Slightly confused about the Canon AE-1

[ChrisCummins]

Hey,
I've acquired a fairly comprehensive Canon A-1 rig which has some lovely glass, but after shooting many rolls through it, the things has died of electrical failure (it eats batteries now - less than 8 frames and a fresh battery is gone. There doesn't seem to be any guaranteed cure).

So I was thinking of selling the A-1 body off as parts and getting a new FD mount body to replace it. The question is, which? While I do like the Canon A-1, I would prefer a silver body, and I'm not too keen on the little thumb dial as opposed to the big round dial as seen on the AE-1/AE-1 Program.

I was reading online though that the AE-1/Program have no aperture priority capabilities, or that it can't set the shutter speed for aperture priority itself? I'm a little confused. Is there a way of setting the aperture on the lens then getting the meter to tell you what shutter speed to use?

Thanks for any responses. Have a good new years guys
Chris

 

[ajramirez]

No. The AE-1P has three shooting modes: manual, shutter priority and program. In shutter priority, you set the lens at A and the aperture selected by the camera is shown by a lit LED in the viewfinder. In program, the camera sets both shutter speed and aperture. The meter shows the aperture set, but not the shutter speed, although it does have a slow shutter speed warning light.

The only A series cameras that could be used in aperture priority mode were the AV-1, AL-1 and A-1.

Hope this helps.

Regards,

Antonio

 

[HuubL]

I you want an SLR for your FD glass, go for the T90. Definitely the best FD mount body made! As for chrome bodies, the FTb QL is the last of the tough ones. However, you don't get any automatic exposure modes.

 

[ChrisCummins]

Thanks Antonio, yes that's very helpful. Annoyingly, the AV-1 and the AL-1 both seem to have even less features than the AE-1. I guess this means I'm stuck with getting another A-1, or learning to shoot Shutter Priority with an AE-1 Program.

Chris

 

[sebastel]

honestly, my recommendations for canon (with the old, non-EOS mount) would be the FTb, the F-1, the F-1n or the T90.

the first three are mechanical, full manual (and rather heavy) cameras (the F-1n being a hybrid, to be precise), while the T90 is an electronical auto-everything wonder.

cheers
s.

 

[ChrisCummins]

Unfortunately HuubL, I find the T90 to be an unforgivably ugly camera. Also, whereas an AE-1 or A-1 has dedicated buttons and dials, I think that the T90's attempt at 'moderness' will just make it seem very dated. Obviously my experience may change if I were to try it, so I'll remain open minded. I don't think it's what I'm after though.

Regards

 

[sebastel]

try it.

before i had a chance to handle it, the T90 seemed to me just what you said: unforgivably ugly.

but it works like a charm!

 

[venchka]

Between the Ft series and the A series, there was one model. Made for a few years. The black paint EF. Leica should make black paint bodies as nice.

 

[berlincontemporary]

I'm a little confused. Is there a way of setting the aperture on the lens then getting the meter to tell you what shutter speed to use?

With the AE-1 you dial in a shutter speed and the camera tells you which aperture it would chose. Change the speed and the aperture changes accordingly. It´s all in the finder.

 

[raid]

I have been extensively using the Canon T90 and the F1N. Both cameras are superb by any standards. I have two of each.

The F1n is a mechanical camera, while the F1N is a hybrid camera.

 

[photo_fred]

I had the ae-1,ae-1 program,F1N and the T90.The T90 was a joy to use but I enjoyed the F1N the most.It Was tough as nails and felt fabulous in the hands.

 

[raid]

I started out with the AE-1 as my first Canon camera, followed by the A-1.
I then moved to the F1N and the T90. These two cameras are a dream come true for me.

The F1N is a very rugged camera that allows me to change its viewing screens for different metering patterns. In the T90, you directly choose the metering pattern.

I used a motor drive for the F1N in the winter so that I powered the camera with a cord to the motor drive.

 

[FrankS]

+1 on Wayne's Black Beauty recommendation!

 

[pagpow]

I'd give the F1N real consideration. You can rig it for whatever kind of shooting you want depending on the finder and winder arrangement you choose. No trouble w. battery availability, unlike the F1. I've never shot the T90 so can't comment on the love affair many have with it.

 

[wlewisiii]

If you want a mechanical delight, the FTbN-QL is hard to beat. I've got one in black that is gorgeous. A year ago I spent $160 for a full overhaul and to tweak the meter for silver-oxide batteries.

I had a T90 and really liked it - the multiple spot meter mode is the best metering I've used on any camera, period. I wanted to go back to pure manual so that's why I sold the T90 and kept the FTbN instead. Still the T90 remains arguably the finest film SLR ever made by anyone with the best elements of FD & EOS cameras in one body. It doesn't hurt that I think it's a good looking camera 😉 Mount a 35/2 or 50/1.4 on it and you've got one heck of a street shooter.

The AE-1 is a very good non-professional level camera, it sold 5,000,000 units after all, but it is shutter priority only. I usually ended up faking it by simply setting the F stop to where I wanted it and then playing chase the meter with the shutter speed dial 🙂

Lastly, Essex lists a standard repair for the A1 at $130. If you like the camera, that should be considered as well.

Hope this helps,

William

 

[raid]

This thread is making me pick up my Canon SLR gear today!

Canon T90 with 50mm/1.2L and 85mm/1.2L.

 

[HuubL]

Unfortunately HuubL, I find the T90 to be an unforgivably ugly camera. Also, whereas an AE-1 or A-1 has dedicated buttons and dials, I think that the T90's attempt at 'moderness' will just make it seem very dated. Obviously my experience may change if I were to try it, so I'll remain open minded. I don't think it's what I'm after though.

Regards

Exactly what I thought before I got one. I have most of the Canon FDs mentioned in this thread (FTb QL, F1n, EF, A-1, AE-1, F1N, AE-1P; find pictures of them on my Flickr link below) and value the mechanical ones as the toughest and most beautiful. But the T90 beats them all for ergonomics, speed and delivery. I suggest you get one and try for yourself.

And BTW, the T90 was the start of the era of the form-follows-function design phylosophy that was subsequently picked up by all other camera makers and is still in vogue today.

 

[FrankS]

The only issue with the T90 is that this is an aging electronic camera. If and when the main circuit board stops functioning, the camera is irreparable. (This has happened to a friend's T90.) A CLA of a mechanical camera usually returns it to working like new.

 

[HuubL]

The only issue with the T90 is that this is an aging electronic camera. If and when the main circuit board stops functioning, the camera is irreparable. (This has happened to a friend's T90.) A CLA of a mechanical camera usually returns it to working like new.

True. One of my T90s had a non-working rewind motor. I got it replaced by Paul Wood in England. He did an excellent job for way less than a regular Leica CLA costs. Apparently, there is no shortage of parts yet....

 

[gb hill]

I have a Canon AE-1program. I use it in manual mode 75% of the time. I use the stop down lever if I'm not sure exposure is correct. You can buy them cheap. Biggest problem is when they sit unused for long time. Develops the "Canon squeal" Had mine Cla'd last year & I love it.