I bought mine in 86 and recently sent it to my daughter in NYC who was born in 86. I used it every which way from micro, long exposure, to typical home use to professional use. A truly fine camera and I hope my daughter will enjoy beauty of film in the digital age. I still have the old Canon EF workhorse camera which needs to come alive. This video was a lovely surprise. For a short time in the late 60s I was a photographer for UPI covering south Florida and the Caribbean.
Glad you enjoyed the video! And that’s a heckuva gift for your daughter. I hope she enjoys it as much as I do mine. Get that EF cranked up. That’s a fine camera in it’s own right! Cheers!
I had a Canon AE1 Program, then a Canon A1, then a Canon T90 together with a Canon New F1, all of them got stolen from me by a burglar in the early 2000… As a tourist from Europe I visited the U.S. in 1984 (with the Canon A1, Chicago and all along Interstate 95 down to Miami), then with the T90 in 1994 (West Coast including Mojave Desert and Yellowstone National Park), all shot with Kodachrome 64. We are in 2024 now, I am retired and I am busy scanning all of those slides. Fantastic travelling back in time… By the way, your B/W pictures in that old car graveyard are really good! Congrats
Thanks so much! I recently shot a roll of slide film after about 25 yrs of not doing so. I chose the T90 for this project, and it performed as perfectly as expected. I can’t really say enough good things about it. It’s a heck of a camera. And I’m sure you’re enjoying going through those slides again! Cheers!
I owned 2 T90’s along with an F1N. I only bought the F1N as a “mechanical back up” in case the electronic T90’s let me down but they never did and yet the F1N did with a winder fitted that drained the battery in the camera body. I could operate the T90 with my eyes shut, I knew where every button was and what they did and in my eyes it was the best manual focus camera ever made.
Interesting about the F1N, but I’m sure stranger things have happened. I’m loving the T90, though. I got such a great deal on this one that I feel I should pick up another body as a back up. But I know I’ll never get a deal like that again, lol. Thanks for watching!
I started shooting film recently and got hooked. My dad gifted me his T-90 and before receiving it I wanted to do a little research about it, since it didn’t get featured in a lot of yt videos. So, first of all thank you for your video because it’s incredibly detailed and I liked hearing you talk very much. Second; thank you for highlighting the T-90. It doesn’t get the recognition he should receive. Cheers 🎉
Many thanks! The T90 doesn’t disappoint. I put some Ektachrome through mine recently at a local vintage car show. That multi-spot metering worked flawlessly. Beautiful exposures! I hope you get much enjoyment from yours!
I'm here in 2024 using a T90 - I had one in the '90's and now feeling the nostalgia, so bought an immaculate one and a 50mm F1,4 and 135mm. Thanks for the informative video.
Nice video. Have a couple of T90s, and on my original one, that I bought new, I had a pc socket installed at the back, next to the serial number and switch to block the seeker window. Great camera, partly forgotten at the simultaneous introduction of EOS cameras...
This has been the most interesting and well presented video I’ve seen on RUclips for a very long time! I love the T90, despite thinking it looked odd when a friend bought one in 1986. I’ve just started using mine again and putting the spot meter to good use. I have a Canon A-1 too.
The T90 was the reason, or one of the reasons, it took me so long to upgrade to an EOS camera. It was such a capable camera, I didn't feel the need to ditch it in favour of the new stuff Canon started to produce. Secondly was the change of lens mount from FD to EF. I didn't have a lot of lenses back then, being young and impoverished as I was, but I was happy with the ones that I had and didn't relish dumping them in favour of a new system. Eventually I succumbed, and bought an EOS 3, but I still have my T90 and the lenses that went with it.
I think it’s interesting that Canon released such a great FD camera right before changing the whole system. If it were me, I’d have put out some really cheap, janky body that would’ve made the new EOS system look like a no-brainer. Instead, they extended the royal treatment to the T90 and threw in everything they had (except the PC socket, of course 😁). I’d say they ended the FD line with quite a bang. Of course they did put out the cheap Cosina-made T60 a few years later. Maybe THAT camera was the one that was supposed to encourage FD users to switch to EOS.
Currently my only camera is a Canon T70 which has been in my family for just over 30 years, and as I'm getting more and more into film photography (developed my first B&W roll by myself last week!) I wanted to get a second camera. I don't want something too old, I don't want something too modern, and I don't want "just" a second T70, and as I was looking at Canon's T line I was thinking to myself "Well, what else could a camera just 2 years younger offer?". After this video, I know all I need to know to pinpoint the T90 as my second camera to get. A great presentation, and a wonderful trip to the Old Car City. If I could like this video 10 times, I would. Thank you!
Many, many thanks for the Super!! I’m glad you enjoyed the episode. I think you’ll find that even though it’s in the T-Series, the T-90 bears little resemblance to the rest. Ergonomics are perfect. And the multi-spot metering system is the absolute best thing. Also - congrats on your first roll of b&w! Nothing beats the feeling of doing that part of the process. I hope it will spark even more enthusiasm for film! Cheers!
I remember in 1986 being torn between buying the Canon T90 or the Olympus OM4. In the end I bought the OM4 because the T90 seemed overly complicated. Still happy with my choice.
I briefly had my hands on an OM-4 recently, and you’re right - much less complicated. I think one of the things that contributes to the complexity of the T90 was Canon’s decision to make it usable for the older FL series lenses. Which is ironic since just one year later they ditched the FL and FD mounts altogether in favor of the EF. That turned out to be a wise business decision, I think.
This review of the Canon T90 is one of the best I've seen; factual without guessing. I have a near-mint T90 I bought from a Japanese selling on eBay a few years ago. I mostly use the Av or aperture priority mode in center-weighted and partial metering modes. My film stock of choice is Portra 400 (set to 200 ISO). I find the latitude of this film (over-exposed 1 stop) to be convenient to allow quicker metering in the shadows without having to use multi-spot metering. Like you mentioned, this camera relies heavily on 80s electronic technology and there is a certain type of risk that I and others are making by using one in contemporary times. Nonetheless, I'm happy with my unit and I have my Canon A-1 (bought new in 1984) that still is in near mint condition because of my OCD treatment lol. Also, I recently bought a new F-1 (Japanese seller on eBay) in near-mint condition. I bought it to have a metered-manual mode that I cannot get with my T90 and A-1. As you mentioned the latter cameras are really designed to be used in an AE mode. However, I find it interesting that using the T90 in stopped-down fixed indexed mode allows you to set the shutter speed and aperture on the screen and the LCD right hand display allows you to see the exposure meter. The issue with this mode is that you have to stop-down the lens and does not provide open aperture metering. Like you mentioned, this type of metering (open aperture) became available in the EOS 1 and later models.
Glad you enjoyed the review! And thanks for sharing your thoughts on the T90. I really need to shoot more color film, since I just found a place in a neighboring city that is a straight-up legit lab - even selling multiple stocks of 120 film. I thought places like that had gone the way of dinosaurs. I haven’t tried Portra 400 in quite a few years. And I’d probably follow your advice on overexposure. It makes good sense. I also have an A-1 that rarely gets used. Though I think it’s an excellent camera, it just doesn’t get the love like an AE-1 or AE-1P does - something I’ve never quite figured out. But the New F-1 - man I’m totally jealous! One day I’ll pick one up…one day…
Still my all-time favorite camera. A Canon A1 was my backup camera. I bought the T90 in Hong Kong in 86 during my days of teaching English in the Far East. Shooting color positive (slide film) with this camera gave me the highest control of the final image that I could get without developing and printing the film myself. I loved the multiple spot metering. Very few reviews have focused on my favorite exposure mode--shiftable program mode. I had always disdained full auto (or P) mode, because I lost all control of the exposure elements. But I grew to love Canon's implementation of the shiftable program. After years of shooting photos, I generally had a ballpark idea of what shutter speed and aperture would do for my photo. Using shiftable mode I could quickly program my preference for both perameters. If I needed faster speed, just roll the control wheel toward the three higher shutter programs. If I wanted more depth of field, a quick flip towards the stronger aperture programs. This would also let me quickly see how a higher emphasis on each element would allow me to see how much each emphasis would affect the opposite setting. This was ground-shaking effortless speedy control for me. I had a Sigma 21-35 lens with a 35-200 lens. Add in a 50mm 1.2 for great photos in low light and I was set. The other genius feature of the camera was the use of simple AA batteries. I was able to find these batteries in virtually every city or town where I traveled-even in the remote far western towns of China that had very little tourism in the 80's. Although I had great variability in how many shots I could get with Off-brand batteries, I never felt that I had to carry dozens of batteries in my camera bag. Sadly, I lost the whole setup when the Camp Fire destroyed most of my hometown of Paradise, California, in 2018. The camera and lenses were still in great shape, but I ran out of time to get everything I wanted before the flames drove us out of our home. This is the best review of the T90 that I have seen yet.
