I have all the "A" series cameras. My personal fav, the AL-1... As long as you have a good battery door and the "auto focus" light works. It's an aperture priority camera that has a few shutter speeds, if you want, and it takes AA batteries. Don't get me wrong, the AV-1 is an excellent camera, I like the AL-1. Great video. Thanks.
I have a crazy favorite. The AT-1. It's widely panned because it's a manual camera that requires batteries to run the shutter, but that shouldn't mean anything to an A series fan. I like it better than my FTb. Once you get good at match needle metering, using the automatic Canons is frustrating. If I were going to go down to two Canon FDs, it would be T-90 and AT-1.
This is why I really like the canon AL-1. Aperture priority and manual mode as well as a quick focus feature. Still going for around $50-75 in good condition.
I just brought an AL-1 that I used in the 90s back to life. I still need to redo the seals. I think it's a better AV-1. I wish the AV-1 had exposure compensation or a manual mode.
This is such a good review! I finally understand all this stuff... speaking of, where does the A-1 fit into all these? And what are it's Minolta and Pentax counterparts?
Hi I have both a A1 and Av1 as my back up camera the Av 1 is a cracking little camera most people are quick to slate it never even using one then they eat there words once they get there films processed and are pleased with the pictures.The A1 I’ve owned since 1980 a gift from my father and it’s just flawless the best semi pro SLR I’ve owned and still shoot with today
I've done a lot of shooting on most of the A series cameras. I'd argue that the AE-1, because it shows aperture in the finder, is better for on-the-fly depth of field control. With the AE-1 you simply change the shutter speed until you see the needle on the aperture you want. When you're changing aperture on the AV-1 you have to keep taking the camera away from your eye to see the aperture setting. Bummer that Canon did not show BOTH shutter and aperture in these viewfinders. I like the black AV-1. Very pretty.
I'll always pick the AE for a single reason. The AE-1 taught me to THINK in aperture priority, rather than letting the camera do it. I go into a lot of shots knowing exactly where I want my aperture (especially with my Helios adapted to the front, swirly bokeh, gang gang), so I start adjusting the shutter speed to reflect. Plus, my preferred Helios historically fucks with old AP cameras, so it's full manual or bust.
I've had an AV-1 since the mid-80s, as my first 35mm camera. I didn't know at all how aperture affected the depth of field, or exactly what the exposure needle in the viewfinder was telling me. I assumed that it meant that I should try to get the needle as close to the middle of the range as possible, so I almost never shot at the wide end of the aperture range. This also meant that I favored 400 or 800 film, so I was always amazed whenever I had a photo turn out with that nice dreamy bokeh!
Got an AV-1 with a 50mm 1.8 lens for about ten dollars. I like it for the aperture priority mode since at the time I was also using a Nikon FE. A couple years ago I found a A-1 and I like more than the AV-1.
Interesting perspective, and one I share. I bought my A-1 in 1983 for all the reasons spelled out or alluded to here. Owning an A-1 makes owning any other Canon A-body a bit moot, and even if I needed a second A-body, I'd just shop for another A-1.
La AV-1 junto con el New FD 50mm f/2 es una combinación perfecta, es una maravilla de cámara, y si es por modo manual completo, me quedo a ojos cerrados con la F-1, EF, FTBn QL o A-1, y si uno quiere tener todo, la T90 es la solución
The AE-1 was clearly a higher end camera than the AV1, and not the first of Canon's auto exposure cameras. That was the EF that came a couple of years earlier. You could also get auto exposure with the F1, not with the standard finder though. The AE-1 was Canon's first affordable AE camera though. I don't have a source for why Canon went for shutter priority, but it's hard to believe that even a basic computer at that time couldn't do both. At least one at a time. It's same calculation. It's much easier to believe that Canon didn't want to introduce all features at the same time in an entry level camera. I bought an AE-1 shortly after it came out and preferred shutter priority. What I didn't like about the AE-1 is that manual exposure wasn't as easy to use as on my previous full manual FTb and it also lacked the semispot metering of that camera. Semispot don't work well with auto exposure though so IMO both modes had been necessary to support it on AE-1. One of my reasons for preferring shutter priority is the slow films at the time. Often ISO 64 or 100 or even 25 for the best quality and it was always a struggle to get fast enough shutter speed for "safe" hand holding. So, I much rather select a shutter speed for the occasion and let the camera choose the aperture and sacrifice some DOF if necessary. Better with most of the subject in focus than a blurry picture. The problem with offering shutter priority is that the body have to control the aperture and only Canon could do that with some accuracy in the mid seventies (at least among the big five). If you look the mechanism that control the aperture on FD lenses you'll see it's not linear which increase accuracy for smaller apertures. What Minolta had to do to offer shutter priority was to set the aperture somewhere close to what the metering suggested then do a second metering with the aperture closed and compensate with the shutter speed for the inaccuracies of the system. Of course, they presented this as a feature and not a hack to fix shortcomings of the design of their mount. This is my view based on sources I read at the time that seem logical to me, but I can't verify or give references to the sources that's magazines
I only shoot in manual, so the AE-1 or A-1 would work for me. The issue with the A-1 however is the lower durability. Every copy of the A-1 that I’ve owned has needed major servicing. No so with the AE-1.
