C41
Kodak Portra 400
Kodak Portra 400 is a professional C-41 color negative film known for flexible exposure latitude, natural skin tones, and fine grain.
View profile35mm SLR
Canon F-11971
- Format
- 35mm
- Mount
- Canon FD
- Years
- 1971–1981
- Weight
- 845 g
- Shutter
- 1s – 1/2000s
- Meter
- through-the-lens-cds-partial
The original Canon F-1 (1971) was Canon's bid to take pro market share from the Nikon F2. Mechanical horizontal-cloth shutter to 1/2000s, interchangeable prism and screens, full FD lens system, partial-area TTL CdS meter weighted to a 12% central oval. Canon committed publicly to a 10-year production lifespan with no significant changes — a guarantee newsrooms valued because it meant their F-1 inventory would still match in a decade.
Reference
Find film for your Canon F-1
Recommended film stocks for the 35mm format your camera takes.
ISO 400
BW
Kodak Tri-X 400
Kodak Tri-X 400 is a classic black-and-white film known for strong tonality, visible grain, and documentary character.
View profileC41
Kodak Gold 200
Kodak Gold 200 is a daylight-balanced C-41 color negative film with warm color, moderate grain, and a classic consumer-film look.
Develop 35mm film
Labs in our directory that process 35mm film.
Before you buy used
- **Mercury battery** — same problem as OM-1. Original PX625 unavailable; modern 1.5V LR44 throws meter off. Wein zinc-air or MR-9 voltage adapter needed.
- **Foam mirror bumper** disintegrates.
- **Light seals** — replace.
- **Slow speeds** stick.
- **Servo EE Finder** — rare; motor often dead.
- **CdS meter** drifts; verify against known body.
- Service: independent shops; FD-system service is lighter than F-mount Nikon but still available.
About this camera
Canon's answer to the Nikon F. A mechanical brass-built professional with a 10-year design lifespan.
Key Specs
Frequently asked questions
- What film does the Canon F-1 use?
- The Canon F-1 shoots 35mm film.
- What battery does the Canon F-1 take?
- The Canon F-1 uses a 1x PX625 (mercury, 1.35V) battery.
- What lens mount does the Canon F-1 have?
- The Canon F-1 uses the Canon FD mount.
- What shutter speeds does the Canon F-1 offer?
- The Canon F-1's shutter speeds range from 1s to 1/2000s.
- What light meter does the Canon F-1 use?
- The Canon F-1 meters with through-the-lens-cds-partial.