Thanks for the kind words! I do love this camera and was just blown away by the multi-spot option. As you mentioned, color transparencies would be served really well by this system. And I hope I get the opportunity to do that before slide film disappears completely. I appreciate your description of the shiftable program mode and how you were able to implement it. It’s obvious you spent a lot of time with this camera and knew the ins and outs. And the way you describe it makes this one sound even more flexible than I’d considered with my limited use of it so far. Still, that’s a sad way to lose your gear. I can’t imagine having to deal with disasters like that. Quite scary stuff!
Was doing some research on the T90 and came across this very informative video. Great content on both the camera and the shots you made at the “junk yard”. I especially like the shots of the ice cream truck. Keep up the good work!
My photography instructor told me to buy a Pentax K1000 for his class. He said it was all the camera I would need for the class (a true statement). So, I promptly went out and spent money I didn't have on a Canon T90! What a wonderful camera. Should've never have sold it. I will purchase one again.
Ah yes…the good old K1000…strangely enough it’s one camera I don’t have. The prices are crazy on that one. Maybe one day, lol. But the T90…what a machine. I don’t know why it took me so many years to try one out. Glad you found the channel!
I bought one in 1986 and absolutely loved it - I came to it from a Minolta SRT and before that Fuji and Konica rangefinders. Pity that the battery cover latch kept breaking in a tropical climate which could not be fixed where I lived. And I had to give up using it. The way it could meter the bounce flash was the party trick in my family circles! But after seeing this I intend to see if I can get one for $50 or so and re-live those glory days of shooting fabulous pics of my kids growing up - this time it will be teaching my little grandson to take pictures.
That sounds like a great plan! The T90 is definitely one of the “greats” and is over-looked constantly. Hope you find one for a reasonable price and experience the joy again! Cheers!
I've bought a T90 in 2005 after the electronics of my EF died, and fell in love with it. Although still functioning perfectly, I had to give up photography around 2015 because film was no more available and I don't like digital photography. I dearly miss those days.
I totally agree. I use my T 90 for black & white today and have for the psst 20 + year's. The 9 point individual metering system is akin to Ansel Adam's Zone System that I was schooled in. I simply love it😊
Exactly! The multi-spot method - regardless of what camera it is (OM-4, etc) - really makes the best sense when you’re familiar with the Zone System - which sounds more difficult than it is. But it’s a beautiful system, and the T90 is a fine camera, hands-down.
I actually have two of these. The reason for the second one is because the first one developed an issue with a capacitor (I think) that puts it Ito EE mode after an exposure. Only way to clear it is to remove the battery. Found a YT video detailing how to repair but I got lazy and just bought another T-90. With the FD 50mm F1.4, it is a killer combination. I equally like my OM4T which is just as easy to use in multi-spot metering, but of course does not have auto film advance. I like this feature so much I ended up getting a Rollei 6008 Professional which also features multi-spot metering. Maybe there is another, but I am not aware of another medium format camera that has this feature. Maybe the one of the Hassy models? I have seen the signs many times driving down I-75 for this place and always wanted to stop, but never have. Maybe on my next trip to GA I will make a point of bringing a film camera and checking it out. Another great video. Thanks.
The multi-spot metering is just phenomenal. I didn’t even realize the 6008 had that option, but it doesn’t surprise me. You should stop by that place sometime. It’s incredible. Just bring a snack in case you get lost.
My first cameras were the Canon F Series, great cameras then and still great IMO. (reminder that I worked at/managed a camera store in SoCal back then) Then the A Series came out, I bought some, they were trash. For example, the top plate was made of a soft material that dented easily, the shutter speed dial easily changed while carrying it over your shoulder and it would rub against the body. The battery cover broke often. The new FD mounts weren't as good as the FL cam mount system that held the lens tight against the body even as it wore. I sold all my Canon gear and switched to Nikon. It wasn't until Canon came out with the T90 that I started recommending the brand again..
The F-series are still great cameras, I think. I love my old F-1. And you're right on the money about those A-series battery doors. A couple of my bodies are in need of new doors. And I'm glad I'm not the only one who prefers the old-FD mount over the New FD. Those lenses are solid and incredibly well-built. The New-FDs may have great optics, as well, but there's an over-use of plastic in the construction. I've had many New-FD and FD breech-lock mount lenses apart for cleaning etc. And the new-FDs sometime seem like toys.
I used to have few of these canon T90s and they got fanatic features especially for FLASH photography if you buy. this camera and want to buy the RIGHT FLASH I suggest you buy the speedlight 300TL flash which is dedicated for the canon T90 and it allow lot of opportunities to use it especially for High light and Shadow control and allows you to use up to 8 different exposure reading when using the spot metering and you can LOCK the exposure reading from the camera before taking the photo
I did get the 300TL along with this body as an add-on. I don’t usually expect flashes of this age to work, but this one does. I’ve yet to try much with it though, so thanks for the tip!
So peaceful to watch you walk around with that calming music. I really enjoy that part of your channel with the slow calm music while you pick your shots, because it's not really the photography I'm into but I enjoy watching it
Thank you very much! I’d like to think I pick the music to mirror my state of mind when out on a shoot like this. And I’m sure it was on this particular shoot. I had the whole day to myself and no reason to rush. Glad the results can give some of that vibe.
I started my photographic journey with the T70 and eventually sold it to buy a T90 for $459. Years later I sold it for $460 and bought an EOS1. Fun fact: The T90 has 4.5fps, but if you engage the dof preview button, you’ll get 5fps. Best manual focus camera ever made by man. Oddly enough, Consumer Reports rated the T90 54th, while giving the number one slot to a Pentax SLR. So much for CR.
I don’t think Consumer Reports has ever done too well when it comes to the photo gear reviews. But 54th?? Good grief. I’m trying to think what Pentax that could’ve been. Maybe the Super Program? Or P30? Unbelievable, lol. And thanks for the tip re: the motor drive. I did not know that!
I’ve managed to bag myself a nice Canon A1 with motor drive and 299T flash for £130, and no squeaky mirror, so looking forward to putting some nice fine grain B&W film through it.
Just bought one in excellent codition and It is incredible for the money with excellent fD glass available a kick 'a##' system for cheap money if you dont mind manual focus. I love it and appreciate your review showing off its capabilities and limitations.
It is indeed a fantastic camera. And paired with great FD glass, well, it’s hard to go wrong - as I’m sure you know. I just have to be careful about setting my lenses to A when I swap them out. I actually screwed that up again on a shoot this weekend. Apparently I never learn. 😁
Thanks for the video, really enjoyed it! When I first started extreme sports photography in the early 90's this camera was very popular with some. Although I've always been a Nikon fanboy, nostalgia bit hard and I wanted to get hold of one as I always liked the look of them. The first one I bought was DOA, the dreaded error symbol. I bought another that claimed it was working, it arrived with the flashing cursor error. Fortunately, I used the magnetised screwdriver trick and it brought it back to life! I must say I've been enjoying shooting the first roll of film, love the ergonomics. Fingers crossed it'll stay working!
Yes, the ergonomics of the T90 basically set the stage for nearly every camera currently out there - especially the front input dial. I find it feels perfectly at home in my hands. The electronics, of course, are going to be any camera’s Achilles’ Heel at this point. I read somewhere that the T90 included somewhere in the neighborhood of 1400 electronic components. I’m sure that was a LOT for the time. But when you have a working T90 body, there aren’t many of its contemporaries that can compete. I think it was indeed the pinnacle of manual-focus camera design.
The use of 35mm cameras or other film formats nowadays may just be out of nostalgia, passion, artistic expression or even curiosity. Objectively, few photographers would use this equipment for commercial photography. But I still love it!
I think you’re probably right. I use digital almost exclusively for paid work. Occasionally, I’ll get out the medium format or large format for work, but it’s rare. But it’s a lot of fun using these old cameras!
