Difference between revisions of "Canon A-1"
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| + | ==Introduction== | ||
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. | 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 labelled as such, it was a pioneer in offering the full "PASM" set of exposure options, standard in many later cameras through the present day. 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. | It was notable for its programmed automatic exposure setting, whereby ''both'' aperture and shutter speed are automated. While not labelled as such, it was a pioneer in offering the full "PASM" set of exposure options, standard in many later cameras through the present day. 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. | ||
| − | 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 more recent EF mount autofocus lenses (1987) cannot be fitted, nor can the FD mount lenses be fitted to autofocus Canon SLRs without an adapter. | + | The A-1 has the [[Canon_FD_mount|Canon FD bayonet/breechlock 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) breechlock mount or FDn (1979) bayonet mount. The more recent EF mount autofocus lenses (1987) cannot be fitted, nor can the FD mount lenses be fitted to autofocus Canon SLRs without an adapter. |
| − | The A-1 has | + | The A-1 has several shooting modes: [[Aperture priority | aperture]] and [[shutter priority]] automatic exposure, the first<REF>According to Canon, [http://global.canon/en/c-museum/product/film100.html in their museum]</REF> ''"programmed"'' fully-automatic exposure 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 | + | ==Description== |
| + | |||
| + | The A-1 is a fairly compact SLR for its time, but with a very large pentaprism and a removable "action grip" that fits over the battery door and provides a large textured area for the photographer to grip steadily; also there are a large array of controls on the top, some of them quite unusual in appearance. All of these aspects combine so that the appearance of the camera, overall, is rather bulky. The top is hard plastic coated in black enamel, and the bottom is brass covered in the same. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The control dial is fairly unique in the camera world, as it can be the shutter-speed dial or the aperture dial. It is shown (right) set to [[shutter priority]] auto ("Tv"). It is shrouded, with a small window showing it from the top and the rim projecting from the front of the camera, where the photographer's right index or middle finger naturally falls on it. A collar around the shutter release selects Av ([[aperture priority]]) or Tv ([[shutter priority]])--this moves a sliding crescent-shaped cover with an index mark on it. It covers either the inner or outer ring of the control dial, revealing the other and pointing to the selected setting, and activates the corresponding autoexposure mode. The outer ring shows the shutter speeds (and "P") and the inner ring shows apertures from f/22 to f/1.2 (not that these represent the full aperture range of the camera itself). In aperture priority mode, the setting on the wheel is transferred directly to the aperture with the aperture wheel in the automatic position, and the shutter speed is chosen by the camera. The shutter speed priority mode works similarly, with the shutter speed being chosen by the dial and the aperture chosen by the camera. At no time in automatic modes is the aperture ring turned by the photographer. | ||
| + | |||
| + | 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. Around the rewind crank is the film speed setting dial, with ±2 stop [[exposure compensation]] adjustment. | 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. Around the rewind crank is the film speed setting dial, with ±2 stop [[exposure compensation]] adjustment. | ||
Revision as of 02:59, 21 November 2020
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| Canon A-1 with 50mm f/1.4 lens image by pointnshoot (Image rights) |
Contents
Introduction
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 labelled as such, it was a pioneer in offering the full "PASM" set of exposure options, standard in many later cameras through the present day. 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 has the Canon FD bayonet/breechlock 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) breechlock mount or FDn (1979) bayonet mount. The more recent EF mount autofocus lenses (1987) cannot be fitted, nor can the FD mount lenses be fitted to autofocus Canon SLRs without an adapter.
The A-1 has several shooting modes: aperture and shutter priority automatic exposure, the first[1] "programmed" fully-automatic exposure 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.
Description
The A-1 is a fairly compact SLR for its time, but with a very large pentaprism and a removable "action grip" that fits over the battery door and provides a large textured area for the photographer to grip steadily; also there are a large array of controls on the top, some of them quite unusual in appearance. All of these aspects combine so that the appearance of the camera, overall, is rather bulky. The top is hard plastic coated in black enamel, and the bottom is brass covered in the same.
The control dial is fairly unique in the camera world, as it can be the shutter-speed dial or the aperture dial. It is shown (right) set to shutter priority auto ("Tv"). It is shrouded, with a small window showing it from the top and the rim projecting from the front of the camera, where the photographer's right index or middle finger naturally falls on it. A collar around the shutter release selects Av (aperture priority) or Tv (shutter priority)--this moves a sliding crescent-shaped cover with an index mark on it. It covers either the inner or outer ring of the control dial, revealing the other and pointing to the selected setting, and activates the corresponding autoexposure mode. The outer ring shows the shutter speeds (and "P") and the inner ring shows apertures from f/22 to f/1.2 (not that these represent the full aperture range of the camera itself). In aperture priority mode, the setting on the wheel is transferred directly to the aperture with the aperture wheel in the automatic position, and the shutter speed is chosen by the camera. The shutter speed priority mode works similarly, with the shutter speed being chosen by the dial and the aperture chosen by the camera. At no time in automatic modes is the aperture ring turned by the photographer.
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. Around the rewind crank is the film speed setting dial, with ±2 stop exposure compensation adjustment.
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| Hot shoe with dedicated flash contacts image by AWCam (Image rights) |
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| A-1 settings dial image by AWCam (Image rights) |
The electronically-controlled horizontal cloth focal plane shutter has marked speeds from 30s to 1/1000s, with X-synchronisation at 1/60 second (there is no bulb synch setting). In aperture priority mode, the shutter speed is continuously variable. 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.
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 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}. 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 was among the first cameras to be completely dependent on battery power. This power came from a 6V PX28A 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"[2]). The grip must be removed to fit a motor drive. Unlike most other Canon SLRs, the A-1 was only available in black finish.
The Canon A-1 is superior to the AE-1 in most respects. The AE-1 has many plastic components. The A-1 was built more robustly, using metal gears in contrast to the metallised 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. Despite its better specification, the price of a second-hand A-1 is often lower. This may be because fewer AE-1s are still fully functional.
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| Canon A-1 with Motor Drive image by Geoff Harrisson (Image rights) |
Notes
- ↑ According to Canon, in their museum
- ↑ named in the manual
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
- 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
