Canon A-1 - A-series "professional camera"

The A-1 was my second 35mm SLR. I bought it in Osaka, Japan while on vacation there. That was back in 1984 and at that time, my attitude was, the more automation, the better. To be honest, though, I actually grew tired of the automation because I felt that it was masking the art and craft of photography from me. And when I did try to use it in manual mode, I became somewhat frustrated that rotating the aperture ring had no effect on the meter readout. The meter indicates the aperture it recommends, so the user must set the ring to that value, if that's the one desired. Another annoyance that developed with me -- and this was the case with both of my SLRs, the first being an AE-1 -- was the center-weighted metering pattern. To me, it wasn't center-weighted enough. I was shooting slides exclusively, which require accurate exposure for best results. And what I found on a number of occasions were slides that were ruined because of extraneous light sources that peeked their way into the frames, resulting in severe underexposures. After a while, I learned to look out for these situations, but sometimes they were unavoidable, which required that I shoot in manual mode with a substantially different exposure value than what the camera was recommending. For me, the solution to these annoyances was to take a step backwards, technologically speaking. I bought an FTb, a mechanical, manual exposure camera with a 12% partial area metering pattern and match-needle metering. Problems solved. About a year after that, I bought an old F-1, which also has the 12% partial area metering pattern and match-needle metering, and then I bought another. I had become a convert to the old stuff.

 

 

 

I kept my A-1, though, and still used it as a back-up camera. Mostly because I had the Motor Drive MA for mine -- probably one of the two best motorized accessories that Canon ever produced. I was freelancing as a motorsports photographer by then, and having the motor drive on the A-1 was very handy. And since I was shooting outdoors at the races, the A-1's meter usually worked very well, so I was able to use Tv (Shutter Priority) auto for the races. I used Tv so I could control the shutter speed to blur the cars wheels, which was important in giving the appearance that a car was moving. So, yeah, since I was freelancing, I was a pro who was using an A-1, and putting it to good use, too. But by then it was my second camera. The old F-1, with it's giant but rather leisurely 3.5 fps motor drive, was my principle rig.

 

 

 

A few years later, I decided to switch systems to Nikon, so I sold off all my Canon gear and became a Nikon user. I enjoyed Nikon well enough -- especially the phenomenal F2. But you know, I never got over Canon FD and finally, several years ago, I started collecting Canon FD again. I now have a pristine A-1, with Motor Drive MA, as part of my permanent collection.

 

 

 

I frequent a number of photo forums that specialize in older gear and one of the things I've noticed is, when it comes to Canon FD cameras, invariably the A-1 is the camera that is most often discussed. More so than the F-1, whether new or old, or the T-90, or even the EF. And I think this is at least partially because it was the first Canon to do it all -- all four exposure mode possibilities (P, Tv, Av, and M), plus stopped down AE and a limited flash AE. But also the A-1 has proved to be a very robust and resilient photographic tool. Back in the early 80s, I certainly would have never envisioned that, almost 35 years later, A-1s would still be going as strong as the day they left the showroom. I think it's a bit ironic that much of the reason why the A-1 is as durable as it has been is because of its automation. I've had A-1s apart and one thing you can't help but notice is that big flex circuit that lays on top of the inside of the camera. That big flex circuit contains all the "stuff" that makes the camera work, and since everything has been miniaturized and modularized, this actually makes for a more reliable and more rugged tool. But even given this, if it weren't for the top quality design and construction that Canon included in the rest of the camera, like its rugged switch gear, durable metal chassis, and a top cover that is brass-clad polycarbonate, which makes for a more bump-resistant material, the camera wouldn't be as reliable as it has demonstrated itself to be.

 

 

 

Yes, despite its quirks and deficiencies, the A-1 has weathered the test of time and has proven itself to be a photographic tool equally at home in the hands of a talented amateur or a pro -- or even a total neophyte. And so it goes . . .

 

 

 

Just what is up with paragraph breaks in the new forums? What does it take to do paragraph breaks? At last! I think.

