The Canon F-1 and New F-1 were more than just metal: these legendary professional SLR cameras have enduring appeal

DH64W0 Canon F-1, model from 1971, with a 1.2-55mm aspherical SSC FD lens, T finder with amplifier, booster, waist level finder.

Of all the major camera milestones in the 20th century 1959 and the Nikon F is certainly one of the biggest . Arguably, it did as much for 35mm photography – especially among professional photographers – as Leica’s 35mm rangefinder system.

Nikon had the professional 35mm SLR all to itself for over ten years and was onto the second-generation F2 by the time Canon got into gear with a credible competitor. The cheekily named F-1 was unveiled at the 1970 Photokina exhibition in Germany and went on sale in March 1971, roughly six months before the F2 arrived.