Before we begin, I would like to announce that my new Patreon exclusive camera series is now up, with my first post talking about the Chuzhoa M1 Retro Camera. It can be viewed by either joining my Patreon or buy just buying the post for a onetime fee. I hope you will check it out, not only will you be part of an exclusive club, but you will be helping this site out.
You
can find the first post on my new series here:
Remember
to also check out my displate:
https://displate.com/artist/bfennsw?art=66e809bf952d9
Anyway,
back to the camera at hand:
From one well-known camera
brand to another, this post will be looking at a strange, but very interesting
camera. This is the Conon Epoca 135.
As with all new brands
mentioned on this blog, we will be going through their history.
It started in 1933 Japan when Goro
Yoshida and Saburo Uchida founded the Precision Optical Instruments Laboratory
(Seiki-Kogaku Kenkyusho, (Canon Inc.)), a camera company aimed at rivalling the
best camera companies in Europe (Kaninsky), and according to Touchette (2026),
specifically Leica.
Their main focus was to create
Japan’s first 35mm focal-plane shutter and in 1934 they released their first
prototype camera, the Kwanon camera, named after the Buddhist goddess of Mercy
(Touchette 2026). The Kwanon was inspired by the Leica and Contax cameras and
created by Goro Yoshida (Canon Inc.).
 |
| Kwanon camera. Image Source: https://global.canon/ja/c-museum/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/film1_b.jpg |
And even though there were
four variants of the Kwanon camera (Canon Inc.), none were sold commercially,
instead this honour went to the Canon Hansa in 1936 with the collaboration with
Nippon Kogaku, now known as Nikon and “…used Nikon lenses and a rangefinder
developed by Seiki Kogaku. The Hansa Canon adopted a design that closely
resembled Leica cameras but with uniquely Japanese engineering solutions. It
laid the groundwork for what would become a hallmark of Canon’s philosophy:
building cameras that balance European quality standards with innovation and
accessibility…” (Touchette 2026).
 |
| Canon Hansa. Image Source: https://www.japancamerahunter.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/hansa_canon_08192022_01.jpg |
The name Canon was trademarked
in 1935, by the Precision Optical Instruments Laboratory (Canon Inc.) and “…refers
to the Bible and standards or laws…” (Canon Inc.).
In 1937 the company became Precision Optical Industry, Co., Ltd., 1939 saw the creation of in-house Serenar lenses (Canon Inc.).
Serenar lens collection. https://www.leitz-auction.com/media/9a/67/f8/1705504470/16296_1.jpg?ts=1705504470
 |
| Canon J. Image Source: https://global.canon/ja/c-museum/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/film4_b.jpg |
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| Canon J II. Image Source: https://global.canon/ja/c-museum/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/film7_b.jpg |
But even when so many camera
companies after the war were closing down, Canon was not affected. As Touchette
(2026) wrote: “…Canon’s early efforts showed its capacity for quality,
precision, and international potential.” And this can be seen in their post-war
cameras, as in 1946 the Canon S II proved to be a big hit to not only the
Japanese citizens, but received “…great acclaim from ranking officers in the
Occupation Forces and foreign buyers in Japan…” (Canon Inc.).
 |
| Canon S II. Image Source: https://global.canon/ja/c-museum/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/film9_b.jpg |
Then in 1947 the company
became Canon Camera Co., Inc., and between 1948-1961, Canon became a priority
export product, listed shares on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, won a prize for
their Canon II B camera at the national camera exhibition and by 1952 they
released the Canon IVSb (Canon Inc.), “…the first Canon cameras to use flash
synchronization and introduced a more ergonomic body design. It was a
refinement of earlier rangefinder designs and set a new standard for
reliability and usability in the consumer camera market…” (Touchette 2026).
 |
| Canon II B. Image Source: https://coimages.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/167/115/medium_1990_5036_4625.jpg |
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| Canon IVsb. Image Source: https://mikeeckman.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/CanonIVSb-1.jpg |
Then Canon went on with a
joined effort, with NHK Science and Technical Research Laboratories to create
TV cameras, then Chichibu Eikosha Co., Ltd. (known as Canon Electronics Inc.)
