The Canon T90, often dubbed “The Tank,” is a remarkable piece of photography history that blends vintage charm with modern technology. Released in 1986, this iconic camera marked the end of the Canon FD mount era and became a favorite among film enthusiasts and professionals alike. Known for its rugged build, advanced features, and manual focus capabilities, the T90 offers a unique experience for those seeking a classic film camera with modern functionality. In this post, we’ll dive into what makes the Canon T90 stand out, explore its features, and discuss why it remains a beloved camera to this day.
The Canon T90: A Piece of History
Released in 1986, the Canon T90 marked the final chapter for the Canon FD mount, which had been a cornerstone of Canon’s lineup for 15 years. Despite being packed with state-of-the-art features for its time, the Canon T90 lacks one significant element—autofocus.
This camera is often seen as a “love it or hate it” piece, depending on your photography background. If you’re into classic film cameras, the T90 may not fit your taste. However, for those who appreciate the manual focus FD mount and are accustomed to modern DSLRs, the T90 offers a bridge between film and digital formats, delivering a unique and enjoyable shooting experience.
A Rare Find
The Canon T90 is not an easy camera to find in good condition, making this particular model even more exciting. When I got my hands on this unit, it was completely non-functional — essentially a brick with a lens. Luckily, the issue was simply dirty battery contacts, and after a quick cleaning and new batteries, the camera came back to life and performed beautifully.
Why I Love the Canon T90
One of the standout features of the Canon T90 is its compatibility with Canon FD lenses, which were produced in a wide range of focal lengths and types. From fisheye lenses to super telephotos and zooms, the FD lineup was known for its outstanding optical performance. Even better, you can still find these lenses for a fraction of the cost of modern AF lenses.
The Canon T90 allows you to get the most out of these lenses, providing an amazing value for those who want high-quality vintage glass without breaking the bank.
How It Compares to the Olympus OM Series
While I’ve always been a fan of the Olympus OM series, especially the OM-3 and OM-4, the T90 offers something unique. Like the OM series, it features spot metering, which is incredibly useful for achieving accurate exposures in tricky lighting conditions. Whether you’re shooting people in bright sunlight and deep shade or capturing high-contrast scenes like snowy landscapes, spot metering helps you get it just right.
What’s even more impressive is that Canon adopted this Olympus-style metering system and integrated it into the T90, but at a much more affordable price point thanks to the FD mount lenses. Olympus OM lenses, especially the high-end models, can be quite expensive, while the Canon FD lenses offer a similar experience at a lower cost.
High-Speed Performance
The Canon T90 also stands out for its 1/4000 second top shutter speed, which gives you more flexibility when shooting wide-open with fast lenses like the 50mm f/1.2. In bright conditions, you might need a neutral density (ND) filter with some films, but the extra stop of speed helps you avoid that in many situations. The fast shutter also comes in handy for freezing motion, making it a versatile option for a range of shooting scenarios.
Features, Functions, and Controls
Now, let’s take a deeper look at the features and controls of the Canon T90.
- Single Dial Interface: The Canon T90 simplifies the control layout with a single plastic dial on top. Unlike older SLRs, there’s no need for mechanical rewinds or extra buttons. This streamlined design makes the camera feel more modern and user-friendly.
- Shooting Modes: The mode dial offers a variety of shooting options, including bulb mode, aperture priority, shutter priority, and program mode. Program mode is my personal favorite, especially when using the spot meter for precision exposure control.
- Metering Modes: You can switch between spot metering, center-weighted, and full-frame metering using the dial on the camera body. The flexibility of these metering options is one of the reasons the Canon T90 excels in difficult lighting conditions.
- Multiple Exposure Capability: By pressing two buttons simultaneously, you can shoot multiple exposures. This feature is perfect for creative photography, allowing you to layer images for unique effects.
- Exposure Compensation: With a range of ±2 stops, the exposure compensation function lets you fine-tune your exposures in challenging conditions. Combined with the spot metering system, it makes achieving perfect exposures easier.
- Self-Timer and Firing Modes: The self-timer offers both 2-second and 10-second delays, and the firing modes include single-shot, continuous low, and continuous high for rapid shooting scenarios.
- Professional Features: One particularly useful feature is the ability to rewind the film mid-roll, which is great for professionals or anyone who wants to switch film types without finishing the entire roll.
Design and Ergonomics
The design of the Canon T90 is truly a standout. The camera is equipped with features like a viewfinder shutter, which blocks stray light from affecting your exposure when you’re not looking through the viewfinder. This is especially useful for long exposures or shooting with a tripod.
On the right side of the camera, you’ll find an LED readout, which displays all the important shooting information. There’s also a battery check light, film rewind button, and an easily accessible shutter button.
Lens Mount and Compatibility
The T90 uses a bayonet mount system, typical of the FD lenses. The lens attachment mechanism is solid, though lenses can sometimes get stuck if they’ve been attached for decades. A little extra force usually does the trick, but be careful not to damage the camera or lens.
Practical Tips for Use
If you’re using lithium-ion batteries with your Canon T90, remember to remove them when you’re not using the camera for extended periods. Battery corrosion is a common issue, and keeping the contacts clean will prevent connection problems.
Pros
Rugged Build
Advanced Metering System
Ergonomic Design
High-Speed Shutter
Wide Lens Compatibility
Impressive Autofocus for Its Time
Cons
Battery Dependent
Bulky and Heavy
Limited Lens Options
Mechanical Age
Conclusion
The Canon T90 is a fantastic camera that blends modern technology with the charm of vintage film photography. Whether you’re a vintage camera enthusiast or someone looking to explore the world of manual focus photography, the Canon T90 offers exceptional value, especially when paired with the affordable and high-quality FD lenses.