Canon A-1 vs Canon AE-1Program

[Timmyjoe]

@jszokoli made a reference to the value of a Canon A-1 in relation to a Canon AE-1 PROGRAM in another thread and it got me thinking. For any of you who have owned or used both cameras, what is your opinion.

I know the A-1 was considered Canon's most advanced traditional SLR (not counting the T-90) and the AE-1 PROGRAM was considered a step down. Having owned and used both over the years, I've found the AE-1 PROGRAM a much more pleasant camera to shoot, maybe because of my preference to a mostly manual shooting style. I found the A-1 just too complicated, and too difficult to shoot matched needle. Maybe it's from learning on a Canon TX back in the 1970's and then moving on to an F-1, but I find matched needle really quick, and prefer it to Aperture Priority or Shutter Priority AE.

So just throwing it out there. Anyone else have experience with these two classic Canon FD bodies and their shooting styles?

Best,
-Tim

 

[sebastel]

on my screen, most of the text appeared white on white. so, just for convenience, i copied it here.




@jszokoli made a reference to the value of a Canon A-1 in relation to a Canon AE-1 PROGRAM in another thread and it got me thinking. For any of you who have owned or used both cameras, what is your opinion.

I know the A-1 was considered Canon's most advanced traditional SLR (not counting the T-90) and the AE-1 PROGRAM was considered a step down. Having owned and used both over the years, I've found the AE-1 PROGRAM a much more pleasant camera to shoot, maybe because of my preference to a mostly manual shooting style. I found the A-1 just too complicated, and too difficult to shoot matched needle. Maybe it's from learning on a Canon TX back in the 1970's and then moving on to an F-1, but I find matched needle really quick, and prefer it to Aperture Priority or Shutter Priority AE.

So just throwing it out there. Anyone else have experience with these two classic Canon FD bodies and their shooting styles?

Best,
-Tim

 

[KeithH]

I bought an AE-1 shortly after it came out and enjoyed using it. I then bought an A1 once they moved away from that awful breech lock mount (what a barmy idea that was imho), mainly for my preferred shutter priority mode. Furthermore, I still have, and still shoot both - the AE-1 just to keep it exercised really,

The viewfinder screens are pretty poor by todays standards and it takes my octogenarian eyes some time to get used to them again. With these two cameras I never felt the need to buy the AE-1 PROGRAM so I cannot comment on it's use, but these two cameras are still a joy to use. The A1 was a complicated camera back in the day, albeit a piece of cake compared to the modern digital gear, but once mastered it would deliver - obviously very much dependent on the user - no autofocus of course and they both required intelligent use of the metering system, but that was normal in the pre-digital era.

In my 65+ years of photography, although I am now limited by mobility issues, today, if I compose the shot and press the button my digital camera does the rest of the work for me, however, I would like to know when we are going to get the consumer version of AI-controlled drone that will pop out and get the shot we want simple by telling it to do so? 😉

 

[Vince Lupo]

Slightly off-topic but my vote goes for a regular AE-1. I was recently given one in exchange for a six-pack of Coors (seriously) and had the camera serviced by my local repair guru. I planned on selling it but didn’t have any luck to just even get my money back, so I decided to keep it. What an enjoyable camera to use — after all the years of buying e weird and expensive cameras along comes this now-cheap camera that was sold by the millions and it turns out to be one of the most reliable and enjoyable. Focus is very easy, the meter in ‘A’ mode works very well, frame spacing on the film is darn near perfect, has a nice compact size, everything seems to make sense. I’ve heard about the fiddliness of the battery door but thankfully mine is okay.

As Keith mentions above, I like the shutter priority mode. If I want I can easily hit my target aperture by simply adjusting the shutter speed. The other thing I like is that the camera seems quite unobtrusive — maybe it’s because it doesn’t look like a ‘serious’ camera? Dunno. The other thing is that they’re common as dirt around here and can be picked up for not much money — only thing is that most of them have been sitting in a camera bag unused for thirty years so you have to factor in a good servicing and hope that the electronics are still okay. The lenses are also quite cheap relative to the quality of the Canon lenses, plus there are like a zillion third-party lenses out there.

I understand that the A-1 and the Program are ‘better’ cameras due to their features that the AE-1 lacks, but honestly I don’t know that I miss them (ignorant bliss on my part?). Maybe I look at it as a bit of a personal challenge — can I make good, meaningful photos with a ‘lowly’ Canon AE-1? Yes it’s not a Leica M-whatever or something with far more prestige, and perhaps that’s the thing about it that I personally now need.

 

[JoeV]

My camera repair lady (at AP-T here in ABQ) says the AE-1 is prone to being “bricked” by a small bit of electronics in the shutter circuit that goes out, and is “unobtanium.”

 

[Timmyjoe]

My camera repair lady (at AP-T here in ABQ) says the AE-1 is prone to being “bricked” by a small bit of electronics in the shutter circuit that goes out, and is “unobtanium.”

