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 Canon AE-1 Program with all-black finish | |
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Maker | Canon Camera K. K. |
| Type | 35 mmSLR |
| Released | 1981 |
| Production | 1981-? |
| Intro price | ¥60,000 (equivalent to ¥77,852 in 2019), body only[1] |
| Lens | |
| Lens mount | Canon FD |
| Sensor/medium | |
| Film speed | ISO 12 to 3200 [manual] |
| Recording medium | 135 film |
| Focusing | |
| Focus | Manual |
| Exposure/metering | |
| Exposure | Program, shutter priority, manual |
| Exposuremetering | EV1 to EV18 @ ASA 100 |
| Flash | |
| Flash | Hot shoe |
| Flash synchronization | 1/60 s |
| Shutter | |
| Shutter speed range | 2 s to 1/1000 s |
| General | |
| Battery | 4LR44 6V battery or 4LR44 1.5 volt batteries |
| Dimensions | 87 × 141 × 47.5 mm |
| Weight | 575 g |
| Made in | Japan |
TheCanon AE-1 Program is a35 mmsingle-lens reflex camera that usesCanon's FD mountlenses. It was introduced in April 1981 as the successor to theCanon AE-1, five years after thatcamera's introduction.[1] The major difference was the addition of theProgram AE mode first seen in theA-1. This mode sets both theshutter speed andaperture automatically—albeit with a slight bias towards the shutter speed setting. The userfocuses the camera and then presses theshutter button. For those desiring more control, the AE-1's shutter priority auto-exposure and fullmanual modes are still available.
Like the A-1, the AE-1 Program has a right-hand "action grip" on the front of the camera. It also supports the A-1's Motor Drive MA; this requires anotherelectrical contact on the base plate. The AE-1's Power Winder A, and a new, faster Power Winder A2, are also supported. Theviewfinder usesLEDs to show information to the user.
Also like the A-1, the AE-1 Program supports interchangeablefocusing screens. Unlike the A-1, though, which specifies that screens should only be changed by the factory or by experienced service technicians, those on the AE-1 Program can be changed by the user. The camera came standard with the new split/microprism screen, but seven others were available. The focusing screen on the AE-1 Program is brighter than any previous focusing screen on any Canon manual focus camera, allowing the user to focus with greater ease with "slow"lenses (up to f/5.6). It is the same focusing screen design that is used in the newest model of the top-of-the-line Canon F-1 (known as theNew F-1).
The AE-1 Program retains the older A-series typeelectromagnet-controlledcloth-curtainshutter that limits top shutter speed to 1/1000 of a second, together with a rather slowflash sync speed of 1/60 second. In the years since the AE-1 Program was introduced, this shutter design has also proven to be more maintenance-intensive than modern vertical-travel metal blade designs. The camera'selectronics and electromagnets are powered by one 4SR44, PX28A, A544, K28A, V34PX, 4LR44, or L544 alkaline battery.
The additional electronics used for the program features of the AE-1P have resulted in more electronic gremlins over the years, and the model is considered by some[by whom?] more difficult to repair than earlier and simpler A-series cameras. In its day, however, the AE-1 Program's automated features and simple controls helped introduce many new consumers to the SLR camera.
