1

2
3
Welcome to the world of SLR photography! Your new T50 for interesting and professional-looking photographs. The
combines built-in power winding with the sophisticated T50 is truly the camera for all and everyone, regardless of
electronics of Canon's programmed SLRs. It is as easy to experience.
use as a compact camera, yet affords the special flexibility
that only SLRs give: lens interchangeability. The T50 takes Before you begin, take a few minutes to read these
care of every exposure worry for you from regular daylight instructions. They have been written so that you can quickly
shooting, to flash photography when accompanied by the master the operations of the camera, while also providing
Canon Speedlite 244T. Even film loading is automatic. some tips and explanations on photography.
You'll find the built-in power winder very helpful when taking
"action" pictures or shooting by remote control with the
Remote Switch 60 T3. And because it is an SLR, you can It is a good idea to acquaint yourself with the camera by
use the T50 with any of Canon's over 50 interchangeable first taking some pictures without any film loaded in the
FD lenses. camera. Load film once you feel comfortable with the
camera

When reading these instructions, unfold the front and back flaps or this booklet
for easy reference to the camera's parts.

4
Table of Contents

1. Attaching the Lens 6

2. Setting the Lens for Programmed AE 8
3. Loading the Batteries 9
4. Checking the Batteries 10
5. Selector Dial 11
6. Setting the Film Speed 12
7. Loading the Film 13
8. Learning to Hold the Camera Correctly 15
9. Shooting 16
10. Continuous Shooting 18
11. The T50's Viewfinder 19
12. Focusing Aids 20
13. Viewfinder Information 21
14. Self-Timer 22
15. Rewinding the Film 23
16. Dedicated Flash Photography with the 244T 24
17. Photography with the Remote Switch 60 T3 26
18. Other Accessories 27
19. Carrying the Camera 29
20. Caring for Your Camera 30
21. Specifications 32

5
1. Attaching the Lens

Turn the rear lens cap in the di- Remove the body cap. To reattach the rear lens cap, align it
rection of the arrow until it stops. with the lens as illustrated. Then
Then pull it off the lens. lightly push it in and turn it clockwise
until it stops.

This camera is designed for use with Fish-eye 7.5 mm f/5.6

Canon FD lenses only. Lenses and Reflex 500 mm f/8
accessories shown below cannot be Macrophoto 20 mm f/3.5
used with the T 50. Macrophoto 35 mm f/2.8
FL series lenses Close-up system accessories such as
TS35 mm f/2.8 Extension Tubes or Bellows without
AE signal pins

6
To mount the lens, first align the Then turn the lens in the direction To dismount the lens, turn the lens
red positioning point on the lens of the arrow until it stops and the in the direction of the arrow while
with the red dot above the camera lens release button pops out with a pressing the lens release button.
mount as illustrated. click.

After mounting the lens, make Be sure to place the lens with its
sure the lens release button has front end down (as illustrated) to
popped out. Otherwise, the lens avoid damaging the protruding pins
will not work properly. DO NOT
press the lens release button
while mounting, or it may not
pop out.

7
2. Setting the Lens for Programmed AE

Remove the front lens cap While pressing in the AE lock pin, "A" will be in line with the red dot
turn the aperture ring in the on the camera. If you forget to do
direction of the arrow until "A" this, automatic exposure will be
click-stops at the distance index. impossible. Since programmed
AE requires this setting, be sure
to always check that the lens is
set at "A"
Note:
I f you disengage the aperture
ring f r o m the "A" mark, the
camera's shutter speed will
remain set at 1/60 sec. At the
same time, a red "M" will appear
in the viewfinder when you
depress the shutter button
halfway.

8
3. Loading the Batteries

The T50 needs batteries to power it.

Use two new penlight (size AA, 1.5V)
batteries of the same brand. We
recommend Alkaline-manganese
(LR6) batteries for longer battery life.
Carbon-zinc batteries may also be
used, but their life is shorter.
DO NOT use Ni-Cd batteries.

Push the battery chamber cover Load the batteries so that their
opening latch. The battery chamber terminals face the directions indicated
cover will flip open. on the back of the battery chamber
cover.
The camera will not function if the
batteries are loaded incorrectly.

