This was my first real camera. I upgraded to the A-1 because it gave me aperture priority mode as well as shutter priority. I still have both and they work well after all these years. I mostly adapt my FD lenses now. I am glad I kept them. The wife “not so much”. Thanks so much for doing this!
My father bought one of these in 1986 and he has gone all digital and passed it along to me. I have found some great lenses and enjoy slowing down and shooting film from time to time.
I had both the AE-1 and the AE-1p in my old film days, with the usual 28, 50, and 135 lenses, plus a longer telephoto that I can't remember, 300 probably. But my favorite walk around lens was the 35-105 f3.5-4.5. What a beast! Loved that lens, though. Thanks for the walk down memory lane.
Hi Matti great video. I found an AE-1 in a junk shop in the UK 2 years ago the case was disintegrating but inside was a perfect camera with a fungus free 50mm lens. I paid £28.00 best bargain buy. Produced some excellent results. I’ve since had it serviced and is now one of my keeper cameras. The lens I use with my OMD em10 mk2 with superb images.
I had an AE-1P in the early to mid 80s, favourite lens was a Tamron SP 90mm f/2.5 which was great for street photography around London. Transparency film and Cibachrome printing, takes me back!
Nice video, Matti! The AE-1 Program is one of my favourite cameras. Everything is at the right place, I mostly shoot in manual mode, and I don't see any problem. I haven't found any small format camera that has a better viewfinder than the AE-1 Program, probably why it was popular from tourists to proffesionals. If I shoot in very cold conditions, I choose one of my mecanical cameras though, like the F-1, the F-1 New, the Nikon FM or FM2N.
Thanks for the video! I am a Nikon guy, but saw this in a thrift store for about $20. I thought it didn't work, but was surprised when it actually did! Sooo, I'm thinking about more lenses like you described 😊
Thoroughly enjoyed that review Matti. I still have two and was using them up until 2011 when I got my Lumix G3. One is currently being used by my Grand daughter on her photography degree! My second one has the dreaded 'squeal' and I keep thinking I'll attempt to fix that one day. I've also had good results with the Canon lenses on my G9. I didn't realise their value! I hope my grand daughter is taking care of mine 😊.
Thanks for sharing. My wife had the original AE-1, which also developed the squeal over time. Those FD lenses are quite wonderful on a digital camera too.
I bought my AE-1 in 1979, it worked great right until 2008 when my wife finally convinced my to trade it in for a digital camera Rebel XTi (hindsight shouldn't of listen to her). I bought a second digital camera, the Canon 7D. Recently I bought an AE-1 program and loving film all over again.
Fully manual cameras are great if you learn to estimate the exposure. When the battery runs out, you can still keep going on. Been there, done that. I think it took me only about few months to get pretty good at estimation and some tweaking from mistakes when the season changed. I made the estimate first and checked with a meter if it was correct. That is a quick way to learn if you estimate wrong (like you may do in the beginning). I use A-priority or manual. Never P-mode or shutter priority. If you shoot photos with moving subjects like sports (on film :) your choice may differ.
Back in the mid 1970´s my dream Camera was a Leicaflex SL2, but it was SO expensive, then came the Camera AE-1 which got my affordable wish for Camera, but later I found out that shutter priority was not my "cup of tea", so I got a Minolta XG-1 which I had for one a couple of weeks in the very cold winter and the Camera could not work in the cold dry weather (the trigger uses the moist from the finger for connection to power), so I got a Nikon FE which was a much better Camera (it was cheaper than a Minolta XD-7 !). But the Canon AE-1 are a very good Camera if you can live with shutter priority, I prefer manual or sometimes aperture priority. Much later I got Canon F-1 New which I think are the best ever analog SLR Camera made !
The 50mm lens doesn't seem to have an "A" setting whereas the 24mm and 100mm do, was there any difference in usage? What aperture did you set the 50mm to in progam mode?
Wow, that's taking me back. I had an A1. Remember when quality cameras actually used to be heavily advertised on TV and general interest periodicals? Polaroid Land Cameras, Minoltas, and others of their ilk used to be in high demand!