I have the T50. Not a creative camera. Basically a point and shoot that you have to focus. I thought about getting rid of it, but, the meter is spot on and it always seems to use a good f-stop choice. All the best!
I've heard of people having reliability issues with the T90, but I've used mine on and off since 1986 with no real problems. I did encounter the EEEE problem once, but I found out after some searching online that I could fix it by exercising the shutter. One half-hour session firing the shutter, getting EEEE, pressing battery check to clear it, and repeating the process eventually had the shutter working perfectly again. One thing people should be aware of is that there is an internal 3V battery that retains settings when the batteries are removed, much like the CMOS battery in a computer. It's soldered in place and requires partially disassembling the camera to get to it if it ever dies, but mine is still working fine on the original battery. Maybe that's because I store the camera with batteries in it, though Canon advises against that.
I’ve heard of the reliability issues, too. But just about any camera as dependent on electronics as this one is bound to have some, I think. Good to hear how you fixed the EEEE issue, though. I’ll have to remember that if it ever comes up. As for that built-in lithium battery, yes it’s something to be aware of. Canon estimated only a life of 5 years for it when new. That seems a bit short. Or maybe they were just being super-conservative. In any case, yours is still going strong. So that’s a positive takeaway. Don’t know if the one in mine is original or not.
I had one in college back in 95’ and loved it. I sold it to get an EOS 620 but needed the money because I was graduating and didn’t get a camera again until 20 years later.
Thanks for that nice Video! Just found your channel a few days ago. You make very nice Videos here! I can see, that you put a lot of work into it, and thank you for that! I still own a T90 and like it, but its for sale right now. Just sold my Canon f1 New today. I sell all my Canon gear at the moment (just keeping my Canon P and the Canonet ql17gii) and the reason for that is my newest camera... the Olympus om4ti. I just got it for the spot meter function. If i compere the Om4 against the T90, the Olympus is just the one i would pic every time! The Design and implementation of the spot meter function ist just better or well maybe not better, but more intuitive for me. And i really like to shoot in die AV Setting. The Om4 is here the winner for me! And to close it off, i just love the feeling of transporting my film by hand. Okay! that maybe sounds stupid, but why should i give something that brings me joy away to a kinda noisy motor drive? Asides that, if you have a collection of nice Fd glass (like i still own at the moment but hope to get rid off for a good price in the next days) the canon T90 is just the best Canon to get! Yes if you let me choose between an F1 new or the T90 i would still pic the F1 and ask what kinda screen is in there, but the T90 is just the better camera!
I think the great thing about the OM-4 is that it offers great features in a camera design that’s very similar to the other OM bodies. It’s immediately familiar even if you’ve never touched one. It’s small and packs a punch. And I’m in agreement about the manual winding - something about that tactile experience is just satisfying. I even have certain cameras I like better DUE to how the winding feels. Yes, we’re crazy.
A really excellent and very informative video, thank you for this exciting journey into the time of the first autofocus cameras. Subscription of your channel is done. Furthermore, my interest in the canon t90 is aroused, i will keep an eye out for a well-preserved example.
Being wanting one for a while, finally got one had to order a 50mm and a 28mm at the same time plus rechargeable batteries. When they arrived I charged the batteries then the big moment I put them in the camera strapped a lens on switched the camera on, everything seemed to work then pressed the shutter button and nothing, and as you said you didn't want to be left with a brick well guess what I have to be gutted is an understatement, and just to rub salt in, the lenses were faulty, what's the chances of that happen (only to me). In the process of getting my money back just one eBay seller dragging his heels, but I'll get eBay onto him if he doesn't cough up. So back to the drawing board I think I'll get an Canon eos30 here in the UK and just use the lenses I have for my Canon 6d, you win sum and lose sum. Look forward to more video's from you. Cheers Mick
Yikes! That’s the sort of horror story I’ve been lucky to avoid. Although in this game, it’s more of “when” than “if”. But looks like you were hit with a double whammy with the lenses, too. That stinks. Hope you get the eBay issue resolved soon. I’m confident you will, just may take a little time. On the other hand, the EOS 30 should be a nice one. Haven’t used one but I’d like to one day. And it’s ability to use modern lenses - a definite plus!
I owned a T-90 back in the day and absolutely loved it. Fantastic camera. I no longer have it but I loved it so much that I recently picked up another one. This one is a keeper! Thanks for the excellent video.
Thanks! Now that I finally got a T90 I seriously don’t know why it took me so long. And I got very lucky on the price and the fact that it all worked. An amazing machine!
Great camera when it works. But SO many cameras of this era (and later) that are totally dependent on electronics are always a bit of a risk. At least you got some lenses out of the bargain!
It’s amazing how the T90’s design and UI held up for literally decades after its introduction. While the EOS620/650 squared off the curves somewhat - a more eighties look - Canon went back to it with the first EOS-1 and stuck with it throughout the film-digital SLR transition and until the transition from DSLR to mirrorless with the R series. And of course the control UI remained almost unchanged. I recently took my 6D and EOS620 on a 10-day hike so I could share a trio of lenses, and using both cameras you could barely tell that 25 years separates the cameras. Well, other than the 6D shows you the image on the back screen, and the ‘620 makes all the nice film noises ;-)
It IS amazing that Canon got that right almost from the beginning (the 650, 620, and 630 notwithstanding). If you pick up a first-gen EOS-1 it seems as at home in your hands as the newest mirrorlesss. Excellent design DNA for sure!
Great review and explanation, thank you. I've had a T90 sitting in my dry cabinet for months and this is the first time I have understood the metering. I'm also looking forward to trying the multiple exposure mode. Aloha from Maui
Not enough can be said about a camera that takes AA batteries. And those three lenses are what I’d consider the “trinity”. A perfect kit! Thanks for watching!
Thankx for your video ! Such great black and white shots with that camera, especially using the multispot metering. I really start to appreciate the FD lenses as well, they just deliver and they don't cost a bomb. I have to check out if there is such a place somewhere where I live (Germany) ....
Yes, I can’t over-state how much I like the multi-spot metering. It just works like it should. And I was completely confident in my exposures. Well…the ones where I had the lens set correctly, at least. The FD lenses are excellent. And like you said, they’re not too pricey. And there are tons of them out there. People complain that the New FD versions feel a bit cheaply made. And I sort of agree with that. BUT…their optical performance is fine. Maybe you’ll be able to find a place like that in Germany where you’ll also find an American auto that you’ve never heard of before (like I did the Borgward) :-). Cheers!
Thanks! I wouldn’t be TOO hard on yourself about that trade. In it’s time, the EOS 5 was a fine camera. I used one for nearly 7 years. But, yes, it did have some build quality shortcomings. I know I had the exposure dial repaired at least once. But in hindsight the EOS isn’t even in the same league as the T90. Thanks for the follow!
The Elan 7….have never actually touched one…so it would be a good learning experience for me, no doubt. I’ll be on the lookout for a good deal on one. Thanks for watching and glad you enjoyed it!
The Minolta 's Dynax series in Europe actually was the next generation of cameras, while the first one was simply called Minolta 7000, 9000, 5000 and so on. And yes, all do I don't shoot Canon FD / FL cameras, but if anyone already has that glass, and want a good (and cheap) Canon, non AF film camera, I can't recommend T90 enough...
Nice camera review! Personally, I don't think companies installed multi-spot metering on their cameras because they needed to save money. Catching up with the Minolta's Maxum/Dynax autofocus system may have cost a lot of money, so they had to cut costs somehow. In addition, spot metering was not really suitable for the majority of people because you need some knowledge to achieve good results with it. I remember that Canon, Nikon and also Olympus had developed their own systems of matrix metering.
Yes you’re probably right about that - required more input from the user than the matrix system would and the matrix was pretty darn good. I think the Nikon FA was the first with that back in 1983. Interestingly, Minolta offered multi-spot through their Creative Expansion Card system for the i and xi series. Got those on the list for an upcoming episode.
@@vintagecameradigest I never really understood the idea behind that card system. I guess that "customising" was the trend those days. Would be nice to see your video though...
I think most of them were just sort of gimmicky- Child, Portrait, Sports - stuff that most of us wouldn’t need. But there were a couple that added real functionality- Multi-Spot being one of them, as well as custom function. The ability to add multi-spot to a camera that doesn’t have it sounds almost like a secret weapon. And to me, it adds real value to those particular cameras that we generally ignore these days. Anyway, stay tuned. Just now sorta getting my thoughts together for that episode.
