Canon F-1
The Canon F-1 is a 35mm single-lens reflex camera introduced in 1971 as Canon's first professional-tier SLR. It uses the FD lens mount and is built around a mechanical, metal-bladed focal-plane shutter with interchangeable viewfinders and focusing screens, positioning it as a system camera aimed at working photographers.
At UK auction in 2026, hammer prices for the Canon F-1 typically fall between £110 and £460, with a median result near £240 across recent sales. Outliers push the spread wider — a single 2024 lot reached £1,700 — but these almost always reflect outfits with multiple lenses, motor drives or finders rather than a body alone, and condition-sensitive factors such as meter accuracy and cosmetic wear drive most of the variation in what an F-1 is worth today at saleroom level.
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.
Prices updated: April 2026
| Date | Price | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 2026 | £400 | Flints Auctions | |
|
Auction: Fine Photographica (Lot 310) Title: A Canon F-1 New SLR Camera
Description:
1981, black, serial no. 212124, with Canon FD f/1.2 50mm lens, black, serial no. 49716, body, G-VG, shutter working, lens, VG |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
| Apr 2026 | £150 | Flints Auctions | |
|
Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 125) Title: A Canon F-1 35mm SLR Camera Body
Description:
black, serial number 127189, body VG-E, a very nice example, viewfinder clear, meter needle responds to light, shutter works, with body cap and case. |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
| Feb 2026 | £150 | Flints Auctions | |
|
Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 221) Title: A Canon F-1 35mm SLR Camera
Description:
black, serial number 627147, body G, light brassing to corners, light depression to prism cover, shutter works, with a Vivitar f/2.8 55mm Auto Macro |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
| Nov 2025 | £125 | Flints Auctions | |
|
Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 77) Title: A Canon F1 35mm SLR Camera
Description:
black, serial no. 627362, body G, shutter working, viewfinder VG, with Canon FD 50mm f/1.4 lens, body G, optics P, fungus & haze present, (Qty: 1) |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
| Nov 2025 | £280 | Special Auction Services | |
|
Auction: Fine Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 104) Title: A Canon F-1 Montreal 1976 SLR Camera
Description:
A Canon F-1 Montreal 1976 SLR Camera, serial no 300597, shutter working, meter working, self timer working, body G-VG, with Canon angle finder B, |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
| Nov 2025 | £200 | Special Auction Services | |
|
Auction: Fine Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 155) Title: A Canon F-1 SLR Camera
Description:
A Canon F-1 SLR Camera, serial no 245339, first version, shutter working, meter responsive, self timer working, body G, missing servo EE finder |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
| Oct 2025 | £164 | Chiswick Auctions | |
|
Auction: Photographica (Lot 284) Title: A Canon F1 SLR Camera with Accessories
Description:
A Canon F1 SLR Camera with Accessories Serial No: 661957 Body: VG however missing bottom plate cover Shutter: working Lens: Canon FD 50mm f/1.4 S.S.C (Qty: 1) ... read more |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
| Sep 2025 | £162 | Flints Auctions | |
|
Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 235) Title: A Canon F-1 New 35mm SLR Camera Outfit
Description:
black, serial number 194359, body G, light brassing to edges, shutter works, meter responds to light, with a Canon 35-70mm zoom lens, barrel G, |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
| Aug 2025 | £100 | Flints Auctions | |
|
Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 90) Title: A Canon New F1 35mm SLR Body
Description:
black, serial number 143343, body G, shutter works, mode dial internittently does not control speeds, focusing screen lightly marked, with cap. |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
| Aug 2025 | £438 | Flints Auctions | |
|
Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 93) Title: A Canon F-1 35mm SLR Camera
Description:
black, serial number 638297, body VG, shutter works, with a Canon FD f/2 35mm lens, barrel G, optics G. |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
| Jun 2025 | £238 | Flints Auctions | |
|
Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 121) Title: A Canon F-1 35mm SLR Camera
Description:
black, serial number 119454, body F-G, shutter works, meter responds to light, small depression to prism cover and bottom plate, with a f/1.8 50mm, |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
| Apr 2025 | £150 | Flints Auctions | |
|
Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 319) Title: A Canon F1 35mm SLR Camera
Description:
black, serial number 167324, body G, brassing to top and bottom plates, shutter working, with a FL f/1.4 50mm lens, barrel G, optics VG, with lens |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
| Jan 2025 | £200 | Flints Auctions | |
|
Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 137) Title: A Canon F-1 35mm SLR Camera
Description:
black, serial number 594446, body VG, shutter works, self-timer works, viewfinder has dust spots, with an FD f/1.8 50mm lens, barrel G, optics G, |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
| Oct 2024 | £170 | David Duggleby | |
|
Auction: Cameras, Maritime & Scientific Instruments (Lot 3008) Title: Canon F1 camera body, serial no. 223511, with 'Canon FD 35mm 1:2 FD' lens, serial no.23164...
