Integrated Reliability and Efficiency Since the Canon AE-1 in 1976, other than the hybrid professional New Canon F-1 introduced in June 1981, there were none of the Canon SLR bodies that works mechanically. Obviously, the success of the AE-1 and the later A-1 has given a clue to Canon of how to handle the issue of reliability in marketing - where generally, users beliefs are the advantage of an mechanical back up shutter speed is still an essential element in camera design. But facts remains, the all electronic battery dependant of Canon's 35mm bodies were extremely popular, making the company the largest camera manufaturer in the world.
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Naturally, the T series models were all electronic models in nature and are heavily engraved in an array of electronic monitor and control devices. Some, like the back cover, rewind button and mode safety locks are mechanical in nature and externally operable. Others are integrated in the T70's advanced microcircuitry. |
Among these are the shutter-priority AE safety shift function, viewfinder warnings and LCD information including film loading/transport status and battery check. Such a high level of electronics means that fewer moving parts are required and well, that at times, also interprets will yield higher operating profit.
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| Available only in PDF file (225k) |
Available only in PDF file (191k) |
But despite all these
electronic inside the designed platform, energy consumption is surprisingly low.
May be power conservation was given high priority in the design. The light-load EMAS
shutter and low energy consuming time exposure function could have attributed to
its power efficiency. During long exposures, even an hourly automatic battery check
was made. The T70 consequently requires only two penlight batteries for
all its functions, that was remarkable. The circuitry scale is several times
as great as in the famous Canon A-l.
The microprocessor brain of this incredible complex system is a high-capacity 8-bit
CPU with C-MOS LSI and ROM/RAM capacity. The circuit's 5 ICs include a 60-pin IC
for the LCD panel and 32-pin Bipolar 12L IC for the viewfinder display. These and
other data such as the film transport status, battery check and frame number are
displayed in clear LCD symbols on a panel.
Safety features • Safety shift function in shutter-priority
AE. • Finder shows an asterisk when AE lock/selective
area metering is programmed. • Tv shift lock. •
Film transport status displayed on LCD panel.
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• Film cartridge loading status displayed on LCD panel. • Battery check displayed in three steps. • Circuitry protection in case batteries are loaded incorrectly. |
•
Safety lock switch for rewind • Built-in lithium battery as back-up power
source for LCD memory contents. • Automatic battery check during time-exposure.
• Safety lock button for back cover. •
Film-end audio-visual warning. • Camera shake warning automatically adjusts
to meet parameters of all programs.
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Automatic film loading, advancing and rewinding A built-in motor loads, advances and rewinds the film automatically. It does makes life easier in a number of ways. Just place the film in the camera and draw the leader across to the orange mark. Close the back. The camera fires off several blank shots then it will stops at the first frame. After taking each picture, it automatically advances the film to the next frame. |
Continuous shooting? That's possible, too. Just hold the shutter button down. A rapid beeping sound warns when the film reaches the end and the LCD flashes. Auto-rewind is initiated by pressing the rewind button after sliding its release switch. But the rapid sequencial firing rate is still undesirable for really fast action photography. However, but that is quite adequate for general purpose use. Well, at least you don't have to buy a separate winder as with the A Series models and the built in winding device even offers more features (such as power rewind and remote capabilities) in the T70.
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Credit: Images courtesy of Mr. Claudio®. who is a collector for Canon photo gear, he also has an Ebay Section as well as maintaining a website on his own where occasionally trading some photo equipment. Image(s) copyright © 2003. All rights reserved. Please respect the visual property of the contributing photographer. |
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Remote Switch 60T3 Remote operation is another advance. Plug the Remote Switch 60 T3 (optional accessory) into the camera's remote control terminal. |
Remote control socket (Shown with protective cap removed). Remote control operation is possible by plug the Remote Switch 60 T3 cable into this 3-pin socket.
Other Interesting Features of the T-70
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Soft shutter release |
The electromagnetic shutter release is sensitive and responsive to the sliglitest pressure applies. Gently pressing the button will turn the meter on, depressing it will fully releases the shutter.