I wish I'd been into photography in the late '70's early '80's, but I just had no interest at that age. Despite my apprenticeship at UK's sole importer of Minolta, who's flagship camera was the XD7. Instead, I had a little 110 snapper the Minolta Autopak 470, which I still have. It took miserably poor pictures, I can't remember running more than half a dozen rolls of film in it. Recently I bought a couple of 35 mm film cameras, first a Viewfinder camara from 1962, the Zeiss Ikon Contessa LK. A beautiful little German built miracle. Then two weeks ago a ridiculously cheap Minolta XD 11 which came with an MD Rokkor 50mm F1:1.7 (all for just £21 on eBay). The camera needed a full strip and service, as the Mirror wouldn't release. This was due to dry lubrication and an almost seized mirror damper. It took a deep strip of the mirror box and a few electronic gremlins to fix, but I'm delighted with the results after around 25 hours work on it. It's an amazing camera, with a silky film advance and orgasmic shutter sound. I managed to tune the shutter release button to eliminate the slight rubbery feel of my example, a good clean and Teflon dry lube on contact points. But what an absolute joy it is to use. I may be biased, but I'd take the Minolta with its pioneering AS&M modes over the Canon any day of the week.
1:40 No, the reason was that serious photographers want control of their exposure parameters. With programmed automatics there is no control. You might for example not be able to utilize a fast f/1.4 lens as the shutter speed would be too slow to handhold.' Te first Canon SLR with only fully automatically was T50 and I thought it was a joke.
I own all 3 , a1 ae1 and av1 . If I'm general shooting I'll take the a1 if I'm shooting sport I'm take the ae1 with a power winder attached if I'm shooting stationary objects I'll take the av1 . I'm a canon snob ❤
I've been shooting with an AE-1 for a little over a month now and can't you just choose your aperture and adjust your shutter speed until it matches the aperture setting? Sure it's not automatic, but it's essentially shooting in aperture priority mode
You have a few details wrong. The XD11/7 was the first camera to feature something like a P mode. More precisely, the Minolta XD shutter priority mode in reality operated like a Ps mode. You set the desired shutter speed like in any Tv mode, but if the selected speed is insufficient at the widest aperture, the XD will reduce the speed until a correct exposure ensues. So, yes. That increases the fame of the XD even more as it beat anyone else to claiming the title of being the first to introduce P mode to the market.
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I have all the "A" series cameras. My personal fav, the AL-1... As long as you have a good battery door and the "auto focus" light works. It's an aperture priority camera that has a few shutter speeds, if you want, and it takes AA batteries. Don't get me wrong, the AV-1 is an excellent camera, I like the AL-1.
Great video. Thanks.
I totally agree that the A1 is the best A series camera
I have a crazy favorite. The AT-1. It's widely panned because it's a manual camera that requires batteries to run the shutter, but that shouldn't mean anything to an A series fan. I like it better than my FTb. Once you get good at match needle metering, using the automatic Canons is frustrating. If I were going to go down to two Canon FDs, it would be T-90 and AT-1.
I love my AT-1 :)
This is why I really like the canon AL-1. Aperture priority and manual mode as well as a quick focus feature. Still going for around $50-75 in good condition.
I just brought an AL-1 that I used in the 90s back to life. I still need to redo the seals. I think it's a better AV-1. I wish the AV-1 had exposure compensation or a manual mode.
@@RhettAnderson AV-1, I'd say build. Being it is mostly metal. AL-1 with the focus light and AA batteries, plus you can go fully manual.
@@comfortablyblind6853 I'm using them both now regularly. AL-1 is definitely my favorite, but I like the AV-1, too.
This is such a good review! I finally understand all this stuff... speaking of, where does the A-1 fit into all these? And what are it's Minolta and Pentax counterparts?
