This is one of few cameras that can use all necessary functions in a Canadian winter at -40 Celcius (or -40 F -- same thing!) with thick gloves on!

Besides, you can always use it to hammer tent pegs in a pinch -- they're tough to break.

Without batteries, all shutter speeds from 1/60 to 1/2000 will work (not only 1/90 as mentioned in another review) because of the hybrid shutter. (It may be interesting to note that the Canon EF -- a pre-AE-1 shutter-speed priority camera, also had a hybrid mechanical / electrical shutter.)

I had a shutter malfunction twice on the older of my two bodies (after 8 and 10 years, respectively), which resulted in $150 repairs each. A similar situation in the future is likely to be even more expensive, and may mean that that body may become an expensive knick-knack on my shelf. However, considering the original cost of the body ($1200) and its usually reliable use, a repair of this sort is mere maintenance.

This is a modular camera, and can therefore be used by most serious photographers. It's no wonder why Nikon and Canon were neck-and-neck in the Pro market while this camera was available. As a used camera (and lenses), the F-1N is a much better deal than a Nikon F-3, Pentax LX, Contax RTS or similar "Pro" body.

Customer Service

Precision Camera Repair in Winnipeg or Canon's Calgary facility are the only places I trust. Again, it's too bad that FD repairs are getting more difficult. Luckily they're not needed often!

Similar Products Used:

Nikon AF, Nikkormat, other Canon FD

Rugged, built like a tank. No LCDs to go out. Several Auto functions w/the right Acces.

No longer in production

I've had very good experiences with this camera especially in outdoor conditions has back up manual mode very nice when you forget the extra battery! Good used ones are still available and finding used FD lenses isn't so hard either. Bought mine new cheaper than what a used one goes for now is that value or what

Customer Service

Good. Used twice afyer dropping camera and they repaired the problem even checked shutter timing

Similar Products Used:

Minolta, Nikon,

I have my F-1N since 1983 and still work like a new one. It's tuff and reliable. With the power winder and viewfinder AE, you have 2 semi-auto. Other great thing, when the battery is down, you still can use the camera by remove the dead battery.

For my use, i have nothing to say again that camera.

After all those years, the speed still acurate. I use my F-1N in many conditions and never feel down. It's an old model but for someone who look for a old type of camera, it's a great camera I recommend to use it with the AE viewfinder and the powerfinder.

Customer Service

Never need. The F-1N still work perfectly.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon F-3, Canon A-1

The Canon F1 is a classic workhorse that takes great pictures reliably.

Apparently, the F-1 does not break. I inherited mine, and it has obviously seen some rough times and gone through thousands of rolls. Never had a problem.

This camera is great to use and always works. Good optics, center weighted light meter. I love it. There are a great range of high-quality lenses available for it, and new lenses available from Tamron with an adaptal-2 base. There are Canon lenses available for it that are in the true-f stop series.
I do need to mention the things you miss in this as opposed to a more modern SLR-
-It's fully manual only; if you are not comfortable with manual photography, you won't enjoy this camera.
-There's no hot-shoe for mounting and synchronizing a flash. It is not easy to use with a flash.
-The focus is not a standard prism-type focus, but a screen focus (I'm not sure what the proper term is) that is hard to get used to and does not work with all the lenses you might want to use. Even some Canon lenses do not work well with the focus.
-It's large and heavy.
-It uses a mercury battery, which you can no longer buy in the US. (new camera batteries are Litium and run a different voltage)

Customer Service

None needed

Similar Products Used:

Olympus OM-2, Canon AE-1

Solid and dependable...not battery dependant."Feels" good in the hand, can be readily modified to suit the individual with add-ons etc. Meter is accurate, and easy to use.

Weight may be a drawback, but it does add to stability in windy conditions.No auto focus, dust gets into the view finder of mine, which is a very early F1... easily cleaned. View finder a little dim for low light shots.

Good solid and dependable camera. Lens (used) readily available...some are better than others! Recomend routine preventative maintenance to reduce wear as parts are getting harder to obtain.Gives a very satisfiying "clunk" when you press the shutter! Mirror up is useful, as is the mechanical self timer...no batteries required..very durable, and good value for money

Customer Service

Routine service, and repair after I'd dropped it. Parts getting harder to obtain.Would recomend preventative maintence to give it the best chance.