9
 4. Checking the Batteries

Hints: If you hear beeping sounds, you can

start taking pictures. If the beeping
1. Wipe the battery terminals and the sounds are not emitted, battery
camera contacts with a clean, dry power is insufficient. In this case,
cloth before loading to ensure replace the batteries. (The selector
proper contact. dial automatically returns to "L" when
2. When shooting in temperatures you remove your finger.)
below 0°C (32°F), keep your
camera and spare batteries close
to your body or in a pocket until
you are ready to take a picture.
Although batteries may not
function well in low temperatures,
Rotate the selector dial to "B.C."
do not throw them away. They
may work perfectly again once
they are restored to room
temperature.
3. Remove the batteries if you do not
expect to use the camera for Battery Life
about three weeks or longer.

Figures = shooting in normal temperatures (20°C, or 68°F)

10
5. Selector Dial

"PROGRAM" is the picture-taking "SELF" is the position for self timer "L" locks the shutter to prevent
position. photography. accidental shutter release. Turn the dial
to "L" when not using the camera; this
conserves battery power.

11
6. Setting the Film Speed

While pressing the lock release A fil m ' s I S O / A S A nu m be r ( fo r

button, rotate the film speed dial exa m ple, I S O / A S A 100 )
until the ISO/ASA of your film is r ep r esents its sensitivity to
aligned with the green index. This light. The highe r the nu m be r ,
is necessary for getting correct the less light ne eded fo r an
exposure. exposu r e. Thus, with I S O / A S A
400 fil m you can shoot even in
di m light.

(Figures in parentheses are intermediate film speeds represented by

dots on the film speed dial )

12
7. Loading the Film

Pull up the rewind knob until the The T50 uses color or black and Pull the film leader across the
back cover pops open. white film (negative or slide) in camera so that its tip is aligned
standard 35 mm cartridges. with the orange index in the
Place the cartridge in the film lower right-hand side of the film
chamber as shown. Then push chamber. If the film leader ex-
the rewind knob down, turning it tends past the orange line,
until it drops into its normal posi- manually wind the excess film
tion. back into the film cartridge.
Make sure the film perforations
are engaged with the sprocket
teeth, then close the back cover.

Shield the film from direct

Too much film slack. sunlight while loading it.

13
Turn the selector dial to Keep your finger pressed on the Each time you advance the film,
“PROGRAM." shutter button until the frame the frame counter also advances
counter automatically stops at to the next frame. It can count up
"1." While doing this, keep an eye to 36 frames. The numbers 12,
on the rewind knob. If it rotates in 20, 24, and 36 are in orange to
the direction of the arrow (see call your attention to the fact that
above right), the film is loaded rolls with those numbers of
correctly. frames are or are almost finished.

While loading the film, take Since exposure will not be cor-
care not to touch the shutter rect between "S" and "1,"
please do not take pictures
curtain (shown in red).
before you have advanced the
film to frame “1.”

14
8. Learning to Hold the Camera Correctly

Loading the Film in Low or

Humid Temperatures
In low temperatures, film with a
long leader may become curled.
Manually wind the excess leader
back into the cartridge to
straighten out the curl. Then pull
the film back out and align its tip
with the orange index.
When the humidity is high, film
becomes soft and easily torn.
Keep the film stored in its
canister until just before you load The slightest movement of your Hints:
it to keep it from tearing. body during shutter release may 1. Lean against a steady support
cause blur in the picture. The like a tree, a wall, or a table, if
best way to prevent camera available. This way your
movement is to hold the camera pictures will be just that much
firmly, with your left hand sup- sharper.
porting the camera and lens. 2. There is, of course, no one cor-
Press your left elbow to your body rect way to hold the camera
and lightly press the camera Experiment to find the most
against your cheek or forehead. suitable way for you. Select a
For a vertical shot, steady at least method that provides comfort in
one elbow against your body addition to stability. It may help
Spread your feet slightly apart, to practice in front of a mirror.
one foot ahead of the other, and Take care not to touch the rewind
relax. knob and button when taking
vertical shots.
15
9. Shooting

Make sure that the selector dial is set Look into the viewfinder. Turn the Gently press the shutter button
to "PROGRAM." focusing ring until the main subject is halfway to check for correct exposure.
sharp and compose the picture. If a solid green "P" appears in the
right side of the viewfinder, exposure
will be correct.
A slowly blinking "P" (about 2 times
per second) is a camera shake
warning. This means the shutter
speed is 1/30 sec or slower, so it is
Shutter speed is the amount of time the basis of exposure. Since the T50 best to use flash. If flash is not
the shutter remains open for is programmed to select and set the available, bring more light into the
exposure. Aperture in photo ter- best aperture/shutter speed picture, or mount your camera on a
minology refers to the size of the combination for you automatically, tripod.
lens opening. Shutter speed and you will not have to worry about
aperture are the variables forming making any manual settings.

