The New Canon F-1, also referred to as the F-1N, was launched in 1981 in order to replace the older Canon F-1.
During the decade between the release of the original F-1 and the
updated f-1N, Canon collected notes and conducted research on how they
could improve upon the next version. The New F-1 was to be thought of
as a whole new camera, rather than simply an improved version of the
previous F-1.
The New F-1 was meant to continue Canon's tradition
of top-of-the-line professional 35mm SLR cameras and it fulfills that
pledge admirably. The camera is a tank, from its matte black exterior,
to its durable metal shutter. The camera boasts enormous versatility
with interchangeable prisms, focusing screens, lenses (of course), backs,
and attachable motor drives. The camera is normally manual exposure
but, with the right accessories attached, can be capable of either
aperture priority or shutter priority exposure as well.
It was produced until 1994 and remains one of the best manual focus SLRs you can buy.
The Canon New F-1, Flowers and Ilford Ortho
One can be forgiven for not immediately reaching for a black and white film when heading out to photograph some spring flowers. But that is exactly what our National manager Annie Buckles did while taking this newly refurbished Canon New F-1 (aka the Canon F-1N) out for a test drive. She was pretty excited to shoot this camera and was inspired to try a roll of Ilford Ortho Plus in it. The incredibly smooth grain, higher contrast and orthochromatic sensitivity of this film made for some striking floral portraits!