CANON FX

Name: Canon FX
Brand: Canon

The FX had no through-the-lens (TTL) metering. It still marked a real step in Canon's move from rangefinders to SLRs, with a more integrated exposure system that was easier to use.

Overview

The Canon FX came out in March 1964, just as SLRs began to overtake rangefinders, especially with professionals and advanced amateurs. It sat between Canon's earlier rangefinder models and its new line of FL-mount SLRs. It followed the Canonflex series and was meant to compete with early Japanese SLRs like the Nikon F and Pentax Spotmatic. Compared to the Canonflex, the FX had a more compact body and a horizontally traveling focal-plane shutter. It had no built-in exposure meter.

Canon aimed the FX at serious amateurs and semi-professionals. It gave manual exposure control with a stop-down metering system and used Canon's FL lens mount, so it worked with the growing range of FL and R-series lenses. Because the meter was external, you had to stop the lens down by hand and read a needle visible in the viewfinder. Stop-down metering was common then, but it was less convenient than later TTL systems. The Canon FT replaced the FX in 1968 and added TTL metering, which the FX did not have.

By modern standards it has limits, but the FX was a sound camera. It had a solid build, a reliable Copal horizontal cloth shutter, and a bright viewfinder with a microprism focusing aid. It helped establish Canon as a serious contender in the SLR market and laid the groundwork for later work on metering and automation.

Specifications

Specification	Value
Type	35mm manual focus SLR
Film Format	35mm (135 film)
Years Produced	1964–1969
Lens Mount	Canon FL mount (compatible with R, FL lenses; not natively compatible with FD)
Shutter	Horizontal-travel focal-plane shutter, speeds 1 sec to 1/1000 sec, plus B
Metering
Exposure Modes	Manual only; stop-down metering
Viewfinder	Fixed pentaprism with microprism focusing spot, 0.92x magnification, ~95% coverage
Dimensions	148 × 87 × 58 mm; ~610 g (body only)

Key Features

First Canon SLR with built-in exposure meter: Utilized a selenium-cell meter requiring no batteries, powered entirely by incident light.
FL lens mount: Enabled use of Canon’s high-performance FL and R-series lenses, known for their sharp optics and smooth focusing.
Stop-down metering system: Required lens to be manually stopped down for meter reading, with exposure indicated by a needle in the viewfinder.
Horizontal cloth shutter: Offered reliable performance and flash synchronization at all speeds (X-sync at 1/60 sec).
Robust mechanical construction: All-metal body with mechanical shutter operation, suitable for professional use in varied conditions.

Historical Context

The Canon FX was introduced during a transformative period in the camera industry. In the early 1960s, Japanese manufacturers were rapidly gaining ground on European brands, offering advanced features at competitive prices. The FX was a simplified, lower-cost SLR introduced after the Canonflex series, but it did not include metering and thus was not a direct competitor to the metered Spotmatic or professional Nikon F. While the Nikon F emphasized modularity and professional durability, and the Spotmatic offered full-aperture metering (in later versions), the FX carved its niche by combining mechanical reliability with accessible metering technology.

Canon included a built-in selenium meter, though not a TTL one. That was aimed at photographers coming from rangefinders or simpler cameras who wanted exposure help. The lack of TTL metering and the need for stop-down operation limited its appeal next to contemporaries with smoother exposure workflows. Still, the FX played a critical role in building Canon's reputation for innovation in SLR design. The Canon FT followed in 1968 and introduced TTL metering, and the FD-mount F-1 came in 1971.

Collectibility & Value

Today the Canon FX is considered historically significant but only moderately collectible. Canon enthusiasts and vintage SLR collectors value it as a milestone model - the brand's first metered SLR - and a step in the evolution of the FL-mount system. Units in good working condition typically sell for $150 - $300, depending on cosmetic state, functionality, and included accessories. Working meters are increasingly rare, since selenium cells degrade over time and cannot be easily replaced. The camera operates mechanically without power.

Before buying an FX, check shutter accuracy at all speeds, look for mirror bounce or sluggish movement, and inspect the viewfinder for haze or fungus. The meter is a key feature, but in most surviving units it no longer works because the selenium cell has deteriorated - a common problem in cameras of this era. FL-mount lenses fit but may require stop-down use on modern bodies. They are prized for optical quality, particularly the FL 50mm f/1.8 and FL 55mm f/1.2. The FX is not as sought-after as the later F-1 or A-series cameras.

Similar Cameras

Nikon F (1959) – Professional-grade SLR with interchangeable viewfinders and lenses; no built-in meter initially.
Asahi Pentax Spotmatic (1964) – Introduced full-aperture TTL metering (in SP and later models), setting a new standard.
Topcon RE Super (1963) – Advanced Japanese SLR with TTL metering and high-quality optics.
Yashica TL Electro (1968) – Early electronic SLR with CdS metering and semi-automatic exposure.
Minolta SRT-101 (1966) – Featured TTL metering, robust build, and excellent Rokkor lenses.

Repair & Maintenance

The Canon FX needs no batteries. The selenium-cell meter generates its own power from light, though these cells often fail after decades due to material fatigue. Shutter maintenance matters: the Copal horizontal cloth shutter can suffer from uneven speeds or sticky curtains if not regularly serviced. Common issues include stiff film advance levers, worn shutter curtains, and degraded light seals. Repairing the meter is generally impractical, as replacement selenium cells are unavailable and retrofitting modern CdS meters alters originality. The mechanical simplicity makes the camera relatively serviceable, but sourcing original spare parts can be hard. Lubricate carefully to avoid gumming in older mechanisms. A clean, mechanically functional body with a working shutter is more valuable than one with a dead meter. Regular use and storage in a dry environment help preserve functionality.