Description:
Canon F1 camera body, serial no. 223511, with 'Canon FD 35mm 1:2 FD' lens, serial no.23164... |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
| Oct 2024 | £300 | Harper Field Auctions | |
|
Auction: Buying & Selling (Lot 1404) Title: Canon F-1 35mm SLR camera outfit, serial number 230310, with 35mm 1:2, Macro 50mm 1:3.5, 100mm 1:2.8
Description:
Canon F-1 35mm SLR camera outfit, serial number 230310, with 35mm 1:2, Macro 50mm 1:3.5, 100mm 1:2.8 |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
| Sep 2024 | £90 | Tennants Auctioneers | |
|
Auction: Scientific & Musical Instruments, Cameras & Tools (Lot 226) Title: Canon F1 Camera
Description:
no.203326, with FD f3.5-4.5 35-105mm lens, in soft case |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
| Aug 2024 | £175 | Flints Auctions | |
|
Auction: Cameras & Scientific Auction (Lot 93) Title: A Canon F-1 35mm SLR Camera
Description:
black, serial number 540883, body VG, shutter works, not battery tested, with a FD f/1.8 50mm lens, barrel G, optics G with light haze. |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
| Jun 2024 | £1,700 | David Duggleby | |
|
Auction: Cameras, Maritime & Scientific Instruments (Lot 3057) Title: Canon F-1 SLR camera body serial no. 300461, boxed, together with thirteen Canon camera le...
Description:
Canon F-1 SLR camera body serial no. 300461, boxed, together with thirteen Canon camera le... |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
| Jun 2024 | £200 | Flints Auctions | |
|
Auction: Cameras & Scientific Auction (Lot 316) Title: A Canon F-1 35mm SLR Camera Outfit
Description:
black, serial number 584849, body G, minor mark and slightly concave prism housing, some brassing to top plate, shutter works, with a f/1.4 50mm FD |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
| Apr 2024 | £850 | Special Auction Services | |
|
Auction: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 109) Title: A Canon F-1 SLR Camera
Description:
A Canon F-1 SLR Camera, serial no 627362, shutter working, meter responsive, self timer working, body G, brassing to finder & base plate edges, with |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
| Apr 2024 | £140 | Special Auction Services | |
|
Auction: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 146) Title: A Canon F-1 SLR Camera
Description:
A Canon F-1 SLR Camera, serial no 252365, shutter working, meter working, self timer working, body G, some brassing to edges, scratches to base plate, |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
| Apr 2024 | £460 | Special Auction Services | |
|
Auction: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 131) Title: A Canon F-1 SLR Camera
Description:
A Canon F-1 SLR Camera, serial no 303054, shutter working, self timer working, body G-VG, with FD 55mm f/1.2 S.S.C. lens, serial no 91071, barrel G, |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
| Apr 2024 | £190 | Special Auction Services | |
|
Auction: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 139) Title: A Canon F-1 SLR Camera
Description:
A Canon F-1 SLR Camera, serial no 511044, shutter working, meter working, self timer working, body G, some light wear, with FD 50mm f/1.8 S.C. lens, |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
| Jan 2024 | £212 | Flints Auctions | |
|
Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 167) Title: A Canon F1 SLR Camera
Description:
black, serial no. 624598, with Canon FD f/1.8 50mm lens, body, G-VG, shutter working, lens, G-VG, some internal haze |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
| Jan 2024 | £262 | Flints Auctions | |
|
Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 170) Title: A Canon F-1 New SLR Camera Body
Description:
black, serial no. 156229, body, F, shutter working but meter untested, together with a Canon FD f/4 200mm lens, complete with motor drive (untested) |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
| Nov 2023 | £250 | Flints Auctions | |
|
Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 236) Title: A Canon F-1 35mm SLR Camera
Description:
black, original model, serial no.100857, date code 1970, with a FD f/1.8 50mm lens, serial no.262972, date code 1972, shutter working, aperture iris |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
| Nov 2023 | £262 | Flints Auctions | |
|
Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 233) Title: A Canon F-1 New 35mm SLR Camera
Description:
date code 1982, serial no.177630, with FDn f/1.4 50mm lens, date code 1983 and AE Finder FN, shutter working, aperture priority AE metering reacts to |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