became an affiliate and at the same time the Canon 8T cine, which a year later
was awarded the Good Design product designation award (Canon Inc.).
 |
| Canon 8T. Image Source: https://global.canon/ja/c-museum/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/cine253_b.jpg |
Then came the release of the
TV camera field zoom lens, entering the micrographics market, the release of
their first SLR camera, The Canon Flex in 1959, creation of the synchroreader,
the release VTR magnetic head (after they entered that market), the intro to
the Canonet in 1961, as well as the invention of Japan’s first rotary film
system (Canon Inc.).
 |
| Canon Flex. Image Source: https://global.canon/ja/c-museum/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/film38_b.jpg |
Then in 1962, Canon entered
the machine market, by bringing out the optic fibre development, their Canola
130 calculator, an X-ray mirror camera and then their photocopier the Canofax
1000 (Canon Inc.).
 |
| Canola 130 calculator. Image Source: https://global.canon/en/corporate/history/img/02_01.png |
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| Canofax 1000. Image Source: https://global.canon/en/corporate/history/img/02_02.png |
Then for their 30th
anniversary, they brought out the slogan "Cameras in the Right Hand,
Business Machines in the Left", then there was the introduction of “Canon
Business Machines Sales, Inc. (today, Canon Marketing Japan)” alongside their Canon
NP System, when entering the PPC market. Their electronic side brought out
their stereo recording heads, then by 1969, the company became Conon Inc. and
the intro of the world’s first fluorite lenses (Canon Inc.).
Leading up to 1970, Canon
opened multiple factories in and outside Japan, which then lead to their NP-1100,
their first PPC product as well as Japan’s first mask aligner. And by 1971,
Canon merged many branches to form one, Canon Sales Co., Inc. and this was also
the year Canon released the “…BP-1000 billing machine is introduced. Canon
enters the field of office computers…” and their famous SLR camera the Canon
F-1 (Canon Inc.).
 |
| Canon F-1. Image Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6e/Canon_F-1_%2813746363604%29.jpg |
The F-1 was a direct
competitor to Nikon’s F-series and introduced Conon’s FD lens mount (Touchette
2026).
The PPC technology improved in
1972-1973, and saw their macro zoom lens won an Academy Award. 1974 saw more
computers and a new president, and 1975 brought us the Canon laser printer
(Canon Inc.).
Then came the “Technological
Revolution” with the release of the Canon AE-1 in 1976. This Canon shook the
industry, due to it being the first SLR with a built-in microprocessor, “…which
enabled the automation of various functions, such as exposure control and
shutter priority…” (Kaninsky). The design and massive ad campaign lead to it
being a hit and making “…high-quality photography more accessible to amateur
photographers and budding professionals learning the fundamentals…” (Touchette
2026).
.jpg) |
| Canon AE-1. Image Source: https://live.staticflickr.com/1578/26252323761_789573ca01_b.jpg |
And keeping the ball rolling
Canon also, in the same year, brought out the first retinal camera (Canon Inc.)
for medical use.
 |
| Canon retinal camera. Image Source: https://www.truetex.com/cr6-45nm_2.jpg |
1977 saw another Academy Award
for their K-35 lenses, a new president and another factory opening. Then more
printers and copiers, alongside a floppy disk reader and then in 1979 saw the AF35M,
a fully automatic compact camera (Canon Inc.).
 |
| Canon AF35M. Image Source: https://cdn.assets.lomography.com/87/085068ba0eb811cb13f68d60c696140fc4e30e/704x704x2.jpg?auth=b35b2af4def8b86b49d6c265f77c52b9e62dc226 |
Then 1980-1985 saw fax
machines, new printers and copiers, including one with replaceable cartridges,
computers, calculators, medical equipment, and new cameras, such as the new
F-1, the T50, which won the Good Design Grand Prize in 1983 and the Canovision
8 VM-E1 (Canon Inc.).
 |
| New F-1. Image Source: https://www.canonclassics.com/img/product/20-12.jpeg |
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| Canon T50. Image Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/14/Canon_T50.jpg |
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| Canonvision 8 VM E1. Image Source: https://cormack.xyz/images/vme1-battery/iso.jpg |
1986 saw more printers, medical equipment, calculators, satellite tech and the T90 an electronic SLR and worlds first still video camera, the RC-701 (Canon Inc.).
