Canon A-1 Film Camera | Practical Review
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- Опубликовано: 6 сен 2024
- The Canon A1 is my favorite beginner camera for those looking for a more “classic” film SLR. It packs so many features and out performs the AE-1 as well in my opinion.
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I got one in 1979. I took tons of great pictures with it. Retired it after digital cameras came into being. I had it on display on a shelf at home (along with my AE-1 Program) and recently decided to mess around with it. The thing is built like a friggin tank. It still works (So does the AE-1P). All I needed to do was buy a battery. Amazing engineering by Canon at the time. Quality lasts!
I just bought one. It's beautiful! I am psyched to take it out.
I still have mine that I bought new in 1979 with a 50mm f1.4 lens. It was my first camera and I loved it! Awesome camera.
I’m really liking your film, non-Leica content!
As for the camera itself, it’s such a great example of everything a film camera is and should be, and it is vastly underrated. The best all-around prosumer slr of its era really
Great review. When it arrived in 1978, the A1 was the most sophisticated electronically-controlled SLR on the planet. It was Canon's top-of-the-line prosumer model, slotting in directly beneath the F1. It basically replaced the EF in the lineup. The AE-1 that had come two years earlier ushered in a new era of electronically-controlled SLRs that changed the camera landscape, and Canon sold a gazillion of those. These were the days when Canon established itself as the most innovative and forward-thinking of all the camera manufacturers.
I think those were the days that created the saying, "Canon cameras are designed by engineers and Nikon cameras are designed for photographers'. 🙂 Yeah, since then, Canon started to dethrone Nikon from its glory days of F/F2. The AE-1, an affordable semi-auto SLR, with an optional winder was a near safest recommendation for most undemanding beginners to buy. I was planning to buy one as my first SLR, but the F2A with a motor drive changed my mind.
@@bfs5113 "...the F2A with a motor drive changed my mind."
I have the F2 and motor as well. Those two cameras couldn't be more different. ;)
@@RobertFalconer1967 👍 Luckily I got paid that month and learned how to kick the tires differently since then.
I own one and I love it. If I'm not wrong, this is the first SLR with PASM modes. I'm late in the comments, but the squeaky sound can easily be fixed with a specific oil at the right place. Highly underrated and better than the A-1. Good to have with this camera, the eyecup and the grip.
Think your shutter sound should be easy to fix. Mine had that same issue but those early Canons get a squeal/sneezing sound that can be fixed with a bit of lubricant. Took me about 5 minutes and sounds much better. ruclips.net/video/3IkL6_2P0i8/видео.html
Great review, got a few film cameras and keep coming back to the A1.
Who here also has one and loves his A-1? I in any case and would never give it away!
To be honest, I love my a1 but I'm selling it to buy a nikon f2!! I want to get into the Nikon system completely!!
@Stephen Kivell yes just like mine. It will never be sold!
Since 1980...
I have one but they’re getting pricey
Picked the body with 3 lenses for €150 🔥 but it was about a year ago, prices still hiking 🆙
I’d had two Canon A-1s that were stolen, so when I bought a Canon A-1 a few years back and snapped the shutter, I was happy to hear the sound that emanated from it, it was like the voice of an old friend. I like your video on the Canon A-1, this Camera when it was introduced to the camera world back in. 1978 was the first Camera with automatic exposure. Oh, I like that your video comes from you, a person that obviously used film before digital camera were even thought of, so your Video had reverence for the Canon A-1. Thank you. Oh, I dig the music.
My first SLR was a Canon A1, it was a good Camera, and the Black looked real good. I used it for 4 yrs, then I switched to a Nikon F3
I just got a bunch of cameras from a school that was gutting it’s film photography courses. Among the cameras were two AE-1s and a A-1. I’ve never shot manual focus canon film cameras before but just the feel of this camera makes me so excited to shoot it! It’s such an advanced camera (more advanced than the X-700) in such a small and efficient package!