16
A rapidly blinking "P" (about 8
times per second) means shooting
is not possible without the use of
flash. See p. 24 for more on
photography with the Canon
Speedlite 244T.

The solid line indicates the meter coupling

range in programmed AE when the FD 50 mm
f/1.4 is used.

17
 10. Continuous Shooting

The film will be automatically ad-

vanced as long as the shutter button
is depressed.

For a single exposure: Remove

your finger from the shutter button as
soon as the shutter is released.

For continuous shooting: Just keep

your finger on the shutter button for as
many pictures as you wish to take.
Press the shutter button all the way. One of the greatest features of the Continuous shooting takes place at a
The film will automatically advance to T50 is its built-in power winder. This maximum speed of 1.4 fps (frames per
the next frame. lets you concentrate on the action in second).
front of the camera, so that you can
take a whole roll of pictures without
ever removing your eye from the
viewfinder.

18
11. The T50's Viewfinder

The T50's viewfinder is bright and easy to use, displaying only the
necessary information through a Light-Emitting Diode (LED) system of
illumination. You may have been wondering how the T50 measures lighting
conditions and provides correct exposure. This is accomplished through the
Center-Weighted Averaging System by way of a silicon photocell. It reads
the entire viewing area with emphasis on the central portion where the
subject is most likely to be placed. Canon has used this system in all of its
"A" series cameras, and it has proven to be very reliable and accurate.

19
12. Focusing Aids

1. Laser Matte Screen --------When it

is difficult to focus the subject, use
the laser matte screen. It appears
fuzzy until the subject is in focus.
2. Microprism Rangefinder ------
Shimmers when the subject is out
of focus. It is clear and steady
when in focus.
3. New Split Rangefinder --------
Divides the subject in half
Out-of-focus In-focus horizontally. Especially useful for
subjects with vertical lines. The
The focusing aids in the center of the subject is in focus when the two
viewfinder will help you focus all your halves merge to become one
pictures sharply. They can be used unbroken image.
alone or in combination. See the
illustration on the facing page.

Note:
When using a lens with a maximum
aperture of f/5.6 or smaller, half of the
split-image rangefinder may take on a
slight color.
The center of the view finder is
enlarged for your easy understanding.

20
13. Viewfinder Information

4. Manual control LED

Blinks when the lens aperture ring
is detached from "A." Warns that
exposure may not be correct

5. Programmed AE control
LED/Camera shake, Under-
exposure warning "P" lights up to
indicate correct exposure.
Slow blinking warns for camera
shake; rapid blinking means
shooting not possible.

6. Flash-charge completion LED;

with 244T, also flash exposure
confirmation.
Lights up when flash is charged,
and with the 244T, confirms auto
flash exposure.

21
14. Self-Timer

Set the selector dial to "SELF" and To start the self-timer, press the At two seconds before shutter
focus your picture. shutter button. A beeping sound will release, the camera will begin to
be emitted. The shutter will be beep at a faster rate.
released automatically ten seconds
later.

The T50 sets the exposure the If you have started the self-timer
moment you press the shutter and wish to cancel it before shutter
button. To ensure correct expo- release, rotate the selector dial
sure, be sure to look through or back to "PROGRAM" or "L."
cover the viewfinder when press-
ing the shutter button to avoid Following exposure, unless you
Hint: stray incoming light. Also do not want to use the self-timer for the
When a tripod is not available, put stand in font of the lens. next frame, reset the selector dial to
the camera on a table for self-timed "PROGRAM" or "L."
photography.

22
15. Rewinding the Film

At the end of the roll of film, film First press in the rewind button. Then turn the rewind crank in the
advance will stop automatically (Once you have pressed it, you direction of the arrow. Keep
and, after a pause, the camera will can remove your finger.) turning until you feel no further
beep to inform you. pressure on the rewind crank.

If you do not remove your

finger from the shutter button DO NOT open the back cover
after film advance has stopped. until the film is completely
the camera will continue to rewound. Doing so may ruin
beep until you let go of the most or all of your film.
shutter button.