The T90 was my first Pro camera, it was awesome. It was stolen along with my F1 😢 I used the insurance money to buy a Nikon F4 and have used Nikon every since. I wonder if the Canons had not been stolen, I’d probably still be using Canon.
Ah, yes…those were some tumultuous years for the industry. Everyone trying to decide how they were going to implement AF. I’m curious, though, why did you ultimately go with the F4? Instead of a Canon EOS-1? Either way would mean a new lens mount. I don’t think you made a bad choice. But, just wondering what steered you that way.
@@vintagecameradigest I got a job working for the government (Australian) they had Nikon gear, it made sense to jump to Nikon. Now in 2024 I’m a self employed video producer, Sony is now our system. Too many choices.😂
That makes good sense in regard to Nikon. Plus it was backward (and forward) compatible. And then from the ashes of Minolta rose Sony to absolutely dominate!
A common Problem with the T90 is a stuck Shutter. There are some foam seals around the shutter that just deteriorate over time. The sticky mess just packs is all together and your T90 will not fire. That problem will happen often to the just perfect looking t90tis. They have been sitting on a shelf or in a showcase for 30 years never been shot. That is just bad for that camera! mine had just that problem , but after a lots and lots of cleaning, it works like a champ! If you got an T90 that works fine, just work the shutter a bit from time to time or even better... just put i roll in it and shoot! and youre gonne be golden!
Excellent to know! I’m sure there are many pitfalls to a camera as old as this, but I’m glad this particular issue is relatively easy to correct. But I do appreciate the heads-up and the advice. I’ve really taken to liking this camera a lot. And I’d be SO let down to lose it.
It's like the last dinosaur. It looks like what was to follow - and looking back there's the obvious lineage all the way to the last 1DX before RF. Sure it has feathers and a beak and - would probably - taste like chicken too if you cooked it. But it's not a chicken. It's a feathered velociraptor watching the rock fall right before everyone dies. I have both it, and the Eos 650. While the 650 still has echoes of what came before --- mine has a cross-split focusing screen fitted --- it exists in an entirely different paradigm. I spent 30 quid on a 650 and bought a brand new L lens for it (With a voucher - I'm no fool). Even image stab' worked perfectly. That said - the T90 runs on AA batteries which are a lot easier to find. And the multi-spot meter is useful.
Yes, it’s like the “missing link” between both of those worlds. I am glad that the new EOS bodies did feature a DOF preview along with metered manual mode. But even with those supposed shortcomings, it’s a beast of a camera.
The T-60 has the only good (metered) manual mode of any auto FD camera. It lets you match LEDs so that both the chosen and suggested settings are shown in the finder.
And it’s interesting to note that the T-60 was made under contract by Cosina. I guess Canon just didn’t find it necessary to figure out how to make that work for an FD camera. Can’t blame them, I supppose. By the time the T-60 was released, the EOS system had already been out a couple of years.
@@vintagecameradigest Yes, the T-60 was just out there to be a photography course camera. That Cosina chassis got around. OM-2000, FM-10, FE-10, Konica TC-X, Yashica FX-7, Bessa L. They are all kind of interesting. I love the T-60. Nice and light. The manual and aperture auto modes are great.
IMO the T90 wasn't a mistake or poor planning. Canon must have known AF was the future and most likely already had prototypes of EOS cameras when the T90 was launched. T90 was simply the best they could do with FD and was meant to serve as that in the transition phase to the new mount. Same goes for the Minolta (not a small player in the SLR market back then) AF camera. The AF tech was finally good enough and all the "big five" Japanese SLR-makers must have known that and worked on their AF-switch before Minolta launched their first AF-camera. Only Olympus chose to ignore it. Only Canon changed their mount to electronic which obviously must have taken quite some work, not least redesigning all their lenses and get many ready for the Eos launch. Canon's strategy to sacrifice compatibility turned out to be the right one. I had FD equipment and didn't like it much, but the Eos system was just so much better than the screw AF from Minolta, Nikon and Pentax that I still went for Canon when I switched to AF camera. This doesn't mean that I don't respect Minolta from being first, but we've seen it again and again both with cameras and other tech products. When the time comes for a certain technology then most start using it at around the same time. AF was one example in the mid eighties. Stabilization came in the mid nineties, digital around 2000. Build in panorama suddenly appeared in most P&S etc etc. Sometimes there is a patent involved and that prevents competitors for a while but often the technology is simply ready from a third party/parties and everyone gets it fairy fast.
I’m inclined to agree with you there. Canon would have had to have the EOS bodies in development long before the release of the T90. And it was a good way to test some of the design features (input dial) before rolling them out in the new cameras. And like you, I was completely sold on the speed of Canon’s AF. I recall checking both the Maxxum 7000 and EOS 650 out in the local dept store. There was no comparison. So, they absolutely made the right call with the EF mount.
I suppose so :-) But I guess you can say that about any camera made since then, too. Too much dependence on electronics, and when a problem arises there just aren’t any parts available and in a lot of cases no one to work on them. It’s getting close to that already - even with mechanical cameras. Enjoy them while we can!
I loved them to use, to look at and to hold. Lol. Both times the failures were at the start of an important shoot. I'd just keep buying replacements but the prices aren't competitive, compared to £20-60 for used, high end Minolta gear.
Great representation on the T90 and your selected metering modes at your junkyard shoot. Confidence can grow quickly when photogs understand the exposure triangle and how equipment such as the T90 can make your compositions great. Great stuff.
I bought mine in 86 and recently sent it to my daughter in NYC who was born in 86. I used it every which way from micro, long exposure, to typical home use to professional use. A truly fine camera and I hope my daughter will enjoy beauty of film in the digital age. I still have the old Canon EF workhorse camera which needs to come alive. This video was a lovely surprise. For a short time in the late 60s I was a photographer for UPI covering south Florida and the Caribbean.
Glad you enjoyed the video! And that’s a heckuva gift for your daughter. I hope she enjoys it as much as I do mine. Get that EF cranked up. That’s a fine camera in it’s own right! Cheers!
I had a Canon AE1 Program, then a Canon A1, then a Canon T90 together with a Canon New F1, all of them got stolen from me by a burglar in the early 2000… As a tourist from Europe I visited the U.S. in 1984 (with the Canon A1, Chicago and all along Interstate 95 down to Miami), then with the T90 in 1994 (West Coast including Mojave Desert and Yellowstone National Park), all shot with Kodachrome 64. We are in 2024 now, I am retired and I am busy scanning all of those slides. Fantastic travelling back in time…
By the way, your B/W pictures in that old car graveyard are really good! Congrats
Thanks so much! I recently shot a roll of slide film after about 25 yrs of not doing so. I chose the T90 for this project, and it performed as perfectly as expected. I can’t really say enough good things about it. It’s a heck of a camera. And I’m sure you’re enjoying going through those slides again! Cheers!
I owned 2 T90’s along with an F1N. I only bought the F1N as a “mechanical back up” in case the electronic T90’s let me down but they never did and yet the F1N did with a winder fitted that drained the battery in the camera body. I could operate the T90 with my eyes shut, I knew where every button was and what they did and in my eyes it was the best manual focus camera ever made.
Interesting about the F1N, but I’m sure stranger things have happened. I’m loving the T90, though. I got such a great deal on this one that I feel I should pick up another body as a back up. But I know I’ll never get a deal like that again, lol. Thanks for watching!
This is the best video ever on talking about 70’s and 80’s film cameras in a nutshell. And why the Canon T90 deserves its place even today. 🎉
So glad you enjoyed it! The T90 is one amazing camera, and it’s a shame it gets overlooked so often. It’s become one of my favorites.
@@vintagecameradigest Totally agree 👍🏻
I love the T-90. It's still one of my favorite cameras ever made.
Agreed!
I started shooting film recently and got hooked. My dad gifted me his T-90 and before receiving it I wanted to do a little research about it, since it didn’t get featured in a lot of yt videos.
So, first of all thank you for your video because it’s incredibly detailed and I liked hearing you talk very much. Second; thank you for highlighting the T-90. It doesn’t get the recognition he should receive. Cheers 🎉
Many thanks! The T90 doesn’t disappoint. I put some Ektachrome through mine recently at a local vintage car show. That multi-spot metering worked flawlessly. Beautiful exposures! I hope you get much enjoyment from yours!
