Canon Sure Shot Tele
The Canon Sure Shot Tele of 1986 was an attempt by Canon to make a fun camera. And by fun I mean the ability to do multiple exposures and have a built in soft focus filter, what merriment. OK that is more than just take pictures so they should be retro-plauded (Yes I just made that up, the fun is contagious). When I think of soft focus filters I immediately think of the 1980’s so I suppose Canon was right on the money with this one.
The camera has an interesting lens, primarily a 40mm f2.8 and rather than an actual zoom the tele function is a secondary element group that swings into place internally to provide a 70mm f4.9 arrangement. When this happens the front of the camera extends in a manner more reminiscent of a travel trailer room expansion than a camera lens zooming (It’s also slightly noisier). The multiple exposure is implemented by pressing the ME button beside the lens while half pressing the shutter, now when you take the picture the film will not advance. You can repeat this procedure to get multiple multiple exposures and then when you fire the shutter without pressing the ME button the film will advance after that exposure. Did you get that, fun yes?
Two image multiple exposure
Now for the coup de grâce, the soft focus filter. This requires even more dexterity as you need to fully deploy the filter against the spring who’s sole job is to swing it back on you. Once you have fought the filter into place you are ready to permanently obscure your subject, in that 80’s glow. The camera also has back-light compensation and manual flash override and the images are OK but with quite a bit of vignetting. It’s also very noisy in all aspects, noisy like hey look out your about to be hit by a travel trailer! However if soft focus filters and multiple exposures are your idea of fun then this camera is for you and your big hair.
Soft Focus filter