.jpg)
Canon T90. Image Source:
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8497/8336591154_9cdb9608a5_n.jpg
 |
| Canon RC-701. Image Source: https://global.canon/ja/c-museum/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/svc443_b.jpg |
Then 1987 even more copiers,
printers, processers, software programs a 50x lens and the first of their most
iconic series, the EOS, with the EOS 650 (Canon Inc.). “The EOS system
represented a significant breakthrough in camera technology, offering a fully
electronic lens mount and seamless communication between the camera and lens.
This allowed for faster and more accurate autofocus, as well as improved
exposure control and customization…” (Kaninsky).
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| Canon EOS 650. Image Source: https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcREymoQTKaABfC0ekAam4jN5q51pqZ9_Ear2Q&s |
In the last two years of the
1980s, 1988-1989, saw new research centres, factories, a new president, more
fax, printers and copy machines. As well as disk readers, new video cameras,
such as the RC-760, with a CCD of 600000 pixels, as well the Hi8 A1 camera
(Canon Inc.).
 |
| RC-760. Image Source: https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQJ13CZEWT-KOQ2T8uEGkMq-7OVF5MbxX7ECA&s |
 |
| Canon Hi8 A1. Image Source: https://global.canon/ja/c-museum/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/8mmvc320_b.jpg |
There was also the release of
two other notable cameras, the Q-PIC floppy disk camera and the EOS 1, “…a
top-of-the-line autofocus SLR camera…” (Canon Inc.).
 |
| Canon Q-PIC. Image Source: https://global.canon/ja/c-museum/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/svc446_b.jpg |
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| Canon EOS 1. Image Source: https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS64YsDOt997uC3I_vA9w4csxyPKdXZe_y0Xw&s |
Then 1990-1995, saw another
merger to form Canon Chemicals Inc., another new president, more EOS cameras,
copiers, printers, new company branches, high-speed cameras, new technological
advances and award from the Japan Institute of Invention and Innovation (Canon
Inc.).
Then in 1996 came “Canon’s
Digital Dawn” with their introduction of the Powershot 600, “…an early consumer
digital camera with a modest 0.3-megapixel sensor…” (Touchette 2026). Alongside this camera was
also released the “…ELPH (IXUS in other regions), a 2x zoom compact camera with
the Advanced Photo System…” alongside a new laser printer (Canon Inc.).
 |
| Powershot 600. Image Source: https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5451/9702226230_f78169b746.jpg |
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| Canon ELPH. Image Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b6/Canon_APS_Elph.jpg/1280px-Canon_APS_Elph.jpg |
1997-1999 saw Canon’s
commitment to the digital market grow, as they entered the digital video camera
market, with the OPTURA. There were also more lenses made for TV, more medical
equipment, printers, copiers, more EOS cameras, incorporating their tech with
Subaru, more branches, factories, offices and the benchmark of selling 10mil
units (Canon Inc.).
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| Canon OPTURA. Image Source: https://global.canon/ja/c-museum/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/dvc665_b.jpg |
Then 2000 saw a very important
moment as Canon released the first full SLR digital EOS camera, the EOS 30D,
which featured “…a 3.1 MP APS-C CMOS sensor, distinguishing itself from
competitors using CCD sensors…” and “…Canon’s investment in CMOS technology
would eventually give it a lead in sensor performance, particularly in low
light and power efficiency. The D30 was aimed at serious enthusiasts and
professionals transitioning from film, and it laid the groundwork for Canon’s
dominance in the DSLR market throughout the 2000s…” (Touchette 2026).
 |
| Canon EOS D30. Image Source: https://global.canon/ja/c-museum/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/dslr779_b.jpg |
There was also the iR network,
the Expo and more Powershot cameras. 2001-2005 was more printers and copiers,
as well as factories built to focus solely on that side of the business. Stocks
went up, more offices, and award for their X-ray tech development, more EOS
digital cameras and Powershot cameras (Canon Inc.). But one camera that stood
out was the EOS 5D in 2005, “…a game-changer for professional full-frame
digital photography. The 5D was the first consumer-priced full-frame DSLR,
offering photographers the benefits of a larger sensor, better low-light
performance, and increased dynamic range…” (Kaninsky).
