Canon TL
Entry Level FT QL
Inside it could be an FT. There is nothing different here. But notice the red light seals. The seals were changed a few years ago and red foam material was used.
Note the labels inside the film chamber. The one refers to the light seals being changed in September of 07. The other is a giveaway that the camera was sold in the United States – it is a sticker meant to reassure the buyer that the camera is backed by Bell & howell, a well known American Company.
| Date: | 1967 thru 1972 |
| Type: | 35mm SLR |
| Lens Mount: | FD |
| Focus: | Manual |
| Exposure: | Match needle center weighted internal CdS meter |
| Flash: | PC Socket on front of Camera |
| Shutter: | Horizontal rubberized cloth focal plane Speeds from 1 sec. to 1/500th FP and X-synch |
| ASA: | 25 to 1600 |
| Frame Rate: | Manual lever winding |
| Battery: | 1.35v PX625 mercury cell |
Pick it up and it looks and feels like an FT QL. Same body, same weight, same quality feel. In fact it is an FT minus a few features. It is often referred to as the cheaper version of the FT but I prefer the term “entry level”.
Introduced in 1967 it was the last of the Canon’s to have the FL lens mount. The Canon Museum web page says that it was produced for the “over seas” market which I assume means out of Japan. My copy of this camera was marketed in the United States.
The Canon Museum says that this camera was produced without the QL feature but reading on the internet, searching E-bay and the Internet, it appears that this is correct. I can find no reference to one without the QL mechanism actually being seen.
This model has no self timer, no shutter release lock, no battery check button, and a top shutter speed of 1/500th. But none of these missing features affects its ability to take excellent pictures. It, of course, accepts the Canon lenses and other attachments which means fine optics. What more could you ask?
In the Collection I have the following example:
Collection No.: C-38
Serial No.: 125390
Condition: Excellent
Acquisition: 28 Jan 16
Here is the Manual for the TL. Pretty standard stuff but an interesting read nevertheless.
This page is not a review of this Canon equipment but rather a record of an item in my collection. I have no connection with Canon and receive no remuneration nor benefit for this listing. It is for my own use and possibly your enjoyment!.