Canon F-A (Circa 1980)
A specialized camera for ophthalmic fundus imaging, derived from the Canon AE-1 and designed to mount on Canon angiographs.
Overview
The Canon F-A is built for one job: fundus examinations by ophthalmologists. It is not a general photography camera. Produced around 1980, it mounts on Canon CF 60U or CF 60ZA angiographs and works as part of the diagnostic equipment. It is based on the Canon AE-1, but the unnecessary controls are gone. The shutter speed is fixed and set by the angiograph, and the viewfinder is non-removable with focusing aids.
Specifications
| Film exposure control | Film exposure was controlled by the angiograph at a fixed shutter speed. |
| Diopter correction | Diopter correction is available between +4 and -2 diopters by rotating the eyepiece. |
| Fundus image dimensions | The fundus image is recorded on the film within a horizontally truncated circle at the top and bottom (29 mm in its largest diameter by 22 mm in height). |
| Lens mount | It retains the Canon FD bayonet. |
| Shutter type | It features a cloth shutter curtain. |
| Power supply | The camera's power supply is provided by a 6-volt battery. |
| Motor | It operates with a specific MZ motor whose power supply is external. |
Design
The F-A comes from the AE-1 and shares its film advance lever design and its 12mm diameter shutter release button. The depth of field preview, shutter speed selector and sensitivity adjustment are removed, since the angiograph manages those settings. The viewfinder is non-removable and has a large reticle to help focus on the ground glass. The reflex mirror has an odd shape - truncated on the sides and extended vertically by about 10 mm, nearly reaching the bayonet plate. A vertical rectangular window records a 4-digit number from the angiograph. A 1 mm crescent-shaped notch at the 1 o'clock position on the image identifies the camera as a Canon model.
Context
This late 1970s camera was engineered to work with Canon CF 60U or CF 60ZA angiographs, as part of a medical imaging system for ophthalmology. Canon produced another, slightly different model under the same name. Modern equivalents have moved to digital systems or optical coherence tomography.
Market
The Canon F-A is rare outside specialized settings, such as garage sales in France. Don't mount a lens directly on the camera. Triggering it with a lens attached could damage the extended viewfinder mirror.
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