 |
| Canon EOS 5D. Image Source: https://1.img-dpreview.com/files/p/E~TS590x0~articles/5197378415/5d_original.jpeg |
2006-2015 was more printers,
copiers and computers. More EOS, video cameras and Powershot cameras. New
president, chairman, factories, offices, name changes, subsidiaries, awards, medical
equipment, the release of the “Cinema EOS System of cinema cameras and lenses”
and a mixed reality system MREAL HM-A1 headgear (Canon Inc.).
 |
| MREAL HM-A1. Image Source: https://global.canon/en/corporate/history/img/05_10.png |
Then 2016-2019, was more
subsidiaries, a new president, more offices and factories, printers, copiers,
EOS, Powershot, medical equipment and projectors. But two products stand out,
both from 2019, Canon’s first instant camera, the IVY CLIQ+ ZV-123 and their
new 8K broadcasting lens, the UHD DIGISUPER 51.
 |
| Canon IVY CLIQ+. Image Source: https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/Vb4AAeSwxsRpfpC-/s-l1200.png |
.jpg) |
| UHD DIGISUPER 51 lens. Image Source: https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSm5oMDjLCnK38o67gGEW8NrDMG9zou7kkS_g&s |
Now finally 2020-present. Here Canon carried on with their EOS digital system, most notably the EOS R3, a full-frame mirrorless camera with the black illuminated CMOS sensor (2021) and the EOS R1 “…the first flagship model of the EOS R System…” (2024).
 |
| Canon EOS R3. Image Source: https://global.canon/en/corporate/history/img/2021-eosr3.jpg |
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| Canon EOS R1. Image Source: https://global.canon/en/corporate/history/img/2024-eosr.jpg |
There were more printers,
computers, Powershot Cameras, their SPAD sensors, VR tech, medical equipment, a
new president, subsidiaries, offices and factories (Canon Inc.).
But Canon did face a loss due
to the pandemic and got help from Fujitsu, who provided Canon with a Fujitsu
Supercomputer, to “…assist with its no-prototype development manufacturing
initiative…” (Wikipedia 2026).
With such a long history, I
don’t see Canon going anywhere, as Kaninsky writes:
“Canon's dedication to
innovation and its commitment to providing photographers with the tools they
need to succeed ensure that the brand will continue to be a driving force in
the world of photography for years to come.”
Now, finally, let’s have a
look at the camera of this post, the Canon Epoca 135.
Released in 1992, the Epoca
seems to have gone under different many names, depending on the country it was
sold in. Japan it is known as the JET135, Americas it is the Photura 135 and
Europe, Asia and the Oceania, it goes by the Epoca 135 (Canon Inc.).
Photura 135. Image Source:
https://global.canon/ja/c-museum/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/film154_b.jpg
But this model is the second
iteration of the Epoca cameras. The first released models (1990) had a zoom of
35-105 and the second model has a zoom of 38-135 (xtalfu 2025), which is where
the camera gets the 135 in its name, or so I assume. Due to the fact that the
first models just went by Photura and Epoca, except the Japanese versions,
which went by Autoboy Jet.
 |
| Autoboy Jet. Image Source: https://global.canon/ja/c-museum/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/film144_b.jpg |
It was part of their Sure Shot
series (xtalfu 2025), a series of Canon point-and-shoot cameras from 1979
(Blair 2025).
The series could be seen as Kodak’s Instamatic, or Brownie series, in that it was very successful (Blair 2025) and made photography easy and accessible to everyone. And it all started with the first camera in the series, the Sure Shot or AF35/Autoboy in Japan and Europe (Canon Inc.).
Sure Shot 35. Image Source:
https://global.canon/en/c-museum/product/film102.html
This series saw many different
cameras, from waterproof to high quality lenses with insane zoom capabilities
(Blair 2025). All the way up until 2005 (Film Camera Store 2026), ending with
Canon’s last set of film cameras they would make, the Sure Shot 130u II Date,
the 115u II date and 90u II date (Knight 2023).
