Canon TX [1975]

Eyecup: standard Canon 1970s
Strap: standard Canon 1970s
Suggested Flashes: manual (any &#8211; no dedication)

I have two copies of this camera, both came from local sellers. The lower serial number version came from a guy who claims he was the original owner. I think I paid $20 for it, including the gorgeous Canon FL 58mm f/1.2 lens, which at the time of this writing is the fastest lens I own. I honestly don’t recall the specifics of where the second one came from, however it is in worse condition with dings etc. It is paired with a 50/1.8 SC lens, an appropriate match for the vintage of camera.

So, yeah, the FL 58mm f/1.2 lens has this gorgeous iridescent brown/orange like reflection, on the glass, which turns out to be somewhat radioactive. Apparently it is a thorium element, which are known to tint brown over time. I’ll keep it up and out of reach – since from what I’ve read at 3ft distance the falloff effectively disappears.

But that’s just the lens – the camera itself is also in fantastic condition after a light cleaning. It feels nice and solid in my hands, as with most 1970s vintage cameras. Everything – including that lens, is solid and metal. Actually, other than the second copy having some wear, both cameras seem to have held up very well, are heavy, solid, with working meters. These use the dreaded 1.3v mercury 625 batter7; I use adapters with 1.5v alkaline LR44s, and bank on film exposure latitude to give me enough working room.

What’s So Special?

The Canon TX was a cheaper version of the earlier FTb, and unlike the TLb, it retained a working hot shoe. No self timer. Designed for FD mount lenses, but also supported earlier FL mount lenses in stop down metering mode. This is the same camera as the Bell & Howell FD35.

It is unlikely that this lens started with this camera, as it was originally an older higher end lens, paired with a later lower end SLR. I may eventually rotate lens/body pairings so that the combinations make more sense.