Who still owns an AE-1 Program?

[todd_ck_freeman]

In my past glorious days while stationed in Alaska I was privy to using two

great cameras of the era. (1) The Canon AE-1 program 35 mm camera and the

other was my Bolex Super 8mm film camera.

 

Alaska is a most beautiful place offering a myriad of graphic elements as a

backdrop for any fine photography. You can't hardly come up without an awesome

photo with such beautiful surroundings.

 

I am just curious if anyone out there still owns a Canon AE-1 program and more

importantly did you ever master all of the many ways to create great

photography?

 

I will scour my belongings (in storage) for all of my great pics and try to

post a few in this forum. I am glad I stumbled upon this site, many of my

friends from Alaska will remember me as CK Freeman. I look forward to many

more postings and making some great friends from here.

 

Live, Love, Laff....surf's Up!

 

Todd CK Freeman

[peterlyons]

My dad gave me an AE-1 program when I was 13 in 1983. I took right to it. It's what

began my love of photography. I no longer own the camera--I'm just not sentimental in

that kind of way--but I do own all the all photographs. They're stashed away somewhere!

 

As to your other question: did I ever master all the ways to create great photography... no

way... and it would certainly be a bold person to say that they have!

 

Welcome to the forums!

 

Peter

[mark_stephan2]

Todd, I inherited my father-in-laws AE1P 10 years ago with a 50f1.8 nFD lens and that started my wonderful relationship with Canon FD. I still own the camera and used in mostly on S mode and took many wonderful pictures of my kids growing up with it. I only use it once or twice a year now because I now shoot with a T90 and F1N. I'll always keep the AE1P and hope to give it to my boys someday so that they'll continue to take great pictures with it.

Mark

[Rene11664880918]

My first SLR was an AE-1P. I bought it when I was still in high school back in 1982. I still

have it and use it every now and then. I will never get rid of it. I think if 1 day it doesn't work

any more I will just make a glass case for it!

 

The only reason I don't use it that much anymore is coz now I usually shoot in aperture

priority and AE-1P doesn't have it.

 

Rene'

[dave_s]

I have one that I bought second-hand from a local dealer in 1995. I think it's my fourth 'A' series camera. I bought my first in 1979, but I tend to destroy them.

<p>

The AE-1P isn't my very favorite camera, but I find it intuitive and easy to use.

<p>

<IMG SRC="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/4831483-lg.jpg">

<p><i>(AE-1P; 35/2.8 FDn; Ilford XP-2)</i>

[joseph_wei]

My dad also gave me his AE-1 Program that he used in grad school - I used it from sixth grade up until now (I'm in college), and am still using it. It's a great, study camera with all the features you could need for most general photography - just goes to prove, all the more, that it's the photographer that makes or breaks the photos, not (just) the camera.

[awahlster]

I have three of them one out on long term loan to a young lady that showed interest in photography when she was 11. My wife uses the other 2 as her std. kit. A chrome one and a Black one. She loves them,.

[joe_nash1]

I have mine and my brother's original AE-1 Programs bought for us when we graduated high school in 1985. I alternate them with my A-1 and T-90. I like the ease of use as well.

[russell_guerrero]

I still have one. I got one for Christmas in 1985 and it was my work horse for more than 20 years. In the last year or so, I have started using an A1 and a T90 as my primary cameras. But I still bring out the AE-1 program every once and a while to keep it in use.

[fernando_libenson]

It was my first SLR camera, 20 years ago. It's still in use, never been serviced, never let me down. From a time things were made (and meant) to last.

[doug_nelson3]

I gave my stepdaughter a black one, a beauty. To me, shutter-priority is counter-intuitive. I prefer the AV-1 for what street shooting won't get you beaten up or arrested these days. I have no use for the Program mode. A big plus for the AE_1P: the viewfinder brightness puts a lot of contemporary SLR's to shame.

[tsphillips]

My dad gave me his AE-1P a couple of years ago, right after I entered college. He'd just gotten a digital camera, so he had no use for it anymore. He bought the camera after he left his AE-1(non-program)in the back seat of a cab in Guatemala, never to be seen again. He took it on his next couple of thrips to Mexico and Central America working with Baptist missions. I'm the only one of my friends who doesn't have a digital camera. Some of them can tell it's a 24 year old camera, and others are shocked to find no LCD on the back.

[michaelchristensen]

I do. The AE1P is one of many cameras I've used over the years; but it was my first love, and at a time I did not understand what all the modes (PSAM) were used for .. shot mostly on program mode; lived and traveled through Europe with the AE1P on my neck - took the best pictures of my life with it. Gave it to my daughter for a photography class, bought another one for daughter #2, again for photography class .. they got good pictures too and again I was excited about photography. Bought a 3rd AE1P for myself after a 20 year departure from it. Just to relive the adventure. It worked and caused me to dive head-long into the subject.

 

Long story-short: went on to buy a A1, and 3 Canon F1's which I still have; a Nikon F100, F5, and D200, an RB67, Contax G2, and Rolleiflex .. all these other cameras were bought to support someone else's adventures, shooting events and weddings part time .. looking back, I've only got a handful of pictures of me and my family .. the most valuable of which were taken with the Canon AE1P .. and I can't really tell the difference in the 8x10 from this and the same size in other cameras .. yes, I've graduated to more sophisticated cameras, many more expensive. It has been a pleasurable experience with the Canon FD line ... and contrary to the so-called Regan era of cameras (as someone on this website has tag-lined) .. I'll take a Regan era camera anytime and not hesitate to have fun with it. As time goes on we all like to try different cameras and different formats .. film and digital .. there is not much that the AE1P cannot do .. and in the right hands there are no excuses for not getting the shot .. yes, I guess cameras today are oh so much so-called better, but I for one was saddened to see the FD line end .. and I never liked the styling of the EOS system and transitioned to Nikon .. my FD line is still active in my life ... my girls both love the simplicity of the AE1P .. so do I and every time I handle one, I'm 20 years younger walking through Europe .. and kicking myself for not taking it off the Program mode more often .. enjoy the heck out of it .. and make pictures. The Canon FD glass is spectacular and available on the cheap right now. The AE1P is a fantastic entry level camera .. for the casual, semi-pro user. Highly recommended for anyone who is serious about quality of pictures and less concerned with having the newest camera on the market.

[panorama7]

I just bought one as a back up second body. :)

 

it hasn't arrived yet so I can't tell you how good it is yet.