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

[lex_jenkins]

<p>I recall being surprised several years ago the first time I saw a chunk broken off an AE-1. Before then I hadn't realized it was plastic under the skin. Still a pretty tough camera.</p>

<p>Among photojournalists, especially in college during the 1980s, the A-1 was fairly popular as an affordable alternative to the Nikon pro F series. If I'm recalling correctly the A-1 was heavily discounted to tempt photographers to invest in the FD system.</p>

[steve_mareno1]

<p>I can vouch for the toughness of A-1 tops. I was once taking mine down from the top of a closet when it slipped and fell about eight feet, right on it's prism to a hardwood floor. After it got through bouncing around I picked it up figuring it was toast but couldn't see a mark on it. It worked perfectly. The electronics in these cameras are very well made, but as JDM stated, you're better off not having to take the top off if you can avoid it. It's stuffed w/ wires and all manner of electronic bits and pieces. I always thought the A-1/ w/ action grip and FD 50 1.4 were beautiful together.</p>

[jeff_livacich]

<p>As I recall, the actual lowest selling price (New York mail order, or matched elsewhere) for most equipment back in the 70's was about 50% of list.</p>

[gordon_yee]

<blockquote>

<p>"The ... top and mirror-box front panel are made of the same well-proven plastic used on the AE-1. This is a plastic that's metal-plated, then painted (in the case of the black-finished models). The bottom cover is a substantial brass stamping"</p>

</blockquote>

<p>...so, the only plastic exterior body panels on the A-1 that, at the time, were normally made of metal are the top and the bezel surrounding the lens mount, which is why it bugs me when the A-1 is described as being "too plasticky" and why I belabor the point. <em>[End of rant, sorry.]</em></p>

[User_502260]

<p>The 28/2.8 New FD does not seem as good to me as the earlier FD SC model but I have three of them (New FD) anyway. They're not half bad when closed down. The A-1 is a camera I don't think I will ever like. Mine has the squeak but otherwise works fine. Using it in a manual mode or using the depth of field preview are just not worth the trouble. I prefer a mechanical Canon. I can live without all of the A-1 exposure modes and be happy with an EF. The EF is much more solidly made, has a fast and sensitive meter and also has a higher flash synch speed. An FTbN has the 12 degree metering, the QL loading and operates smoothly. The Minolta X-700 gives me user interchangeable (with diffuculty) focusing screens and adds TTL flash metering. Finally, I will mention the Nikon N90S/F90X. It has far more features than the A-1 and sells for very little. I have two of these in mint condition. One was $27 and the other about $35.<br>

My A-1 goal is to transplant a grid type screen from a non-working A-1 and put in into the working one. At the same time I will have the squeak problem addressed and have a general overhaul. I still won't really like the A-1 but I will at least have one fully working and with a screen I like. If I know I will be changing screens "in the field" I will just use an F-1. </p>

[mark_stephan2]

<p>The shutter squeal is worth fixing. I sent my camera to eBay seller John Titterington for the squeal and he charged $45 which also included replacing the foam, cleaning the focusing screen and lubriating the body and mechanical parts. Well worth it IMO. I use my A-1 with A2 winder or MA and lenses from 24 - 500 f8. </p>

[GerrySiegel]

<p>Yes, too good to be true, if hunting down John I have to disclose to forum goers,,,I have e mailed John without response. <br /> OTOH,Steve at Camera Clinic will talk to you on the phone and discuss the squeal. He said that there is a cheap way to fix the squeal and what he a Canon specialist calls a <em>right way.</em> And that the right way is to remove the mirror box assembly and lube the shutter and the parts of the mirror that squeal. That plus some other stuff he will do for 125 bucks plus shipping of 12.00. Flat rate. Given that my A-1 was my workhorse, before my T90 took over, I plan to send the A-1 and the A 2 winder to Steve in Reno. He repaired the shutter magnets and the T90s work great. I look at 150 bucks for upkeep of a really good film camera, one of Canon's finest, as worth it. Like every 30 years or so...I mean rationalize it thus" Only the price of 10 medium size pizzas with one topping each:-). <br /> I may have only paid, I recollect 250.00 -300.00 for my A-1 w 1.4 lens new in box at the Guam PX, that was in 1980 something PX price dollars. Very sturdy easy to use camera. The camera is still cosmetically mint has cover to 6 volt battery, meter meters correctly and all. And A2 finder w four AA cells was just about the right size to do the job so I didnt seek the other winder. <br>

