Difference between revisions of "Canon A-1"
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| + | |image=http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3216/2318775474_c9bd0b4b26_m.jpg | ||
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| + | |image_text= A-1 settings dial | ||
| + | |image_by= AWCam | ||
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| + | The '''A-1''' is a [[35mm film|35mm]] [[SLR]] camera from [[Canon]] that, like its predecessor the [[Canon AE-1|AE-1]], was innovative when released in 1978. It was notable for its programmed automatic exposure setting, whereby ''both'' aperture and shutter speed are automated. While not labeled as such, it was a pioneer in offering the full "PASM" set of exposure options, standard in many later cameras through the present day. The camera is durable and reliable. | ||
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Canon's competitors were considerably slower in introducing programmed SLRs: [[Minolta]] in 1982 with the [[Minolta X-700|X-700]], [[Nikon]] with the [[Nikon FA|FA]] and [[Pentax]] with the [[Pentax Super A|Super A]] in 1983 and [[Olympus]] with the [[Olympus OM-1/2/3/4|OM-2S Program]] in 1984. | Canon's competitors were considerably slower in introducing programmed SLRs: [[Minolta]] in 1982 with the [[Minolta X-700|X-700]], [[Nikon]] with the [[Nikon FA|FA]] and [[Pentax]] with the [[Pentax Super A|Super A]] in 1983 and [[Olympus]] with the [[Olympus OM-1/2/3/4|OM-2S Program]] in 1984. | ||
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Unlike most other Canon SLRs, the A-1 was only available in black finish. | Unlike most other Canon SLRs, the A-1 was only available in black finish. | ||
| − | The A-1 has the [[Canon_FD_mount|Canon FD bayonet lens mount]] and was normally sold with the [[Canon FD 50mm f/1.8]] or [[Canon FD 50mm f/1.4|50mm f/1.4]] lens. The A-1 accepts any lens with the Canon FD (1971) or FDn (1979) bayonet mount. The lenses feel solid, and are well-finished and balanced. | + | The A-1 has the [[Canon_FD_mount|Canon FD bayonet lens mount]] and was normally sold with the [[Canon FD 50mm f/1.8]] or [[Canon FD 50mm f/1.4|50mm f/1.4]] lens. The A-1 accepts any lens with the Canon FD (1971) or FDn (1979) bayonet mount. The lenses feel solid, and are well-finished and balanced. (The more recent EF mount autofocus lenses (1987) cannot be fitted, nor can the FD mount lenses be fitted to autofocus Canon SLRs.) |
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| + | === Features === | ||
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||[http://www.flickr.com/photos/verbessem/3219352919/in/pool-camerawiki/ http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3475/3219352919_3705b3a424_m.jpg] | ||[http://www.flickr.com/photos/verbessem/3219352919/in/pool-camerawiki/ http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3475/3219352919_3705b3a424_m.jpg] | ||
||[http://www.flickr.com/photos/verbessem/3225556132/in/pool-camerawiki http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3366/3225556132_3b761ca58a_m.jpg] | ||[http://www.flickr.com/photos/verbessem/3225556132/in/pool-camerawiki http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3366/3225556132_3b761ca58a_m.jpg] | ||
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| colspan=3 align=center | FD 50mm f/1.8; FD 28mm f/2.8; FD 70-210mm f/4<br/><small>images by {{image author|Patrick Verbessem}}</small> {{with permission}} | | colspan=3 align=center | FD 50mm f/1.8; FD 28mm f/2.8; FD 70-210mm f/4<br/><small>images by {{image author|Patrick Verbessem}}</small> {{with permission}} | ||
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The A-1 has the choice of [[Aperture priority | aperture-]] or [[shutter priority|shutter-priority]] automatic exposure, the first<REF>According to Canon, [http://www.canon.com/camera-museum/camera/film/data/1976-1985/1978_a1.html?lang=us&categ=srs&page=a in their museum]</REF> ''"programmed"'' fully-auto mode, as well as automatic dedicated flash, and a fully manual setting. There is a numerical display in the viewfinder of shutter and aperture, using red [[LED]] seven-segment displays. To avoid fogging from the viewfinder on long exposures, the LED display can be switched off, and the eyepiece closed off with a shutter. | The A-1 has the choice of [[Aperture priority | aperture-]] or [[shutter priority|shutter-priority]] automatic exposure, the first<REF>According to Canon, [http://www.canon.com/camera-museum/camera/film/data/1976-1985/1978_a1.html?lang=us&categ=srs&page=a in their museum]</REF> ''"programmed"'' fully-auto mode, as well as automatic dedicated flash, and a fully manual setting. There is a numerical display in the viewfinder of shutter and aperture, using red [[LED]] seven-segment displays. To avoid fogging from the viewfinder on long exposures, the LED display can be switched off, and the eyepiece closed off with a shutter. | ||
