Canon F-1 vs F-1n vs New F-1: The complete guide

Canon F-1, F-1n, New F-1 — three names that regularly cause confusion among buyers. Especially when it comes to accessories: Which battery fits? Which prism is compatible? Which lens cap do I need?

The short answer: F-1 and F-1n are essentially the same camera with minor improvements. The New F-1 is a completely different device — despite the same name. This guide clarifies the differences and tells you which accessories and which battery you need for your model.

Table of Contents

1. The three models at a glance
2. Technical specifications in detail
3. Which battery fits which F-1?
4. Prisms and focusing screens — what fits where?
5. Lens compatibility: FD and New FD
6. Accessories for your Canon F-1
7. How do I recognize my model?

1. The three models at a glance

Canon F-1 (1971–1976)

Canon's first professional SLR camera. Fully mechanical, purely manual, built like a tank. The F-1 was Canon's direct response to Nikon's F and F2. Released in 1971, produced until about 1976. Maximum shutter speed: 1/2000s. Everything works without a battery — only the built-in TTL light meter needs power.

Canon F-1n (1976–1981)

Not an official model name from Canon — the designation "F-1n" has become established in the community and on the used market. It is a revised version of the F-1 with three specific improvements:

• Extended ISO range: ASA 25–3200 instead of 25–2000
• Shorter film transport: About 139° lever travel instead of 180° — faster advance
• Larger shutter lock lever: Prevents accidental triggering

Otherwise identical mechanics. Same battery. Same prisms. Same bayonet.

Canon New F-1 (1981–1992)

This is where it gets exciting — and confusing. The New F-1 is still called "F-1", but is a completely newly designed camera system. Canon competed against Nikon's F3 here. The most important differences at a glance:

• Hybrid mechanical/electronic: 1/2000s to 1/125s work without battery, slower speeds need power
• Automatic exposure: Shutter priority (with AE Finder FN) or aperture priority (with AE Motor Drive FN)
• Different battery: 6V instead of 1.35V — completely incompatible with the old F-1
• Different prisms and focusing screens: Not interchangeable with F-1/F-1n

2. Technical specifications in detail

Feature	Canon F-1 (1971)	Canon F-1n (1976)	Canon New F-1 (1981)
Year of manufacture	1971–1976	1976–1981	1981–1992
Type	Fully mechanical SLR	Fully mechanical SLR	Hybrid mech./electr. SLR
Shutter speeds	1s – 1/2000s + B	1s – 1/2000s + B	8s – 1/2000s + B (with battery) 1/125s – 1/2000s + B (without battery)
Flash sync speed	1/60s	1/60s	1/90s (X-Sync)
ISO/ASA range	25–2000	25–3200	6–6400
Light metering	TTL, center-weighted, CdS	TTL, center-weighted, CdS	TTL, center-weighted / selective / spot (3%)
Automatic exposure	No	No	Shutter priority (AE Finder FN) or aperture priority (AE Motor Drive FN)
Battery	PX625 (1.35V mercury)	PX625 (1.35V Mercury)	PX28L / 4LR44 (6V)
Weight	approx. 845g	approx. 845g	approx. 870g
Film transport	180° lever throw	139° lever throw	Standard professional lever
PC sync socket	No (external)	Screw socket on the body	On the body
Motor drive	Motor Drive MF (optional)	Motor Drive MF (optional)	AE Motor Drive FN (up to 5 fps)
Viewfinder	Interchangeable prisms, 0.8×, 97%	Interchangeable prisms (compatible with F-1)	Interchangeable prisms (NOT compatible with F-1/F-1n)

3. Which battery fits which F-1?

This is the most common source of error. The three models need completely different batteries — and the wrong one will neither fit in the camera nor supply the correct voltage.

Canon F-1 and F-1n: PX625 (1.35V)

Both cameras use a single PX625 mercury cell (1.35V) — exclusively for the light meter. The mechanics work completely without a battery. The problem: The original mercury battery has not been available for years due to environmental regulations.