23
 16. Dedicated Flash Photography with the Canon Speedlite 244T

When the rewind crank feels loose, Switch to flash photography when Turn the main switch ON and set
open the back cover. The frame the green "P" starts to blink. For the ISO/ASA film speed on the
counter will automatically return to best results, we recommend using flash.
"S." Remove the film cartridge as the 244T with the T50. It is
illustrated and place it back in its incredibly easy to use, and has
canister. It should be developed as been designed exclusively to go
soon as possible. along with the T50.

Note:
There is an extremely rare
possibility that, after rewinding your
film, the mirror inside the camera
body may not flip back to its normal
position. If this happens, simply
press the rewind button. The mirror The 244T should only D e used
will then return to its normal with the T50.
position.

24
Depress the shutter button halfway; If the subject is too far from the
once the " ! " mark signals that the flash, the green "P" will blink rapidly
flash is charged, you are ready for to warn you. Move closer to your
flash photography. subject in such cases.
You need not make any settings.
The aperture is automatically set for
the best exposure results. The
shutter speed is also set au- When using "A" series
Speedlites and the 533G or
tomatically to X-sync (1/60 sec).
577G with the T50, the shutter It is recommended to use a
speed is set automatically to X- Canon flash unit on the T50.
sync (1 /60 sec), and the Using a flash or flash accessory
aperture is adjusted au- of another make may cause the
tomatically to the aperture value camera to work improperly or
of the flash as soon as the pilot even possibly damage the -
lamp glows. camera itself.
25
17. Photography with the Remote Switch 60
T3

The Remote Switch 60 T3 is a Attach the 60 T3 to the remote Depress the remote switch
useful accessory that has also control socket of the camera release button to take a picture
been designed exclusively for body. For continuous shooting, slide
the T50. Attached directly to the the release button to the running
camera body, it enables you to lock position.
shoot by remote control. And
since the T50 has a built-in
power winder, you do not need
an extra accessory to advance
Since the remote switch
the film. With the optional Exten-
shutter button and the camera
sion Cord 1000 T3 (approxi- shutter button are independent
mately 10 m, or 30 ft), you can of each other, the camera's
shoot from a distance, especially shutter button may be used,
useful when photographing wild- even if the Remote Switch 60
life. T3 is attached.

26
18. Other Accessories
Lens Hood Dioptric Adjustment Lenses S

We strongly recommend the use of a lens hood to keep Ten eyesight correction lenses are available in the powers
out side light which may cause flare and ghost images to of +3, +2, +1.5, +1, +0.5, 0, -0.5, -2, -3 and -4 diopters.
form on the image. Rigid Canon hoods also help to They may make viewing and focusing easier if you are
protect the lens from shock. Use only a hood which is near- or farsighted. Slide the Eyecup T up to remove it
specified for your particular lens. Most Canon hoods fit before you attach the dioptric adjustment lens to the
into the bayonet mount and are fixed by turning. For more camera. Choose the one which is closest to your eyeglass
details, please see the lens instruction manual. prescription, and make a practical test if possible.

Note:
Attaching the dioptric adjustment lens with the Eyecup T
is not possible.

27
Canon Wireless Controller LC-1 Interval Timer TM-1 Quartz

This accessory is a remote control photography The Canon Interval Timer TM-1 Quartz allows
device using infrared rays to control cameras from a unmanned shooting at timed intervals between 1
distance. The LC-1 is particularly useful second and 30 minutes in fourteen steps. Its quartz
in sports photography, wildlife photography, news control assures a precise time interval. It is
coverage, and for numerous other fields. The especially handy for the observation, recording, and
Wireless Controller LC-1 consists of a transmitter analysis of plant and animal life.
and a receiver. Up to three cameras can be operated
in series when the receivers are set to different
channels.
Note:
Attach the Remote Switch Adapter T3 when using
the camera with the Wireless Controller LC-1,
Interval Timer TM-11 Quartz, or older remote control
accessories. Also, cover the viewfinder of the
camera when using those accessories to avoid stray
incoming light.

28
19. Carrying the Camera

Thread the ends of the strap For carrying the camera, in par- Unsnap the top cover of the case
through the rings on the camera ticular, insert it into its semi-hard to remove it. Turn the lens
as shown. case (optional accessory) as focusing ring to infinity (∞) before
shown. closing the top cover again.

Do not forget to turn the

selector dial to "L" to prevent
accidental shutter release
while carrying the camera.