That camera needs servicing. Shutter is not supposed to sound like that. Thats called the "Canon cough"
A few drops in right spot- I just fixed it on ae-1
My favorite 35 mm slr. The shutter squeel does not impact function. That av/tv selector was my favorite feature. It was easy enough for a beginner but feature full enough to use for pros, esp with the optional grip and battery pack. I dropped it while riding my bike over 10 years ago and it still works to this day. The a-1 is like a first love. I use a Hasselblad 500cm now, but still think of all the fond memories I had with this slr.
Shutter squeal is AE-1. It does affect exposures. My dad's A-1 is still running strong.
I know this is out of topic but
I’m going to buy a f2 this week and your video was one of the reasons ☺️
Started in 1984 with an AE-1 Program and later got the A-1… used it for Newspaperwork in my school time and learned all my basics with it.
I still have my A-1 and most of my lenses which I love to use on my Sony A7, but here and there I run a film trough it…
Loved the days where I spend the night in the darkroom to develop and process film to get the pictures ready for the newspaper… sometimes did a rodinal 1:100 stand development while riding back from a location with my motorcycle… 😂😇
Your A-1 has "canon cough" or shutter squeak. the shutter sound on the A-1 AE-1 was so good in fact, Steve Jobs used it for the iPhone camera shutter sound. still being used on iPhones today.
They should release a hobbyist modern full frame camera with the retro A-1 design, like what the Nikon Df did. It should give them the positive press. Maybe won’t be profitable, so we may never get one.
The Nikon DF looks like an SLR that had an allergic reaction to a bee sting.
Chase Jarvis’ unremarkable reaction to the Df was CLASSIC!🤣
ruclips.net/video/i5Wyi16Cx9Q/видео.html
... its like you were picking up a camera on Tinder and it looked like the fuji x-t3 and in person its the DF!😂. HA!
I recently stumbled across my A-1. I love that camera. It has given many great photos over more than 4 decades. It’s amazing.
Canon A-1 was my first Film Camera. the aperture priority is great and convenient. Loved the wheel to change settings with my finger. unfortunately shooting manually is a total pain because you have to look onto the lens to check your aperture if you dont have the muscle memory. now i own a Nikon FM2n and it was love on the first sight!
I got mine before my senior year of high school. Still have it over two decades later. Probably will hang onto it forever. I looked at Nikons, but the catch was that my dominant eye is my left, so the Nikons' move-the-film-advance-to-meter just meant sticking a lever right into my face. So Canon it was :-)
My father gave me his for my photography class in arts school. It was in 2002, frankly the camera didn’t feel old at all compared to the newer cameras my classmates had.
I used to have two of those. I got rid of them in 2003. Best film camera I ever had.
Ben it sounds like your Canon A-1 has the ‘canon squeak’ noise when pressing the shutter. This is a known issue over time with these cameras that ca be fixed with some lubricant. May be best to get it CLA’d if you plan on using it more.
If you want a Canon camera which feels like your Nikon F2 you have to try a Canon F-1. Its basically the best SLR from Canon and doesn't even compare to the Canon A-1.
These are underrated compared to the inferior AE-1. I would pick an A-1 over the F-1 and my amazing Nikon FM3A. The ability to choose Av, TV, and even a Program auto mode all in one camera that had a nice grip was so far ahead of it's time. I like the old FD lenses too, but I went Nikon to be able to use their DC lenses and share that lens from their manual bodies to their digital bodies.
i am yet to use mine, picked it up with f1.4, 1.8, 2.8 and a 70-210 lenses for $30! much support from australia
Canon A1 feels rugged and like Optimus Prime, the electronics help you in many ways and the features are great.
Love from Bangladesh 🇧🇩
I commented on the new Post on Instagram about the Kodak Giveaway, i pray that you see this and make a difference for me.
