Canon T series

The Canon T series were the last 35mm SLR cameras for the Canon FD bayonet . The T50 , T70 , T80 , T90 and T60 models belonged to it in the order in which they appeared . In contrast to the previous A series, they sometimes had very little in common.

The Canon T50 was released in March 1983 and was an entry-level camera that worked fully automatically except for focusing. The Canon T70 was based on the same basic housing, but was not only a program, but also a shutter automat. It was the first Canon SLR camera to have an LCD. The Canon T80 was Canon's first autofocus SLR camera in 1985. For this, the housing of the T70 had to be modified considerably, and above all it was higher. The Canon T90 had a completely unique design. This semi-professional camera introduced TTL flash exposure metering at Canon.

The Canon T60 appeared in April 1990, after the newly developed EOS system was presented . It was a simple camera from a third-party manufacturer, intended as an entry-level camera, which was only provided with the Canon lettering and bayonet.

Common features

casing

The T series introduced the built-in motorized film transport into the Canon SLR cameras, whereupon the film transport lever was omitted. In addition, the motor also took over rewinding, so that there was no longer a rewind crank. However, the T60 fell out of the ordinary, its film transport was always manual. The T50 also has a rewind lever.

Clasp

All models had a vertically running metal focal plane shutter compared to a horizontally running cloth shutter in the A-series.

Lightning connection

All models no longer had a socket for a flash sync cord, as was still available on most A-series models. In doing so, they followed the general trend; other manufacturers also decided to forego this connection. Synchronous cables now had to be connected to the contact in the hot shoe with an adapter.

T50

Canon T50

Period and classification

The T50 came out in March 1983 as the first T-series camera and remained in the range until 1989. As an entry-level camera with automatic programming, it did not have a predecessor, but the previous entry-level model AV-1 was discontinued after its appearance.

casing

The housing was redesigned, although it was wider than the A-series to accommodate the film transport motor, which was located next to the shutter. The picture counter worked mechanically.

Viewfinder

The viewfinder showed the commonly used micro prism ring with an integrated cross-sectional rangefinder. Only a red and a green LED were available for information on exposure.

Exposure control

The T50 had an automatic program for which the aperture ring of the attached lens had to be in the automatic position. If the ring was at an aperture value, the camera exposed with the flash sync speed so that non-system flash units can also be used. In addition, there was no way to set the exposure time manually.

Clasp

In the case of the T50, the transition from the A-series cloth fastener to the metal fastener did not lead to faster times; it remained at ¹ ⁄ ₁₀₀₀ s as the shortest shutter speed and ¹ ⁄ ₆₀ s as the flash sync time. The longest exposure time was 2 s; the T50 did not have a position B.

Film transport

The motorized film transport of the T50 ran at a frame rate of 1.4 / s slower than the slowest motorized drive in the A series . However, the focus of the T50 was on simplifying the operation, not photographing fast series.

Power supply

Canon had designed the T50 to be very energy-efficient, so that it managed with only two mignon cells despite the motor drive.

Auto flash

With the Speedlite 244T, the T50 had a more extensive automatic flash than was known from the A series: when the shutter button was pressed, an infrared pre-flash ignited, with which a suitable f-number was determined and transmitted to the camera. The f-numbers 2.8, 4 and 5.6 were available for this. The later models 277T and 299T could also be used. With the Speedlites for the A series, the aperture on the flash unit had to be selected as usual.

T70

Canon T70 frontal

Canon T70 top

Period and classification

The T-70 replaced the AE-1 in 1984, but also had some of the features of the AE-1 program, which was developed for a short time. The concept of a permanently installed motor without a film transport lever, i.e. the possibility of transporting the film by hand, was no longer controversial at the time of the presentation, as it had been introduced by the Konica FS-1 in 1979.

With its integrated motor, the T70 only cost as much as the AE-1 without Power Winder A. In comparison, thanks to its advanced electronics, it offered more extensive options for exposure control, but slower film transport.

casing

The basic housing was common to the T70 and the T50. The operating mode was not selected with a rotary switch, but with a space-saving slide switch that left space for a liquid crystal display. This enabled an electronic film counter, which was the first to appear on a Canon SLR camera. Operation with the Up and Down buttons was also new: most functions were not selected with a switch, but rather after pressing a function button with Up and Down on the display. The choice of exposure time was also done with up and down.

