Canon 1218 Autozoom

Canon 1218 Auto Zoom

Year: 1968-1974

Lens: Canon zoom 1,8 / 7,5 - 90 mm (filter: 82 mm ("Series IX"))

Split-image focusing

Auto / Manual Zoom with 2 Speeds

Frame rates (see comments!):

• earlier models: 18fps, slow motion (s. comments) + single frame
• later models: 18fps, 24fps, slow motion (s. comments) + single frame

Shutter degree: 165

Manual / Auto Exposure:

• Tungsten type film: ISO 25, 40, 64, 100, 160 and 250
• Daylight type film: ISO 16, 25, 40, 64, 100 and 160

Fades: manual aperture setting + with help of a ND-filter

Remote control socket

Cable release socket

Single frame socket

No sound

Batteries: 5 X 1,5V AA + 2x 1,35V (PX13/PX625) for light meter

Modifications to work without PX625

Weight: Approx. 2kg (without grip, grip weights approx. 280g)

Dimensions (W x H x D): 89 x 104 x 256 mm

Made in Japan

Original price in England (in the year of introduction): £382

Original price in Japan (in the year of introduction): 41000 yen

Link to instruction manual: http://www.mondofoto.com/manuals/canon1218.html

Prices on eBay:

• eBay USA:
  • US$326 in 07/1999
  • US$233 in 10/1999
  • US$194 in 03/2000

Comments

The first super-8 with 12x zoom.

Early models do not have 24 fps running speed.

Slow motion: According to the manual the slow motion is about 53 fps, while Canon's online museum speaks of approx. 45 fps.

This camera will set auto exposure correctly for the Kodak E64T cartridges. Five sensing pins measure cartridge notches for film from ASA 25-250 Tungsten and ASA 16 - 160 Daylight.

Some links for DIY-repairs:

• http://canon-s8-repair.yolasite.com/
• http://canon-s8-repair.yolasite.com/1218-disassembly.php

Reviews

1

Not many sold due to the high price, this rare camera was the first with a 12x zoom lens and a 90mm maximum focal length so it's ideal for sports and nature cinematography. Usual Canon high quality, it's F1.8 lens rather dwarfs the body. Canon didn't keep this one in production for long and replaced it with the classic 1014 Electronic with an arguably better F1.4 7-70mm zoom.

2

There is a rarer version of this camera with an actual 24 fps setting, but most ones you'll see are 18 fps only. Supposedly if you push the dial slightly past 18 fps it will shoot 24 fps, but this isn't confirmed. The camera is of great build quality with few plastic parts. The lens is as sharp as the Angenieux f1,4 6-90mm and those of the other Autozoom models, and despite its size and weight it does not hinder you when shooting handheld with the detachable handgrip. To my knowledge, this is a fairly quiet camera. The one I have is quieter than any other Canon model I've had. I also like that the lens has adjustable hard stops for the zoom ring and that the batteries go into the body and not the handgrip. The original molded camera case is one of the best cases I've used bar none.