wakarimasen
Well-known
At last - some A series defenders! In the end, the lenses are the real attraction which are 'facilitated' by the bodies. It seems that they just lack the 'special something' that the Nikons have.
Canon A-1 to AT-1
- Thread starter grapejohnson
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grapejohnson
Well-known
It is good to see that these cameras do appeal to some people, I guess we all like and need different things from a camera. One of the reasons I posted this was because I was curious if other RF users would feel the same way as me about the A-1.
grapejohnson
Well-known
Also, what's with that tab that blocks the aperture/shutter wheel!?
venchka
Veteran
It is there to prevent you from "bumping" the wheel and changing the setting. Why is everything a defect?
If your lens' aperture ring is moving in your camera bag, the spring loaded safety pin is not functioning properly. Seriously, all of my lenses require a purposeful, intentional pressing of the locking pin and simultaneous turning of the aperture ring. Anything else indicates defective hardware. The AT-1 will suffer the same malfunction as your A-1 if your lenses are broke.
Wayne
Pleased as punch to own 3 cameras with shutter speed wheels accessible with my index finger without taking my eye away from the viewfinder.
Gid
Well-known
I have an F1n and an A1. I find the A1 to be a great camera, but I don't use it on manual - I have the F1 for that. As to the problems mentioned, they've never affected me. Never tried the AT-1.
wakarimasen
Well-known
Am just re-reading the MIR sites' collection of information about the A1. This has made me go and get the camera, fit my 35mm F3.5 BL lens and think about running another film through tomorrow.
I daren't read about the T90!
I daren't read about the T90!
venchka
Veteran
I own one of those lenses. Bought new in 1975. Surgically sharp little puppy. Use it well!
Wayne
Wayne
P
Paul Connet
Guest
Hi Scott,
I think your A1 deserves more from you. From you initial post it seems you maybe have not given yourself enough time to get familiar with the camera. Most of your complaints have come as a result of your lack of familiarity with the A1. You complain that the meter reading goes away when you take your finger off the release, and so you are trying to change aperture with one finger while holding the release with the another and wind up taking an unwanted shot in the process. Read the manual. The meter is activated by the bottom button on the left side of the lens mount. Hold it with your left hand and change the aperture with the taking finger on your right hand. Voila, no more accidental shots.
Manual exposure couldn't be more simple. The viewfinder simply shows the shutter speed you set and gives you a recomended aperture value that it thinks is appropriate for the scene you are shooting. You can take it's advise or not, as you see fit.
It is a great camera, but you do have to learn how to use it. 🙂 Another great feature is the lack of any battery drain when it is turned off and put away. I just took mine out to check a couple of features for this post and it came to life instantly after sitting on a shelf unused for over two years. Mine has been idle because there are 40-50 other cameras that have been taking my attention. :angel:
So, give it another chance --
Paul C.
I think your A1 deserves more from you. From you initial post it seems you maybe have not given yourself enough time to get familiar with the camera. Most of your complaints have come as a result of your lack of familiarity with the A1. You complain that the meter reading goes away when you take your finger off the release, and so you are trying to change aperture with one finger while holding the release with the another and wind up taking an unwanted shot in the process. Read the manual. The meter is activated by the bottom button on the left side of the lens mount. Hold it with your left hand and change the aperture with the taking finger on your right hand. Voila, no more accidental shots.
Manual exposure couldn't be more simple. The viewfinder simply shows the shutter speed you set and gives you a recomended aperture value that it thinks is appropriate for the scene you are shooting. You can take it's advise or not, as you see fit.
It is a great camera, but you do have to learn how to use it. 🙂 Another great feature is the lack of any battery drain when it is turned off and put away. I just took mine out to check a couple of features for this post and it came to life instantly after sitting on a shelf unused for over two years. Mine has been idle because there are 40-50 other cameras that have been taking my attention. :angel:
So, give it another chance --
Paul C.
grapejohnson
Well-known
I have the manual and I know about that button, it's just really awkward to meter with, and I always confuse it with the AE lock. As for manual operation, I want a meter that responds to both shutter and aperture changes, like a match needle. I don't like that it's merely suggestive and won't let me know the actuality of the situation. This is why I bought the AT-1.
venchka
Veteran
All light meters are merely suggestive.
If you need a camera with a lightmeter that takes all the worry out of exposure, buy the M5 in the Classifieds here at RFF.
I will volunteer to take your A-1. Give it a good home. I promise never to complain about it.
Give the A-1 a chance. Use it in full auto mode. Learn how the meter works. Learn where to aim for best exposure. Keep it simple. Don't overthink things. Free your eyes and your mind. Have fun.
Wayne
If you need a camera with a lightmeter that takes all the worry out of exposure, buy the M5 in the Classifieds here at RFF.
I will volunteer to take your A-1. Give it a good home. I promise never to complain about it.
Give the A-1 a chance. Use it in full auto mode. Learn how the meter works. Learn where to aim for best exposure. Keep it simple. Don't overthink things. Free your eyes and your mind. Have fun.
Wayne
Al Patterson
Ferroequinologist
The A-1 is my favorite SLR. If you think it is a stinker, you don't know how to use it...
I started out with the Canon AE-1 and later bought 2 A-1's. Sure, the manual F-1's are sturdier, but I wasn't looking for a tank, just an upgrade to the AE-1.
And for the record, I've usually used the A-1 in one of the Program modes. If I wanted totally manual, I would have bought a different camera.
wakarimasen
Well-known
This has struck a cord with me. I've spent the last few years like a gadfly: hopping from one system to another and accumulating a wide variety of gear. Just as I buy one that I've read great things about, I read a fantastic review about another, and of we go again.
