i understand there are 3 models of the f1 made? which one has removable viewfinders and which have interchangeable viewfinders as well?

1st model - 1971-1976 2nd model - 1976-1981 3rd model - 1981-1993

anyone have preference over any one of the 3 releases???

-- giselle (gisellefernandez@hotmail.com), February 21, 2001

Answers

Giselle, All of the f-1's have removable viewfinders. I had the 2nd edition; wished I'd never sold that little jewel! The 3rd generation f-1 is probably preferable. It has auto, as well as manual exposure possibilitires. Any of them in good condition would be a great camera to have! Robert

-- robert c harvey (robeleni@pacbell.net), February 22, 2001.

Note that finders and screens for the "New" F-1 (also called the "F-1N" (large "N")) are not compatible with the original F-1 or the second one, called the F-1n (small "n"). I have the last model, which I like mainly because it offers spot metering as an option, if you have a spot-metering screen, and uses a modern battery that is easy to find. Unfortunately, it doesn't offer a mirror lock-up, which the earlier versions had. I bought mine new around 1983 and it still works great with no major repairs.

-- David Goldfarb (dgoldfarb@barnard.edu), February 22, 2001.

Just to expand, the viewfinders and screens ARE interchangeable between the first and second versions (F-1 and F-1n).

The earlier versions use mercury cells or substitutes for the meter (see other posts on this board about batteries and mercury cells). But, if you use a handheld meter, the battery is not needed. It only runs the meter.

If you do use the meter, the F-1n does also ASA (ISO) settings up to 3200 versus 1600 for the F-1. The two earlier versions do have mirror lockup. With various viewfinders you can do shutter speed priority, waist leve viewing, or extremely low light metering. The New F-1 (also known as the F-1N) does offer the ability to do Aperture Priority automation.

My personal favorite of the F-1 series is the F-1n.

-- Terry Carraway (TCarraway@compuserve.com), February 23, 2001.

F-1n's had a film memo and plastic-tipped wind lever, whereas the original F-1 did not, having a (small)-tipped metal lever. F-1n's are the only of the three(to my knowledge) to be produced in Olive Drab. If I'm wrong, correct me.

-- Mike DeVoe (karma77@att.net), March 02, 2001.