Exposure control

Measurement

As Canon's first amateur camera, the T-70 offered the option of switching from center-weighted integral exposure metering to selective metering.

Shutter Priority

In this operating mode, the exposure time was selected with the Up and Down buttons and shown in the display. In the viewfinder, a green two-digit seven-segment display next to the right edge of the image showed the corresponding aperture value. As usual with cameras, the time was selected in full steps with a conventional dial, for example ¹ ⁄ ₂₅₀ s after ¹ ⁄ ₁₂₅ s. In the event of underexposure, the camera automatically extended the exposure time.

Automatic programs

As with the AE-1 program, the T-70 could also choose aperture and exposure time automatically. For this purpose, three characteristic curves were stored in their electronics, in addition to the normal one for telephoto and one for wide-angle lenses. Because the FD bayonet did not allow the focal length to be queried, the characteristic curve had to be selected manually on the display. The wide-angle program preferred long exposure times in order to obtain a large depth of field, the telephoto program short exposure times in order to avoid blurring.

Manual setting

When the auto iris was set, any combination of time and aperture value could be selected if the aperture ring on the lens was not in position A. The camera displayed the measured value it had determined in the viewfinder, and at the same time the M flashed there to indicate manual operation.

Aperture priority automatic

With non-coupled lenses or drawer extensions, the automatic aperture control could be switched on with an additional symbol on the display, a stylized aperture. Then the camera selected the shutter speed to match the set aperture and displayed it with two letters in the viewfinder. Since the display could only show two digits there, which was sufficient for the aperture value but not the shutter speed, it was only an indication of which period was selected. HL meant ¹ ⁄ ₁₂₅ s, ¹ ⁄ ₁₀₀ s, ¹ ⁄ ₂₅₀ s or ¹ ⁄ ₃₅₀ s and HH ¹ ⁄ ₅₀₀ s, ¹ ⁄ ₇₅₀ s or ¹ ⁄ ₁₀₀₀ s. There was no display for long periods.

Clasp

Like the T50, the T70 used a vertical metal focal plane shutter, with the shortest shutter speed also being ¹ ⁄ ₁₀₀₀ s, but the flash sync time ¹ ⁄ ₉₀ s.

Command Back 70

The back wall of the T70 could be exchanged for the Command Back 70, which had data imprinting and a timer and long-term function. As is known from the A series , the built-in flash for imprinting had to be adjusted to the sensitivity of the inserted film with a three-stage setting.

Data imprint

The command back could show:

• The date until 2029
• Day and time in 24h display
• A registration number of up to four digits that increases with each recording
• A six-digit sequence of any digits or the letters A to G

Timer and long exposure

The Command Back extended the camera function by:

• Self-timer with adjustable lead time
• Interval timer with adjustable interval time
• Long exposure with adjustable exposure time

Film transport

Like the T50, the built-in motor of the T70 only reached a recording rate of 1.4 / s. That was a step backwards compared to the AE-1, which achieved the noticeably faster frequency of 2 / s with the Power Winder A.

Power supply

The T70 required two AA batteries like the T50. It also had a 2020 size lithium cell, whose service life was specified as five years and which should be replaced by service.

Auto flash

The automatic flash worked like on the T50. The Speedlite 277T came out for the T70, but the 299T and 244T models could also be used.

T80

Canon T80

Canon T80

Period and classification

The T80 appeared in the summer of 1985 in order to bridge the time until the EOS system, which is still in development , and to be able to counter the Minolta 7000 with something. The T80 followed the AL-1 and added an automatic focusing system to its Quickfocus system.

Clasp

The closure corresponded to the T70. The self-timer was also switched on with the main switch, then the camera also focused when the shutter button was pressed, i.e. when the self-timer was started.

Command Back 80

The Command Back 80 offered the same capabilities as the Back for the T70. It differs only in the dimensions. The long exposure did not work with the AC lenses in the case of the Command Back either.

Film transport

The motorized film transport corresponded to that of the T70, so it also achieved a frame rate of 1.4 / s.

Viewfinder

As known from the AL-1, there was a bracket in the middle of the viewfinder, in which a vertical contrast had to be brought into alignment, on which the camera then focused.