It's great to own different 'great' cameras (F1N, T90, A1, F4S, F3 FE etc.) but in truth I think I'm trying hard to dislike the A1 and T90, so that I can sell them in order to generate funds to buy more Nikon lenses.
Time - I think - to load some film and take some pictures.
Best regards,
RoyM
Peter_wrote:
Well-known
i have the a-1, at-1 and t90
i also prefer the simplicity and purity of the at-1 over the a-1. but both are light, small but durable cameras.
although the t90 is outstanding both in functionality as in ergonomics, i never got really warm with it. i think, for 35mm film i just prefer smaller and lighter cameras.
i also prefer the simplicity and purity of the at-1 over the a-1. but both are light, small but durable cameras.
although the t90 is outstanding both in functionality as in ergonomics, i never got really warm with it. i think, for 35mm film i just prefer smaller and lighter cameras.
leicapixie
Well-known
i received free,a Canon ae-1 and later a Canon ae-1p.All with lenses and flashes..The latter a much nicer camera to work with. i added at great expense a new Canon av-1.It cost me $45 with 50mm f1.8 lens, lovely cloth bag, tele-extender, skylight filter.It only picks shutter speed.
The fear of using auto only can be cured! If you use slide film, maybe good metering is required. Color negative film has wide tolerances. Suggest you put lens at 5,6 a shutter speed of 125 or 250th,use 400 or 200 ISO film and simply shoot! All your exposures from sunlight to shade, backlit will come out!
i once shot 800 ISO Fuji at 64 ISO thinking it was an 80 ISO film. The colors were very saturated and some bleeding. NO GRAIN.
The manual exposure is lousy, but truly it's the beginning of full auto.
The fear of using auto only can be cured! If you use slide film, maybe good metering is required. Color negative film has wide tolerances. Suggest you put lens at 5,6 a shutter speed of 125 or 250th,use 400 or 200 ISO film and simply shoot! All your exposures from sunlight to shade, backlit will come out!
i once shot 800 ISO Fuji at 64 ISO thinking it was an 80 ISO film. The colors were very saturated and some bleeding. NO GRAIN.
The manual exposure is lousy, but truly it's the beginning of full auto.
grapejohnson
Well-known
After getting my AT-1 today in the mail I can't be happier with the simplicity of it. I understand that most people like having ae but I love having a shutter knob and an aperture wheel and not much else. I would always rather be the reason for how an exposure comes out, for better or worse. At least if I'm at fault I can go back and find out what I did, if it's the camera's fault, I end up getting mad at it and writing rants about it.
jordanatkins
Established
As a former owner of a Canon A-1, I must come to it's defense. This was a camera that was a pleasure to use.
I miss it now, I sold it a few years back when I was in a bad financial situation. Granted, I use full manual very rarely, instead I always used aperture priority and let the A-1 pick the shutter speed. Never failed me. And my copy never developed the squeak so many complain about.
I miss it now, I sold it a few years back when I was in a bad financial situation. Granted, I use full manual very rarely, instead I always used aperture priority and let the A-1 pick the shutter speed. Never failed me. And my copy never developed the squeak so many complain about.
Frontman
Well-known
I remember reading the ads for the Canon A-1 when they were placed in National Geographic, the term Canon used in the ad was "hexa-photo-cybernetic". As a 11 year old would-be photographer, and die-hard Star Wars fan, the A-1 appealed to me. Unfortunately, it was as far out of my price range as a D700 would be to today's 11 year olds. A few years later I got a second-hand Nikon FE, and couldn't have been happier.
A couple of years ago I bought a box of "junk" cameras from a second-hand shop, I happened to get a glimpse of an F1n buried inside. Besides the F1, there were a bunch of point-and-shoots, a few FD lenses, and an A-1. The F1n was a clean, good-working camera, the A-1 was good looking, but not very good working. I tinkered with it and got it going, but the mirror was noisy, and, compared to the F1, it was not as fun to use.
I still have the F1n, and a FTb as a backup. Of all the Canon SLR cameras, I like the F1 and FTb. The FTb has a mechanical shutter, a match needle meter system, and is constructed out of metal. I shoot my Nikons ore than my Canons, but I love the Canon FD 35/2 concave lens, so I keep keep the Canon bodies to use with it.
A couple of years ago I bought a box of "junk" cameras from a second-hand shop, I happened to get a glimpse of an F1n buried inside. Besides the F1, there were a bunch of point-and-shoots, a few FD lenses, and an A-1. The F1n was a clean, good-working camera, the A-1 was good looking, but not very good working. I tinkered with it and got it going, but the mirror was noisy, and, compared to the F1, it was not as fun to use.
I still have the F1n, and a FTb as a backup. Of all the Canon SLR cameras, I like the F1 and FTb. The FTb has a mechanical shutter, a match needle meter system, and is constructed out of metal. I shoot my Nikons ore than my Canons, but I love the Canon FD 35/2 concave lens, so I keep keep the Canon bodies to use with it.
wakarimasen
Well-known
The T90 is going - listed on Sunday. Am also planning to sell a Canon EF-m. This will generate film-funds. Bulk loading, here I come....
venchka
Veteran
I picked up the A-1 yesterday after it's CLA. It should be ready for another 30 years. I have the 35mm/2.0 S.S.C. on it now. I can't wait to see how this lens performs.
Wayne
Wayne
grapejohnson
Well-known
The AT-1 has been one of my best purchases in ages. I absolutely love that camera.
