Canon AE-1 Program
Canon AE-1 Program |
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Manufacturer: Canon
Film type: 35mm
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The Canon AE-1 was an extremely popular camera, but many users wanted the program auto exposure mode found on the A-1. Canon added program AE mode, upgraded the support for a new power winder (A2), and marketed the AE-1 Program, which became even more popular than the AE-1.
Links
- Modern Classics Review
- Canon Camera Museum | Camera Hall
- Lionel's Canon AE-1 Program overview at 35mm-compact.com
- AE-1 Program and AE-1 Program chrome and French notice (pdf) at www.collection-appareils.fr
- Canon AE-1 Program Camera Manual : Photo-Manuals.com by Ben Squire
- AE-1 Program Price Data at Camera Repair dot Com's price data
Market Value
The AE-1 and AE-1 Program were both enormous financial successes for Canon, in part because they pioneered cost-cutting measures that competitors had difficulty matching. The AE-1 series of cameras employed plastics and metalized plastics pervasively in its assemblies, whereas its big brother the A-1 was built far more robustly with machined gears. As a result, the AE-1 often suffers from shutter squeal, or worse, catastrophic failure that is not economically repaired. Despite this, because of its relative scarcity and historical popularity, the AE-1 Program retains value on the used market according to KEH and other various dealer pricing data.