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Canon AE-1 Program

The Canon AE-1 Program was the first 35mm SLR camera that taught me the only 6 things a photographer has to know.

  1. Aperture
  2. Shutter Speed
  3. Film Speed
  4. Focusing
  5. Composition
  6. Anticipation

These are the only six factors that make or brake a photograph. A lot of professional photographers, especially when famous, spiritualize a lot of things. As if it is difficult to make the best photograph. If you are a beginning photographer, don’t let them trick you. Study these six factors in depth enough and you will become a great photographer.

About The Camera

Canon AE-1 Program 35mm SLR Camera

My dad bought this camera in Haute Nendaz, Valais, Switzerland on Saturday November 26th in 1983 along with the kit lens called the Canon FD 50mm F1.4.

The sales person must have been of limited understanding, since my dad was not a camera guru, he used this camera mostly in Program Mode, and typically had it loaded with Kodachrome ISO 64 or Agfachrome ISO 100. The camera in program mode would decide both aperture and shutter speed, but always favoured shutter speed.

I still regret the sales person at that time did not suggest he should buy the Minolta X-700 or X-570, which ran circles around the limited capabilities of the Canon AE-1 Program. The Minolta SLRs already featured center average light measurement and aperture priority mode.

Hindsight it was still the best beginner camera for me as it forced me to use full manual settings.

Canon AE-1 Program Specs

Type35mm single lens reflex (SLR) camera with a magnetic electronically controlled cloth focal plane shutter.
Exposure ModesProgram Mode, Shutterspeed Priority, Manual
Format24 x 36mm
Compatible LensesCanon FD and Canon FL lenses
Kit LensesFD 50mm f/1.4, FD 50mm f/1.8
Lens MountCanon FD New
ViewfinderFixed eye-level pentaprism with 94% vertical and 94% horizontal coverage with 0.83x magnification with focus at infinity.
DioptricsBuilt-in eyepiece is adjusted to standard -1 diopter.
Focusing ScreenStandard split-image / microprism rangefinder.
AE MechanismElectronically controlled, programmed AE and shutter priority AE metering system using one IC and three LSI’s.
Light Metering SystemThrough-the-lens (TTL) Center-Weighted Averaging by silicon photocell (SPC).
Metering RangeEV 1 (1 second at f/1.4) to EV 18 (1/1000th sec. at f/16)
Exposure MemoryEV is locked in when the shutter button is pressed halfway down and the AE lock is pressed once. Exposure is then memorized as long as the shutter button is pressed halfway.
Exposure PreviewBy pressing shutter button or exposure preview switch.
ShutterCloth focal plane electronically controlled. With mirror shock absorber.
MirrorInstant-return with shock absorber, not very responsive below -20 Celcius.
ISO ScaleISO 12 – 3200
Shutter Range2 seconds to 1/1000th of a second, PROGRAM and Bulb mode.
Shutter Release ButtonElectromagnetic shutter with exposure preview, with screw cable release socket.
Main SwitchThree positions: A, L and S – S is shutter priority, L locks the camera (off switch).
Self-timerElectronically controlled. Ten second delay.
Stop-down LeverFor depth-of-field preview or metering with older lenses.
CosmeticsAvailable colours were Black, or Silver and Black
Exposure CorrectionOne and a half stop automatic correction with backlight control switch.
Meter SwitchShutter button or exposure preview switch.
Power SourceOne 6V 4LR44 silver oxide, or 4 X LR44 batteries. (Same as Mamiya 645)
Battery CheckBeep Indicator
Flash SynchronizationX-synchronization at only 1/60th M-synchronization at only 1/30th
Automatic FlashAperture controlled automatically with compatible flashers.
Back CoverVarious versions available, latch is opened by pulling rewind knob.
Film LoadingStandard Take-Up Spool
Film Advance LeverSingle stroke, with reset button on the bottom of the camera.
Frame CounterResets when the back cover is opened.
Film RewindingManual crank film rewinding.
Camera SafetyCamera will not function when battery juice is too low.
Dimensions5 and 9/16″ by 3 and 7/16″ by 1 and 7/8″
Weight20 and 5/16 ounces.
Canon AE-1 Program Specifications

Sample Photos:

Gorbachev Tank Monument - Berlin Wall - Berlin Street Photography - East Germany - West Germany
During 1990 and 1991, the quadriga was removed from the gate as part of renovation work carried out by the East German authorities following the fall of the wall in November 1989. Germany was officially reunified in October 1990.
Berlin Street Photography - 1991 - West Berlin

Canon AE-1 Program Review

The camera is easy to use and is a great choice for a beginning film photographer. The lenses available for this camera make it a great asset to your camera collection.

A great camera for street and portrait photography, especially with the large aperture lenses. I greatly recommend all their FD S.S.C. lenses, since their Super Spectra Coatings, were almost half as good as a standard Minolta lens. Not many camera manufacturers could compete with Canon to be almost half as good as Minolta. A true accomplishment on Canon’s side.

Make sure to check if the rewind crank is turning as you advance to the next frame, sometimes the film lets go and at the end of the roll you don’t have any photos.

See more cameras and lenses.

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