This 1970s SLR camera launched with a record-breaking 180 accessories!

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Long before the EOS R, there was this: the 5-year project that changed Canon forever

Canon F-1 with the five interchangeable viewfinder options
Canon F-1 offered the choice of five different interchangeable viewfinders (Image credit: Alamy)

The Canon F-1 system was originally released in March 1971, and was the company's top-of-the-line 35mm SLR camera with accompanying lenses and related kit. This was the Canon EOS R System camera of its time, launched after five years of technological development and significant financial investment.

New FD series lenses were also introduced alongside the F-1, ushering in an exciting era for SLR cameras. But it wasn’t just a few token lenses as usual for a new camera system launch, with a slow stream of lenses following over a few years – as we have come to expect with more recent new lens mounts. The F-1 system was different. A total of 14 pro-spec FD lenses were available at launch for the F-1, from the FD 50mm f/1.4 to FD 300mm f/2.8.

Nikon F-1 was launched with 14 lenses (Image credit: Alamy)

Like the new modern-day RF lens mount for EOS R System cameras, the FD lens mount was newly developed for this new line of FD lenses and the F-1. The FD lens mount enabled fully-coupled automatic exposure metering.

Plus it wasn’t just lenses. Canon wanted the F-1 and associated gear to be ready immediately for professional photographers to be fully kitted out, so more than 180 (yes – one hundred and eighty!) accessories became available for the F-1 system.

An optional bulk film back allowed you to load up the Canon F-1 with enough 35mm film to shoot 250 exposures (Image credit: Alamy)

Canon F-1, 1970 model with 3fps Motor Drive MF, the Servo EE Viewfinder, and FD 55mm f/1.2 SSC lens (Image credit: Alamy)

As well as the aforementioned lenses, gear for the F-1 system included filters, the first accessory to enable remote picture-taking with the camera, interchangeable viewfinders, a bulk film chamber for extended shooting capacity, and a motor drive unit with interval timer.

The professional F-1’s High Speed Motor Drive of 9 frames per second famously captured incredible action sequences of sporting events at the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich, West Germany.

The F-1 was also both durable and reliable, built to endure 100,000 cycles, temperatures from -30 to 60°C (-22°F to 140°F), and 90% humidity. Photographers nicknamed it the ‘Heavy Tank’.

The F-1 was Canon’s SLR interchangeable lens system until 1987, when the all-new Canon EOS series cameras and EF lens mount arrived.

Check out the best film cameras today, and the best Canon cameras

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Peter Travers
Peter Travers

The former editor of PhotoPlus: The Canon Magazine, Peter has 18 years of experience as both a journalist and professional photographer. He is a hands-on photographer with a passion and expertise for sharing his practical shooting skills. Equally adept at turning his hand to portraits, landscapes, sports and wildlife, he has a fantastic knowledge of camera technique and principles. 


He is the author of several published photography books including Portrait Photographer's Style Guide, and The Complete Guide to Organising and Styling Professional Photo Shoots with fellow portrait pro Brett Harkness.


Peter remains a devout Canon user and can often be found reeling off shots with his Canon EOS DSLR and EOS R mirrorless gear. He runs Peter Travers Photography, and contributes to Digital Camera magazine. 

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