Canon T70

The Canon T70, introduced in April 1984 as the second camera in Canon’s T series, is a 35mm FD-mount single-lens reflex (SLR) camera. Building upon the concepts explored in the T50 released in 1983, the T70 took them further and offered a more sophisticated camera option. While the T50 was designed as a beginner’s camera with Program AE mode only, the T70 provided photographers with greater control over the camera’s operations while maintaining the T-series philosophy of simplicity.

The T70 featured powered film transport, including loading, advance, and rewind functions. Although its continuous shooting rate was 0.7 frames per second, slightly slower than some rival motor drives, it still offered faster performance compared to manual winding. Loading the camera was a breeze—photographers simply needed to pull the film leader out to an orange mark and close the back, allowing the camera to automatically load the film leader onto the spool and advance to the first frame. Two AA batteries in the grip powered all the camera’s functions.

An LCD screen positioned on the top right-hand side of the camera played a significant role in the user interface of the T70. It served as a major component of the camera’s control system. Two buttons labeled ‘UP’ and ‘DOWN’ above the display allowed users to adjust selected parameters, with the results conveniently shown on the LCD screen. On the top left-hand side of the camera, there were buttons for selecting the parameter to be modified, enhancing the user’s ability to customize their shooting experience.

The Canon T70 incorporated two different through-the-lens (TTL) metering methods, both utilizing a silicon photocell housed above the viewfinder eyepiece. This advanced metering system ensured accurate exposure readings for precise image capture. The T70 kit came with a choice of lenses: an FD 35-70mm f/3.5-4.5 or an FD 28-55mm f/3.5-4.5. These versatile lenses provided photographers with a flexible focal range for various shooting scenarios.

Equipped with a vertical-traveling electronic focal plane shutter, the T70 offered shutter speeds ranging from 2 seconds to 1/1000th of a second. This wide range allowed photographers to capture a broad spectrum of subjects and achieve desired exposure effects.

The Canon T70 stands as a testament to Canon’s commitment to advancing camera technology while maintaining user-friendly features. Its combination of sophisticated controls, convenient powered film transport, and reliable metering methods made it a popular choice among photographers seeking greater control over their creative process.