 |
| All images and content are the property of Wayne Young and Wayne Young Photography and may not be reproduced in any way without written permission. Thank You. |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
The Canon AF35M was released in November of 1979. Canon states that this is the
world’s first Lens-Shutter 35mm autofocus camera; however, Konica released the
C35 AF in November of 1977 and they claim the honor of the first mass-produced
autofocus camera. Minolta also released the Hi-Matic AF in 1979. Where the Konica
and Minolta are manual film advance cameras, the Canon AF35M is a fully automatic
camera with auto advance and rewind. This is more likely this camera’s claim to
fame.
The Canon AF35M / Sure Shot is a fully automatic camera using an active autofocus
system that emits a near-infrared beam whose reflection is received by a pin photo
diode. The camera calculates the distance to the subject by triangulation when the
shutter button is pressed. The lens focus position is automatically set based on this
calculated distance. Because the camera uses a near-infrared beam, it is able to
focus in low light situations. This made the camera very popular among the
Japanese at night baseball games. In Japan the camera was called the Autoboy and
was so popular that the word “Autoboy” became associated with all cameras of this
type.
The Canon AF35M / Sure Shot is a 35mm Lens-Shutter autofocus camera with
program EE and built-in flash. The lens is 38mm f/2.8 and is composed of 4 elements
in 3 groups. This type of lens is very common among the consumer oriented
cameras of this vintage; both the C35 AF and Hi-Matic AF have a 38mm f/2.8 lens. The
AF35M has an electronically-controlled programmed shutter and aperture with the
values of EV 6 (f/2.8 at 1/8 sec.) - 17 (f/16 at 1/500 sec.). There is also a built-in
electronic self-timer. The built-in flash has a guide number of 14 (at ISO 100 in
meters) and is a manual pop-up type flash that can be used for daylight fill-flash.
Being an automatic camera, the viewfinder is where all of the action happens. It is a
reversed Galilean viewfinder with projected frames. Within the image area are the
AF frame, zone focusing marks for near, medium, and far distances, parallax
correction marks, and battery check and camera-shake warning. I do not consider
the zone focusing marks a focusing aid. They are really a focusing confirmation as
the focus distance is not indicated until AFTER the picture has been taken.
However, this does give you a chance to retake a misfocused shot. There is also a
primitive focus lock set with a lever beside the lens. This lever also sets the self-
timer.
Beyond the technical specifications, there is the thought that went into building this
camera. Even though the AF35M is aimed at the consumer point and shoot market,
Canon retained several features including pre-focus, self-timer and the ability for fill-
flash that allow photo enthusiasts a more engaging shooting experience. Chief
among these is the ability to use filters. There is a filter thread at the front of the
lens for 48mm-diameter screw-in filters. Since the camera meters the exposure
through the filter, there is no need to make any exposure correction with filter
factors. In the owner’s manual, Canon recommends using a UV or Skylight filter for
flash photography. Living in the southwest, I also use a Skylight or Haze filter for
outside photography.
My relationship with this camera is still in the formative stages. I have been
shooting a few frames here and there, but have not finished the test roll yet. I will be
posting examples from the camera once I finish. So far, this has been a pleasant to
use, if not overly inspiring camera. Maybe the results will change my mind.
Click the picture below to see examples from this camera on my Flickr.com site.
world’s first Lens-Shutter 35mm autofocus camera; however, Konica released the
C35 AF in November of 1977 and they claim the honor of the first mass-produced
autofocus camera. Minolta also released the Hi-Matic AF in 1979. Where the Konica
and Minolta are manual film advance cameras, the Canon AF35M is a fully automatic
camera with auto advance and rewind. This is more likely this camera’s claim to
fame.
The Canon AF35M / Sure Shot is a fully automatic camera using an active autofocus
system that emits a near-infrared beam whose reflection is received by a pin photo
diode. The camera calculates the distance to the subject by triangulation when the
shutter button is pressed. The lens focus position is automatically set based on this
calculated distance. Because the camera uses a near-infrared beam, it is able to
focus in low light situations. This made the camera very popular among the
Japanese at night baseball games. In Japan the camera was called the Autoboy and
was so popular that the word “Autoboy” became associated with all cameras of this
type.
The Canon AF35M / Sure Shot is a 35mm Lens-Shutter autofocus camera with
program EE and built-in flash. The lens is 38mm f/2.8 and is composed of 4 elements
in 3 groups. This type of lens is very common among the consumer oriented
cameras of this vintage; both the C35 AF and Hi-Matic AF have a 38mm f/2.8 lens. The
AF35M has an electronically-controlled programmed shutter and aperture with the
values of EV 6 (f/2.8 at 1/8 sec.) - 17 (f/16 at 1/500 sec.). There is also a built-in
electronic self-timer. The built-in flash has a guide number of 14 (at ISO 100 in
meters) and is a manual pop-up type flash that can be used for daylight fill-flash.
Being an automatic camera, the viewfinder is where all of the action happens. It is a
reversed Galilean viewfinder with projected frames. Within the image area are the
AF frame, zone focusing marks for near, medium, and far distances, parallax
correction marks, and battery check and camera-shake warning. I do not consider
the zone focusing marks a focusing aid. They are really a focusing confirmation as
the focus distance is not indicated until AFTER the picture has been taken.
However, this does give you a chance to retake a misfocused shot. There is also a
primitive focus lock set with a lever beside the lens. This lever also sets the self-
timer.
Beyond the technical specifications, there is the thought that went into building this
camera. Even though the AF35M is aimed at the consumer point and shoot market,
Canon retained several features including pre-focus, self-timer and the ability for fill-
flash that allow photo enthusiasts a more engaging shooting experience. Chief
among these is the ability to use filters. There is a filter thread at the front of the
lens for 48mm-diameter screw-in filters. Since the camera meters the exposure
through the filter, there is no need to make any exposure correction with filter
factors. In the owner’s manual, Canon recommends using a UV or Skylight filter for
flash photography. Living in the southwest, I also use a Skylight or Haze filter for
outside photography.
My relationship with this camera is still in the formative stages. I have been
shooting a few frames here and there, but have not finished the test roll yet. I will be
posting examples from the camera once I finish. So far, this has been a pleasant to
use, if not overly inspiring camera. Maybe the results will change my mind.
Click the picture below to see examples from this camera on my Flickr.com site.
 |
 |
| Phoenix, Arizona Photography Enthusiast Specializing in Portrait, Landscape and Fine Art Photography |
