My Canon F1 came to me just after I’d committed to no more cameras. I have about six or seven good cameras working in a rotation and for the most part I’m an SLR shooter, (I have a a Leica M4-P which I’ve yet to fully engage with, it is a very nice ‘thing’ though). It all happened after I’d been chuntering away about wanting a super simple, super sexy, 35mm SLR, that gave me the things that I love about the Leica without without having to compromise on the stuff I like about SLRs in general.
It came to me with perfect paintwork, a broken meter, and a few nice lenses. I added a 55mm f/1.2 to the bag and have basically just shot that since. I took the pictures below back in sunny August, while on the Street Hunters meet up. This was the first outing of my F1 with the 55mm and I was super pleased with the results. I shot on portra which both looks great and has massive dynamic range. (It smoothes the rougher edges of my slapdash metering).
I love the feel and the speed with which I can shoot it and the simplicity of operation, I like the meaty-ness of it, and the lack of ergonomic consideration. I also really like the shutter lock. At 1.4 kilos it is not light or compact, but it has become my daily driver, (unless I’m trying to engage with the M4-P).
James Greenoff’s ramblings and further photography can be found at www.jamesgreenoff.com, and on instagram at instagram.com/jamesgreenoff .
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jeremy north on 5 Frames with a Canon F1 with a 55mm f/1.2 – James Greenoff
Comment posted: 27/12/2017
Having handled your F1 & 55/1.2 combo, it is indeed a bit of a beast. However the end justifies the means, as they say. I like your choice of Portra to show it off. Thank you James.
Racket horning and the Handsome Loaner - James Greenoff Photography on 5 Frames with a Canon F1 with a 55mm f/1.2 – James Greenoff
Comment posted: 02/01/2018
Karl Valentin on 5 Frames with a Canon F1 with a 55mm f/1.2 – James Greenoff
Comment posted: 09/05/2018
Nikkor 1,2/50 AIs and Nikkor S 1,2/55 (Ai modified) further with my DSLRs.
This lenses have a lot of potential used in the right way and its a sort of challenge
to master it on open aperture too !
For random street photography I wouldnt suggest to use it you will bes spotted
as a pro on the first sight......
Kodachromeguy on 5 Frames with a Canon F1 with a 55mm f/1.2 – James Greenoff
Comment posted: 06/01/2019
1. Did you get the meter fixed?
2. Have you looked for the neat accessories, such as viewfinders and screens - and lenses?
3. Are you still using it?
Ciao, keep photographing!
https://worldofdecay.blogspot.com/2016/03/come-to-supermarket-in-old-wan-chai.html
https://worldofdecay.blogspot.com/2016/03/time-warp-hong-kong-in-1950.html
Comment posted: 06/01/2019