I'm here in 2024 using a T90 - I had one in the '90's and now feeling the nostalgia, so bought an immaculate one and a 50mm F1,4 and 135mm. Thanks for the informative video.
It’s a fine, fine camera by all accounts. Glad you picked one up again!
Great photos! Thanks for sharing your experience with this camera.
Thanks! And thanks for watching!
love all your videos, there is no rush, there is no nonsense, you always know what you're talking about, and you are the most humble, thank you!
Oh man, thanks so much! I do appreciate it!
Nice video. Have a couple of T90s, and on my original one, that I bought new, I had a pc socket installed at the back, next to the serial number and switch to block the seeker window. Great camera, partly forgotten at the simultaneous introduction of EOS cameras...
Thanks! The T90 was a victim of bad timing, no doubt. Excellent camera though and tough as nails!
Your photographs gave the cars in the junk yard soul. I enjoyed the video tremendously.
Many thanks! It’s such a cool place to photograph.
This has been the most interesting and well presented video I’ve seen on RUclips for a very long time!
I love the T90, despite thinking it looked odd when a friend bought one in 1986.
I’ve just started using mine again and putting the spot meter to good use. I have a Canon A-1 too.
Thank you very much! In your defense, it DID look odd in 1986 when it stood out from all the square-bodied competitors - and the A-1 too!
Fantastic camera. Great video.
Many thanks!
The T90 was the reason, or one of the reasons, it took me so long to upgrade to an EOS camera. It was such a capable camera, I didn't feel the need to ditch it in favour of the new stuff Canon started to produce. Secondly was the change of lens mount from FD to EF. I didn't have a lot of lenses back then, being young and impoverished as I was, but I was happy with the ones that I had and didn't relish dumping them in favour of a new system. Eventually I succumbed, and bought an EOS 3, but I still have my T90 and the lenses that went with it.
I think it’s interesting that Canon released such a great FD camera right before changing the whole system. If it were me, I’d have put out some really cheap, janky body that would’ve made the new EOS system look like a no-brainer. Instead, they extended the royal treatment to the T90 and threw in everything they had (except the PC socket, of course 😁). I’d say they ended the FD line with quite a bang. Of course they did put out the cheap Cosina-made T60 a few years later. Maybe THAT camera was the one that was supposed to encourage FD users to switch to EOS.
Currently my only camera is a Canon T70 which has been in my family for just over 30 years, and as I'm getting more and more into film photography (developed my first B&W roll by myself last week!) I wanted to get a second camera. I don't want something too old, I don't want something too modern, and I don't want "just" a second T70, and as I was looking at Canon's T line I was thinking to myself "Well, what else could a camera just 2 years younger offer?". After this video, I know all I need to know to pinpoint the T90 as my second camera to get. A great presentation, and a wonderful trip to the Old Car City. If I could like this video 10 times, I would. Thank you!
Many, many thanks for the Super!! I’m glad you enjoyed the episode. I think you’ll find that even though it’s in the T-Series, the T-90 bears little resemblance to the rest. Ergonomics are perfect. And the multi-spot metering system is the absolute best thing. Also - congrats on your first roll of b&w! Nothing beats the feeling of doing that part of the process. I hope it will spark even more enthusiasm for film! Cheers!
I remember in 1986 being torn between buying the Canon T90 or the Olympus OM4. In the end I bought the OM4 because the T90 seemed overly complicated. Still happy with my choice.
I briefly had my hands on an OM-4 recently, and you’re right - much less complicated. I think one of the things that contributes to the complexity of the T90 was Canon’s decision to make it usable for the older FL series lenses. Which is ironic since just one year later they ditched the FL and FD mounts altogether in favor of the EF. That turned out to be a wise business decision, I think.
This review of the Canon T90 is one of the best I've seen; factual without guessing. I have a near-mint T90 I bought from a Japanese selling on eBay a few years ago. I mostly use the Av or aperture priority mode in center-weighted and partial metering modes. My film stock of choice is Portra 400 (set to 200 ISO). I find the latitude of this film (over-exposed 1 stop) to be convenient to allow quicker metering in the shadows without having to use multi-spot metering. Like you mentioned, this camera relies heavily on 80s electronic technology and there is a certain type of risk that I and others are making by using one in contemporary times. Nonetheless, I'm happy with my unit and I have my Canon A-1 (bought new in 1984) that still is in near mint condition because of my OCD treatment lol. Also, I recently bought a new F-1 (Japanese seller on eBay) in near-mint condition. I bought it to have a metered-manual mode that I cannot get with my T90 and A-1. As you mentioned the latter cameras are really designed to be used in an AE mode. However, I find it interesting that using the T90 in stopped-down fixed indexed mode allows you to set the shutter speed and aperture on the screen and the LCD right hand display allows you to see the exposure meter. The issue with this mode is that you have to stop-down the lens and does not provide open aperture metering. Like you mentioned, this type of metering (open aperture) became available in the EOS 1 and later models.
Glad you enjoyed the review! And thanks for sharing your thoughts on the T90. I really need to shoot more color film, since I just found a place in a neighboring city that is a straight-up legit lab - even selling multiple stocks of 120 film. I thought places like that had gone the way of dinosaurs. I haven’t tried Portra 400 in quite a few years. And I’d probably follow your advice on overexposure. It makes good sense. I also have an A-1 that rarely gets used. Though I think it’s an excellent camera, it just doesn’t get the love like an AE-1 or AE-1P does - something I’ve never quite figured out. But the New F-1 - man I’m totally jealous! One day I’ll pick one up…one day…
Still my all-time favorite camera. A Canon A1 was my backup camera. I bought the T90 in Hong Kong in 86 during my days of teaching English in the Far East. Shooting color positive (slide film) with this camera gave me the highest control of the final image that I could get without developing and printing the film myself. I loved the multiple spot metering.
Very few reviews have focused on my favorite exposure mode--shiftable program mode. I had always disdained full auto (or P) mode, because I lost all control of the exposure elements. But I grew to love Canon's implementation of the shiftable program. After years of shooting photos, I generally had a ballpark idea of what shutter speed and aperture would do for my photo. Using shiftable mode I could quickly program my preference for both perameters. If I needed faster speed, just roll the control wheel toward the three higher shutter programs. If I wanted more depth of field, a quick flip towards the stronger aperture programs. This would also let me quickly see how a higher emphasis on each element would allow me to see how much each emphasis would affect the opposite setting. This was ground-shaking effortless speedy control for me.
I had a Sigma 21-35 lens with a 35-200 lens. Add in a 50mm 1.2 for great photos in low light and I was set.
The other genius feature of the camera was the use of simple AA batteries. I was able to find these batteries in virtually every city or town where I traveled-even in the remote far western towns of China that had very little tourism in the 80's. Although I had great variability in how many shots I could get with Off-brand batteries, I never felt that I had to carry dozens of batteries in my camera bag.
Sadly, I lost the whole setup when the Camp Fire destroyed most of my hometown of Paradise, California, in 2018. The camera and lenses were still in great shape, but I ran out of time to get everything I wanted before the flames drove us out of our home.
This is the best review of the T90 that I have seen yet.
Thanks for the kind words! I do love this camera and was just blown away by the multi-spot option. As you mentioned, color transparencies would be served really well by this system. And I hope I get the opportunity to do that before slide film disappears completely.
I appreciate your description of the shiftable program mode and how you were able to implement it. It’s obvious you spent a lot of time with this camera and knew the ins and outs. And the way you describe it makes this one sound even more flexible than I’d considered with my limited use of it so far. Still, that’s a sad way to lose your gear. I can’t imagine having to deal with disasters like that. Quite scary stuff!
Was doing some research on the T90 and came across this very informative video. Great content on both the camera and the shots you made at the “junk yard”. I especially like the shots of the ice cream truck. Keep up the good work!
Glad you enjoyed it! Getting everything prepped for the EF episode now. This is a nice little camera!
My photography instructor told me to buy a Pentax K1000 for his class. He said it was all the camera I would need for the class (a true statement). So, I promptly went out and spent money I didn't have on a Canon T90! What a wonderful camera. Should've never have sold it. I will purchase one again.
Ah yes…the good old K1000…strangely enough it’s one camera I don’t have. The prices are crazy on that one. Maybe one day, lol. But the T90…what a machine. I don’t know why it took me so many years to try one out. Glad you found the channel!
Fantastic video.Took me right back to the days when I owned one in 1987. Best manual focus camera I ever owned.