29
 20. Caring for Your Camera

As with any precision instrument, proper care and 3. To keep the camera in top condition during prolonged
maintenance involve a few simple rules in addition to storage, occasionally insert the batteries and take
common sense. Observing these few rules will keep your several blank shots to "exercise" the mechanisms.
T50 in top condition at all times. Check the operation of each part before you use the
camera following long storage.
4. Water, spray, excessive humidity, dust and sand are
1. The best thing you can do for your T50 is to use it your camera's worst enemies. Clean it especially well
regularly. In the event that you must store it for quite a immediately after you use it at the beach.
while, first remove it from its case or camera bag. 5. To clean the exterior of the camera body, first blow off
Remove the batteries. Wrap the camera in a clean, soft dust with a blower brush. Wipe off smudges with a
cloth and place it in a cool, dry, dust-free place. If you silicone cloth or chamois leather. If smudges remain on
store the body and lens separately, attach both the body the eyepiece after using a blower brush, wipe it lightly
and rear lens caps. with lens cleaning tissue which has been moistened with
a couple of drops of lens cleaner.

2. Keep the camera and lens out of direct sunlight and

away from "hot spots," such as the trunk, rear window
shelf or glove compartment of a car. Do not store the
camera in a laboratory or other such area where chemi-
cals may cause corrosion.

30
6. If the lens surfaces are clean, yet the view- 8. To clean the lens surfaces, use only a blower
finder appears dusty, the picture will not be brush, cleaning fluid and tissue made specially
affected by the dust in the viewfinder. If the for cleaning camera lenses. Carefully follow the
mirror gets dirty, it will not affect pictures but it lens instruction manual. Chamois leather or a
may make viewing difficult. Dust it VERY gently silicone cloth may be used for wiping smudges
with a blower brush. If further cleaning is off the lens barrel-NEVER use such cloths on
necessary, NEVER do it yourself but take the the glass surfaces!
camera to the nearest authorized Canon
service facility.

7. The film chamber needs cleaning from time to

time to remove film dust which may scratch the
film. Gently dust it out with a blower brush. Be
careful NEVER to press on the shutter curtain.

Aerosol spray dust removers are not recom-

mended for the shutter curtain area. If used,
hold the can at least 20 cm (8 inches) away from
the curtain.

31
 SPECIFICATIONS

Type: 35 mm SLR (Single-Lens Reflex) camera with Meter Coupling Range: EV 1 to EV 18 with ISO
electronically-controlled programmed AE (Automatic 100/21°, ASA 100 film.
Exposure). Film Speed Scale: ISO 25/15°, ASA 25-ISO 1600/33°,
Exposure Modes: Programmed AE and programmed AE ASA 1600.
flash photography with Canon Speedlite 244T Shutter: Vertical travel focal-plane, electromagnetic
Format: 24 x 36 mm. attraction shutter. Electronically controlled. Shutter
Usable Lenses: Canon FD series lenses only. Speed: Automatically controlled from 2 sec to
Viewfinder: Fixed eye-level pentaprism. 1/1000 sec at "A." 1/60 sec when disengaged from
Field of View: 92% vertical and 93% horizontal coverage "A."
of the actual picture area. Magnification: 0 83X at Mirror: Instant-return, with shock and noise absorber.
infinity with a standard lens. Viewfinder Information: Self-timer: Electronically controlled. Ten-second
Information is displayed by way of LED digital time lag activated by pressing shutter button. Beep
display positioned to the right of viewing area sounds to indicate operation; sound frequency
(P): Programmed AE indicator. 2 Hz flashing increases two secs before shutter release.
indicates camera shake warning; 8 Hz flashing Selector Dial: Four positions: "SELF," "PROGRAM," "L,"
indicates underexposure warning. and "B.C." At "L" all active circuits are cut off as a
(M): Manual aperture setting. 4 Hz flashing indicates safety feature.
exposure may be incorrect. Shutter Button: Two-step, electromagnetic shutter
(~): Flash charge-completion display. button Pressing it halfway activates the indicators
Pressing it all the way sets shutter in operation.
AE Mechanism: Electronically-controlled programmed Flash Synchronization: X-sync at 1/60 sec. Direct
AE contact at accessory shoe for hot-shoe type flash.
Light Metering System: TTL (Through-The-Lens), When used with Canon "A" series Speedlites,
Center-weighted average by SPC (Silicon Pho- 533G, or 577G, shutter speed is automatically set
tocell). Stopped-down metering is impossible and and aperture is also automatically set to the
Non-FD lenses and close-up system accessories aperture value of the flash when the pilot lamp
without AE signal pins cannot be used glows.

32
33