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Comfortable grip The AE-1's original action grip design was trend setting. The subsequent models such as A-1, AL-1 and AE-1 Program has all incorporated a built-in or removable grip. |
The T series models has made it a standard feature in its overall design. It provides a secure camera holding that may directly affects picture sharpness. The T70's large contoured grip and non-slip thumb rest on the back cover afford a rock-solid hold for both horizontal and vertical shooting. Strangely, I thought Canon would have located the shutter release button above the grip where the index finger will naturally rest. The T90 has that design incorporated eventually.
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LCD data panel Although Canon was not the first to use LCD display (Well, the first successful SLR to implement the LCD for the viewfinder display was the Nikon F3).transport, battery check and frame counter. |
With the increased sophistication of exposure modes and various functional controls in the T70, the LED may not be very practical (Even if it can, it will be very confusing for a user). The large, clear LCD panel on top of the camera is the monitoring source for an amazing 152 data items. Information displayed when required includes the program mode, shutter speed, ISO setting, film
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Battery check, ISO film setting Conventional ASA setting by dial is replaced by push button control - this may either be convenient or confusing for a starter. |
You may need some basic experience with digital watch or clock adjustment to use this camera. That was the reason why I regarded it as an model only for serious amateurs. Any film speed from ISO 12 to 1600 can be set by pressing the ISO button and the shift button. The BC (battery check) provides an LCD reading of the battery condition in three energy levels.
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Shutter speed lock, exposure preview button Inadvertent shutter speed changing is prevented by turning the outer ring to L (lock). For an exposure reading, press the button in the center. |
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Cushioned eyecup, eyepiece cover The eyepiece area of all the Canon SLR are their strong asset - although most of the time, magnification of 0.85 X is the standard used by Canon for the T series model. It gives a 92% ( at infinity with a standard 50 mm lens) vertical and horizontal coverage of actual picture area. The T-70, has a soft Eyecup T slots onto the eyepiece for easy comfortable viewing even when wearing glasses. An eyepiece cover is also provided to block out extraneous light durinng time exposures. It can be cliped onto the neckstrap when not in use.
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Battery chamber As I said, power efficiency in the T-70 design was superp. The camera only requires two 1.5 V penlight batteries which are contained in the grip to power all the automatic function. The latch can be opened easily with a fingernail. Other than the battery used for general functions, it also uses a lithium for memory back up. |
Memory back up: Built-in lithium battery (BR- 1225 or CR- 1220). Life span: approx. 5 years.
Back cover latch Conventional SLR camera usually make use of the film rewind crank to act as the film back latch, the T-70 - has power rewind with the same motor for film adavancing and thus, the location of the film rewind knob is replaced by input levers and button for various camera functions.
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The back is opened by pressing a safety button and sliding a latch. Unlike rewind knob releases, advantage is, there's absolutely no risk of accidentally opening the camera and exposing the film. |
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Film rewind controls A great improvement of the T70 over the earlier T50 is the built-in feature of power rewind. Film rewind is make automatic in the T70. At the base of the camera is where the rewind release button and power rewind lever. Just slide the rewind button release in the direction of the arrow and press in the rewind button. |
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Finally, another metal Shutter upgraded, EMAS shutter The metal curtain used in the T50 has been redesigned in the T70 as EMAS II. The EMAS focal plane shutter's rapid 7.5ms curtain speed allows a higher sync speed of 1/90 sec for flash and minimal vibration in its vertical travel (The EMAS design for the T50 is only offering a 1/60 sec maximum sync speed). |
Fully electronic control is provided by two attraction magnets linked to the CPU. Whatever, although the shutter design is still far from perfect as compared with the competitions (Like the Nikon FM2n and FE2's 1/250 sec), but generally it was a big improvement over the silk curtain used in the A Series mdoels.
Auto-load/film advance Automatic blank film advance is indicated by three dashes flashing in sequence from left to right.
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At the same time, the ISO film speed is displayed briefly as a reminder. The counter reads "1" for the first frame. |
After each picture, the same sequential dashes let you know that the film is advancing correctly.
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If you forget to load the camera, the cartridge symbol and dashes will not appear. |
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Auto-rewind display |
During auto-rewind the dashes flash in the direction of film travel toward the cartridge symbol and the counter gives a subtractive reading.
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