Manual Focus SLR

Instructions

Now, don’t get me wrong, I love the EOS cameras. I have for years now done most of my photography, well all of it actually, with EOS digital cameras. And I have no desire to go back to developing my own film or setting up a dark room. I can be far more expressive with a digital workflow. However, my heart lies with the manual focus range finder and 

SLR cameras. For the most part, they are not plastic, they are not all black, and they feel wonderful in the hand.

It’s funny but when I was shooting for recreation my first love was the old muzzle loaders. I was a black powder shooter. And I always felt that it was because there was a real connection with the process. You made the bullets, you poured the powder into the barrel, you seated the bullet, you primed the weapon, and when you fired it the whole process was real because you were involved in every step.

I think it is the same with the manual focus SLR and the range finder Canon’s. Nothing is done for you. The machine does not focus for you, it does not set the aperture or the shutter speed, it does not stabilize the image. You do every step yourself and when you record the image on film it somehow seems more real and immediate. But, on the other hand, maybe I am raving mad.

I especially like the cameras before light meters were mounted in them. Somehow they were magic. And the Canon cameras of this era were solid, sleek, and they felt like a precision piece of equipment, which they were. Take the top or bottom cover off of one and you will see they are built like a Swiss watch. The world has passed these cameras by but so long as there are collectors who prize them, they will not be forgotten.

The “Flex” Series – 1959-1962

After the Rangefinders but before the F Series there was the “Flex” Camera – the Canonflex. This was Canon’s entry into the SLR market and it was an interesting camera, to be sure! The Manuals for these cameras are very old now and most have been destroyed. They are hard to find, even on the Internet. Look at E-bay: very few. Here is what we have been able to find:

Manual for Canonflex RM

The Canonflex RM
Publication No. 5110A

Manual for Canonflex RM

The Canonflex RM
Publication No. 5110H

Manual for Canonflex RP

The Canonflex RP
Publication No. 5071A

Canonex User Manual

Canonex User Manual
Publication No. 5163

Canon F Series Instruction Manuals   1964-81

Canon FX User Manual

The Canon FX – the first of the F Series
(this is a poor copy – looking for a better one!)

Instruction Manual for Canon FT Camera

Publication A5265b

Instruction Manual for Canon FT Camera

Canon TL Manual
Publication 5314V

Instruction Manual for Canon FT Camera

Publication IE 1008L

Instruction Manual for Canon Pellix Camera

The Canon TX was marketed by Bell & Howel as the FD35 but it is the identical camera manufactured by Canon
Publication IE 1009B

Instruction Manual for Canon TX Camera

Publication IE1020Y

TLb USer Manual

The Manual for the TLb
Publication IE 1002H

Canon FX User Manual

The Manual for the Bell & Howell FX

Instruction Manual for Canon Pellix Camera

Dealer Info Pages for
the FT ql

Instruction Manual for Canon Pellix Camera

Publication 5221C

Canon F-1 User Manual

Canon F-1 User Manual

Manual for Canon FTb Camera

Manual for the FTb
Pub. 5381S (1971 version)

Instruction Manual for Canon FTb-n Camera

Manual for FTb-n
Publication IE1012D

Canon FP User Manual

B&H/Canon FP Manual

Canon FT QL Instructions
Canon FT QL Instructions
Publication No. 5265Z
Manual for Canon F-1 Camera

Canon Pellix QL    Publication 5267C

Manual for Canon F-1 Camera

Canon Pellix QL    Publication 5267V
This publication does not include instructions for Light Meter Booster

Manual for Canon F-1 Camera

Original F-1
Publication A5366a

Manual for Canon F-1 Camera

Canon F-1n
Publication A5366t

Instruction Manual for Canon Pellix Camera

The New F-1
Publication C-IE-087S

Canon EX Series Instruction Manuals   1969-72

Manual for Bell & Howell Auto 35 Reflex Camera

The Bell & Howell Auto 35/Reflex is a rebranded Canon EX EE. It was made by Canon and marketed in North America under licence. The lenses on this camera were branded Canon lenses.

Manual for Canon EX Auto Camera

EE EX Instructions
Publication K2004-5325J

Manual for Canon EX Auto Camera

EX Auto User Instructions

Canon A Series Instruction Manuals   1976-82

Instruction Manual for Canon AT-1Camera

Publication IE1034S

Instruction Manual for Canon AV-1Camera

Publication IE01-067

Instruction Manual for Canon AV-1Camera

Canon AV-1 User Manual
Publication C-IE-069S

Manual for Canon AE-1 Camera

Canon AE-1 User Manual
Publication IE1027AD

Instruction Manual for Canon AT-1 Camera

Publication CE1074H

Instruction Manual for Canon AE-1 Program

Canon AE-1 User Manual
Publication C-IE-084H

Instruction Manual for Canon AE-1 Program

Canon AE-1 Program User Manual
Publication C-IE-084BQ (1981)

Instruction Manual for Canon AL-1 Camera

Publication C-IE-089C

Instruction Manual for Canon A-1 Camera

Publication C-IE-070X

Instruction Manual for Canon AT-1 Camera

AE-1 Manual – Part I
Publication C-IE-081C

Instruction Manual for Canon A-1 Camera

Publication C-IE-081BA
Part II of the Canon AE-1 Manual

Canon T Series Instruction Manuals   1983-90

Manual for Canon T80 Camera
Manual for Canon T70 SLR
Instruction Manual for Canon T50 Camera
Instruction Manual for Canon T60
Instruction Manual for Canon T90 Camera

I am the creator of flynngraphics.ca and thecanoncollector.com. The contents of this website are subject to my claim of copyright. However, to be clear, I have no right to the trademarks or printed material, brochures or manuals that originate with Canon Inc. or other manufacturers and make no claim to have such rights. I am unable to pass on any rights to these materials and trade marks and if you make use of them you do so at your own risk.

Canon Logo