Hi Again!;

It's been around a decade since I was doing any serious photography. I want to get back in - this time with some nice lenses. Currently I have a nice AE-1 Program (only SLR ever owned, it's mint and had around 500 rolls through it:-)

Anyway, what's the best Canon body to use these days? From my time frame the newest F1 was the dream. The T90 sounds good too though. What Canon do you guys reccommend?

Best; Marvin Miller

-- Marvin Miller (marvinmiller@hotmail.com), December 01, 2001

Answers

It's probably more a matter of personal preference - the T90 has the fancy metering, TTL flash, built-in motor drive and higher shutter speed, the F1N can have accessories added to make it functionally the equivalent of the T90 (apart from the multi-spot metering and TTL flash) but that works out heavier and more expensive, on the other hand, if you prefer setting your exposure manually, the basic F1N has a more satisfying "feel" to it IMHO. Of course, the ideal solution is to buy one of each and have fun deciding for yourself!

-- Jeremy (bmjb@hotmail.com), December 02, 2001.

They're both great cameras. I like the New F-1, because it's more rugged and will be easier to repair as spare parts dwindle, but the T-90 gives you a lot of features in a more compact, ergonomic, and lighter package.

-- David Goldfarb (dgoldfarb@barnard.edu), December 05, 2001.

The T-90 is the answer to your question. Features on one side- and it has a superabundance of those- just hold it! It is, par excellence, a camera that has clearly been designed rather than bolted together!

Cheers JIM

-- Dr. Jim Cross (iamacamera@hotmail.com), January 02, 2002.

Thanks Doc (and everyone else!) I think I'm going to go the T-90 route based on everyone's reccomendations.

Best; Marvin

-- Marvin Miller (marvinmiller@hotmail.com), January 02, 2002.

The T90 is undoubtedly a wonderful piece of kit and when it first came out I think many photographers were awestruck (as was I). Now though it's just like (and not as good) any number of other multi- mode, electro-everything cameras and so no longer so special. The New F-1 by contrast is an enduring classic. It just exudes quality. It actually feels cold to the touch as if it's made from a solid block of cold steel! IMHO it's the finest camera ever made and makes the user feel really special. I woudln't be without mine, and expect it to outlast me.

-- Steve Phillipps (steve@redvixen.freeserve.co.uk), January 09, 2002.

Canon t90 is the best camera I've ever owned. My canon AE-1 was also a great camera but I retired it. The Canon was retired for six years and last week I brought it back out and am shooting with it again. Excellant camera beautiful pictures and plenty of buttons to play with and I actually use them all.

-- Alonso Acosta (alonsoacosta@yahoo.com), January 26, 2002.

Well, this is a hard choice. I have both, and like both cameras (the T-90 and New F-1). The T-90 has features others haven't mentioned which make it stick out, such as the shutter-release when used with the 300TL strobe. But the New F-1 with a winder really fits my hand much better than any camera I've used, even the new ones. I also have an Action Finder with it, and that's a really great accessory for people who wear glasses. So look each over, and figure out the features you want. Bare in mind that I've recently found out that the T-90 was not in production very long, and therefore there are less of them, and probably less par

-- John Ratliff (cratliff@easystreet.com), February 04, 2002.

Marvin,

I've used both cameras for quite a while, and was sad when I sold my (mint!) F1N with all the toys (motor drive, NiCd packs etc) when I was a student, as the money offered for it was too tempting. Then used just T90s for the next 10 years.

Just a couple of days ago temptation got the better of me, and I bought an F1N again (though still have T90s). For some types of photography, it is just a joy to use due to its solidity. With large lenses it also has far more balance than the T90, due to weight with the motordrive attached.

However, if you are intending to use it with a flash very much (particularly the "attach-the-flash-and-forget-about-it" type!), the T90 would be far preferable. Its 300TL flash unit is superb and easy to use, and the system for the F1N far more prehistoric in comparison.

T90s are now becoming difficult to repair, as some parts are no longer readily available. Saying that, it tends to be pretty reliable. Sometimes the T90 doesn't react well to being left unused too long, so all the more excuse to take more photos!

-- Joel Price (joelyp@hotmail.com), February 04, 2002.

The T90 is faster, at P, if set to any contionously motor-setting, locking the exposure with the spot meter, checking the contrast inside the viewfinder and change the aperture/shutter combo. Then you shoot.

But all the features can come in the way of taking pictures.

Then use the F1 New. I find it so boring it's helping to consentrate on the pictures. Though i miss the meter lock when using auto. But it's much more intuitive than the A1 I had.

-- Øyvind Dahle (odahle@start.no), February 28, 2002.

The sync speed is what sold me on the T90 250th as opposed to 60th on the others great for outdoor fill in flash. Spot metering, auto rewind, low speed motor drive to save batteries, being able to see a chart of spot meter readings on the scale in the viewfinder, Just a few of the reasons to choose a t90. The F1 is a great camera have seen many newspapers shoot these Extremely rugged, somewhat heavy, very reliable solid camera.

-- r.mccomb (rmwebinit@yahoo.com), May 02, 2002.