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Agreed. I think the T70 is a brick but the T90 is the granddaddy of all current Canon bodies. A design classic.had to like this, unlike it, then like it again, I liked it so much...
Agreed. I think the T70 is a brick but the T90 is the granddaddy of all current Canon bodies. A design classic.had to like this, unlike it, then like it again, I liked it so much...
Instax (or other instant cameras) are nice to use. The image quality isn't the best, but because you're guaranteed a print, they're great for snapshots of family / friends / pets etc. that you can then stick on the side of the fridge or something.
when you put it in a row between the T80 and the EOS 650 you can see my "missing link" comment - expand the row to the F1, T80, T90, EOS 650 and the first generation EOS-1 and its like that ascent of man image... QUOTE]
I've ordered a double pack of film. I've got a city break coming up to Riga and want to go light (backpack only), I'm thinking of just shooting Instax and half frame. It will be interesting to see what Instax is like.
Snip:
You've missed the most important link out of that chain above. The Canon A1.
All the much-hyped T90 did was update the features of an A1, put them in a curvy polycarbonate case, add some additional metering and viewfinder display features and an LCD, and stick on a built in motor drive. In the real world, the T90 gave us very little that an A1 fitted with 'Motor Drive MA' couldn't actually do in terms of end result
While I agree that the A1 is a good camera, I think you're glossing over some of those features of the T90 ... spot metering, multi-spot, selectable centre-weighted options, safety shift ... while they're certainly "additional metering ... features", they're significant additions. Otherwise you could make the same argument comparing the T90 to a Box Brownie - it has a shutter that allows light to reach a film plane so it's the same, apart from some additional features.Snip:
You've missed the most important link out of that chain above. The Canon A1.
That's the first mainstream production SLR that gave the world of photography the 5 modes to which it's become so accustomed: Programme (stick it on P and let the camera work out the aperture and shutter speed), Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, Manual and Stopped Down AE. If you don't believe me, then find me a popular top-quality modern DSLR that doesn't have PASM and stopped down AE.
Oh, then there's the digital LED numerical readout display of the shutter speed and aperture info at the bottom of the viewfinder… another feature of the A1 that's still in use today.
All the much-hyped T90 did was update the features of an A1, put them in a curvy polycarbonate case, add some additional metering and viewfinder display features and an LCD, and stick on a built in motor drive. In the real world, the T90 gave us very little that an A1 fitted with 'Motor Drive MA' couldn't actually do in terms of end result... and any small advantage that it did give came at the expense of the ability to shed the 'Motor Drive MA' and lose a lot of size and weight if required! I know this as I had a pair of T90s when they were in production. Put it this way, I still own the A1 I bought before them - and it still works, and that says it all really.
Yes, the T90 was a nicely designed camera and a stepping stone in terms of design to the AF auto-wind SLRs that soon followed it; but was it as ground-breaking as the A1? In terms of aesthetic design it might be a contender, but in terms of the pioneering introduction of innovative and usable photographic features then it pales into insignificance alongside the A1.
There you go... the Canon A1, the real missing link in the pioneering evolution of the modern electronic SLR camera.
I didn't say the T90 wasn't a good camera in its day, or that it didn't innovate in terms of design. However, to leave the Canon A1 out of the SLR camera (of any make) equivalent of the Ascent of Man drawing, would be like omitting the stage where man first walked upright in terms of evolutionary importance.While I agree that the A1 is a good camera, I think you're glossing over some of those features of the T90 ... spot metering, multi-spot, selectable centre-weighted options, safety shift ... while they're certainly "additional metering ... features", they're significant additions. Otherwise you could make the same argument comparing the T90 to a Box Brownie - it has a shutter that allows light to reach a film plane so it's the same, apart from some additional features.
I had an A1, it developed shutter squeak twice (the second time probably through lack of use). My T90 has been used and abused by me for 20 years* and while it needed maintenance for the 'EEE' fault a few years back (lack of use again), it's been solid ever since (and I'd struggle to find a camera that wouldn't need a service in that time). It's also a lot easier to use than I found my A1 to be.
IMO the T90 might not have showcased the combination of features in one body that the A1 did but it put them and more into a form that's still imitated by new cameras today. It was the end of the FD line, one of the finest manual focus cameras ever made, it's incredibly rugged and provided a blueprint for future SLR development. That makes it worthy as a classic.
