Canon F-1 High-Speed
The Canon F-1 High-Speed is a specialised variant of Canon's professional FD-mount 35mm SLR, built in limited numbers for sports and press photographers. It uses a fixed pellicle (semi-transparent) mirror in place of the standard reflex mirror, allowing continuous shooting at frame rates well beyond what a moving-mirror body could sustain. Production was tied to major sporting events, and the camera was sold to professionals rather than offered as a regular catalogue model.
Recorded UK auction hammer results for the F-1 High-Speed span roughly £1,400 to £5,500, with a median around £3,500 — these are wholesale saleroom figures and exclude buyer's and seller's commission. The most recent sale in the data fell at the lower end of that range, while earlier results in the 2000s reached the upper end, so today's value depends heavily on completeness, cosmetic condition, and whether the original motor drive and accessories accompany the body. Because so few examples reach the open market, a single well-documented set can sell for a multiple of what an incomplete body sells for.
Sales History
Prices shown are UK auction hammer results — the wholesale level achieved in the saleroom. Neither buyer’s nor seller’s commission is included. Dealer and retail asking prices are typically higher.
| Date | Price | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 2023 | EUR 1,400 | Leitz Auction | |
|
Auction: Leitz Auction 42 (Lot AI_20220121_1128_40277) Title: Canon F-1 high speed
Description:
very rare modified Canon F1 issued for the 1972 Sapporo Winter Olympic Games, approx. only 100 cameras produced, integrated motor drive and fixed semi-transparent mirror, allowing a continuous speed shooting up to 9 frames per second, in very good condition (not tested), with body cap Estimate: EUR 2,000 - EUR 2,400 |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
| May 2012 | EUR 1,400 | Leitz Auction | |
|
Auction: Leitz Auction 21 (Lot AI_21_14218) Title: Canon F-1 New High Speed
Description:
special version F-1 for high-speed sequence photography, 14 fps/sec., with battery pack, charger, 4 batteries, connection cord, Canon Lens 1.2/50mm no.51994 (UV filter, cap), - the camera was designed for press photographers at 1984 L.A. Olympic Games, very rare - only approx.100 cameras produced Estimate: EUR 2,500 - EUR 3,000 |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
| Nov 2008 | EUR 5,500 | Leitz Auction | |
|
Auction: Leitz Auction 14 (Lot AI_14_17966) Title: Canon F-1 New High Speed
Description:
very rare high-speed model for 14 frames per second, new in maker's boxes with all accessories (battery pack, connecting cord, battery charger S-12 120 volt, 2 NICD batteries S-12) Estimate: EUR 5,000 - EUR 6,000 |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
| Nov 2001 | £3,525 | Christie's | |
|
Auction: MAGIC LANTERNS, OPTICAL TOYS AND CAMERAS (Lot 370) Title: Canon F-1 High Speed camera no. 100217
Description:
Canon F-1 High Speed camera no. 100217 Estimate: £2,500 - £3,500 |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||