| Jun 2023 | £112 | Flints Auctions | |
|
Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 136) Title: A Canon F-1 New SLR Camera
Description:
black, serial no. 247649, with Canon FD S.S.C. f/1.4 50mm lens, body, P-F, untested, lens, F, cleaning marks and internal haze, complete with Canon |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
| Mar 2023 | £350 | Flints Auctions | |
|
Auction: The Collectors Sale (Lot 190) Title: A Canon F-1 SLR Body with Servo EE Finder and Motor Drive MF
Description:
black, year code 1974, serial no.236937, shutter working, otherwise untested, body F-G |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
| Nov 2022 | EUR 700 | Leitz Auction | |
|
Auction: Leitz Auction 41 (Lot AI_41_40734) Title: Canon F1 Motor Drive Unit outfit
Description:
Professional set with F1 body, Canon S.C. 1.8/50mm no.1828000, Servo EE Finder prism no.13448 with 2x battery case, Motor Drive Unit no.12268, Battery Connector MD and Film Chamber 250 magazine with spools, all in very good cosmetic condition Estimate: EUR 1,400 - EUR 1,600 |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
| Oct 2022 | £175 | Flints Auctions | |
|
Auction: The Collectors Sale (Lot 283) Title: A Canon F-1 NEW SLR Camera Body
Description:
black, serial no. 155941, body, F-G, untested, complete with Canon AE Motor Drive FN Note: Lot imported under Temporary Admission. 5% UK import VAT |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
| Oct 2022 | £81 | Flints Auctions | |
|
Auction: The Collectors Sale (Lot 280) Title: A Canon F1 35mm SLR Camera
Description:
black, serial no. 103076, date code July 1971, with an FD S.S.C. f/4 80-200mm lens, black, serial no. 28208, body F, brassing, signs of use, shutter |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
| Aug 2022 | £162 | Flints Auctions | |
|
Auction: The Collectors Sale (Lot 433) Title: A Good Canon F-1 35mm SLR Camera Outfit
Description:
black, body G, shutter working, meter responds to light, viewfinder optics VG-E, together with a Canon Zoom FD f/3.5-4.5 35-70mm lens, optics G-VG, (Qty: 1) |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
| May 2022 | £238 | Flints Auctions | |
|
Auction: The Collectors Sale (Lot 354) Title: A Canon F-1 SLR Camera
Description:
black, with Canon FD f/1.4 50mm lens, body, G, shutter working, lens, VG-E |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
| May 2022 | £225 | Flints Auctions | |
|
Auction: The Collectors Sale (Lot 352) Title: A Canon F-1 New SLR Camera
Description:
complete with FD S.C. f/3.5 35mm, FD S.C. f/3.5 28mm and a FD f/4 200mm lens, body, G, shutter not tested, lenses, VG |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
| Dec 2021 | £149 | Flints Auctions | |
|
Auction: The Collectors Sale (Lot 467) Title: Canon F-1 35mm SLR Camera
Description:
Black, body G, some signs of wear, shutter working, optics G, some dust in view finder (Qty: 1) |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
| Nov 2018 | £240 | Flints Auctions | |
|
Auction: Fine Photographica & Instruments of Science & Medicine (Lot 1115) Title: A Canon F-1 SLR Camera
Description:
black, serial no. 293204, with FD S.S.C. f/1.4 50mm lens, black, serial no. 1499574, body, VG, shutter working, lens, VG, some light internal haze, |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
| Jun 2015 | EUR 600 | Leitz Auction | |
|
Auction: Leitz Auction 27 (Lot AI_27_31625) Title: Canon F-1 Pre-Production Sample
Description:
metal dummy body with detachable top cover and prism, all metal construction, probably for factory internal tests or use, heavy metal design with no internal parts, inclusive dummy Canon FD 1.4/50mm no.29970 Estimate: EUR 1,200 - EUR 1,400 |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
| May 2013 | EUR 1,700 | Leitz Auction | |
|
Auction: Leitz Auction 23 (Lot AI_23_10310) Title: Canon F-1 Los Angeles 1984
Description:
black edition body in near mint condition (cap) with AE Motor Drive FN no.150754 and fast Canon FD 2.8/300mm L no.13524 with hood, caps and keeper Estimate: EUR 1,400 - EUR 1,600 |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
| May 2013 | EUR 1,100 | Leitz Auction | |
|
Auction: Leitz Auction 23 (Lot AI_23_10330) Title: Canon F-1 New outfit
Description:
black body in with AE prism finder, AE Motor Drive FN no.148217, Canon FD Zoom 3.5-4.5/35-70mm no.1880576 (caps), near mint Canon FD 1.2/85mm L no.28221 (caps), near mint fast Canon FD 2.8/300mm L no.14425 with hood, caps, keeper and 2x-A Converter in keeper, previously owned by the Landeskriminalamt Sachsen-Anhalt (Criminal Investigation Department of Sachsen-Anhalt) Estimate: EUR 2,000 - EUR 2,200 |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