Exposure control

Automatic programs

With its autofocus, the T80 wanted above all to accommodate the technically inexperienced photographer and therefore had a program automatic. There were several characteristic curves that were not selected with the words wide-angle and telephoto as with the T70, but with symbols on the display. The Deep program, corresponding to wide-angle, selected a large aperture value and thus a long exposure time for the T70, the Shallow program corresponding to Tele for the T70 and Stop Action selected a small aperture value and thus a short exposure time. In between was the standard program.

Flowing

The T80 had a very limited automatic iris: Flowing was intended for taking pictures and required the selection of exposure times ¹ ⁄ ₁₅ s, ¹ ⁄ ₃₀ s, ¹ ⁄ ₆₀ s and ¹ ⁄ ₁₂₅ s.

Stopped-down mode

With uncoupled lenses or extension extensions such as extension rings, but only then, could the T80 work with automatic aperture control.

Long exposure

The T80 could be set to position B for long exposures. This operating mode did not work with AC lenses because the aperture ring was not allowed to be in the automatic position and these lenses did not have an aperture ring, i.e. they always worked in automatic mode.

Autofocus

The T80 was the first Canon SLR camera to have an autofocus system and thus followed the AL-1 with its Quick Focus. There was also a modified FD bayonet, the AC bayonet . In contrast to the following EOS cameras, the AF modes One Shot and Servo were set on the lens. One shot meant that the first stage of the shutter button focused once, Servo, that it kept focused as long as the shutter button was pressed.

Power supply

The T80 worked with four micro cells (AAA), with alkaline cells being recommended, but zinc-carbon cells also allowed. The batteries were located at right angles to the direction of view of the camera under the hinged base plate.

Auto flash

The automatic flash worked like the T70.

T-90

Canon T90

LCD, adjustment dial, spot measurement button and shutter release

Metal focal plane shutter and DX contacts in the film cartridge chamber

Period and classification

The T-90 appeared in the summer of 1986 as the top model of the series. It practically replaced the A-1, although it was still in the program for a while. Canon specified the electronic control of the T90 as 7.5 times more extensive than the T70 and 30 times more extensive than the A-1.

casing

The designer Luigi Colani gave the T90, with whom Canon worked together , the ergonomic shape . The T90 continued the operating concept of the T70, with a non-stop dial replacing the Up and Down buttons. This wheel was also given to all models of the following EOS cameras.

The design was probably groundbreaking for the EOS series, especially for the top models such as the Eos 1. Even the latest models of the Eos 1, which have been digital for generations, are still based on this design today. The product design of other camera manufacturers also seems to have been inspired by it.

Clasp

The T90 had a vertical metal focal plane shutter (Canon name PMS permanent magnet shutter ) with ¹ ⁄ ₄₀₀₀ s as the shortest shutter time and ¹ ⁄ ₂₅₀ s as the synchronous time. It was faster than that of the professional F-1 camera. The exposure time could be set in half steps, which became the standard for the following EOS models. The shutter speed series was: ¹ ⁄ ₄₀₀₀ - ¹ ⁄ ₃₀₀₀ - ¹ ⁄ ₂₀₀₀ - ¹ ⁄ ₁₀₀₀ - ¹ ⁄ ₇₅₀ - ¹ ⁄ ₅₀₀ - ¹ ⁄ ₃₅₀ - ¹ ⁄ ₂₅₀ - ¹ ⁄ ₁₀₀ - ¹ ⁄ ₁₂₅ - ¹ ⁄ ₉₀ - ¹ ⁄ ₆₀ - ¹ ⁄ ₄₅ - ¹ ⁄ ₃₀ - ¹ ⁄ ₂₀ - ¹ ⁄ ₁₅ - ¹ ⁄ ₁₀ - ¹ ⁄ ₈ - ¹ ⁄ ₆ - ¹ ⁄ ₄ - ¹ ⁄ ₃ - ¹ ⁄ ₂ - 0.7 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 6 - 8 - 10 - 15 - 30

As usual with the A-1, the self-timer has two lead times of 2 s and 10 s. The Canon T90 could be set for multiple exposures up to nine shots without film transport.

Back wall

Command Back 90

The Command Back had the same range of functions as that for the T70. However, the setting of the film sensitivity was automatically taken over by the camera and thus also by the DX coding of the film.

