Another look at the Canon AL-1, a focus-confirmation FD camera

Before there was auto-focus, there was focus confirmation. In the Canon AL-1 QF, this was achieved with the same kind of contrast detection idea that was later used in the EOS EF-mount camera.

 

Here's the AL-1, introduced in March, 1982

Here is the etched mirror that allowed light to reach the sensors:

This is the viewfinder setup from the manual.

 

There is only the one focus point. The user held the point to be focused on in the square and turned the focus ring on the lens in the direction indicated by the arrows until the center light came on -- that was the lens in focus. It works quite well. Of course, Canon and every one else was feverishly working on full AF, so this is a kind of interim solution, but one which many serious shooter continue to use manually even with fully automatic cameras.

 

Here is the result

 

And another example

 

 

That's all for this post. I did a more gearhead report sometime ago at Canon AL-1 “Quick Focus” — Another step toward the modern camera

Edited December 2, 2020 by JDMvW

I have an AL-1 and it's a great camera. Unfortunately, the battery door is truly terrible because the latch breaks on a regular basis. I've replaced doors on mine twice.