A Black FX

Flynn Marr 18 March 2025

This is something that you will not see every day: a black FX. It is an original factory finished FX and in great conition.

When I was writing about the Canon FX in my book, “The Collectors Guide to the Fabulous “F” Series” at Pg. 67, I pointed out that there were some black FX’s but that they were very rare. That was about a year ago. Since then I have found more information about them and the serial numbers for 16 that are known to exist.

First I saw a couple of black FX’s on the Facebook Canon Historical Channel. There was a very interesting discussion about them a few months ago. Yes, they are very rare and they cost a good deal when they do come up. Apparently they are valuable enough to attract counterfeiters and there are

phoney ones around. I wrote about how to identify fakes in my book (Pg. 44)

This past Sunday my friend Todd came over for dinner and good conversation over a glass of grappa about our mutual enjoyment of cameras and he brought with him a recent purchase on E-bay: a very fine black FX camera.

He had acquired a very nice camera! No major damage, some minor brassing over a very nice finish. The bottom plate was a little beat up because that is what the camera sits on and it has had many years of sitting. The bottom plate always takes a beating.

Todd has been looking at the serial numbers for black Canon 7 cameras, at least of the ones that are known. He is much more detailed than I am. He figures the black Canon 7 cameras were created in batches so they tend to have serials numbers in groups. But not so the black FX, which seems to have been made here and there with dispersed serial numbers. Of the FX he thinks that maybe as few as twenty were made. That is why so few are to be found to-day.

The Collection Menu

I don’t understand why these cameras give such pleasure. Not everyone feels it but I know I do and there are others, like Todd who I know enjoys this pastime. That is why camera shows are so enjoyable. It is a chance to catch up with people who are similarly afflicted.

And for those who enjoy collecting these old things, Todd and I took pictures of this beautiful camera and I post them here so that you too can enjoy it.

This FX is in beautiful condition for such a rare camera. The fact that things like the battery cap, mirror up lever, collar under the rewind crank and shutter button, rewind lever, self timer lever are all black says that this is a factory original finish.

The black Canon cameras were identical to the chrome ones except for the color. Note the black shutter speed dial.

For those of you who track serial numbers, this camera is number 166341. At one time there appears to have been a label on the back much like the one you find on the F-1 but it is gone. Was it factory installed? Do other black FX’s have the same label? We will have to find out.

The bottom is a bit scarred from many years on sitting in a shelf. Note the key to open the back is also black.

When Todd got this camera it was the body only. No lens. The lens here a correct FL 50mm f/1.4 for the camera but it is mine. We added it to the camera for these pictures. It is basically in mint condition. They look pretty good together!

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