Data memory back 90

In addition to the functions of the command back, the data memory back was also able to store exposure data. There were two versions of the data back, one for 16 data and one for 6 data. The large memory back could store all data for 156 images and the reduced size for 338 images. The data could be saved on an MSX computer with the DMB interface unit . The data concerned (* = reduced scope):

• Shutter speed *
• Cover *
• Measurement characteristics (integral, selective, spot)
• Exposure variant (e.g. automatic shutter)
• Flash exposure yes or no
• Working aperture measurement yes or no *
• Exposure compensation yes or no
• Number of images *
• Film speed (ISO)
• Manual exposure adjustment yes or no *
• Image counter (four digits) *
• Date imprint (date and time)
• Focal length of the lens used (7 options can be selected on the Command Back before taking the picture)

The data memory back was not available in all countries, not even in Germany. The reason for this was the expensive test of electromagnetic compatibility , which was required for the device because of the built-in computer technology and which was not worthwhile for the low sales figures.

Film transport

With the built-in motorized film transport, the T90 was able to achieve a frame rate of 4.5 / s. It had three electric motors, one for transporting the film after exposure, one for the return transport and one for winding the shutter and mirror mechanism.

Exposure control

The T90 was the first Canon SLR camera to have DX coding for scanning the film speed between ISO 25/15 ° and ISO 5000/38 °. Values ​​between ISO 6/9 ° and ISO 6400/39 ° could be set manually. The T90 also asked for the number of shots given by the DX coding and was able to display the number of available shots in the viewfinder at the push of a button. For the last 9 recordings, this was done with a single-digit seven-segment display, before that with six superimposed dots, which went out one after the other.

Exposure metering

The exposure metering could be switched between center-weighted integral, selective and spot metering. The selective measurement captured 13%, the spot measurement 2.7% of the image. With the latter, the average of up to eight measurements could be formed in the multiple spot measurement.

For spot metering, the sensor was located at the bottom of the mirror box. He got the light through an auxiliary mirror, just like the Quick Focus on the AL-1 worked. For this reason, the following EOS cameras could not take over the spot metering, as their autofocus system required a distance measurement as with the AL-1.

Automatic programs

The T90 had 6 selectable characteristics for the automatic program, three for wide-angle and three for telephoto lenses. In contrast to the T70 and like the A-1, the T90 displayed time and aperture in the viewfinder.

Automatic timing

The automatic timer was selected with the letter combination TV in the LCD. As usual with the A-1, the aperture ring on the lens remained in position A and the aperture number was set on the camera and the aperture number and shutter speed were displayed in the viewfinder. In addition, the LCD displayed the set aperture.

Shutter Priority

The automatic shutter control was selected with the letter combination AV in the LCD. The viewfinder then displayed the f-number and shutter speed, the LCD the selected f-number.

Manual setting

In the automatic aperture setting, the T90 could also be operated with manual exposure setting in which the aperture ring of the lens was not in the automatic position.

Aperture priority automatic

As already known from the A-1, it was also possible to work with automatic aperture control. To do this, the shutter on the camera had to be locked and the automatic timer had to be set.

Power supply

Canon designed the automation with the three electric motors to be particularly energy-efficient in order to get by with few batteries and thus keep the camera small and light. It worked with only 4 mignon cells that were in a magazine that you can pull out of the side of the camera. Even zinc-carbon batteries were permitted. In contrast, the A-1 still needed 12 AA batteries.

Auto flash

The most significant technical advance for the Canon program came with TTL flash exposure metering, with which Canon had taken an unusually long time, although it was of great benefit and, for example, it was a frequent selling point for Olympus, where something like this had been around since 1975. The system was designed to be particularly complex. It worked with the Canon Speedlite 300 TL.

For the innovations in the automatic flash, there were now four instead of the previous two additional contacts in the hot shoe. These enabled a digital exchange of information. This also affected the film speed, which the flash unit took over from the camera. In addition, there were no longer any specific f-stops at which the auto flash functioned.

A-TTL

The Canon designation Advanced-TTL meant that not only a TTL flash measurement took place, but the shutter speed in the range of ¹ ⁄ ₆₀ s to ¹ ⁄ ₂₅₀ s and the f-number was determined with a measuring flash after tapping the shutter release . For this mode of operation, the aperture ring on the lens had to be in position A and the flash unit in position P. The flash exposure measurement then took place during the exposure.

In A-TTL mode, you could also work with aperture or automatic aperture. Tapping the shutter release fired the measuring flash and the f-number flashed in the viewfinder if the flash output was not sufficient for a correctly exposed picture.

