Canon 518 SV Autozoom

Canon 518 SV Auto Zoom

Year: 1970-1975

Lens: Canon zoom 1,8 / 9,5 - 47,5 mm

Microprism Focusing

Auto / Manual Zoom

Frame rates: 18, 24, 'approx. 36' + single frame (single frame only via cable release)

Manual / Auto Exposure (Auto-exposure mechanism reads:25T/16, 40T/25, 64T/40, 100T/64, 160T/100, 250T/160 and 400T/250)

Fades

Remote control socket

Cable release socket

No sound

4 X 1.5V (AA) batteries

Made in Japan

Original price in England (in the year of introduction): £150

Recently paid in eBay net auction:

• eBay USA:
  • US$ 36 in 07/1999
  • US$ 82 in 08/1999
  • US$ 20.50 in 07/2007
• eBay Austria:
  • EUR 1,00 (+ EUR 8,32 shipping) in 05/2006
• eBay Germany:
  • EUR 13,12 (+ EUR 5,90 shipping) in 04/2007
• eBay Italy:
  • EUR 29,90 (+ EUR 12,00 shipping) in 04/2008

Front view

There's more information at the Canon Camera museum

Instruction manual for a similar model is here: http://www.mondofoto.com/manuals/canon-autozoom-518/

Comments

Revised version of Canon Auto Zoom 518.

This camera will work fine in auto-exposure with E64T film.

When buying a used camera: Please remember that there are Single8-versions of the Canon 518, too, that look pretty much like the Super-8-versions:

• Canon Single-8 518
• Canon Single-8 518 SV

Reviews

The built-in Wratten filter 85 is withdrawn using a special key which has to be inserted in a hole on the top of the camera. As many used cameras do not have this filter-key anymore (because the owner has lost it), it is very simple to replace it using a piece of plastic shaped as Greek letter "P". Its dimensions are:

• height: 1,8 cm
• lenght: 2 cm

This is an undervalued Canon with some of the features of the 814E and 1014E models at low cost. Its merits include 24fps running speed, no separate meter battery required and full cartridge film speed sensing. It probably does not have a solenoid release so beware "flash frames" when starting and stopping with the electric remote control button like the original 814 Autozoom. My example came in a smart black hard case that is much more durable than the soft cases supplied with later Canons that have mostly distintegrated after 35 years. The accessory 1.6 x front teleconverter is worth having making the zoom lens 15 to 76mm. A similar wide angle converter is useful too.