Canon AE-1
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| Canon AE-1 with FD 50mm f/1.8 lens image by blind puppet (Image rights) |
The Canon AE-1 is a 35mm SLR with shutter-priority automatic exposure and manual override, produced by Canon in Japan, introduced in April 1976.
By using a microprocessor, Canon was able to simplify the design, and by using a highly automated production process, they were able to keep costs low. The AE-1 offered a modest reduction in body size compared to earlier models like the FTb, and the use of a metalized plastic top panel saved a few ounces. The result was one of the first affordable TTL autoexposure SLR cameras to hit the market. The majority of consumer-level cameras at this time had, at best, manual TTL exposure metering. After its introduction in 1976, the Canon AE-1 quickly became a very popular camera worldwide, eventually selling millions of units.
The AE-1 used Canon's FD mount, and a typical setup would include the extremely popular Canon FD 50mm f/1.8 lens. The electronic shutter traveled horizontally on the focal plane, and offered speeds of: 2, 1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/15, 1/30, 1/60, 1/125, 1/250, 1/500, 1/1000, and B. Flash sync is at 1/60 sec with auto-switching, available through both PC connector and hot shoe with a contact for dedicated flashguns. The self-timer is electronic with a delay of 10 seconds.
The exposure meter system is activated by pressing either the shutter release halfway or exposure preview button. It uses a silicon photo diode with a range of 1 to 18 EV (ISO 100, f/1.4). The finder has a matte screen with split image rangefinder surrounded by a micro prism collar. The meter display has under exposure LED and over exposure indicator. Holding back light button while pressing the shutter release increases the exposure 1.5 EV.
Links
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| AE-1 black image by squirreltimes (Image rights) |
- The AE-1 Manual (PDF)
- Canon AE-1 in the Canon Camera Museum
- A 1981 AE-1 Sales Brochure in English
- Modern Classics Review of the AE-1
- Manual Camera User's Opinion
- The Canon FD Documentation Project
- Repair notes for the "Canon Squeak"
- AE-1 and User manual in French at www.collection-appareils.fr
- Canon AE-1 Camera Manual : Photo-Manuals.com by Ben Squire
- 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.
- Repair notes for "Canon Squeak", Canon "Keuchhusten" [1] (german)
