AE-1 or AE-1 Program

[ihaveababycarrot]

Hello everyone, I just joined this forum ^_^.
I have a question regarding these models. I just wanted to know what each and every one of you prefer. The AE-1 or the AE-1 Program. I want to get a nice little camera but cannot decide. The camera i would like needs a light meter, auto and full manual exposure.

 

[mw_uio]

BabyCarrot,

I would take a look at the infamous mir site.

http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/canon/fdresources/SLRs/index.htm

Cheers
MArk
Quito, EC

 

[Keith]

I have an AE-1 Program which I've had for twenty five years and I always thought it was probably one of the better SLR's for it's time ... until I got an OM-2!

You can pick up an Olympus for not much more than you would pay for a Canon and unless you're hell bent on the Canon ... the Oly is the far better camera all round! 🙂

 

[dexdog]

Of the two that you mention, I would choose the AE-1 Program. I have had one since 1979 so, very reliable, and I believe that it has the most accurate auto-exposure mode of any camera that I have ever owned. Can't go wrong with either, but the AE-1 does not have full-auto mode, only shutter priority auto-exposure.

 

[wlewisiii]

For what you describe, the AE-1 Program is the camera you'd prefer. It has shutter priority AE & full program AE. A nice A-1 would give you aperture priority as well but they go for a bit more, usually, but still very reasonable.

Pair any of these bodys with a FD 50/1.4 or 50/1.8 and you'll have a very nice start on a very fine kit.

Good luck!

William

 

[anandi]

Just my thought - perhaps against the grain - I don't line shutter priority AE myself and have both an A-1 and AE-1 program. The A-1 is the camera I reach for more often. The AE-1 program is effectively a point and shoot SLR camera. Also I don't get enough information in the viewfinder...

Cheers,
-Amit

 

[gb hill]

The AE-1 program is effectively a point and shoot SLR camera. Also I don't get enough information in the viewfinder...

Cheers,
-Amit

With full manual capibilities how do you get that? Apparently you don't know how to read the LED scale to the right in the VF. BTW this brother on Uber shoots with a Canon AE-1program. Awsome.. but you decide. No frickin P&S camera in my opinion & kicks Olys A#% too.😀

http://www.uber.com/media/view_theater.inc?entity_id=243274863&media_coll_type=image&is_user=1

 

[fWord]

In addition to the above it might be good to exercise due caution when buying any of the A-series cameras because of a 'shutter squeak' issue. From what I've read the squeak does not come from the shutter itself but from the mirror mechanism. Cameras afflicted with this condition have mirrors that take a little longer to go down to normal position after the shot and hence increase mirror blackout times. I doubt if it affects the shutter speed itself, but it'd be an annoyance nevertheless.

Just be sure to fire a few shots at all shutter speeds to check the shutter and the mirror mechanism.

 

[nobbylon]

I had both about 10 yrs ago and used the AE-1 most. Had it from new in 1979-80 i think and it never failed. Squeaked a bit though! The program however was a let down, never felt as nice and the one I had (from new) always under exposed and was eratic with that. I sent it back to Canon and it was serviced (ha!) looked at, and it still did same. I lost faith in Canon and switched to Nikon after that. My suggestion, AE-1 if it must be Canon, otherwise a Nikon FE maybe?