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FX

 

• Marketed»

April 1964

 

After the Canonflex R-series, the Canon FX was the first in a new series having an aperture linkage on a new lens mount.

The model designation's "flex" (for single-lens reflex) suffix was replaced with an "F."

 

 

Canon FX

 

 

 

 

 

  

Type

35mm focal-plane shutter single-lens reflex camera

Picture Size

24 x 36 mm

Normal Lens

Canon FL 58mm f/1.2, FL 50mm f/1.8

Lens Mount

FL mount: Bayonet mount (inner dia. 48 mm) with three outer lugs. Flange back of 42 mm. Fully automatic aperture system with automatic aperture lever on the camera body and automatic aperture lever on the lens.

Shutter

Two-axis, horizontal-travel focal-plane shutter with cloth curtains. Single-axis non-rotating dial for X, B, 1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/15, 1/30, 1/60, 1/125, 1/250, 1/500, and 1/1000 sec. Equipped with built-in self-timer. (Time exposures with B and shutter button lock.)

Flash Sync

FP- and X-sync (automatic-switching sync contacts, X-sync speed of 1/55 sec., and German terminal socket on camera front).

Viewfinder

Fixed eye-level pentaprism. 0.9x magnification (FL 50mm), 90% vertical coverage, 93% horizontal coverage. Split-image rangefinder at center of fresnel matte screen. Mirror lockup provided.

Built-in
Exposure Meter

CdS element switchable between two ranges (high & low) for aperture readings. Metering ranges at ISO 100: EV 1 - 10 and EV 9 - 18. Film speed range from ISO 10 to 800. 1.3 V MD mercury cell power source. Battery check feature provided.

Film Loading &
Advance

After opening camera back, insertion onto spool. Advances with camera-top lever. (160 single or partial strokes with extra 20 stroke)

Frame Counter

Counts up. Resets automatically when camera back is opened.

Film Rewind

Collapsible crank

Dimensions &
Weight

141.5 x 91 x 86 mm, 900 g (with 50mm f/1.8)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The new aperture linkage was designed to reduce the film advance torque and to integrate TTL light metering. After the shutter was released, the lens reverted to the maximum aperture regardless of the film advance state.

The built-in CdS exposure meter indicated the proper aperture for the selected shutter speed. A lever switched between the high (EV9 to 18) and low (EV1 to 10) metering sensitivity ranges.

 

Source: CANON CAMERA MUSEUM