Hi
I have both a A1 and Av1 as my back up camera the Av 1 is a cracking little camera most people are quick to slate it never even using one then they eat there words once they get there films processed and are pleased with the pictures.The A1 I’ve owned since 1980 a gift from my father and it’s just flawless the best semi pro SLR I’ve owned and still shoot with today
Just bought one of these with a 35-105 lens for 30 quid. Looking forward to trying it out
The 2-touch 35-105 lens is my ultimate fav from Canon.
I've done a lot of shooting on most of the A series cameras. I'd argue that the AE-1, because it shows aperture in the finder, is better for on-the-fly depth of field control. With the AE-1 you simply change the shutter speed until you see the needle on the aperture you want. When you're changing aperture on the AV-1 you have to keep taking the camera away from your eye to see the aperture setting. Bummer that Canon did not show BOTH shutter and aperture in these viewfinders.
I like the black AV-1. Very pretty.
After a while thought, I think you'd get to know the aperture ring on the lens. Or not.
@@comfortablyblind6853 Yeah, I guess. It kind of depends on how many lenses you have. Some of the 3rd party ones especially feel different.
I'll always pick the AE for a single reason. The AE-1 taught me to THINK in aperture priority, rather than letting the camera do it. I go into a lot of shots knowing exactly where I want my aperture (especially with my Helios adapted to the front, swirly bokeh, gang gang), so I start adjusting the shutter speed to reflect. Plus, my preferred Helios historically fucks with old AP cameras, so it's full manual or bust.
I'm reading your reviews on your website for years, and I just found out you have a RUclips channel! 😁
Yes, just started posting to it pretty recently. Hope you like it.
I bought an A1 and love it. Still thinking about adding an AV1 though. Good stuff. Thanks.
I agree totally! Have AE-1 impossible to change ASA ISO, AE-P nice but.. The AV-1 all you need.
I've had an AV-1 since the mid-80s, as my first 35mm camera. I didn't know at all how aperture affected the depth of field, or exactly what the exposure needle in the viewfinder was telling me. I assumed that it meant that I should try to get the needle as close to the middle of the range as possible, so I almost never shot at the wide end of the aperture range. This also meant that I favored 400 or 800 film, so I was always amazed whenever I had a photo turn out with that nice dreamy bokeh!
Got an AV-1 with a 50mm 1.8 lens for about ten dollars. I like it for the aperture priority mode since at the time I was also using a Nikon FE. A couple years ago I found a A-1 and I like more than the AV-1.
Interesting perspective, and one I share. I bought my A-1 in 1983 for all the reasons spelled out or alluded to here. Owning an A-1 makes owning any other Canon A-body a bit moot, and even if I needed a second A-body, I'd just shop for another A-1.
La AV-1 junto con el New FD 50mm f/2 es una combinación perfecta, es una maravilla de cámara, y si es por modo manual completo, me quedo a ojos cerrados con la F-1, EF, FTBn QL o A-1, y si uno quiere tener todo, la T90 es la solución
The Canon A-1 is also a fantastic option, it features shutter priority, aperture priority, and full manual and auto
The AE-1 was clearly a higher end camera than the AV1, and not the first of Canon's auto exposure cameras. That was the EF that came a couple of years earlier. You could also get auto exposure with the F1, not with the standard finder though. The AE-1 was Canon's first affordable AE camera though.
I don't have a source for why Canon went for shutter priority, but it's hard to believe that even a basic computer at that time couldn't do both. At least one at a time. It's same calculation. It's much easier to believe that Canon didn't want to introduce all features at the same time in an entry level camera.
I bought an AE-1 shortly after it came out and preferred shutter priority. What I didn't like about the AE-1 is that manual exposure wasn't as easy to use as on my previous full manual FTb and it also lacked the semispot metering of that camera. Semispot don't work well with auto exposure though so IMO both modes had been necessary to support it on AE-1.
One of my reasons for preferring shutter priority is the slow films at the time. Often ISO 64 or 100 or even 25 for the best quality and it was always a struggle to get fast enough shutter speed for "safe" hand holding. So, I much rather select a shutter speed for the occasion and let the camera choose the aperture and sacrifice some DOF if necessary. Better with most of the subject in focus than a blurry picture.
The problem with offering shutter priority is that the body have to control the aperture and only Canon could do that with some accuracy in the mid seventies (at least among the big five). If you look the mechanism that control the aperture on FD lenses you'll see it's not linear which increase accuracy for smaller apertures.
What Minolta had to do to offer shutter priority was to set the aperture somewhere close to what the metering suggested then do a second metering with the aperture closed and compensate with the shutter speed for the inaccuracies of the system. Of course, they presented this as a feature and not a hack to fix shortcomings of the design of their mount.