Yeah, that's a "known issue" with both the AE-1 and AE-1P. Not sure if it affected the A-1, but since it was released between when the AE-1 and AE-1P were released, I would suspect that Canon was using the same technology and it might be an issue on the A-1 as well.

As much of a bummer it is if your AE-1 goes belly up because of this issue, just think, these cameras were designed and released about 45 years ago. Can you imagine what will be the state of the current digital cameras in 45 years? You think your DSLR is still going to be going strong in 2070?

Best,
-Tim

 

[Vince Lupo]

Yeah, that's a "known issue" with both the AE-1 and AE-1P. Not sure if it affected the A-1, but since it was released between when the AE-1 and AE-1P were released, I would suspect that Canon was using the same technology and it might be an issue on the A-1 as well.

As much of a bummer it is if your AE-1 goes belly up because of this issue, just think, these cameras were designed and released about 45 years ago. Can you imagine what will be the state of the current digital cameras in 45 years? You think your DSLR is still going to be going strong in 2070?

Best,
-Tim

And could this potentially mean that I’m out a six-pack of Coors???? Sheesh.

 

[Timmyjoe]

And could this potentially mean that I’m out a six-pack of Coors???? Sheesh.

Yeah, but your FD lenses would still be good. You could adapter those onto any one of the new Mirrorless systems. So there's always a plus side to giving up that six-pack of Coors. (And seriously, Coors? We used to call that "piss water" when I lived in Boulder. 🤣)

Best,
-Tim

 

[p.giannakis]

I've used the AE-1 (not the Programme) and the A-1 and both were good cameras. If you are going to invest in the FD mount, I would recommend you get the T90 - the spot meter (a la OM4) sets it apart from the rest canons.

 

[Vince Lupo]

Yeah, but your FD lenses would still be good. You could adapter those onto any one of the new Mirrorless systems. So there's always a plus side to giving up that six-pack of Coors. (And seriously, Coors? We used to call that "piss water" when I lived in Boulder. 🤣)

Best,
-Tim

I know a bit odd, but that's what he wanted. Ah well at least it wasn't Coors Light.

Seriously though, I can reliably find AE-1 cameras around here for not much money so I'm not worried. And if it does become an issue there's always FT or FTb bodies I come across (just found one of each last week with lenses for $20 each).

 

[Timmyjoe]

And if it does become an issue there's always FT or FTb bodies I come across (just found one of each last week with lenses for $20 each).

That's very cool. I do love the user experience with the old Canon FD equipment. My issue, with the F-1, FTb etc. is I don't have a reliable service tech anymore, ever since Ken retired. And the faster shutter speeds on those, when not serviced, are usually really off. He did a number of Canon bodies and lenses for me over the years and his work was always top notch.

Best,
-Tim

 

[Timmyjoe]

I've used the AE-1 (not the Programme) and the A-1 and both were good cameras. If you are going to invest in the FD mount, I would recommend you get the T90 - the spot meter (a la OM4) sets it apart from the rest canons.

Yeah the T-90 was really something. In the 1990's I was working in NYC and we used to have this on-set photographer who had a bevy of T-90's. He let me try one for an afternoon and I was really impressed. That's the only time I ever used one. Unfortunately they can have electronic issues as well.

Best,
-Tim

 

[WoodallP]

Am I the only one who loved the AT-1? Maybe it’s because I had previously used a Bessamatic and liked matched needles. Traded up for an A-1 when they came out; the A-1 great, but now I have an AT-1 should I run out of Leicas (well maybe two).

 

[jszokoli]

Since I unwittingly started this thread:
A friend of mine who got me started developing B&W film had a A1. To me it was really kind of a gee whiz type of camera. The AE-1's, and AE-1 Programs seemed pedestrian in comparison. I was coming from a Canon TX, so the A1 was not my thing as I really liked the match needle metering. That lead me to the last generation of the F1. Never had a T90 as the F1 did the job and I was not fully engaged with photograph at the point. While I understand why Canon changed the lens mount for the EOS line, I never went down that line and eventually took the Nikon route with it's more 'fixed' lens mount.
Joe

 

[Timmyjoe]

Parallel experience. Started with a Canon TX in 1976, moved on to the Canon F-1n, then switched to Nikon when Canon went EOS.

Best,
-Tim

 

[CameraQuest]

I much prefer shooting the T90 over any other FD camera.

So much so that if the T90 is in first place,
the T90 also occupies # 2 to # 10 ..
no other FD mount Canon is close for me.

 

[Mackinaw]

A friend of mine, who is a Wildlife Biologist, had an AE-1 as her work camera. When she retired, knowing I collected cameras, she gave it to me. It sat on my back shelf for years. I decided to sell it but figured I’d run a roll of film through it first to see if it works. Wow! What a marvelous camera. Built in 1978, it works perfectly and is a pleasure to use. Having several FD lenses, this is the Canon I’ll take when I need automation and want to travel light.

Jim B.

 

[Bob Michaels]

Am I the only one who loved the AT-1?

My transition path was AE-1 to AT-1 to early total mechanical F-1