| May 2010 | EUR 1,300 | Leitz Auction | |
|
Auction: Leitz Auction 17 (Lot AI_17_11359) Title: Canon F-1 'Rotes Leder'
Description:
F-1 body with Motor Drive Unit including grip and 250 film back, all with very well custom made red leather covering Estimate: EUR 800 - EUR 1,000 |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
| May 2010 | EUR 440 | Leitz Auction | |
|
Auction: Leitz Auction 17 (Lot AI_17_11362) Title: Canon F-1 Los Angeles 1984
Description:
black edition body in mint condition with cap Estimate: EUR 800 - EUR 1,000 |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
| May 2010 | EUR 300 | Leitz Auction | |
|
Auction: Leitz Auction 17 (Lot AI_17_11357) Title: Canon F-1 Chrom
Description:
near mint, beautifully custom made chrome version in good working order, cap Estimate: EUR 600 - EUR 700 |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
| Jun 2004 | £227 | Christie's | |
|
Auction: LEICA, NIKON AND 35MM CAMERAS THE PROPERTY OF A COLLECTOR (Lot 28) Title: Canon [old] F1 no. 201169
Description:
Canon [old] F1 no. 201169 Estimate: £200 - £300 |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
| Jun 2004 | £382 | Christie's | |
|
Auction: LEICA, NIKON AND 35MM CAMERAS (Lot 225) Title: Canon [New] F1 no. 213078
Description:
Canon [New] F1 no. 213078 Estimate: £300 - £500 |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
| Jun 2004 | £155 | Christie's | |
|
Auction: LEICA, NIKON AND 35MM CAMERAS THE PROPERTY OF A COLLECTOR (Lot 27) Title: Canon [old] F1 no. 166344
Description:
Canon [old] F1 no. 166344 Estimate: £150 - £200 |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
| Sep 2003 | £587 | Christie's | |
|
Auction: CAMERAS & PHOTO EQUIP, INCLUDING A EUROPEAN LEICA COLLECTION (Lot 282) Title: Canon F-1 no. 303054
Description:
Canon F-1 no. 303054 Estimate: £250 - £300 |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
| Apr 2003 | £293 | Christie's | |
|
Auction: CAMERAS AND PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT.THE PROP OF DRS.M.SORRELL (Lot 255) Title: Canon F-1 outfit
Description:
Canon F-1 outfit Estimate: £400 - £600 |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
| Apr 2003 | £176 | Christie's | |
|
Auction: CAMERAS AND PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT.THE PROP OF DRS.M.SORRELL (Lot 254) Title: Canon F-1 no. 585734
Description:
Canon F-1 no. 585734 Estimate: £200 - £300 |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
| Sep 2001 | £199 | Christie's | |
|
Auction: CAMERAS AND PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT (Lot 121) Title: Canon F-1 no. 305369
Description:
Canon F-1 no. 305369 Estimate: £250 - £350 |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
| Sep 2001 | £199 | Christie's | |
|
Auction: CAMERAS AND PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT (Lot 120) Title: Canon F-1 no. 174420
Description:
Canon F-1 no. 174420 Estimate: £250 - £300 |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
| Aug 2000 | £352 | Christie's | |
|
Auction: Cameras and Photographic Equipment (Lot 207) Title: Canon F1 Post no. 259414
Description:
Canon F1 Post no. 259414 Estimate: £150 - £250 |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
| Jan 1999 | £632 | Christie's | |
|
Auction: Cameras, The Property of a Collector (Lot 175) Title: Canon new F1 no. 264210
Description:
Canon new F1 no. 264210 Estimate: £300 - £500 |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
| Jun 1998 | £460 | Christie's | |
|
Auction: LEICA AND 35MM CAMERAS (Lot 95) Title: Canon F-1 no. 225886
Description:
Canon F-1 no. 225886 Estimate: £400 - £600 |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
Frequently asked questions
What is a Canon F-1 worth today?
A clean, working Canon F-1 body typically sells for £140 to £460 at UK auction, with a median hammer price around £240 based on recent sales.
How much does a Canon F-1 sell for with lenses?
Outfits bundling the F-1 with multiple FD lenses, motor drives or finders have fetched from several hundred pounds up to £1,700 at auction, depending on what is included and the overall condition.
Is the Canon F-1 the same as the New F-1?
No — the original F-1 (1971) and F-1n (1976 revision) are mechanically related, while the New F-1 launched in 1981 is a different camera with electronic shutter control, so check which variant a listing refers to before comparing price.
What affects the value of a Canon F-1 the most?
Working meter, accurate shutter, clean prism and intact light seals have the biggest impact on price; cosmetic wear and the presence of original accessories such as the motor drive or Speed Finder also move the value.