Similar Products Used:

Canon AE1, F1n,Pentax,Mamiya, Nikon

rugged, reliable, resistant to shock, cold , water and bicycle riding
removable prism

lack of flash system

excellent camera for all around pro photojournalist use, it wont let you down where electro loaded slr's will. 10+++
the ultimate wife in hardcore photography

Similar Products Used:

nikon f3
leica m6
canon ae1

If I need to get the shot this is the camera I would have to use. It's a tank that drives like a fine car.

The mercury battery and the fact that the Canon Corp. no longer supports the FD line.

I had lusted after a F1 for 20 years. I lost my AT1 in a canoe accident and bought the F1 to replace it. It's the best. I have been buying all the add-on's I can get my hands on. If you are looking for a good student camera or a good non-auto system, buy one now before they are all gone.

Customer Service

Only used Canon once on my AT1 for a C.L.A. very good.
Plus there are some good guys to be found on the Canon web sites.

Similar Products Used:

Canon TLB
Canon AT1
Canon AE1
Canon AE1 Program
Zenit-E

Reliable machine, tough as nails, excellent controls and ergonomics.

None.

A great manual camera! Solid as a rock, well-balanced. Some have cited its weight, but is lighter than some of the present day auto everything cameras in use. A terrific instrument for those wanting total control. A shame that it is out of production.

Customer Service

Not needed.

Similar Products Used:

AT-1
A-1
Rebel s
Nikon N90s
Nikon F100

Built like a tank - When you get an 8 X 10 back and want to hang up the photo you can use the camera to drive in the nail.

Stopped making the lenses and bodies!

Until I started switching to the EOS 1n systems these were the only cameras I trusted on assignments. The mechanical portions are undeniably sturdy. The lack of battery power does not stop this thing from performing. I was very dissappointed in the EOS system until the 1n came out. Seems to be a logical replacement for the F-1 although the thought of relying on a battery scares me.

Customer Service

Never used

Similar Products Used:

I own four F-1's, and have used AT-1, AE-1P, A-1

Solid metal body with good weight, feel, decent layout of buttons and controls (exposure compensation, film release button, battery compartment cover are very well laid out and easily accessible), mechanical backup shutter speeds from x-sync 1/90 to 1/2000 second, most dings do not affect the finish, good lens and accessory selection (on Used Market). I have the AE finder (aperture priority) and the AE motor drive FN (shutter priority) attached which provides more versatility although I usually use the camera in manual mode. Metering is extremely accurate with slide films (I also use a Minolta Flash Meter IV and Spotmeter F, although I trust my in-camera metering more often than I use the hand-held meters) and allows you to change to spot-metering via interchangeable screens.

To engage Aperture Priority, you must have the AE Finder (not always standard at the time of release) and you must pull up outer ring of shutter speed dial to engage - you then set the aperture and the corresponding shutter speeds then appear on the bottom in your viewfinder which is a little disconcerting. Also, in Aperture-priority, the aperture readout window only works with "newer" bayonet FD-series lenses. The aperture ring on older FD-series lenses (that require you to partially screw in the bayonet locking ring) cannot be read although they will function. I must have bought an F1N that had flawed seals; the power/self-timer button sticks and requires frequent servicing - repair person indicated that some "moisture may have entered the camera" - Although I shoot in various conditions from cold weather to hot humid conditions, I don't do so on a regular basis and I have not had a serious drop on this camera so that is a bit odd.

The problems I experienced with the seals appeared only in the last 5 or so years (has anyone else had this problem?). Prior to that, I had no difficulties and, since I have the 5 fps AE motor-drive FN w/ Nicad pack constantly attached to the body, the power / self-timer button sticking does not affect the othewise superb performance. The F1-N has been around for many years and even though it's now discontinued and the flashy autofocus cameras are standard equipment for most new photo buffs, I would still recommend this camera to anyone who does not need or want autofocus or auto-everything-exposure but does wants a good solid camera with manual capabilities and very good to excellent lenses (that can be just as sharp and contrasty as their Nikon countparts of similar vintage) that are still readily available on the Used market. Overall, I find the camera has a good solid feel and can withstand most dings and scratches, it has buttons that are very well laid-out overall, has many lenses and accessories and an excellent metering system.

Customer Service

Don't use Canon Service.

Similar Products Used:

Canon (AE-1P, A1, FTb, Old F1, T90, EOS1), Nikon (F, FA, FE2, FM2, F2, F3, F4), Canon rangefinders.