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Hey there... You can fix the shutter Squeal by getting yourself a clock oil lubricant usually found on Amazon which has a long needle applicator. Then remove the bottom plate and with the camera upside down on the shutter side towards the front, you can insert the needle parallel with the mirror box and it will seem like a perfect fit until it stops and squeeze a few drops of oil. Keep it upside down for about 5 minutes then cycle through about 10 shutter releases. It might take a couple applications, but it will go away. Here is an alternative going through the front...
ruclips.net/video/p9xIi_Rx7Aw/видео.html
Good luck! Cheers,
Sean
Thank you! this is the camera im going to get myself for my birthday before my mexico trip !!!
The A-1 was my first 35mm film camera when I bought it new in 1983 with FD 50mm 1.8 lens, motor-drive MA and speed-lite 199a. I mostly used programmed AE mode (not AE-1 or AE-1 program cameras) during the 80s and mid 90s. Then, it was kept in my camera bag from 1997 until 2012 when I noticed it developed the infamous "Canon cough" and had a CLA done in 2020. I waited until 2020 to have a CLA because I wasn't actively using it. This thing is in mint condition and electronics have held. Probably because I never abused it and it was in hibernation since the mid 1990s until now.
Strange, the A1 is a superior camera to the AE , in fact the A1 was Canons flagship model 🤷 you did things in reverse order 🤔
@@RobBob555 I meant to say I used programmed AE mode not the AE-1 camera lol
Love that camera! My stepdad had one and gave it me in high school when I was learning photography. This is taking me back!
You shutter sounds like a ae-1 that needs lubrication. I'm guessing a-1 shutter is pretty much the same as the ae-1 and therefore would benefit from tune up. On my ae-1, I was guessing shutter capping as well before this tune-up. So this could impact your pictures as well.
Hey!!! Hi from Puerto Rico! I love all your videos!! I have this canon a1! You need to easy fix the shutter, it’s just need lubrican. You can find in you tube people fixing the exactly problem! You will love the shooter sound!
my dad got one back in 1980 but he never got to fully learn how to properly use it, and all of its functionalities, now he gave it to me, are there any good tutorials on how to use such a camera for a complete beginer?
Just picked up one of these recently and was interested to hear your comment about overexposing it one stop, whereas i've had to underexpose by around 1 whole stop, mine just blows out the whites on normal setting!
Sounds like your shutter speeds might be slow then?
That's super helpfu to have the SS/Aperture in the viewfinder.
I bought an A-1 with the 50mm f/1.8 when I graduated high school in 1984. I need to find someone to lubricate the shutter - it’s had the “Canon squeal” for some time now - but it still works as well as it did 37 years ago.
I shot with an A-1 for several years. I bought mine used without knowing about the shutter wheeze. The wheeze does not affect functioning but it is annoying and does not instill a lot of confidence in build quality. I had to get the camera serviced every year or two to get rid of the wheeze. Nonetheless, I enjoyed shooting with the A-1 and found the addition of aperture priority to be an advantage over the AE-1 Program, which I also owned. I also owned a T-90, which is basically an A-1 with a built in motor drive and better styling and ergonomics. Although I enjoyed the Canon cameras from this era, Canon stopped supporting the old FD-mount system in the late 1990s. I traded in my Canon gear for Nikon and never looked back.
I have a Pentax LX and a A1, I did not really know which one I preferred - I didn't use the A1 since getting the LX.
I took the A1 with me on a roadtrip, I found out I missed seeing aperture and shutterspeed in the viewfinder.
3:19 canon ae-1 shutter squeak. Easy fix with some lubrication. There are tutorials on youtube 👍🏻
Your shutter squeaking sound is due to old age. It is not the shutter but seems to be a mechanism for the mirror. It can be fixed by adding a tiny drop of oil from the underside of the camera with a syringe. There are plenty of videos on youtube for this 5 minute fix. It makes a HUGE difference
It has a fantastically crisp sounding shutter.
The common shutter sound is a problem, I had it also when I bought mine. I had it repaired for 20 euro’s so maybe something to look in to? I worth it in my opinion!
The sound of this camera's shutter is not normal. It's the cough/asthma/squeak problem, very common on the A1 and AE1. It's a relatively easy fix though.
Haha! Good to know! I always wondered why it sounded so weak
The squeak sound is not related to the shutter as others misinformed but rather the mirror release spring armature which only needs lubrication.