As an aside, does this conversation remind anyone else of the scene in Life Of Brian where they're discussing the Romans? "But what has the T90 ever done for us?"
* It really has been 20 years this year, I bought it before going to work in Sydney for 6 months in 1999. Blimey, I feel old now. I should probably take it out and shoot a few rolls as an anniversary celebration.
Agreed, not helped by it only being available for a couple of years (and only made during 1986 if I remember correctly) and marketed as a (semi-)professional camera.I doubt the T90 had the same impact on photography, or appealed to such a wide audience.
Ah, the direct versus indirect impact argument. I'm not falling for that one!I don't think you can argue that it didn't have the same impact on photography or appeal to a wide audience when nearly every SLR produced since follows the same design cues.
googled fixes which included hitting onto a carpeted floor
Having decided to give the proposed F+C meet at Astle Park a miss due to poor weather forecast headed out to the car boots this morning.
First one rained off, second very quiet but picked up a stack of CR123A batteries and a monopod before it started raining there too. Headed out of Cheshire into Hanley (Stoke-on-Trent) in time for the 8am start of selling, clouds closing in and sitting in a crate as the first rain started falling another T90 , no lens but with battery tray and in good cosmetic order. !! Could not leave it to its watery fate, so parted with a tenner. Back home pulled the 1600 ISO Fujifilm out (in dark bag, so we shall see what the first 8ish shots were). Batteries gave an EEE error.
Oh well - googled fixes which included hitting onto a carpeted floor and one that sounded much more likely .
Applying strong magnet to the mirror/shutter release solenoid to remagnetise it. 5 screws and rescue of the back catch spring later, applied very strong stack of neodymium magnets to solenoid and even switched off it started firing !!! Switched on battery and all was well.
So in darts terms 2 x T90 = One hundred and eighty !!
One of the hobbies\pleasures in life (well for me) is to buy something for peanuts and to get it working.........well done, the T90 is an excellent camera but you have to prove you completely love Canon by buying a T70
One of the hobbies\pleasures in life (well for me) is to buy something for peanuts and to get it working.........well done, the T90 is an excellent camera but you have to prove you completely love Canon by buying a T70
Brilliant, if he'd only managed to mention the moon it would have been a clean sweep!So, true to form, Brian's 10,000th post was about BOTH the T90 and the T70!!!
I have all the T's except a 60 - the 80 won't autofocus though.One of the hobbies\pleasures in life (well for me) is to buy something for peanuts and to get it working.........well done, the T90 is an excellent camera but you have to prove you completely love Canon by buying a T70
I have all the T's except a 60 - the 80 won't autofocus though.
The T80 never did really, even when new.
Mine works, I just hardly ever use it. I got mine from a proper camera shop, in Northallerton.View attachment 252649
Mine works, I just hardly ever use it. I got mine from a proper camera shop, in Northallerton.View attachment 252649
Applying strong magnet to the mirror/shutter release solenoid to remagnetise it. 5 screws and rescue of the back catch spring later, applied very strong stack of neodymium magnets to solenoid and even switched off it started firing !!! Switched on battery and all was well.
You don't get problems like that with a Canon A1, and when it eventually does require a CLA it lets you know by making a gentile little cough to get your attention. An altogether more refined camera!Learning point - magnetising the T90 solenoid using the pole that caused it to fire repeatedly when switched off does not last. You have to use the other pole that only causes it to fire when you remove the magnet. Then with magnet in place fire the shutter many times (in effect moving the solenoid core in the field to magenetise it). So now testing it every day or two before I put the front back on AGAIN.
Now if fixing the T80 was as simple ........
You don't get problems like that with a Canon A1, and when it eventually does require a CLA it lets you know by making a gentile little cough to get your attention. An altogether more refined camera!
That's my impression as well.All our local charity shops now seem to put photo gear on the bay rather than in the shop
I always marvel at the charity shop finds that people present; I don't think I have ever picked up any photographic equipment from a charity shop. That's across the country, and in thrift stores in other countries as well. I must have looked at hundreds of third party teleconverters and plastic toy cameras....
At that price who doesn't need it!but remember, it's only a bargain if you need it.