AE-1 Program Aperture workaround

[papo]

I wonder, can’t I just shoot manually, set the desired aperture in the light meter and adjust the settings?

 

[KoNickon]

Interesting -- I looked at the manual online (butkus.org) and it says nothing I can find about manual exposure. But I think it should work the same way as with the AE-1 (non-Program version): Set the shutter speed manually (not Program) and see what aperture the meter recommends when you depress the shutter halfway. Then push the auto exposure lock button on the lens's aperture ring and turn it from A to the desired aperture setting. Take the picture.

Before you turn the aperture ring back to A, turn the aperture ring all the way to the widest aperture setting and then to A -- otherwise the meter readings will be off.

 

[TenEleven]

Of course - just move the aperture away from the "A" setting, set the shutter speed dial to any other setting than "Program" to select any shutter speed/aperture combination you desire. You can also leave the lens at "A" and select a shutter speed for shutter speed priority - the camera's chosen aperture will be displayed in the finder.

This works on the AE1 Program for sure - because that was the camera I had at my workplace for a good while.

Edit: Assuming your question is "how can I shoot aperture priority" - then the answer is the A1Program doesn't natively support it but you can just keep your eye on the finder and fiddle with the shutter speed dial until the desired aperture shows up. Or use a handheld meter and do it manually.

 

[papo]

So yeah, i wanted to use it for aperture priority (totally forgot it doesnt have it) so i thought about getting a light meter (side note: apparently the phone apps work well as well), type in the desired aperture to see where i have to set the shutter speed to