)Until now. Two weeks ago I splashed my entire spending money for a minty Canon F1. I think it's one of the best looking Canons ever made, together with the EF.
The camera is an F1n, the second version of the original mechanical F1 - not the electronic F1N (New). The shutter curtains look totally unused, the meter works perfectly, everything looks and works almost like new. Normally this version should originally have come with a type B focusing screen (split image) but mine came with the A-type screen (microprisms) that came with the first F1 version. IMO these microprisms are a bit harder to focus with, especially with a wide angle lens because you can never tell for sure when you are in perfect focus : the microprisms keep 'shimmering'. Maybe that is because I'm used to Nikon screens with fresnel field and split image center spot, or perhaps my eyeglasses are not in perfect tune with the Canon eyepiece.
As a Nikon user, here are some points that seemed odd or less practical to me, and perhaps the reason why Nikon remained the camera of choice for the professionals (at that time) :
- the camera bottom plate lifts off effortlessly (or drops off !) when unscrewing the battery chamber cover
- you need to remove the camera bottom plate to attach a winder or motordrive : you're left with the bottom plate between your teeth (à la Leica when loading film)
- you must not forget to switch off the camera after shooting (switch on the left top of the back) : Nikon F/F2 just require to pull away the film advance lever a bit (and push it back flush for 'off'
- you really need long and strong fingernails or a paperclip to lift the focusing screen
- the light meter is a match needle affair (a circle needs to meet with the moving meter needle)
- testing the battery requires you to choose 100ASA and 1/2000sec and then turn the rear power switch to 'C' (not locking)
- the motor drives look like they come from another age
A nice touch on the Canon though is that the meter scale in the VF turns red when you choose a shutter speed that is out of range. And admittedly, the build and black finish is gorgeous. A nice accessory, when you have a use for it, is the Canon Speed Finder with its revolving eyepiece.
