Canon Auto Zoom 814

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Canon Auto Zoom 814

Year: 1966-1971

Weight: 1720 g

Lens: Canon zoom 1,4 / 7,5 - 60 mm

Filter Size 58 mm

Microprism Focusing

Auto / Manual Zoom

Frame rates: 12, 18, 24 + single frame

Shutter Opening: 155 degree

Manual / Auto Exposure

  • Tungsten type film: ISO 25, 32, 40, 50, 64, 80, 100, 125, 160, 200 and 250
  • Daylight type film: ISO 16, 20, 25, 32, 40, 50, 64, 80, 100, 125 and 160

Fades

No sound. Note: some were made with sound sync output jack compatible with Bell and Howell Filmosound cassette tape recorders.

4x AA batteries for motor, 2x 1.3V PX625 (mercury) batteries for meter. No batteries required for manual aperture control.

Battery check Push button

Instruction manual: Canon manuals at filmshooting.com

Made in Japan

Prices on eBay:

  • eBay USA:
    • US$76 in 07/1999
    • US$128 in 07/1999
  • eBay Germany
    • EUR 3,61 (+ EUR 4,10 shipping) in 02/2007 ("untested" camera)
    • EUR 1,99 (+ EUR 8,90 shipping) in 03/2007 ("untested" camera, sold as "broken")
  • eBay UK
    • GBP £21 (+ £37 shipping) in 08/2009 (Functioning, without batteries, with original case)

Canon_814_3.jpg

[edit] Comments

Canon's third Super 8 camera appeared at the Photokina exhibition in 1966 and sold until about 1972 when it was replaced by the Auto Zoom 814E (Electronic). Heavy, all metal, high quality camera. Many sold, reliable and has an excellent lens. Metering recognises Ektachrome 64T correctly.

N.B. Any users should be careful while using polarizing filters with that camera due to the TTL (Trough the lens viewfinder) system. Users have to use CIRCULAR polariser only. A LINEAR polariser would ruin your image and turns it to pitch black footage due to the built-ins polarized mirrors that sends the image in the viewfinder and in the gate simultaneously. The same phenomenon occurs while putting two polarizing filters back to back in a Matte box.

[edit] Reviews

I'm a big fan of this camera. Its very tough and long lasting and many working examples are still around. The basic concept lasted until 1983 when the final examples of the sound version the 814XL-S were produced.

The TTL metering is accurate and recognises all Super 8 cartridge film speed notches up to EI 250. It requires button cells to operate the meter which is a nuisance. This was done away with the 814E that used AA batteries only.

I like the carrying strap on the top that is very useful and the camera is well balanced. No slow motion speed but it provides 12, 18 and 24 fps. The 24 fps is often omitted on Super 8 cameras but is ideal for simple telecine transfer to video. Large clear viewfinder with an excellent zoom lens. No macro so use a front close-up lens in the 58mm filter thread. It has single frame release by cable release so not suitable for automatic time lapse filming.

Second hand prices are very variable as it is collectable like all Canons but working examples without cases or instructions can be obtained for less than £20.

[edit] eBay Auctions

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