The settings dial is shown (right) set to [[shutter priority|shutter-priority]] auto ("Tv"). The programmed setting (marked [P] in a green square) is just past the 1/1000 mark. Rotating the collar around the shutter-release to "Av" sets [[aperture priority|aperture-priority]] and changes the scale from speed (black background) to aperture settings (on a yellow background). Speeds (manual or auto), or apertures (in auto mode) are adjusted by a wheel in front of the dial; the photographer's right index finger naturally falls on this. There is a sliding cover for the wheel, preventing accidental changes to settings. | The settings dial is shown (right) set to [[shutter priority|shutter-priority]] auto ("Tv"). The programmed setting (marked [P] in a green square) is just past the 1/1000 mark. Rotating the collar around the shutter-release to "Av" sets [[aperture priority|aperture-priority]] and changes the scale from speed (black background) to aperture settings (on a yellow background). Speeds (manual or auto), or apertures (in auto mode) are adjusted by a wheel in front of the dial; the photographer's right index finger naturally falls on this. There is a sliding cover for the wheel, preventing accidental changes to settings. | ||
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| + | For automatic operation, the aperture ring of the lens is set to the "A" position; for manual settings, the required aperture is set on the lens and the shutter set on the dial, in the "Tv" position. | ||
| + | On the photographer's left, on the front is a peculiar slider, with a flip-up finger pad, which is the stop-down lever for [[depth of field]] preview and [[stop down|stop-down metering]]. On the side of the lens mount are buttons for exposure preview, and exposure memory. | ||
{{Flickr_image | {{Flickr_image | ||
| − | |image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/24225011@N04/ | + | |image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/24225011@N04/2557536085/in/pool-camerawiki/ |
| − | |image=http://farm4.static.flickr.com/ | + | |image= http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3025/2557536085_80287ea01a_o.jpg |
|image_align= right | |image_align= right | ||
| − | |image_text= | + | |image_text= Hot shoe with<br />dedicated flash contacts |
|image_by= AWCam | |image_by= AWCam | ||
|image_rights= with permission | |image_rights= with permission | ||
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The electronically-controlled horizontal cloth [[focal plane shutter]] has marked speeds from 30s to 1/1000s, with [[flash sync|X-sync]] at 1/60. In aperture priority mode, the shutter speed is continuously variable. | The electronically-controlled horizontal cloth [[focal plane shutter]] has marked speeds from 30s to 1/1000s, with [[flash sync|X-sync]] at 1/60. In aperture priority mode, the shutter speed is continuously variable. | ||
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Around the [[film advance|wind-on lever]] is the On (A)/ Off (L, lock)/ [[self-timer]] (2 or 10 sec) switch, and also a double-exposure release - allowing cocking the shutter without advancing the film {this is covered by the lever in the photo above}. | Around the [[film advance|wind-on lever]] is the On (A)/ Off (L, lock)/ [[self-timer]] (2 or 10 sec) switch, and also a double-exposure release - allowing cocking the shutter without advancing the film {this is covered by the lever in the photo above}. | ||
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Dedicated flashguns can be attached to the [[hot shoe]], where there are two additional contacts for camera-gun communication. There is also a PC socket - on the front, near the rewind crank - for a conventional flashgun. | Dedicated flashguns can be attached to the [[hot shoe]], where there are two additional contacts for camera-gun communication. There is also a PC socket - on the front, near the rewind crank - for a conventional flashgun. | ||
Revision as of 18:11, 24 January 2012
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The A-1 is a 35mm SLR camera from Canon that, like its predecessor the AE-1, was innovative when released in 1978. It was notable for its programmed automatic exposure setting, whereby both aperture and shutter speed are automated. While not labeled as such, it was a pioneer in offering the full "PASM" set of exposure options, standard in many later cameras through the present day. The camera is durable and reliable.
Contents
Canon's competitors were considerably slower in introducing programmed SLRs: Minolta in 1982 with the X-700, Nikon with the FA and Pentax with the Super A in 1983 and Olympus with the OM-2S Program in 1984.
The A-1 was among the first cameras to be completely dependent on battery power. This power came from a 6V PX28 battery, or four LR44 1.5V alkaline cells, kept in a battery compartment on the front, partly hidden by a screwed-on finger grip (the "Action Grip"[1]).