This video made me dig up some old gear in my basement. :) I never had Canon gear. I could't find my oldest camera (Minolta SRT 100X if I remember well), I would have to dig some more to find that. I found a metal case with a Minolta X300 with a standard lens mounted and a 70-210mm zoom and some filters still safely stored in the case. I wonder if this gear is still in usable shape...
I had an A1 but it was stolen. Insurance would only replace it with a newer autofocus model. I sold that and bought another A1 second hand. Love the FD lenses.
I had one of these, until it was stolen and the insurance company replaced it with an EOS 500N. This had a lot more technology but I enjoyed it much less. The AE-1, as you mention, had a strange mix of features but it suited me perfectly at the time.
I was surprised that you needed 1600 ISO with that film, you said before that you normally use 200 or 400 ISO even for your night shot. Is it the lack of stabilizer that make that huge difference ?
i had the original AE-1, my first "real" camera and i loved it - until the A-1 came out, and they were better in every way, so ended up with 2 of them, then followed those with the first of the EOS cameras, and used them until i started with Lumix - and never looked back! norm
very interesting. Wile in HIGHSCHOOL long ong ago, I worked in Precision Camera repairing cameras. The AE-1 was rated with the highest reliability of any 35mm camera in 1962. this Ae-1p was a good camera except was made cheaper and except for the Shutter was less reliable. my cameras back then was my Retina Reflex III and the Lieca IIg. brings me back to those old days. trvelec all arond the world qith the TTL sKodak with sdays
Matti, I see a Fujifilm future for you. Lots of dials and controls on those Fujifilm mirrorless cameras -- shall we say old school look and feel. I like my MFT cameras, my Nikon D3500 is good except the focus points, and my new Canon RP, as first stab at a full-frame. Fujifilm X-t4 does seem like a great camera if moving into the world of Fujifilm and learning their ways.
Vintage? To me, that's one of those new-fangled modern slrs :-). I occasionally run a roll of film through my trusty Canon FTb which I purchased new in 1973. My FD lenses also get used with an adapter on my GX80 and G90
That was my first SLR buy too. It was around 1978. $178 discounted from the $301 retail. All manual and a slower shutter maximum speed, but built like a tank. All metal. My automatic SLR was the Pentax SF1
I wish manufacturers take some inspiration from these old film cameras, for example they were light, and with nice ‘relaxed’ ergonomics, now all ff cameras are build like tanks but they are all heavy, even the Sony cameras (except a7c) are well above 600g, do really everyone need this super tough build quality? (And by the way, if the camera falls on the floor the rear screen can break anyway....)...
a proud visitor to the Thrift Store? like Salvation Army, I got this model with 50mm F1.4 for 10$US/ I wanted the lens only but they sold it in the if NEW condition + body. Intended to use it with adaptor (paid 20$) on my Olympus m4/3 manual mode as 100mm
I used the AE 1 program for a short time. I was not impressed. As you said, too complicated for an enthusiast and too expensive for an entry-level user.
This was my first real camera. I upgraded to the A-1 because it gave me aperture priority mode as well as shutter priority. I still have both and they work well after all these years. I mostly adapt my FD lenses now. I am glad I kept them. The wife “not so much”. Thanks so much for doing this!
Thank you for sharing.
My father bought one of these in 1986 and he has gone all digital and passed it along to me. I have found some great lenses and enjoy slowing down and shooting film from time to time.
Thanks for sharing.
I had both the AE-1 and the AE-1p in my old film days, with the usual 28, 50, and 135 lenses, plus a longer telephoto that I can't remember, 300 probably. But my favorite walk around lens was the 35-105 f3.5-4.5. What a beast! Loved that lens, though. Thanks for the walk down memory lane.
Thanks for sharing.
Owned a AT-1, the full manual version, excellent camera.
Back in the 80s I worked in the camera department of a large store. We sold a ton of these along with the Olympus OM. It was a great camera.
Thanks. I bet you did, it was a big success.
