Canon AE-1

The Canon AE-1 is an analog SLR camera. The 35mm camera was introduced by Canon in 1976. It was well received by users and enjoyed great popularity. In the period between 1976 and 1984, more than a million units of this model were built by Canon. For this reason, it is still quite easy to find one today.

The body of the Canon AE-1 alone, without lens, weighs 590 grams with a size of 141 x 87 x 47.5 mm. The lens attaches to the FD bayonet (lenses with FDn mount are also possible), so modern EF lenses cannot be used with the Canon AE-1.

The SLR comes standard with a 50 mm f/1.8 (Canon Lens FD 50mm 1:1.8). Focusing is manual without autofocus on this model. The closest focusing distance is 0.6 meters with the aforementioned 50 mm lens.

The AE-1 with a Hanimex MC Automatic FD 28mm lens

The Canon AE-1 can be used in two modes. One is completely manual, so you set the aperture and shutter speed yourself and have complete control over the camera.

The other option is the automatic mode, more precisely a shutter priority. You specify the desired exposure time (between 1/1000 s and 2 s) and the camera or the exposure meter selects the appropriate aperture.

In the viewfinder of the Canon AE-1, a needle indicates the aperture selected by the camera and warns in case of underexposure. In addition to the normal exposure times, which can also be used in manual mode, there is also a Bulb mode.

Power is supplied to the Canon AE-1 and TTL exposure meter by one 4LR44 6V battery or four LR44 1.5V batteries (editor’s note: I use the Varta 4034 PX ).

The batteries are inserted in a compartment to the left of the lens of the Canon AE-1. You can see if the battery still has enough juice by pressing the battery check button next to the rewind button. If you keep this button pressed and the needle in the viewfinder points to f5.6 the power source is still fit, otherwise you should change it.

the back

the bottom

The Canon AE-1 is loaded with normal 35mm film. Here you can draw from the whole spectrum of different types of film. One should pay attention however to the fact that, if one works with the automatic, the sensitivity is in a range of ISO 25 to ISO 3200. The camera records a 24 x 36 mm image on the film.

The Canon AE-1 has a connection option for a tripod and a cable release. A motor winder, Canon Winder A, and a data back, Canon Databack A, can also be used on it.

A flash can be used with the Canon AE-1 via hot shoe or PC flash connection. Flash sync is 160 sec (X-contact) and 130 sec or longer (M-sync). A strap can be mounted on the sides of the model. There is also a self-timer on the SLR camera.

the camera with a external flash

the german manual of the camera

Sample photos

Fujifilm Neopan 1600

Kodak TRI-X 400

Flash for the Canon AE-1

The camera can be used with hot-shoe flashes from various manufacturers. One possible candidate is the Canon 188A.