Out of these three, the 90u II date would be the latest release (Knight 2023) in April 2005 and is based off of the Sure Shot 90u (Canon Inc.). So Canon’s Sure Shot ended its 26 year run with the 90u II date.
Sure Shot 90u II. Image Source:
https://global.canon/ja/c-museum/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/film251_b.jpg
Now the reason for Canon’s
choice to release the Epoca camera, was due to the new trend that Ricoh,
Olympus and Chinon started, which is known as bridged cameras; cameras that
bridge the gap between point-and-shoot and SLR cameras and “…Like a Point and
Shoot, they had a non-removable zoom, and like SLRs, image framing was done
through the lens. A flash was also built-in. It made for a large and heavy
combo, but in the mind of the people who designed them, those all-in-one bridge
cameras were supposed to be cheaper, less intimidating and easier to carry
around than an autofocus SLR with an equivalent 35-135 zoom and a big cobra
flash…” (xtalfu 2025).
But they weren’t really a big
hit, as combining SLR features with a point-and-shoot camera design, it made
the models released by companies feel heavy, bulky and their strange looks
would not be accepted by consumers (xtalfu 2025). This was “…an attempt to
avoid the associations some consumers felt towards conventional SLRs, perceived
as being too difficult and complex…” (Camera-wiki 2025). Well, that is until
the bridge cameras went digital.
As the world started embracing
digital cameras, companies saw the opportunity to bring back the bridged
cameras. Think of it this way, the point-and-shoot cameras were replaced by the
compact digicams and the professional SLR film cameras were replaced by the new
DSLR cameras. And just like the bridged cameras of film, that “…represented a ‘bridge’
between the ease of use of sophisticated point & shoot compact cameras, but
with some of the image-quality advantages of full SLR system bodies…”
(Camera-wiki 2025), the new bridged digital cameras “…bridge the gap between
DSLRs and compact cameras, offering a similar user experience and level of
manual control…” (Atherton 2016).
Digital bridge cameras, also
known as super/ultrazoom cameras (due to “…They're fixed lens cameras that
enjoy impressive optical zoom capabilities…” (Bowker 2014)), just like its film
counterparts, helped budding photographers save money from buying expensive
(D)SLRs or settling with a simple point-and-shoot film/digital camera (Tadmor
2016).
Now the Epoca 135 is a late
comer to the film bridged cameras, although xtalfu (2025), argues that it isn’t
actually a bridge camera, because “…it was not a single lens reflex camera –
the viewfinder was a simple Galilean design with variable magnification,
similar to what you would have found on a point and shoot camera of that era.
And the photo cell used for metering did not operate through the zoom lens, but
through a separate tiny lens next to it. So did the infra-red autofocus system.
Like on a point and shoot camera.”
But I would argue that this is
wrong. For one xtalfu (2025), keeps writing, that some features on this camera
can also be found on a point-and-shoot and as I mentioned earlier, a bridge
camera combines a point-and-shoot and SLR into one body. And secondly, the
viewfinder issue doesn’t disqualify it from being a bridged camera, just
because it doesn’t have a SLR, because later bridge cameras, that is to say
digital, has “…no reflex mirror or prism assembly inside the camera like a DSLR
has…” (Atherton 2016) and can “…employ two types of electronic screens as viewfinders:
The LCD and the electronic viewfinder (EVF) which distinguishes bridge cameras
from consumer compact cameras...” (ORMS 2026). Meaning that you can’t define a
bridge camera from the way its lens or viewfinder works.
There isn’t much else to the
camera, other than mentioning that its odd shape, which resembles a camcorder
and was part of camera companies’ attempts to not only, as mentioned make it
look less like an SLR as to not intimidate buyers, but it was part of a craze
where manufacturers were designing “cameras of the future” a fad that “faded
away in a decade and the beasts became a thing of the past…” (Nokkos 2018).
