Grampian Stars Canon AE-1 Camera

The AE-1, Canon's first A-series camera, marked a drastic change in the company's design philosophy. Where earlier designs had been mechanical, the AE-1 was the first Canon to rely heavily on electronics. This reduced the number of parts in the camera by about 300, which reduced the cost. It also allowed Canon to build in advanced features. The primary selling points of the AE-1 were low cost and a shutter-priority automatic exposure system. The combination proved very popular; the AE-1 is one of the most popular 35mm cameras ever produced.

The AE-1 handles much like a conventional manual camera. The electronics that set this camera apart are nicely tucked away behind traditional knobs and levers. The viewfinder sports an analog meter, an underexposure indicator, and a manual-control indicator. In normal use, the meter indicates what aperture to use based on the shutter speed. If an FD lens is mounted and the aperture set to "A," the camera will automatically set the lens to the correct aperture. The AE-1 allows stop-down metering with non-FD lenses and attachments: the meter indicates proper exposure when the analog needle is centered. The DOF preview must be pushed in for stop-down metering. The manual suggests that stop-down metering should not be used with FD lenses, but gives no explanation why.

The AE-1 is designed for automatic flash exposure when used with a dedicated flash, such as the 155A speedlite. When the speedlite is mounted, the camera reverts to a 1/60 shutter speed, regardless of the setting on the dial. The flash calculates the correct aperture, and indicates this choice through the camera's meter. The ASA must be set on the flash.

Over time, the AE-1 has proven to be a solid, reliable camera. It does have some faults, including a non-interchangable focus screen. The mirror shock pad also tends to deteriorate, forming a dark goo which can easily smudge the screen. There have been some complaints that setting the ASA (by lifting and turning the shutter speed dial) is awkward. Regardless, the camera provides reliable electronic operation without the bells and whistles which some may find distracting. This is an excellent camera for anyone who is learning photography or who prefers simple, intuitive manual controls.

Specifications of Canon AE-1
data from Canon AE-1 catalog (PUB. CE1054)

Type: 35mm SLR (Single-Lens-Reflex) camera with electronically controlled AE (Automatic Exposure) and focal plane shutter.

Picture Size: 24 x 36mm

Interchangeable Lenses: Canon FD series with full aperture metering and AE coupling. Canon FL series with stopped-down metering.

Lens Mount: Canon Breech-Lock mount. Canon FD, FL and R lenses can be used.

Viewfinder: Fixed eye-level pentaprism

Field of View: 93.5% vertical and 96% horizontal coverage of the actual picture area.

Magnification: 1:0.86 at infinity with a standard 50mm lens.

Viewfinder Information: Split-image/microprism rangefinder, aperture scale with meter needle and stopped-down metering index mark doubling as battery power level check mark. Two red zones to warn of overexposure, manual aperture control "M" signal and underexposure/coupling range warning lamp.

Finder Attachment: Angle finder, magnifier, 10 dioptric adjustment lenses and eyecup.

Mirror: Instant-return, large reflector mirror with shock absorbing mechanism.

AE Mechanism: Shutter-priority, electronically controlled AE metering system.

Light Metering System: TTL (Through-The-Lens) Central Emphasis Metering Method employing a silicon photocell as photo-sensitive element.

Exposure Meter Coupling Range: With ASA 100 film, EV1 (f/1.4 at one second) to EV18 (f/16 at 1/1000 second).

Film Speed Dial: ASA 25 to ASA 3200

Exposure Correction: By pressing the backlight control switch, exposure is corrected by opening the diaphragm 1.5 gradations more on the aperture scale than the actual setting.

Exposure Preview: Exposure can be confirmed in the viewfinder when the shutter release button is depressed halfway or the exposure preview switch is pressed.

Shutter: Cloth focal plane shutter with four spindles. Shock and noise damping mechanism is incorporated. All shutter speeds are electronically controlled.

Shutter Speeds: 1/1000 - 1, 2, B.

Shutter Speed Dial: The number 2 for two seconds is marked in orange; other numbers in white. There is a shutter dial guard to prevent unintentional movement of the dial. The ASA ring is located underneath the shutter speed dial.

Shutter Release Button: A large button type magnetic release switch. Depressing the shutter release button halfway switches on the light metering circuit, while full depression releases the shutter. The shutter release button has a locking device, besides a socket for the cable release in the center.

Self-Timer: Electronically controlled self-timer. It releases the shutter after a lag of 10 seconds. A red LED lamp revealed blinks on and off to indicate its operation.

Stopping-Down the Lens: Stopping-down the lens can be performed by pushing the stopped-down lever after setting the aperture ring.

Power Source: One 6V silver oxide battery (Eveready or UCAR No.544) or alkaline manganese battery (Eveready or UCAR No.537). The battery lasts approximately one year under normal use.

Battery Check: Battery power level can be checked by the meter needle in the viewfinder after the battery check button is depressed.

Flash Synchronization: X synchronization is at 1/60 second. M synchronization is at 1/30 second and below.

Flash Terminal: The accessory shoe has a synchronization contact and automatic flash control contacts. On the front of the camera body is the flash terminal, JIS-B type for flash units with cords. It has a built-in protective rim to prevent electrical shock.

Automatic Flash: With the Canon Speedlite 155A, the shutter speed and aperture are automatically set. The amount of light is automatically controlled for correct flash exposure.

Back Cover: The camera's back cover has a memo holder. It can be replaced by the Canon Data Back A. It opens when the rewind crank is pulled up.

Film Loading: Easy film loading with multi-slot take-up spool.

Film Advance Lever: Single stroke with 120 degree throw and stand-off angle of 30 degree. Film can be wound with several short strokes. The Canon Power Winder A winds film automatically.

Frame Counter: Additive type, automatically resets itself when the back cover is opened. While rewinding film, it counts the frame numbers downward.

Film Rewinding: Performed by pressing the rewind button on the bottom and by using the rewind crank on the top. The rewind button is automatically reset when the film is advanced.

Safety Device: The camera does not function when the battery power is drained. The film cannot be wound while the shutter is in operation.

Size: 141 x 87 x 47.5mm (5-9/16" x 3-7/16" x 1-7/8") (body only).

Weight: 590g (20-13/16 ozs.) (body only)/ 895g (31-9/16 ozs.) with the 50mm f/1.4 S.S.C. standard lens

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