 

That's incredible (in the sense of "hard to believe"), JDM, given that you can pick up a pristine F-1, F-1n or F-1N today for around $200. And it makes me curious about what a new F-1 would cost in today's currency.

Edited March 2, 2017 by mark_pierlot

Michael, for paragraph breaks, try pushing your "Enter" key twice (or thrice). And if you go into the "More Options" area, you have just that - more options.

Edited March 2, 2017 by mark_pierlot

Edited March 2, 2017 by mark_pierlot

The A1 was not considered a professional camera, the F1 was Canon's pro body.

The A1 was not considered a professional camera, the F1 was Canon's pro body.

Although this was already addressed in the original discussion (above), I'll simply repeat that

1. the word professional was in quotation marks
   
2. The camera was widely used by real, 100% professional photographers
   
3. it was one of the earlier "Pro-Am" cameras bridging from one level to another
   

Thanks Mark. I found the BB Code Editor icon. Finally.

 

So I guess this is recognizing the Enter key now?

 

Okay, looks like it is. But why is this feature defaulted to 'off'? It should always be 'on.'

 

Funny that the preview shows correct formatting. I don't like that the BB Code Editor has no controls at all -- visible, at least.. So I clicked on the link to the full text editor, which brought me out of the bb code editor, and back to this pile of crap.

 

And btw, it looks like it's supposed to in the editor and when I do a preview. They need to clean this up. This post is supposed to have four paragraph breaks.

The A-1 was a fine camera, though it was never up to "professional standards" of that time in the vein of the F-1 or Nikon F2/F3. Nor was it really intended to be. No interchangeable finders or easily changes screens. It did have a "motor drive", the MA, but if memory serves me correctly, it was a 3 or 3.5 fps glorified winder. It was not targeted for professionals but rather advanced amateurs.

This thread was an enjoyable read.

An A-1 was my first "serious" camera. I bought it in 2005 for an upcoming trip to France, but used it a lot before then until I felt competent with it.

Although I carted a bag full of lenses with it(the one I bought came with four) I ended up leaving most in the hotel room and spent most of the trip with the body and a breech lock 50mm 1.8 hanging from my neck. I think I shot about 600 frames on that trip(who knows how many since then), mirror squeak and all. The vast majority were shutter priority, which remains my preferred shooting mode to this day.

I moved on to the F-1, new F-1, and T90 along with most every other FD mount body along the way, but still have my first A-1 and give it some exercise every once in a while.

BTW, I did finally fix the squeak with a drop of watch oil on an on an oiler through the hole in the mirror box. I know that's frowned on, but it worked. I also resealed mine even though it didn't leak-just putting new mirror foam in it made the camera a fair bit quieter.

<p>When I was saving up for my first SLR in 1978/1979, the Canon A-1 made it to the top of the list. I even purchased a book to become familiar with it before I had enough money to buy the camera. As it turned out, a steep price increase prevented me from becoming a Canon owner (and from suffering through the FD to EOS mount transition); I purchased a Nikon FM and 105/2.5 instead.</p>

 

The FM is a much better camera than the A1 now that I own both of them.

The A-1 was a fine camera, though it was never up to "professional standards" of that time in the vein of the F-1 or Nikon F2/F3. Nor was it really intended to be. No interchangeable finders or easily changes screens. It did have a "motor drive", the MA, but if memory serves me correctly, it was a 3 or 3.5 fps glorified winder. It was not targeted for professionals but rather advanced amateurs.

 

Look at the entire post and you'll find this point has been discussed twice already.

The A-1 was a fine camera, though it was never up to "professional standards" of that time in the vein of the F-1 or Nikon F2/F3. Nor was it really intended to be. No interchangeable finders or easily changes screens. It did have a "motor drive", the MA, but if memory serves me correctly, it was a 3 or 3.5 fps glorified winder. It was not targeted for professionals but rather advanced amateurs.

 

I has a 2fps winder and a 5fps motor drive.

I has a 2fps winder and a 5fps motor drive.