It’s definitely one of the best photographic tools I’ve ever used. Why it took me so long to try one out is beyond me. Thanks for watching!
Nice video. I have a Canon T90 and it’s a real tank 😎
Thanks! Yes, the camera is a beast. I don’t know how I’ve managed without one all these years. Cheers!
I bought one in 1986 and absolutely loved it - I came to it from a Minolta SRT and before that Fuji and Konica rangefinders. Pity that the battery cover latch kept breaking in a tropical climate which could not be fixed where I lived. And I had to give up using it. The way it could meter the bounce flash was the party trick in my family circles! But after seeing this I intend to see if I can get one for $50 or so and re-live those glory days of shooting fabulous pics of my kids growing up - this time it will be teaching my little grandson to take pictures.
That sounds like a great plan! The T90 is definitely one of the “greats” and is over-looked constantly. Hope you find one for a reasonable price and experience the joy again! Cheers!
I've bought a T90 in 2005 after the electronics of my EF died, and fell in love with it. Although still functioning perfectly, I had to give up photography around 2015 because film was no more available and I don't like digital photography. I dearly miss those days.
Sorry to hear that. Film is still generally available (depending on your location), but prices have risen considerably since 2015.
Great video, thankyou.
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for tuning in!
I totally agree. I use my T 90 for black & white today and have for the psst 20 + year's. The 9 point individual metering system is akin to Ansel Adam's Zone System that I was schooled in. I simply love it😊
Exactly! The multi-spot method - regardless of what camera it is (OM-4, etc) - really makes the best sense when you’re familiar with the Zone System - which sounds more difficult than it is. But it’s a beautiful system, and the T90 is a fine camera, hands-down.
I actually have two of these. The reason for the second one is because the first one developed an issue with a capacitor (I think) that puts it Ito EE mode after an exposure. Only way to clear it is to remove the battery. Found a YT video detailing how to repair but I got lazy and just bought another T-90. With the FD 50mm F1.4, it is a killer combination. I equally like my OM4T which is just as easy to use in multi-spot metering, but of course does not have auto film advance. I like this feature so much I ended up getting a Rollei 6008 Professional which also features multi-spot metering. Maybe there is another, but I am not aware of another medium format camera that has this feature. Maybe the one of the Hassy models? I have seen the signs many times driving down I-75 for this place and always wanted to stop, but never have. Maybe on my next trip to GA I will make a point of bringing a film camera and checking it out. Another great video. Thanks.
The multi-spot metering is just phenomenal. I didn’t even realize the 6008 had that option, but it doesn’t surprise me. You should stop by that place sometime. It’s incredible. Just bring a snack in case you get lost.
As you were first walking in the junk yard I thought what about snakes! It is a fun place. Loved your selections.
I was on the lookout, too. Luckily didn’t see any! I need to go back when the weather is cooler.
My first cameras were the Canon F Series, great cameras then and still great IMO. (reminder that I worked at/managed a camera store in SoCal back then) Then the A Series came out, I bought some, they were trash. For example, the top plate was made of a soft material that dented easily, the shutter speed dial easily changed while carrying it over your shoulder and it would rub against the body. The battery cover broke often. The new FD mounts weren't as good as the FL cam mount system that held the lens tight against the body even as it wore.
I sold all my Canon gear and switched to Nikon. It wasn't until Canon came out with the T90 that I started recommending the brand again..
The F-series are still great cameras, I think. I love my old F-1. And you're right on the money about those A-series battery doors. A couple of my bodies are in need of new doors. And I'm glad I'm not the only one who prefers the old-FD mount over the New FD. Those lenses are solid and incredibly well-built. The New-FDs may have great optics, as well, but there's an over-use of plastic in the construction. I've had many New-FD and FD breech-lock mount lenses apart for cleaning etc. And the new-FDs sometime seem like toys.
I used to have few of these canon T90s and they got fanatic features especially for FLASH photography if you buy. this camera and want to buy the RIGHT FLASH I suggest you buy the speedlight 300TL flash which is dedicated for the canon T90 and it allow lot of opportunities to use it especially for High light and Shadow control and allows you to use up to 8 different exposure reading when using the spot metering and you can LOCK the exposure reading from the camera before taking the photo
I did get the 300TL along with this body as an add-on. I don’t usually expect flashes of this age to work, but this one does. I’ve yet to try much with it though, so thanks for the tip!
So peaceful to watch you walk around with that calming music. I really enjoy that part of your channel with the slow calm music while you pick your shots, because it's not really the photography I'm into but I enjoy watching it
Thank you very much! I’d like to think I pick the music to mirror my state of mind when out on a shoot like this. And I’m sure it was on this particular shoot. I had the whole day to myself and no reason to rush. Glad the results can give some of that vibe.
I started my photographic journey with the T70 and eventually sold it to buy a T90 for $459. Years later I sold it for $460 and bought an EOS1.
Fun fact: The T90 has 4.5fps, but if you engage the dof preview button, you’ll get 5fps.
Best manual focus camera ever made by man.
Oddly enough, Consumer Reports rated the T90 54th, while giving the number one slot to a Pentax SLR. So much for CR.
I don’t think Consumer Reports has ever done too well when it comes to the photo gear reviews. But 54th?? Good grief. I’m trying to think what Pentax that could’ve been. Maybe the Super Program? Or P30? Unbelievable, lol.
And thanks for the tip re: the motor drive. I did not know that!
I’ve managed to bag myself a nice Canon A1 with motor drive and 299T flash for £130, and no squeaky mirror, so looking forward to putting some nice fine grain B&W film through it.
Nice! Seems like a great price, too!
Your compositions and framing for images are amazingly beautiful. 🎉
Thank you so much for the kind words 🙏🏼
@@vintagecameradigest You got the gift 🎁!
Just bought one in excellent codition and It is incredible for the money with excellent fD glass available a kick 'a##' system for cheap money if you dont mind manual focus. I love it and appreciate your review showing off its capabilities and limitations.
It is indeed a fantastic camera. And paired with great FD glass, well, it’s hard to go wrong - as I’m sure you know. I just have to be careful about setting my lenses to A when I swap them out. I actually screwed that up again on a shoot this weekend. Apparently I never learn. 😁
Thanks a lot man , my T90 ans me are hippy 😊
You bet! It’s a classic!
this is a great video!!!!
Thank you!!
Thanks for the video, really enjoyed it! When I first started extreme sports photography in the early 90's this camera was very popular with some. Although I've always been a Nikon fanboy, nostalgia bit hard and I wanted to get hold of one as I always liked the look of them. The first one I bought was DOA, the dreaded error symbol. I bought another that claimed it was working, it arrived with the flashing cursor error. Fortunately, I used the magnetised screwdriver trick and it brought it back to life! I must say I've been enjoying shooting the first roll of film, love the ergonomics. Fingers crossed it'll stay working!
Yes, the ergonomics of the T90 basically set the stage for nearly every camera currently out there - especially the front input dial. I find it feels perfectly at home in my hands. The electronics, of course, are going to be any camera’s Achilles’ Heel at this point. I read somewhere that the T90 included somewhere in the neighborhood of 1400 electronic components. I’m sure that was a LOT for the time. But when you have a working T90 body, there aren’t many of its contemporaries that can compete. I think it was indeed the pinnacle of manual-focus camera design.
The use of 35mm cameras or other film formats nowadays may just be out of nostalgia, passion, artistic expression or even curiosity. Objectively, few photographers would use this equipment for commercial photography. But I still love it!
I think you’re probably right. I use digital almost exclusively for paid work. Occasionally, I’ll get out the medium format or large format for work, but it’s rare. But it’s a lot of fun using these old cameras!
Excellent video with a Gadabout Gaddis feel to it. Best wishes! Good work!
Thanks so much! I’ll admit I had to Google “Gadabout Gaddis”, lol. I guess if the shoe fits….:-) Thanks for watching!
I have the T50. Not a creative camera. Basically a point and shoot that you have to focus. I thought about getting rid of it, but, the meter is spot on and it always seems to use a good f-stop choice. All the best!
If it does what it’s supposed to do, no reason to ditch it. And you get to use all that great FD glass!
Congratulations! This was the best video about the T90 that I was lucky enough to see. Mainly for the explanation about the multi-spot metering mode.
Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching!
That just yard is a dream for photographers. Great video
It really is! I think I could go once per month and still find new subjects each time.