Modern alternatives:

• Zinc-air cell 675 (1.35V): Stable 1.35V — exactly like the original. Limited lifespan (approx. 2–3 months after activation), but correct voltage for precise measurement. → Type 675 batteries in our shop
• SR44 silver oxide (1.55V) with MR-9 adapter: More constant voltage than alkaline, but needs a voltage adapter for correct readings
• LR44 Alkaline (1.5V): Cheap and available everywhere. The higher voltage (1.5V instead of 1.35V) causes slight measurement deviations �� tolerable with negative film, problematic with slide film

Canon New F-1: 6V (PX28L / 4LR44)

The New F-1 uses a 6V battery — typically a PX28L (silver oxide) or 4LR44 (alkaline stack). Sits behind the right-hand grip. This battery powers not only the light meter, but also the electronically controlled shutter speeds (8s to 1/90s). Without a battery, only the mechanical speeds 1/125s to 1/2000s + B are available.

Available 6V options:

• PX28L (silver oxide): Best choice — stable voltage, long lifespan
• 4LR44 (Alkaline): Cheaper, voltage drops faster
• 4x LR44 in adapter: Practical solution with universally available button cells → Battery adapter 4x LR44 to 4LR44/PX28 in our shop

Battery compatibility at a glance

Camera	Battery	Voltage	What for?	Without battery?
F-1	PX625 / Zinc-air 675	1.35V	Light meter only	Camera works completely
F-1n	PX625 / Zinc-air 675	1.35V	Light meter only	Camera works completely
New F-1	PX28L / 4LR44 / 4×LR44	6V	Light meter + electronic shutter speeds	Only 1/125s to 1/2000s + B

Suitable battery solutions from our shop

4. Prisms and focusing screens — what fits where?

All three cameras have Interchangeable prisms and focusing screens. Both generations use the same two-button release mechanism on the side. But:

Compatibility	F-1 ↔ F-1n	F-1/F-1n ↔ New F-1
Prisms	Fully compatible	NOT compatible
Focusing screens	Fully compatible	NOT compatible

The New F-1 uses completely different prisms with their own electronics — the Eye-Level Finder FN, the AE Finder FN for aperture priority, the AE Booster FN, and so on. Mounting an old F-1 prism on the New F-1 is physically possible, but does not provide any exposure data. Conversely, the new finders do not fit on the old F-1.

5. Lens Compatibility: FD and New FD

The good news: All FD-Mount lenses work on all three cameras. There are two generations:

• FD (Breach Lock / Silver Ring): The older lenses with a silver locking ring on the back. Turn, click, it's in place.
• New FD (also "FDn"): The newer lenses with a bayonet lock on the lens ring itself. Quicker to change.

Both versions are compatible with all three F-1 models. New FD lenses are often cheaper on the used market because they cannot be adapted to the Canon EF system (EOS cameras) — an advantage for the F-1 in terms of price.

6. Accessories for your Canon F-1

Body caps, eyecups, flash adapters — the range of accessories for the F-1 family is large. We have broken down the most important accessories by model.

For all three models (F-1, F-1n, New F-1)

Only for F-1 and F-1n

Only for New F-1

Canon FD Lens Hoods

7. How do I identify my model?

All three cameras say "Canon F-1" — sometimes with, sometimes without a suffix. So you have to use other features.

Quick test: check 3 features

Feature	F-1	F-1n	New F-1
Prism shape (top)	Flat	Flat	Stepped / more angular
ISO dial	Up to ASA 2000	Up to ASA 3200	Up to ASA 6400 + "A" setting
Battery compartment	Bottom, screw cap (PX625)	Bottom, screw cap (PX625)	Right hand grip (6V)
Film advance lever	Long stroke (180°), metal tip	Short stroke (139°), plastic tip	Standard professional lever
Serial numbers	Starts with 1xxxxx – 2xxxxx	Starts with 3xxxxx – 5xxxxx	Starts with 6xxxxx+

The easiest way: Check the battery compartment. Is it on the bottom with a screw cap? F-1 or F-1n. Is it in the right-hand grip? New F-1. The ISO scale confirms: up to 2000 = F-1, up to 3200 = F-1n, up to 6400 = New F-1.

Videos: The differences explained