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Re: To F-1 or Not to F-1?, or, "Are we having F-1 yet?"

: I'm weary of automated features and want to go back to
: fully manual slr. A friend and I visited a
: professionally reputable camera store recently and
: looked at a Canon F-1 body. I am able to get what looks
: to be good price (compared with prices asked for the
: scant F-1's I've located elsewhere). This 'war horse'
: is heavy, but I'm imaging it's also a fine example of
: mass-produced craftsmanship of the kind Japan (and
: other countries) will not see again. I've also heard,
: though, that the F-1 light meter is not always
: accurate. (That's a generic comment, not specifically
: about the one I was looking at.) Here are a couple of
: queries for all you photo wizards, assuming I buy the
: F-1, plus a 50mm lens and a 35mm lens.

: 1 How should I test the camera to verify it reads
: exposures correctly, at given shutter speeds and f-
: stops?
: 2 The camera is obviously used. How can I guage it's
: mechanical reliability? How many more 'snaps' will it
: go before it is beyond repair at a reasonable price?
: 3 Oh, and by the way, can a camera this old still be
: repaired at a reasonable price?
: 4 And, finally, am I foolish to spend more on the F-1
: when a later-model Nikon, for example, could produce
: equally good or better results? And what later-model
: unit would you recommend, and why?

: Thanks.
: John.

I have owned, and still use, an F-1 since 1976. I have two bodies, great FD lenses, and I shoot EOS-1 as well. I am still in love with my F-1 and use it when my old eyes have more time to focus. Take the body to a good repair shop and have the meter checked on their analyzer. I never had trouble with the meters. Ever. I have used these bodies under tough conditions, had an assistant drop one onto concrete from 10 feet, with the lense attached, and the repair was minor. That's my story.

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