FE lock

If the flash unit was in the FEL position, the brightness could be measured with several measuring flashes at different points on the TTL subject by pressing the spot measurement button. The average value was then automatically determined and saved.

This spot metering system for flash photos was first available in the world on the Canon T90 and was no longer used on subsequent EOS cameras, as they no longer had spot metering due to their autofocus system.

Synchronization on the second shutter curtain

For long exposures, the synchronization on the 300 TL could be set to the second shutter curtain. Then the flash fired just before the shutter speed ran out. As a result, movement effects from the long exposure were reproduced in the direction of movement behind the object that was sharply represented by the flash. This applied, for example, to the light trails of a vehicle. This effect could be achieved for the first time at Canon with the T90 and then also occurred in the subsequent EOS system.

T60

Canon T60

Period and classification

The T-60 appeared in April 1990, after the launch of the EOS system, as a cheap camera for casual photographers. It was a time slot machine whose capabilities were roughly on par with the AV-1. But there was no motorized film transport as an accessory.

The T60 was not offered on the Japanese market.

casing

Canon did not manufacture the T-60 itself, but bought it from Cosina. This camera manufacturer not only produced cameras with its own name for sale through specialist retailers, but also with external labels for mail order companies. In order to get a particularly inexpensive model, Canon made use of this external production . As a result, it was a completely independent model, which apart from the bayonet had nothing in common with a Canon. The simple construction is also evident from the fact that there was no connection for a motorized film transport.

Viewfinder

The viewfinder showed the standard combination of a micro prism ring and a split image rangefinder. A light-emitting diode chain was used to display the exposure time. There were a total of 16 LEDs, 12 of which were for the chain and one each for:

• Auto - The camera is in the auto iris position
• M - The camera is in the manual position
• Over - overexposure
• LT - Long Time, the shutter speed is between 1 s and 8 s

The LED chain was not next to the right, as usual with Canon, but next to the left edge of the image. This also showed that it was a product from a third-party manufacturer.

Exposure control

The film speed could be adjusted from ISO 25/15 ° to ISO 1600/33 °.

Automatic timing

Since the Cosina camera had a time automatic, this also happened on the T60. As known from the AV-1, the aperture on the lens was set. The shutter speed range was from ¹ ⁄ ₁₀₀₀ s to 8 s.

Manual exposure

The T60 had a shutter speed dial with which the times from 1 s to ¹ ⁄ ₁₀₀₀ s and B could be set manually.

Power supply

The T-60 was satisfied with two LR 44 button cells.

Auto flash

In contrast to the other cameras of the T series and all cameras of the A series, the T60 did not have any additional contacts in the hot shoe. As a result, it did not automatically set the flash sync speed when using Canon system flash units. The reason for this was that the original Cosina camera also had no additional contacts and only as many changes were made as absolutely necessary for the use of FD lenses.

Web links

• Detailed information on the T50 (English)
• Detailed information on the T70 (English)
• Detailed information on the T80 (English)
• Detailed information on the T90 (English)
• Detailed information on the T60 (English)

• T50 in the Canon Camera Museum
• T70 in the Canon Camera Museum
• T80 in the Canon Camera Museum
• T90 in the Canon Camera Museum
• T60 in the Canon Camera Museum

swell

• Günter Richter: T50 - programmed for good photos , Laterna magica, Herrsching 1983, ISBN 3-88369-138-0
• Günter Richter: Canon T70 , Laterna Magica, Herrsching 1984, ISBN 3-87467-251-4
• Fritz Meisnitzer : Canon T80 , Laterna Magica, Herrsching 1984, ISBN 3-87467-292-1
• Günter Köhler: Perfect with the Canon T80 , Knapp Verlag, Düsseldorf 1986, ISBN 3-87420-164-3
• Richard Hünecke: Canon T90 . Laterna magica, Herrsching 1986, ISBN 3-87467-310-3
• Ludwig Knülle: Canon T90 . vwi Verlag, Herrsching 1986, ISBN 3-88369-099-6
• Herbert Kasper: Perfect with the Canon T90 , Knapp Verlag, Düsseldorf 1986, ISBN 3-87420-163-5
• Fabian L. Porter: Canon T60 , vFv Verlag for Photo, Film and Video 1990, ISBN 3-88955-037-1
• Alexander Decker: Unequal Giants , in PhotoDeal IV / 2005, p. 8 (Canon T90 and Minolta 9000)