Other examples include the Yashica
Samurai X3.0 and the Olympus IZM300.
 |
| Yashica Samuria X3.0. Image Source: https://farm4.static.flickr.com/3292/2988741880_40a19eea52.jpg |
.jpg) |
| Olympus IZM300. Image Source: https://cdn.assets.lomography.com/c2/c50f0fa89c9aa22a2dba22bace83ab3f8da435/1216x912x2.jpg?auth=b959659fb586982a7afa242b543da9b9d47a39bf |
There are many more cameras
with this odd design, and I think Canon just wanted to jump-in on this fad, and
had Canon feeling like they had “…a winner on their hands…” (arhphotographic
2020).
But I think that it was too
late, as the market was already dominated by other companies and digital was
taking over in this time, it probably fell into the background, similar to the Halina
X101 joining in on Kodak’s Instamatic market.
The Epoca 135 could have also
gotten lost in the sea of Sure Shot cameras, just like the Instamatic
33 and 155X
got lost in the vast collection of the Instamatic series.
So with all that, let’s
closely examine the camera at hand.
This model as mentioned came
out in 1992 and based off of an earlier 1990 model. It weighs around 645g, is
6.5 x 4 x 2.5 inches in size and has a plastic body.
Now to break down the
features, starting with the front.
First, surprisingly not the
lens, but the lens cap!
The Epoca has a built-in lens
cap that also doubles as the flash gun, with a range of 98 feet.
On the inside of the cap is
the flash, covered by a Fresnel lens (see the Polaroid
Colorpack 80 post for information on this lens).
Not only that, but like the
other point-and-shoot cameras (Sinpo
PQ-3, the Praktica
Sport and the Minolta
AF-Big Finder), the lens cap also serves as the on/off switch.
Now for the lens-
It is a Canon Zoom lens,
38-135m and a max f/stop of 3.2.
According to Nokkos (2018),
the original Epoca’s lens was a 10-element lens in 9 groups, which means that,
(if we use the same logic as in the Halina
35X super post), we can surmise that the lens has ten pieces of glass, but
two of them are cemented together, making it technically nine pieces of glass.
And since the 135 is based off of the original, we can assume that the 135 also
has this feature, or something similar to it.
.png) |
| Inside the lens of an Epoca. Image Source: https://cameragx.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/img_1237-1.jpg?w=1440 |
The lens also came with
adapters known as a close-up unit.
Now for the components around
the lens-
First, under the lens is the AF light projector.
Unlike regular AF cameras,
that automatically focus on something one time and is standing still, AI focus
cameras constantly changes the focus distance to follow a moving object to keep
it in focus. Or in other words, normal AF cameras sends out one infra-red beam
and receives the information only once to set the focus. And if the subject
moves, it will be out of focus and the camera would have to reset and send out
a new beam. But AI cameras, “…detects movement by taking several AF readings as
the shutter button is partially pressed. If the subject distance changes
between readings, the system concludes that the subject must be moving. The
variation between distances allows the camera to determine the speed of
movement…” and thus even if the subject is moving, it will always be in focus
(Canon).
Now the infra-red AF light
projector is the one that sends out the light beam to determine the distance of
the object.
Then the one above the lens is
the AF light receptor, which catches the beam sent out by the projector that
bounced off of the object, reads the data and accordingly sets the focus.
Next to that is the viewfinder
window.
This is where the viewfinder
looks through when setting up the shot. This is why this camera isn’t an SLR.
Next to that is the metering
window.
This automatically sets the
f/stop and the shutter speed based off of the lighting condition of the
environment.
The f/stop can be set between
anywhere from 3.2-8 and the shutter speed can be set between 2 and 1/125 second
(Luyckx 2023).
Then lastly there is the
self-timer lamp.
On top-
Is the shutter release button,
which “…the real-time mode, the shutter release time lag (the time it takes for
the shutter to release after the shutter button is pressed) is only 0.018 sec...”
(Canon Inc.). The shutter is an Electronic Focal Plane.
Behind that is the Zooming
lever.
Pushed to the right zooms in
and left out.
One thing I find interesting
is that the barrel of the lens extends when zoomed in. And while it zooms in
the Fresnel lens moves out with it “…which apparently helps to focus the flash
when the lens is extended…” (arhphotographic 2020).