The Nikon FA is a great parallel to the A1, does it all really. And matrix metering to boot!
I hear the shutter has a small problem with the 'cough' sound as they call it. It is easily resolved with some WD40 at certain spots....videos 'how to' are available on RUclips
What would you recommend to pay for these?
Lovely. I have a ME Super in mint condition which sadly I don’t ever use but can’t bring myself to part with it, it’s so much easier and cheaper cost per photo to use my x 100V. Getting 35mm film isn’t available locally to me either. Having said that I might dust of the Pentax and put a roll of film through it.
What battery did the A-1 take. Trying to get mine working again
Still got my A1
I have a Ricoh KR-10X,a black one.Cost me 30Sfr. Like most of my 35mm film cameras,the onwer died and the familly sold those old relics.
I use it with a Pentax A 50mm 1:1.7 SMC lens that also belong to my late professional photograph friend.
Thank find more Minolta XG and X-700 cameras at sales personally.
That A1 is a tank for sure!
Love my A-1. The 100mm f/2.8 is a really nice lens if you can find it. Also, to echo what others have said, a number of the Canon A models (A-1, AE-1, etc) had a shutter squeak that developed over time. There are multiple videos and articles showing how to lubricate the shutter to remove it. My A-1 has started to develop it so I need to go through the process for it, but I did it to my AE-1 and it worked great - all I hear now is the solid click with none of the abrasive squealing.
Love it, thanks!
The squeak sound is not related to the shutter as others misinformed but rather the mirror release spring armature which only needs lubrication.
Yeah, good clarification. It’s just associated with the shutter mechanism because it fires with it.
Hi there, did you get round to oiling your camera? Think mine needs it doing.
Such a classic, love that camera.
It’s a really nice looking, classic SLR camera! When I started again with analog photography I considered buying one but then went for a Nikon FE2 - almost the same camera but (maybe) a little bit sturdier. After the Nikon I bought a Leica M6 and then a M7 and I like all of them. The only complaint I have regarding the Nikon is that for me it’s much easier to focus with the Leica rangefinder than with the Nikon split-screen. With my Leicas I rarely miss focus while with the Nikon it feels much trickier. But I think it’s a matter of training😅. I wish Canon and Nikon would produce modern DSLMs in this design, with a full frame sensor and just with the functionality of these cameras. I think I would buy one!
Big advantage of the FE2 is the 1/4000 shutter speed, although the downside is losing that informative yet beautifully-clear viewfinder and multimode operation of the A-1. I love the FA but have never found it as slick in use as the A-1.
The Canon A-1 is mostly a plastic body camera with an old outdated horizontal travel cloth shutter compared to the futuristic advance Nikon FE2. There's a reason why Nikon kept and continue this basic body design until 2006 because it was solid.
The reasons I bought a FE2 to backup my F2A and replaced my FM were semi-auto, 1/4000 SS and TTL. For the focusing screen issue, I just replaced all the standard ones on all of my Nikon SLR & DSLR.
Personally, I had used a RF (school camera) well before I bought my F2A in the late seventies, but found out that it wasn't my cup of tea. Maybe because I'm left-eye dominant and an eyeglass wearer. Hence, I skipped Leica and went for the Hasselblad in the past. The same applied to the digital M series and I went for a Q as my walkabout camera.
@@bfs5113 Thanks for your comment! Just a quick question: What kind of focusing screen did you prefer to use on analog Nikon SLRs?
@@axelkeuchel5728 My issue with the standard focusing screen in the past was due to half of the split-image focusing aid black out occasionally. So I replaced it with the Type E screen and continued using the same type with FE2 and even my D3.
you can reach the gearing that causes the sneezy sound thru the front after you remove the lens, you just need take the ring off and use a needle and put a tiny drop of sewing machine oil down ther eand it'll be good to go for like another 30 years
You'll like the shutter sound more once you lubricate it!
Nice job filming the viewfinder!
