter button
provides a meter reading when depressed
gently and releases the shutter when fully
depressed. To activate the selftimer, turn
the outer ring to "S" and press the
shutter. A beeping sound will issue for
10 sees. before the shutter releases itself.
Set the ring to "A" for normal shutter
release and "L" to lock the shutter.
Meter Mode Selector
An invaluable feature which helps you
in more ways than one. At HOLD, the meter
operates for 16 sees., freeing both hands to
adjust the camera. The same happens on
LIGHT, but in addition the viewfinder display
is illuminated. At NORMAL, the meter
functions only while the shutter button is
depressed, to save power.
Shutter Speed Dial
Align the "A" mark with the index for
aperture-priority AK. Full sec onds (2, 4
and 8 sec.) are color coded yellow for
clear distinctior with faster speeds (plus "
t" an~ B) which are in white.

Contoured Action Grip
The specially shaped battery
compartment cover provides a firm action
grip for steadier shooting. Press the
release button underneath to remove the
cover and gain access to
the battery.
Film Rewind/Multiple
Exposure Lever
Traditionally located on the base, Canon
has relocated the film rewind lever on top
for easier access when using a tripod or
other accessories. For film rewind, turn
the lever clockwise and depress. Do the
same thing before cocking the shutter to
take multiple exposures. Rapid sequence
multiple exposures are also possible
using either of the power drives
Accessory Shoe
Located on top of the pentaprism
viewfinders for direct mounting of all
Speedlites. Special contacts permit
automatic setting of the 1/90 sec. flash
sync speed and flash aperture when in
shutterpriority AE mode.
Winder/Motor Drive
Coupler
Remove the protective screw cap to
connect either the AE Motor Drive FN or
AE Power Winder FN. The power drives
have a receptacle for storing the cap

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 re-
lease 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 locks 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 impossible 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 de-
crease, 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.
7

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, illu-
mination of viewfinder information (”LIGHT” setting of meter mode selector), and
shutter operation during long exposures. The circuit 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, gen-
tly 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 position To advance the film,
turn the advance lever 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
9

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.
11

5 FOCUSING
5 Focusing
1. Laser-matte screen
2. Microprism rangefinder
3. New split rangefinder
4. Overexposure warning mark
5. Meter Needle
6. Stopped-down metering/battery check index
7. Aperture needle
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 sub-
ject 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 subject in half horizontally and is es-
pecially 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.
13

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. Place the car-
tridge 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 car-
tridge.
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 num-
ber, 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