I've heard of people having reliability issues with the T90, but I've used mine on and off since 1986 with no real problems. I did encounter the EEEE problem once, but I found out after some searching online that I could fix it by exercising the shutter. One half-hour session firing the shutter, getting EEEE, pressing battery check to clear it, and repeating the process eventually had the shutter working perfectly again.
One thing people should be aware of is that there is an internal 3V battery that retains settings when the batteries are removed, much like the CMOS battery in a computer. It's soldered in place and requires partially disassembling the camera to get to it if it ever dies, but mine is still working fine on the original battery. Maybe that's because I store the camera with batteries in it, though Canon advises against that.
I’ve heard of the reliability issues, too. But just about any camera as dependent on electronics as this one is bound to have some, I think. Good to hear how you fixed the EEEE issue, though. I’ll have to remember that if it ever comes up. As for that built-in lithium battery, yes it’s something to be aware of. Canon estimated only a life of 5 years for it when new. That seems a bit short. Or maybe they were just being super-conservative. In any case, yours is still going strong. So that’s a positive takeaway. Don’t know if the one in mine is original or not.
Fantastic review. To the point with loads of shooting examples. You're the best!!!
Thanks so much! And thanks for tuning in!
I had one in college back in 95’ and loved it. I sold it to get an EOS 620 but needed the money because I was graduating and didn’t get a camera again until 20 years later.
It’s definitely a great camera - even with it’s few short-comings. And an EOS 620 wouldn’t be bad either!
Thanks for that nice Video! Just found your channel a few days ago. You make very nice Videos here! I can see, that you put a lot of work into it, and thank you for that! I still own a T90 and like it, but its for sale right now. Just sold my Canon f1 New today. I sell all my Canon gear at the moment (just keeping my Canon P and the Canonet ql17gii) and the reason for that is my newest camera... the Olympus om4ti. I just got it for the spot meter function. If i compere the Om4 against the T90, the Olympus is just the one i would pic every time! The Design and implementation of the spot meter function ist just better or well maybe not better, but more intuitive for me. And i really like to shoot in die AV Setting. The Om4 is here the winner for me! And to close it off, i just love the feeling of transporting my film by hand. Okay! that maybe sounds stupid, but why should i give something that brings me joy away to a kinda noisy motor drive? Asides that, if you have a collection of nice Fd glass (like i still own at the moment but hope to get rid off for a good price in the next days) the canon T90 is just the best Canon to get! Yes if you let me choose between an F1 new or the T90 i would still pic the F1 and ask what kinda screen is in there, but the T90 is just the better camera!
I think the great thing about the OM-4 is that it offers great features in a camera design that’s very similar to the other OM bodies. It’s immediately familiar even if you’ve never touched one. It’s small and packs a punch. And I’m in agreement about the manual winding - something about that tactile experience is just satisfying. I even have certain cameras I like better DUE to how the winding feels. Yes, we’re crazy.
A really excellent and very informative video, thank you for this exciting journey into the time of the first autofocus cameras. Subscription of your channel is done. Furthermore, my interest in the canon t90 is aroused, i will keep an eye out for a well-preserved example.
Thank you so much!
Fantastic informitive video. On yhe lookout for one now
Glad it was helpful! It’s an incredible camera.
Awesome pictures !
That place is a photographer’s goldmine
Being wanting one for a while, finally got one had to order a 50mm and a 28mm at the same time plus rechargeable batteries. When they arrived I charged the batteries then the big moment I put them in the camera strapped a lens on switched the camera on, everything seemed to work then pressed the shutter button and nothing, and as you said you didn't want to be left with a brick well guess what I have to be gutted is an understatement, and just to rub salt in, the lenses were faulty, what's the chances of that happen (only to me). In the process of getting my money back just one eBay seller dragging his heels, but I'll get eBay onto him if he doesn't cough up. So back to the drawing board I think I'll get an Canon eos30 here in the UK and just use the lenses I have for my Canon 6d, you win sum and lose sum.
Look forward to more video's from you.
Cheers
Mick
Yikes! That’s the sort of horror story I’ve been lucky to avoid. Although in this game, it’s more of “when” than “if”. But looks like you were hit with a double whammy with the lenses, too. That stinks. Hope you get the eBay issue resolved soon. I’m confident you will, just may take a little time. On the other hand, the EOS 30 should be a nice one. Haven’t used one but I’d like to one day. And it’s ability to use modern lenses - a definite plus!
Your channel is fantastic! Very informative and learned new things, as someone who is starting film photography.
So glad it was helpful. And thanks for watching!
I owned a T-90 back in the day and absolutely loved it. Fantastic camera. I no longer have it but I loved it so much that I recently picked up another one. This one is a keeper! Thanks for the excellent video.
Thanks! Now that I finally got a T90 I seriously don’t know why it took me so long. And I got very lucky on the price and the fact that it all worked. An amazing machine!
@@vintagecameradigest your price was most excellent. I paid slightly more but I'm very happy with it.
I realize I got completely lucky on that 😁
I got one of these yesterday and I love it!!!
Glad to hear! Even with its few quirks, it’s one of the best cameras I’ve had the pleasure to shoot. Cheers!
I received a T90 for free last summer but the shutter was shot, unfortunately. I still use the lenses though. Looks like a cool camera.
Great camera when it works. But SO many cameras of this era (and later) that are totally dependent on electronics are always a bit of a risk. At least you got some lenses out of the bargain!
It’s amazing how the T90’s design and UI held up for literally decades after its introduction. While the EOS620/650 squared off the curves somewhat - a more eighties look - Canon went back to it with the first EOS-1 and stuck with it throughout the film-digital SLR transition and until the transition from DSLR to mirrorless with the R series. And of course the control UI remained almost unchanged. I recently took my 6D and EOS620 on a 10-day hike so I could share a trio of lenses, and using both cameras you could barely tell that 25 years separates the cameras. Well, other than the 6D shows you the image on the back screen, and the ‘620 makes all the nice film noises ;-)
It IS amazing that Canon got that right almost from the beginning (the 650, 620, and 630 notwithstanding). If you pick up a first-gen EOS-1 it seems as at home in your hands as the newest mirrorlesss. Excellent design DNA for sure!
Borgward was a company in Bremen, Germany until 1963.
Yes, I had to look it up as soon as I got home. The beauty in these shoots is that I can still learn new things! Cheers!
Great review and explanation, thank you. I've had a T90 sitting in my dry cabinet for months and this is the first
time I have understood the metering. I'm also looking forward to trying the multiple exposure mode.
Aloha from Maui
Aloha! Thanks for tuning in! Glad you found this useful and informative. Have fun with that T90!
I had a T80, and I enjoyed it. The T90 was on my radar for the future but it never happened. I never knew the T90 was manual focus…
The T90 was the last hurrah for the FD line. And it was a big one. Fantastic camera.
Excellent review, a true hands-on show. Great video. I love my T90, wonderful camera
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it.
I am 66 now and still using. 4 AA batteries and go. I only have 50, 28, and 135 mm.
Not enough can be said about a camera that takes AA batteries. And those three lenses are what I’d consider the “trinity”. A perfect kit! Thanks for watching!
Thankx for your video ! Such great black and white shots with that camera, especially using the multispot metering. I really start to appreciate the FD lenses as well, they just deliver and they don't cost a bomb. I have to check out if there is such a place somewhere where I live (Germany) ....
Yes, I can’t over-state how much I like the multi-spot metering. It just works like it should. And I was completely confident in my exposures. Well…the ones where I had the lens set correctly, at least. The FD lenses are excellent. And like you said, they’re not too pricey. And there are tons of them out there. People complain that the New FD versions feel a bit cheaply made. And I sort of agree with that. BUT…their optical performance is fine. Maybe you’ll be able to find a place like that in Germany where you’ll also find an American auto that you’ve never heard of before (like I did the Borgward) :-). Cheers!
Oh wow! I loved my T90. I kick myself still for trading it for the awful (fragile) Canon EOS5. Great review - thanks for posting. (subscribed)
Thanks! I wouldn’t be TOO hard on yourself about that trade. In it’s time, the EOS 5 was a fine camera. I used one for nearly 7 years. But, yes, it did have some build quality shortcomings. I know I had the exposure dial repaired at least once. But in hindsight the EOS isn’t even in the same league as the T90. Thanks for the follow!
That multi-spot metering looks amazing, but no depth-of-field preview is kind of a deal-breaker. For $50, though, it's kind of hard to pass by.
