Canon EOS 650

The Canon EOS 650 was the very first camera in the EOS series which still exist today in digital versions. It is a 35mm SLR camera introduced in 1987. The Canon EOS system with the EF lens mount enabled autofocus which was new to Canon SLR cameras. The lenses had a buit-in ultrasonic motor which connected to the camera body allowing the autofocus. Previously, Canon SLRs used the FD mount which is not compatible with the EF. The autofocus was extremely fast for the time, and soon made the EOS cameras very popular.

The camera offered two autofocus (AF) modes: One Shot (the lens stops moving after the focus is obtained after pressing half-way the shutter button) and Servo (when the shutter button is pressed half-way the lens tries to focus continuously in order to capture a subject in motion)

Canon EOS 650 has a motor drive allowing capturing speed of 3 frames per second. It also features 5 different program modes including Shutter Priority (Tv = Time value), aperture priority (Av = Aperture value) and DEPTH mode which helps to keep in focus the area between two given points in the foreground and in the background.

The viewfinder offers a screen with many indications and notifications that assist in correct exposure. In order for the camera to work it needs a 2CR5 type 6V lithium batteries, as all the functions are mechanical.

Two months after the launch of EOS 650, the EOS 620 was introduced which was basically the same, but offered some new features, like double exposure capability.

Fun fact: in 1992 this model was used to take the first photo that is thought to have ever been uploaded on the internet (the photo known as The Horribles Cernettes).

Watch the video below for a complete tutorial on all the functions of Canon EOS 650!