Wish they would make digital cameras like this. I’m buying an older Fujifilm X-T1 because it is similar to my A-1.
My shutter sounds a lot different than yours. Makes a loud clank I hope it’s not broken.
His squeal is actually called "Canon Caugh" so having just a "clank" is probably better than this squeal he has :)
Funny my A1 doesnt sound like that, ill pay more attention to the sound next time i shoot it.
Canon A1 program was my first love....
Interesting... My A1 has a super inconsistent look and most of the time comes out super hazy. Any tips how to get better contrast and color?
Just started my venture into film photography, is there a go to film for these cameras? Is there a major difference in quality depending on the film i choose to shoot with?
That “Sneeze” is easily fixable
Lol I usually shoot my with Sony, but acquired one from my grandfather 😋
Awesome review. Just got mine. Newb Question: do you have it always set up +1 stop (the dial on the left) when you're shooting color? thanks in advance!
I've been confused about the light meter on the Canon A-1, how exactly does it work?
Did you ever CLA that camera to get rid of the shutter release squeal?
Have one in my home display. ( worked well in the 8ties) its broken now.
I must say i disagree with the shutter sound. I love the shutter sound on my Canon A-1
I was so tempted to pick one up when I was in Japan as a souvenir. Such a classic design that really speaks to the time. Great video brother!
Have one. Love it.
Does it need a charger.?
I spent $80 for mine and the camera in it’s entirety and strap it came with is pretty decent. I feel like I overpaid for mine, what are the prices it goes for?
Wish they were that cheap where I live, in Poland they're stupid expensive especially when you think that the A-1 really don't deliver that much of a quality for the price (even about 170$ for one with a lens)
Can you hold the camera still.
My heart says yes, my adhd says no
Wow, who would've thought the industry standard field and portrait camera, for 2 decades, would be an excellent camera. And, that advanced SLR shutter click is so unpleasant; I'm shocked that professional photographers from the dark ages used such noisy cameras. Millennials and GenZ should definitely wear ear protection when using the Canon A-1 Film Camera.
But no test shots?
Nice camera but I prefer my Nikon FM2! :-) after my leica MP of course! :-)
That was pretty damn good, thanks
Yeah, Leica cameras and lenses are mechanically and optically superb, but technologically 20 years behind.
When they brought out the M6, they wanted a thousand dollars for a feature (the meter) that everyone else had had for 5 or 10 years.
I love my Leicas, but if I want to just take excellent images, my vintage Canons and Nikons are easier.
Maybe not the most perfect for pixel peeping, but for an 11x14 print, just as good.
Got any F1s?
The A-1 is not an early SLR.
Make sure to use only a single drop of oil in the right place! ruclips.net/video/4YMpMHwMtX4/видео.html
Thank you!
My mom had a Canon A-1. A piece of machinery.
shutter sounds like a sneezing mogwai
The Canon AE-1 was junk compared to the Nikon FE or FE2. It was not nearly as robust.
Ah, the famous Canon squeaky shutter
that shutter sound is not normal,it need oil
Almost as great as the Sony a1! 😅
I bought a Canon A-1s...s for "squeakee"
I have a spare Canon A-1 for sale if anyone interested.
Noticed you copied the unbox therapy style
A-1 shouldn't squeak. Have you had it cla'd by a moron by chance. When my AE started squeaking, I went online to make sure my A1 wouldn't and they do not have that same problem. I see since 6 years ago there are more articles saying they do which is BS because Canon fixed this .HOWEVER I can see the new generation of camera cleaners confusing the models and ruining the A-1s that come in. The diy for the fix actually makes it worse. It's a clearance issue inAEs that was fixed inA-1s. I recommend buying mint from Japan because they aren't incompetent diy'ers.
It was never CLA’d. got it in a box of cameras forever ago. As you can see by the comments, I’ve been well corrected about this over the years :)
Bro your hands so shaky show me the camera not your parkinson skills
All these comments about the "shutter squeak, its known as the "canon cough" and is very easily fixed with a drop of sewing machine oil in the right place 🤷