Hi Matti great video. I found an AE-1 in a junk shop in the UK 2 years ago the case was disintegrating but inside was a perfect camera with a fungus free 50mm lens. I paid £28.00 best bargain buy. Produced some excellent results. I’ve since had it serviced and is now one of my keeper cameras. The lens I use with my OMD em10 mk2 with superb images.
Sometimes you come across real bargains. Thanks for sharing.
Lovely information Matti. Enjoyed those nostalgic photos a lot. Thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it, thanks.
I had an AE-1P in the early to mid 80s, favourite lens was a Tamron SP 90mm f/2.5 which was great for street photography around London. Transparency film and Cibachrome printing, takes me back!
Thanks for sharing.
Purchased now an older Sigma MF 90mm f2.8 for my Canon AE-1P and for the T70.
I'm very excited how the shots come out.
Nice video, Matti! The AE-1 Program is one of my favourite cameras. Everything is at the right place, I mostly shoot in manual mode, and I don't see any problem. I haven't found any small format camera that has a better viewfinder than the AE-1 Program, probably why it was popular from tourists to proffesionals. If I shoot in very cold conditions, I choose one of my mecanical cameras though, like the F-1, the F-1 New, the Nikon FM or FM2N.
Thanks for sharing, Kalle.
Thanks for the video! I am a Nikon guy, but saw this in a thrift store for about $20. I thought it didn't work, but was surprised when it actually did! Sooo, I'm thinking about more lenses like you described 😊
Thanks for sharing! For $20 a pretty nice deal😀
Thoroughly enjoyed that review Matti. I still have two and was using them up until 2011 when I got my Lumix G3. One is currently being used by my Grand daughter on her photography degree! My second one has the dreaded 'squeal' and I keep thinking I'll attempt to fix that one day. I've also had good results with the Canon lenses on my G9. I didn't realise their value! I hope my grand daughter is taking care of mine 😊.
Thanks for sharing. My wife had the original AE-1, which also developed the squeal over time. Those FD lenses are quite wonderful on a digital camera too.
I bought my AE-1 in 1979, it worked great right until 2008 when my wife finally convinced my to trade it in for a digital camera Rebel XTi (hindsight shouldn't of listen to her). I bought a second digital camera, the Canon 7D. Recently I bought an AE-1 program and loving film all over again.
Thanks for sharing.
AE-1 Program was the second camera of my life. I liked it very much.
Thanks for sharing.
Fully manual cameras are great if you learn to estimate the exposure. When the battery runs out, you can still keep going on. Been there, done that.
I think it took me only about few months to get pretty good at estimation and some tweaking from mistakes when the season changed. I made the estimate first and checked with a meter if it was correct. That is a quick way to learn if you estimate wrong (like you may do in the beginning).
I use A-priority or manual. Never P-mode or shutter priority. If you shoot photos with moving subjects like sports (on film :) your choice may differ.
True, you'll learn to estimate actually quite fast.
Thanks for sharing your experience.
Back in the mid 1970´s my dream Camera was a Leicaflex SL2, but it was SO expensive, then came the Camera AE-1 which got my affordable wish for Camera, but later I found out that shutter priority was not my "cup of tea", so I got a Minolta XG-1 which I had for one a couple of weeks in the very cold winter and the Camera could not work in the cold dry weather (the trigger uses the moist from the finger for connection to power), so I got a Nikon FE which was a much better Camera (it was cheaper than a Minolta XD-7 !). But the Canon AE-1 are a very good Camera if you can live with shutter priority, I prefer manual or sometimes aperture priority. Much later I got Canon F-1 New which I think are the best ever analog SLR Camera made !
Thanks for sharing.
The 50mm lens doesn't seem to have an "A" setting whereas the 24mm and 100mm do, was there any difference in usage? What aperture did you set the 50mm to in progam mode?
The 50mm is an older model, it has a green ring instead of A. I have a separate video coming up on the FD 50mm.
Wow, that's taking me back. I had an A1. Remember when quality cameras actually used to be heavily advertised on TV and general interest periodicals? Polaroid Land Cameras, Minoltas, and others of their ilk used to be in high demand!