Unlike most other Canon SLRs, the A-1 was only available in black finish.
The A-1 has the Canon FD bayonet lens mount and was normally sold with the Canon FD 50mm f/1.8 or 50mm f/1.4 lens. The A-1 accepts any lens with the Canon FD (1971) or FDn (1979) bayonet mount. The lenses feel solid, and are well-finished and balanced. (The more recent EF mount autofocus lenses (1987) cannot be fitted, nor can the FD mount lenses be fitted to autofocus Canon SLRs.)
Features
|
|
|
| FD 50mm f/1.8; FD 28mm f/2.8; FD 70-210mm f/4 images by Patrick Verbessem (Image rights) | ||
The A-1 has the choice of aperture- or shutter-priority automatic exposure, the first[2] "programmed" fully-auto mode, as well as automatic dedicated flash, and a fully manual setting. There is a numerical display in the viewfinder of shutter and aperture, using red LED seven-segment displays. To avoid fogging from the viewfinder on long exposures, the LED display can be switched off, and the eyepiece closed off with a shutter.
The settings dial is shown (right) set to shutter-priority auto ("Tv"). The programmed setting (marked [P] in a green square) is just past the 1/1000 mark. Rotating the collar around the shutter-release to "Av" sets aperture-priority and changes the scale from speed (black background) to aperture settings (on a yellow background). Speeds (manual or auto), or apertures (in auto mode) are adjusted by a wheel in front of the dial; the photographer's right index finger naturally falls on this. There is a sliding cover for the wheel, preventing accidental changes to settings.
For automatic operation, the aperture ring of the lens is set to the "A" position; for manual settings, the required aperture is set on the lens and the shutter set on the dial, in the "Tv" position. On the photographer's left, on the front is a peculiar slider, with a flip-up finger pad, which is the stop-down lever for depth of field preview and stop-down metering. On the side of the lens mount are buttons for exposure preview, and exposure memory.
|
| Hot shoe with dedicated flash contacts image by AWCam (Image rights) |
The electronically-controlled horizontal cloth focal plane shutter has marked speeds from 30s to 1/1000s, with X-sync at 1/60. In aperture priority mode, the shutter speed is continuously variable.
Around the wind-on lever is the On (A)/ Off (L, lock)/ self-timer (2 or 10 sec) switch, and also a double-exposure release - allowing cocking the shutter without advancing the film {this is covered by the lever in the photo above}.
Dedicated flashguns can be attached to the hot shoe, where there are two additional contacts for camera-gun communication. There is also a PC socket - on the front, near the rewind crank - for a conventional flashgun.
Around the rewind crank is the speed setting dial, with ±2 stop exposure compensation adjustment.
The base of the A-1 has electrical contacts and a mechanical linkage for a motor drive, as well as the tripod bush and rewind release.
The A-1 lacks mirror lock and bulb flash sync.
The cloth shutter is known to stick at times. Even moderately well-used examples of the camera (and the AE-1) develop a distinctive "squeal"; this can be corrected by re-lubricating the mirror braking mechanism. If this is not done, the fault can eventually lead to permanent damage. It is also not uncommon to see broken or taped-up battery doors on used models.
A-1 vs. AE-1 Program
The Canon A-1 is superior to the AE-1 in almost every respect. Despite this, its market-value is somewhat lower. This may be because are relatively few AE-1s are still fully functional, while A-1s have survived well.
The AE-1 was one of Canon's first forays in cost-cutting by using plastics pervasively in camera assemblies. The A-1 was built far more robustly, and uses machined gears in contrast to the metalized plastic gears of both the AE-1 and AE-1 Program. Furthermore, the A-1 offers aperture priority and lower shutter speeds, although the metering system is the same as that of the AE-1 Program.
Notes
- ↑ named in the manual
- ↑ According to Canon, in their museum
Links
In English:
- Canon A-1 at Photography in Malaysia
- Canon A-1 and AV-1 at The Camera Site by Reijo Lauro
- A-1 in Canon's Museum
- Canon A1 Camera Manual : Photo-Manuals.com by Ben Squire
- Canon A-1 Price Data at Camera Repair dot Com's price data
- Canon a-1 at Classic Cameras by RaúlM.
- The A Team an article about the SLR A models, AE-1, AT-1, A-1, AV-1 and AE-1 Program at Classic Cameras by RaúlM.
In French:
- Lionel's Canon A-1 overview at 35mm-compact.com
- Canon A-1 and French user manual at Sylvain Halgand's collection-appareils.fr