Then next to those two is the
finder switch.
When it is slid forward, it
switches to the waist-level finder (Nokkos 2018), allowing the user to look
through the top of the camera, similar to the Brownie
Model 1. But unlike the Brownie and the other box cameras, the waist-lever
finder can’t really be used at waist-level. To use this one must actually peer
into the viewfinder directly, like any other viewfinder. So we can actually
compare it more to a TLR or more likely a Pseudo-TLR camera, like the Pucky
I and Richoflex
IIII.
Then when you slide it
backwards, it allows the user to use the rear viewfinder and use the camera
like a normal SLR camera.
The slider is probably
connected to a mirror. When slid forward a mirror pops up at a 45-dagree angle
to make the waist-finder, blocking the rear finder. Then when pulled back it
flattens the mirror, allowing light to go through the rear viewfinder window.
.png) |
| Screenshot from the manual. |
The right side-
Here is the strap fixture, where
one side of a neck strap goes.
The left side-
Is the other fixture.
And with that is the
camcorder-like hand strap.
Now one might wonder: how do
you attach the neck strap, with the hand strap there? Well, there is a small
gap in the hand strap stopper, allowing and giving some space.
.png) |
| Screenshot from the manual. |
The hand strap is a fun
addition, and it does feel quite nice to hold. But it does restrict your
movement and it does make it a bit difficult to switch between the shutter
release and the zoom lever. But in the long run this is a very valuable feature
as it allows you to “…use it single-handedly and quite sturdily at that…”
(Nokkos 2018).
On the back-
At the top is the rear
viewfinder.
And right next to the viewfinder are two light indicators.
These are “confirmation lights
for focusing” (Nokkos 2018).
The top one is the green
light, this tells you when the focusing is successful.
.png) |
| Screenshot from the manual. |
Bottom is the red light which
indicates that you are “…trying to focus too close or focusing is unsuccessful…”
(Nokkos 2018).
Under the viewfinder, is the Dioptric adjuster.
According to the manual it does this:
.png) |
| Screenshot from the manual. |
Next to that is the self-timer button.
Then underneath that is the
LCD panel.
This indicates the different
functions that are being used, film frame number, timer countdown and if there
is film in the camera.
.png) |
| Screenshot from the manual. |
Then under the panel-
From left to right-
First is the Infinity button,
which helps get sharper images when taking photos of landscapes and anything
that is a bit far away. You use it by pressing the button, while holding down
the shutter release.
Next is the shooting mode
button. This switches between the flash-off mode, flash-on mode and the
slow-sync mode, which fires the flash and slows down the shutter speed so that
the camera can also capture the background better.
Next to that is the red-eye
reduction mode, which does as the name implies. It does this by illuminating
some light to reduce the pupils of the subject, before the full flash goes off.
Then we have the frame fixed
and remote trigger mode. This has three settings. The first is the frame fixed
mode. This is used to automatically allow the camera to zoom in and out to
maintain the same constant magnification when taking pictures of the same
subject at different distances. So the framing size stays the same whether you
are moving in closer or further away. The second mode is to allow the camera to
connect to a wireless remote controller which allows for remote access to the
shutter. And the third is to combine both the first two modes.
.png) |
| An example of a Canon remote trigger button. Image Source: https://cameratek.co.za/cdn/shop/products/canon-rc-6-remote-cameratek_487.jpg?v=1585690742&width=500 |
Lastly, is the automatic film
rewind button and is as small as the Minolta
AF-Big Finder.
Then finally underneath-
Here is the tripod socket.
Under that is the film
compartment cover.
On this cover is the batter
compartment.
This camera uses one 2CR5 battery.
Next to the tripod socket, is
the Bottom cover latch, that when pushed down opens the cover.
Under the cover is the film
and battery compartment.
My guess is the reason why the
battery compartment has two ways to be opened, is that when you add the film
you can also save time by putting in the battery as well in the same breath.
And when the battery runs low
while you still have film inside the camera, you can just open the battery
cover, thus preventing you from accidently exposing the film to any light. This
second battery opening protects the film.
Now the film compartment.