Thanks for your comment.
This video made me dig up some old gear in my basement. :) I never had Canon gear. I could't find my oldest camera (Minolta SRT 100X if I remember well), I would have to dig some more to find that. I found a metal case with a Minolta X300 with a standard lens mounted and a 70-210mm zoom and some filters still safely stored in the case. I wonder if this gear is still in usable shape...
I could be. You have to buy a new battery and see what happens.
I love your videos!
Thank you.
I had an A1 but it was stolen. Insurance would only replace it with a newer autofocus model. I sold that and bought another A1 second hand. Love the FD lenses.
Those early Canon EOS models were not convincing.
I had one of these, until it was stolen and the insurance company replaced it with an EOS 500N. This had a lot more technology but I enjoyed it much less. The AE-1, as you mention, had a strange mix of features but it suited me perfectly at the time.
Same thing happened to me. Preferred the A1 and FD lenses.
Yes, those early EOS cameras were not that nice.
I was surprised that you needed 1600 ISO with that film, you said before that you normally use 200 or 400 ISO even for your night shot. Is it the lack of stabilizer that make that huge difference ?
Yes, no stabilizer and it's so incredibly dark all the time.
i had the original AE-1, my first "real" camera and i loved it - until the A-1 came out, and they were better in every way, so ended up with 2 of them, then followed those with the first of the EOS cameras, and used them until i started with Lumix - and never looked back! norm
Thanks for sharing.
very interesting. Wile in HIGHSCHOOL long ong ago, I worked in Precision Camera repairing cameras. The AE-1 was rated with the highest reliability of any 35mm camera in 1962. this Ae-1p was a good camera except was made cheaper and except for the Shutter was less reliable. my cameras back then was my Retina Reflex III and the Lieca IIg. brings me back to those old days. trvelec all arond the world qith the TTL sKodak with sdays
Thanks for sharing that, very interesting.
Matti, I see a Fujifilm future for you. Lots of dials and controls on those Fujifilm mirrorless cameras -- shall we say old school look and feel. I like my MFT cameras, my Nikon D3500 is good except the focus points, and my new Canon RP, as first stab at a full-frame. Fujifilm X-t4 does seem like a great camera if moving into the world of Fujifilm and learning their ways.
I have a bit of history with Fujifilm😀, but right now I'm more than happy with Lumix.
Vintage? To me, that's one of those new-fangled modern slrs :-). I occasionally run a roll of film through my trusty Canon FTb which I purchased new in 1973. My FD lenses also get used with an adapter on my GX80 and G90
Thanks! Well, I bundle all these under the same moniker😀
That was my first SLR buy too. It was around 1978. $178 discounted from the $301 retail. All manual and a slower shutter maximum speed, but built like a tank. All metal. My automatic SLR was the Pentax SF1
Ah canon film yes please!
Head to Kamerastore.com😀
The prices of the Canon AE-1 Program are simply unreasonable.
I guess it's the supply and demand, that determines the prices.
Jeez I had this camera in the 80s
You are not alone. I did not have, but many had😀
I had an AE1 for a few months. It was great, but I sold it and bought an A1. I learned how to use aperture priority on it. I still have it.
Thanks! I've never properly tried the A1, but maybe some day😀
I wish manufacturers take some inspiration from these old film cameras, for example they were light, and with nice ‘relaxed’ ergonomics, now all ff cameras are build like tanks but they are all heavy, even the Sony cameras (except a7c) are well above 600g, do really everyone need this super tough build quality? (And by the way, if the camera falls on the floor the rear screen can break anyway....)...
a proud visitor to the Thrift Store? like Salvation Army, I got this model with 50mm F1.4 for 10$US/ I wanted the lens only but they sold it in the if NEW condition + body. Intended to use it with adaptor (paid 20$) on my Olympus m4/3 manual mode as 100mm
That sounds great, you got a really good deal.
I used the AE 1 program for a short time. I was not impressed. As you said, too complicated for an enthusiast and too expensive for an entry-level user.
Thanks. Yes, we share the same feelings.