Canon F-1 was introduce in 1971 as Canon's professional grade answer to the Nikon F series of Cameras. The target was the professional photographer.
By the time Canon got the F-1 to market, Nikon was on the F2 and had made some serious headway in the professional market. But the F-1 showed that Canon was serious about closing the gap. The F-1 also started the FD lens mount (older FL lens will mount but lack some functionality). Unlike Nikon, Canon showed a willingness to adopt new lens mounts. Something that was both a plus and a minus. The plus was, they were free to advance the technology. The minus was that users who had invested in legacy glass would have a more significant upgrade cost. Still a debate today (discuss amongst, yourselves).
Mine is an original F-1, the F-1n started in 1976 with some minor changes and the "New" F-1 Started in 1981 and was a more significant redesign.
The F-1 is a beast. It feels solid. Not just well built solid but so heavy you would think it is a solid block of metal. Shooting it was very similar to the FTb and why not the FTb was consumer grade companion to the F-1. The controls are similar that they both feel solid. The F-1 does somehow feel even more solid and is slightly larger.
To shoot the F-1 was intuitive in all the best classic SLR ways. Controls were easy and logical. The viewfinder was bright and the clear. The meter is a needle and circle to the right of the viewfinder that was easy to see and responsive. The F-1 was built as the foundation of an entire ecosystem with a long list of accessories and add-ons. I don't have any extra toys but was still very happy shooting the F-1.