This is a very interesting
film loading system, known as a drop-in film loading system (Luyckx 2023),
where all you do is “…drop the film into the base of the camera having pulled
out enough tail to line up with a marker and it auto loads…” (Harrison 2022).
.png) |
| Screenshot from the manual. |
This camera uses 35mm film and
to learn how film works see my Kodak
200 Colorplus post. This camera also has a DX film coding system (see my Praktica
Sport post).
And as a quick mention this camera did come with a carrying case.
With that, I hope you can tell
that I am a fan of Canon. I really like their products and mostly use their
cameras. And when it comes to recommending a camera for beginning film
photographers, I can confidently say that the Epoca 135 is the best one to
start with. This camera is like a point-and-shoot on steroids and blows all of
my other recommendations so far, out of the water.
With its easy film loading and
unloading system, its pseudo-SLR style, the hand strap and a cool look that
will definitely turn heads, this camera is definitely the best film camera so
far.
Thanks for making to the end
and as always I hope you enjoyed this as much as I did researching it.
Please
remember to check out my Patreon at: patreon.com/OnlineCurator
where you can find my first post of my new series, as well as pictures and
links to my other Fantasy Blog series.
Please
see the Please help this site post
on this blog, for more information.
Or
if you want to help in another way, please visit my Displate Store.
Thank you for the support.
List of sources:
Atherton, N. 2016. The
WDC Guide to Bridge Cameras. https://www.whatdigitalcamera.com/buying-advice/the-wdc-guide-to-bridge-cameras-2842
Arhphotographic.
2020. Jetting off with the Canon Epoca 135. https://arhphotographic.co.uk/2020/05/17/jetting-off-with-the-canon-epoca-135/
Blair, C. 2025. 7 Of
Our Favourite Canon Sure Shot Point & Shoot Film Cameras. https://www.canonrumors.com/7-of-our-favourite-canon-sure-shot-point-shoot-film-cameras/#
Bower, D. 2014. Bridge
cameras - what are they and who are they for? https://www.photocritic.org/articles/bridge-cameras-what-are-they-and-who-are-they-for
Camera-wiki. 2025.
Bridge Cameras. https://camera-wiki.org/wiki/Bridge_camera
Canon. Everything you
wanted to know about autofocus (AF). https://www.canon-europe.com/pro/infobank/autofocus/
Canon Inc. Autoboy
Jet. https://global.canon/en/c-museum/product/film144.html
Canon Inc. Hansa
Canon (Standard Model). https://global.canon/en/c-museum/product/film2.html
Canon Inc. J II. https://global.canon/en/c-museum/product/film7.html
Canon Inc. Kwanon
(Prototype). https://global.canon/en/c-museum/product/film1.html
Canon Inc. Photura
135. https://global.canon/en/c-museum/product/film154.html
Canon Inc. Sure Shot
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Canon Inc. The
History of Canon. https://global.canon/en/corporate/history/01.html
Film Camera Store.
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Harrison, P. 2022. Canon
Epoca – A Review of A Twice Owned Camera – by Phil Harrison. https://www.35mmc.com/13/05/2022/canon-epoca-a-review-by-phil-harrison/
Kaninsky, M. History
of Canon: From Humble Beginnings to Global Powerhouse. https://aboutphotography.blog/blog/history-of-canon
Knight, A. 2023. Canon
Sure Shot 130u II Date: One of Canon’s Last Film Cameras. https://www.35mmc.com/30/09/2023/canon-sure-shot-130u-ii-date-one-of-canons-last-film-cameras/
Luyckx, A. 2023. Camera
Review Blog No. 157 – Canon Photura. http://www.alexluyckx.com/blog/2023/07/03/camera-review-blog-no-157-canon-photura/
Mike. 2007. Canon
Photura 135 manual. https://butkus.org/chinon/canon/canon_photura_135/canon_photura_135.htm
Nokkos. 2018. Canon
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ORMS. 2026. Bridge
Cameras. https://www.ormsdirect.co.za/collections/bridge-cameras?srsltid=AfmBOorMQBog6vKo5wwwKfICLzNsx92yZOJt2sJ_cIlXKLWRmv9wXzhL
Tadmor, O. 2016. Bridge
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