This is my view based on sources I read at the time that seem logical to me, but I can't verify or give references to the sources that's magazines
I only shoot in manual, so the AE-1 or A-1 would work for me. The issue with the A-1 however is the lower durability. Every copy of the A-1 that I’ve owned has needed major servicing. No so with the AE-1.
the ending, totally agree.
I wish I'd been into photography in the late '70's early '80's, but I just had no interest at that age.
Despite my apprenticeship at UK's sole importer of Minolta, who's flagship camera was the XD7. Instead, I had a little 110 snapper the Minolta Autopak 470, which I still have. It took miserably poor pictures, I can't remember running more than half a dozen rolls of film in it.
Recently I bought a couple of 35 mm film cameras, first a Viewfinder camara from 1962, the Zeiss Ikon Contessa LK. A beautiful little German built miracle. Then two weeks ago a ridiculously cheap Minolta XD 11 which came with an MD Rokkor 50mm F1:1.7 (all for just £21 on eBay).
The camera needed a full strip and service, as the Mirror wouldn't release. This was due to dry lubrication and an almost seized mirror damper. It took a deep strip of the mirror box and a few electronic gremlins to fix, but I'm delighted with the results after around 25 hours work on it. It's an amazing camera, with a silky film advance and orgasmic shutter sound.
I managed to tune the shutter release button to eliminate the slight rubbery feel of my example, a good clean and Teflon dry lube on contact points. But what an absolute joy it is to use.
I may be biased, but I'd take the Minolta with its pioneering AS&M modes over the Canon any day of the week.
Hi There, I Wanted To Ask You Which Lens You Were Using To Get Shot Of Those Kids?? Really Informative Video btw
It was my first camera and I still have it..great pictures say it all.
What about the AE-1 program, that camera can do both modes, and has exactly the same beautiful body as the AE-1?
and a nicer way of setting ISO
But the AE-1P doesn't do Aperture priority. If you set it to Program without setting the lens to A, you'll get a fixed shutter speed only.
Yeah, great camera, but it didn’t come out until 1981, so that’s quite a ways off from the AV1.
Excellently put. Generally aperture priority works better for me too. the AE1 is an excellent camera nevertheless 👍🏼
And the AE-1P has the brightest screen of all the A series if I recall correctly.
1:40 No, the reason was that serious photographers want control of their exposure parameters. With programmed automatics there is no control. You might for example not be able to utilize a fast f/1.4 lens as the shutter speed would be too slow to handhold.'
Te first Canon SLR with only fully automatically was T50 and I thought it was a joke.
I've been offered one for free. Thought I'd have a look at what it's like. Good to know it's a capable unit
It was very helpful. Thank you ♪
I own all 3 , a1 ae1 and av1 . If I'm general shooting I'll take the a1 if I'm shooting sport I'm take the ae1 with a power winder attached if I'm shooting stationary objects I'll take the av1 . I'm a canon snob ❤
Really nice video. Thanks for making it :)
I've got most Canon SLR's and I reach for the A1 first.
I've been shooting with an AE-1 for a little over a month now and can't you just choose your aperture and adjust your shutter speed until it matches the aperture setting? Sure it's not automatic, but it's essentially shooting in aperture priority mode
As you said it is not automatic.
@@okaro6595 OH boy gotta change the aperture real quick, it'll take less than a second
The A-1 is an excellent camera! The best T series camera is undoubtedly the T90.
I have Cannon A1 camera and want to sell it
I love my Canon AV-1
You have a few details wrong. The XD11/7 was the first camera to feature something like a P mode. More precisely, the Minolta XD shutter priority mode in reality operated like a Ps mode. You set the desired shutter speed like in any Tv mode, but if the selected speed is insufficient at the widest aperture, the XD will reduce the speed until a correct exposure ensues.
So, yes. That increases the fame of the XD even more as it beat anyone else to claiming the title of being the first to introduce P mode to the market.
And everyone still hates on the Nikon EM when the AV-1 is basically a normal sized version.
Well said.
I got drunk to how many times you AE-1 😂
You're welcome! 😄
Same here. I really don't get how these photography students are ever learning anything by using auto mode all the time.
I have cannon A1 camera and want to sell it
The AE-1 is just and OK camera, not a great camera by any mean as 99.99% of people says, well built yes, but just that.
so surely the a1 is just a better av1?
hahaha i choose canon A-1 too.
Super vidéo Merci pour votre aide
( Dieu te cherche, Clic sur le Smiley)