It was a crazy-good deal for sure. And the metering is fantastic. Yeah, the DOF preview issue is a drawback, but what a rock-solid camera otherwise.
Very cool camera, really good review and history lesson as well. Also, great photos! Would love to see you do a video on the Elan 7.
The Elan 7….have never actually touched one…so it would be a good learning experience for me, no doubt. I’ll be on the lookout for a good deal on one. Thanks for watching and glad you enjoyed it!
The Minolta 's Dynax series in Europe actually was the next generation of cameras, while the first one was simply called Minolta 7000, 9000, 5000 and so on.
And yes, all do I don't shoot Canon FD / FL cameras, but if anyone already has that glass, and want a good (and cheap) Canon, non AF film camera, I can't recommend T90 enough...
Many thanks for that clarification on the Dynax name. Very helpful! And thanks for watching!
Nice camera review! Personally, I don't think companies installed multi-spot metering on their cameras because they needed to save money. Catching up with the Minolta's Maxum/Dynax autofocus system may have cost a lot of money, so they had to cut costs somehow. In addition, spot metering was not really suitable for the majority of people because you need some knowledge to achieve good results with it. I remember that Canon, Nikon and also Olympus had developed their own systems of matrix metering.
Yes you’re probably right about that - required more input from the user than the matrix system would and the matrix was pretty darn good. I think the Nikon FA was the first with that back in 1983. Interestingly, Minolta offered multi-spot through their Creative Expansion Card system for the i and xi series. Got those on the list for an upcoming episode.
@@vintagecameradigest I never really understood the idea behind that card system. I guess that "customising" was the trend those days. Would be nice to see your video though...
I think most of them were just sort of gimmicky- Child, Portrait, Sports - stuff that most of us wouldn’t need. But there were a couple that added real functionality- Multi-Spot being one of them, as well as custom function. The ability to add multi-spot to a camera that doesn’t have it sounds almost like a secret weapon. And to me, it adds real value to those particular cameras that we generally ignore these days. Anyway, stay tuned. Just now sorta getting my thoughts together for that episode.
@@vintagecameradigest sounds good...
The T90 was my first Pro camera, it was awesome. It was stolen along with my F1 😢 I used the insurance money to buy a Nikon F4 and have used Nikon every since. I wonder if the Canons had not been stolen, I’d probably still be using Canon.
Ah, yes…those were some tumultuous years for the industry. Everyone trying to decide how they were going to implement AF. I’m curious, though, why did you ultimately go with the F4? Instead of a Canon EOS-1? Either way would mean a new lens mount. I don’t think you made a bad choice. But, just wondering what steered you that way.
@@vintagecameradigest I got a job working for the government (Australian) they had Nikon gear, it made sense to jump to Nikon. Now in 2024 I’m a self employed video producer, Sony is now our system. Too many choices.😂
That makes good sense in regard to Nikon. Plus it was backward (and forward) compatible. And then from the ashes of Minolta rose Sony to absolutely dominate!
@@vintagecameradigest The irony is the very first dslr I bought was a Minolta X300.
You’ve come full-circle! :-))
A common Problem with the T90 is a stuck Shutter. There are some foam seals around the shutter that just deteriorate over time. The sticky mess just packs is all together and your T90 will not fire. That problem will happen often to the just perfect looking t90tis. They have been sitting on a shelf or in a showcase for 30 years never been shot. That is just bad for that camera! mine had just that problem , but after a lots and lots of cleaning, it works like a champ! If you got an T90 that works fine, just work the shutter a bit from time to time or even better... just put i roll in it and shoot! and youre gonne be golden!
Excellent to know! I’m sure there are many pitfalls to a camera as old as this, but I’m glad this particular issue is relatively easy to correct. But I do appreciate the heads-up and the advice. I’ve really taken to liking this camera a lot. And I’d be SO let down to lose it.
It's like the last dinosaur. It looks like what was to follow - and looking back there's the obvious lineage all the way to the last 1DX before RF. Sure it has feathers and a beak and - would probably - taste like chicken too if you cooked it. But it's not a chicken. It's a feathered velociraptor watching the rock fall right before everyone dies.
I have both it, and the Eos 650.
While the 650 still has echoes of what came before --- mine has a cross-split focusing screen fitted --- it exists in an entirely different paradigm. I spent 30 quid on a 650 and bought a brand new L lens for it (With a voucher - I'm no fool). Even image stab' worked perfectly.
That said - the T90 runs on AA batteries which are a lot easier to find. And the multi-spot meter is useful.
Yes, it’s like the “missing link” between both of those worlds. I am glad that the new EOS bodies did feature a DOF preview along with metered manual mode. But even with those supposed shortcomings, it’s a beast of a camera.
The T-60 has the only good (metered) manual mode of any auto FD camera. It lets you match LEDs so that both the chosen and suggested settings are shown in the finder.
And it’s interesting to note that the T-60 was made under contract by Cosina. I guess Canon just didn’t find it necessary to figure out how to make that work for an FD camera. Can’t blame them, I supppose. By the time the T-60 was released, the EOS system had already been out a couple of years.
@@vintagecameradigest Yes, the T-60 was just out there to be a photography course camera. That Cosina chassis got around. OM-2000, FM-10, FE-10, Konica TC-X, Yashica FX-7, Bessa L. They are all kind of interesting. I love the T-60. Nice and light. The manual and aperture auto modes are great.
IMO the T90 wasn't a mistake or poor planning. Canon must have known AF was the future and most likely already had prototypes of EOS cameras when the T90 was launched. T90 was simply the best they could do with FD and was meant to serve as that in the transition phase to the new mount. Same goes for the Minolta (not a small player in the SLR market back then) AF camera. The AF tech was finally good enough and all the "big five" Japanese SLR-makers must have known that and worked on their AF-switch before Minolta launched their first AF-camera.
Only Olympus chose to ignore it. Only Canon changed their mount to electronic which obviously must have taken quite some work, not least redesigning all their lenses and get many ready for the Eos launch. Canon's strategy to sacrifice compatibility turned out to be the right one. I had FD equipment and didn't like it much, but the Eos system was just so much better than the screw AF from Minolta, Nikon and Pentax that I still went for Canon when I switched to AF camera.
This doesn't mean that I don't respect Minolta from being first, but we've seen it again and again both with cameras and other tech products. When the time comes for a certain technology then most start using it at around the same time. AF was one example in the mid eighties. Stabilization came in the mid nineties, digital around 2000. Build in panorama suddenly appeared in most P&S etc etc. Sometimes there is a patent involved and that prevents competitors for a while but often the technology is simply ready from a third party/parties and everyone gets it fairy fast.
I’m inclined to agree with you there. Canon would have had to have the EOS bodies in development long before the release of the T90. And it was a good way to test some of the design features (input dial) before rolling them out in the new cameras. And like you, I was completely sold on the speed of Canon’s AF. I recall checking both the Maxxum 7000 and EOS 650 out in the local dept store. There was no comparison. So, they absolutely made the right call with the EF mount.
Pack with cutting edge technologies at the time. A nice way to say its unreliable😂
I suppose so :-) But I guess you can say that about any camera made since then, too. Too much dependence on electronics, and when a problem arises there just aren’t any parts available and in a lot of cases no one to work on them. It’s getting close to that already - even with mechanical cameras. Enjoy them while we can!
You could connect to a computer by changing the back but it was primitive at the time
I can imagine that would have, indeed, been primitive. But at the time it was probably another cutting edge feature for the camera.
Still one of my favourite cameras i had one for 18 years and regret selling it now.good video though.@@vintagecameradigest
I've had two T90's, they're wonderful to use but all I can say is "EEEE" 😢
I hope mine doesn’t develop that for a while. But I’m sure it’s a matter of time.
I loved them to use, to look at and to hold. Lol. Both times the failures were at the start of an important shoot. I'd just keep buying replacements but the prices aren't competitive, compared to £20-60 for used, high end Minolta gear.
Great representation on the T90 and your selected metering modes at your junkyard shoot. Confidence can grow quickly when photogs understand the exposure triangle and how equipment such as the T90 can make your compositions great. Great stuff.
Many thanks! It didn't take me long to realize how awesome a multi-spot metering system is to have. The T90 is definitely under-appreciated.
The T90 becomes more powerful when attached with the dedicated 300TL flash unit.
I have the 300TL but have yet to try it out with any film. But I’ll give it a go soon!