Canon AE-1 value

<p>I have come accross this camera here and was looking for some info and maybe a price.<br>

<img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e160/cdy291/DSC01247.jpg" alt="" width="980" height="768" /><br>

<img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e160/cdy291/DSC01248.jpg" alt="" width="985" height="768" /><br>

<img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e160/cdy291/DSC01245.jpg" alt="" width="977" height="768" /><br>

<img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e160/cdy291/DSC01249.jpg" alt="" width="969" height="768" /></p>

<p>look up completed auction on ebay.</p>

<p>Note that the lens is pretty much the cheapest lens Canon offered at the time (the ancestor of the "plastic fantastic" of the EOS mount), and the third-party flash is a "give-away". Your copy looks to be in good condition, but the "completed" prices (even for "body only") on eBay will be about what you could expect on a good day, even with the lens and flash.</p>

<p>Please note that the "asked" prices on eBay reflect the hopes of innocents who do not realize how little older film cameras are worth these days. You have to look at "completed" auctions (and the ones that sold in green) to see what the real going price is. "Many ask, but few are sold.>"</p>

<p>The AE-1 is sort of the Toyota Corolla of 35mm SLRs - perfectly usable without being particularly exciting. About a bazillion of them were made, so they're common as dirt and correspondingly cheap - every Craiglist in the country has a bunch of these, ranging in price from almost nothing to "way over the top". I think $20-$40 would be reasonable price for one in good condition (inc the lens). IIRC, shutter priority auto and manual, 1-1/1000, etc etc. BTW, the "chrome" top plate is cleverly painted plastic. Getting long in the tooth by now. Personally, I wouldn't buy one, regardless of price.</p>

<p>Try Keh.com for prices:<br>

http://www.keh.com/Camera/format-35mm/system-Canon-Manual-Focus/category-Camera-Bodies?s=1&bcode=CA&ccode=2&cc=79256&r=WG&f</p>

 

<p>Everything depends on condition: Has it been tested lately with film? Is the foam at the top of the mirror chamber still good or crumbling? Does it squeak or squeal when the mirror goes up/down (and is the mirror fast or slow.) Is the lens perfectly clear or does it have any spots "spider webs" (fungus) in it? The better the condition (and the more you can document it), the more it will be worth, but $40 is still about the upper limit. The "I found this in my closet and know nothing" price is more like $15. There are millions of this model out there. Let put it this way: the other day, someone <em>gave </em>me <em>two </em>of them (including the 50mm f/1.8 lenses and Canon flash) just to get them out of their closet. One of them was fine and one of them had the squeak until I fixed it. Both of them need new mirror foam and back seals. I'll fix them up and try to find some young person who wants to play retro/film and give them away myself. </p>

 

<p>You might want to sell the strap and case separately if you want to get more money out of that kit.</p>

<p>A good student camera, but it probably needs a servicing. I'd say no more than $75 for the set.</p>

<p>If you're planning to put it on auction, definitely run a roll of film through the camera to test all functions. Even post a few sample photos with it. As others have said, the AE-1 is pretty common, but if it works properly, having a few photos and some knowledge of the camera may help it bring a bit more.<br>

You may find after using the camera that you like it. </p>

<p>david carroll-<br /> The AE-1's top and bottom are actually plated plastic. Still cleverly done!</p>

<p>Fair point. However.....plastic.</p>

<p>technically the top cover on the AE1 is Polycarbonate with a copper layer then the satin chrome.<br>

Some of the A series had brass bottoms.</p>