My error but the speed of the motor notwithstanding, it was still not a professional grade system camera nor was it ever intended to be.

Look at the entire post and you'll find this point has been discussed twice already.

Do you read every single post in a 4 page thread? I doubt it.

It was still not a professional grade system camera nor was it ever intended to be

 

Nor did anyone here ever say it was or was supposed to be.

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Do you read every single post in a 4 page thread?

Not always,, but at least I'd look to see if the topic had already been discussed twice.

 

I'd also put in a disclaimer if I skipped over things....

I guess you could in many respects compare the Canon A-1 to the Nikon FA. Both were fine cameras targeted at the advanced amateur market and had a wide range of lenses and accessories available to them. Perhaps the greatest difference between the two was the A-1's top shutter speed was only 1/1000 while the FA's was 1/4000 and it was the first in its class to offer (although somewhat simplified compared to today) Matrix metering. Both can still be had on EBAY for very good prices and are good bargains. If I had to choose between one or the other I would most likely go with the FA.

The Canon A-1 was a top model and I still have one. I would say I got more use out of it than the F-1 original. it had great specs and good construction and a decent set of winders. It was surpassed only by the T 90 and I have two of them unused for many years and with groky magnets that I fixed once. But they are gems and can still be restored, but I am way beyond film alas. I have saved a number of the wonderful Canon brochures. So beautifully done. Ahh.True the F- was the professional beat it up choice and I admired it as well..heavy so and so and had no better body capability than the A-1 in its picture taking ability. I carried it all over Asia and it held up very very well. Professional I do not know but very light vs F-1 and the accessories. A proud member of the Canon lineup. Edited May 5, 2017 by GerrySiegel

I received one of these as gift once but sold it shortly thereafter. While the lenses were nice, I just could not get excited about he look of this camera or any of the Canon lines from that time period. To me, it looked like just about every other camera made around then.

I received one of these as gift once but sold it shortly thereafter. While the lenses were nice, I just could not get excited about he look of this camera or any of the Canon lines from that time period. To me, it looked like just about every other camera made around then.

 

I don't like the A-1 for many reasons but not the look. I think it's one of the better looking 35mm SLR of the period. The controls on the A-1 gave it a unique look.

I still have my A-1 from 1980. It's a fine camera and if I'm shooting autoexposure, then it's one I will take. If I'm shooting manual exposure, I leave it at home. It simply does not have enough information in the viewfinder to use manual exposure.

I bought my first A-1 in 1983. At the time, I believed more automation equaled a better camera. About six months later, realizing the error of my thinking, I did an about face and bought an FTb, then about a year after that, an original F-1. My A-1 sat around, collecting dust. It got used after I discovered the joy of manual mechanical cameras, but only seldom. In the ensuing years, I've owned many A-1s. Mostly I bought them to sell them and make a few dollars in the process. Now, however, I own a single minty A-1, and I own it to sort of complete my collection of "preferred FD Cameras." It actually gets used only seldom. I still prefer manual mechanical cameras. Some things haven't changed since I wised up all those years ago.

Hey, I'm not above resurrecting my old threads, but this time, I am not responsible.

 

As far as the old FD line of Canons go, my personal favorite (if it worked, that is) would be the Canon T90.

 

It is true that the A-1 is more traditional in appearance, but most cameras reflect their contemporary styles. I think the all-black A-1 is one of the better designs of that particular style.

I agree about the A-1's styling. I've always thought it was a comely creature, and it fit my hand well. It fit even better after I attached a Motor Drive MA to it. Unlike others, I actually liked the sort of non-traditional layout of the roller and switches used to control aperture and/or shutter speed.

Since this has already been repeatedly resurrected, it won't hurt to add this old "Too Hot To Handle" comment on a topic raised more than once in the comments:

Modern Photography 1982-07

Since this has already been repeatedly resurrected, it won't hurt to add this old "Too Hot To Handle" comment on a topic raised more than once in the comments:

 

This is congruent with my experience, too. I used it throughout college in journalism in the early '80s, and thereafter until the mid-2000s.