I took that combo to Australia and New Zealand in 1984, pounded it like mad on planes and river boats and it has never had service since and still works OK for now. A-1 though starts to make a case, "m Psst. About time for my lube and oil change., Gerry."</p>

[michaelchristensen]

<p>Still have my Canon A1 .. and reading JDM's article above brought back all the memories of using such a fine camera .. my A1 was my slide film camera camera at the time and co-exited with other more heavily used print film cameras .. so didn't get as much use as my F1N, F1, or AE1 Program; believe the last time I used it was at the St. Louis Energizer balloon race with the film winder attachment .. with the 35-105mm lens I got some really well exposed and rich colors .. as those baloons sailed from ground to treetop levels and beyond, the only thing slowing me down was how fast I could frame and focus.<br>

The A1 was such a feature rich camera that I doubt that I ever needed whatever it was that this camera offered. And I really thought the 28mm lens was my most useful at the time. It gave me many years of pure joy and some nice pictures.</p>

<p>JDM, you're a brave man to try to get that top plate off .. I read about it a number of times and though I was sure to lose all those little parts.<br>

I may have to dust her off and run some film again after reading this.</p>

[robbz_fotoz]

<p>An update on John Titterington: Recently at a farmers market / rummage / garage / yard sale I found and purchased an A-1 body and AE-1 Program, both very clean but both have moderately loud squeals, enough to make me think these cameras once spent considerable time on a farm. I contacted John Titterington recently by e mail and his current rate is now 75 dollars. He was very responsive I have to report. LoosECannons, in Mechanicsburg PA, approximately 2 hours from my home is at 60 for the AE-1 and 65 for the A-1. I suspect the original owner was a "buy the accessories" person instead of a user -- there was also a Canon A2 rewinder, boxed and a Canon Angle Finder B. The noise is a typical A body age thing, so it will be worth the $. I haggled with Mr. Seller for a final price of 20 for the A-1 and 30 for the AE-1 Program and 15 for both accessories. Next month I'll probably send the cameras off to John -- his reputation precedes him.</p>

[flavio_egoavil]

<p>Nice to read these replies. I took many, many pics with my A-1. It's not the perfect camera for manual shooting, but for AE shooting it is tops. <br>

As for the Canon FD lenses, they are at the top of 70s and 80s optical design.</p>

[User_4136860]

<p>None of the Canon A series were " professional cameras ", the professional cameras that Canon manufactured were the F1, the F1n, and New F1. <a href="https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=canon+new+f1&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=MexCUsO0IoiQ0AXzugE&ved=0CDAQsAQ&biw=1680&bih=925&dpr=1">https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=canon+new+f1&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=MexCUsO0IoiQ0AXzugE&ved=0CDAQsAQ&biw=1680&bih=925&dpr=1</a></p>

[JDMvW]

<p>Canon themselves simply say about the A-1 (<a href="http://www.canon.com/camera-museum/camera/film/data/1976-1985/1978_a1.html?lang=us&categ=crn&page=1976-1985&p=1">link</a>):</p>

<blockquote>

<p>The A-1 was the top-of-the-line A-series camera. (The AE-1 was the first in this series.) It was a sophisticated electronic camera with all-digital control.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>You will also note that the word <em>professional</em> is in quotation marks, although plenty of honest-to-god pros did use this camera and others in what is sometimes called the "Pro-Am" category.</p>

[robbz_fotoz]

<p>yes, the A-1 definitely fits the "Pro-Am" category as it gave a lot of wanna be shooters some much needed confidence in the SLR field. </p>

[steve_snyder2]

<p>What's not to love about this camera? It's sturdy and easy to use. I still have mine that I picked up used in the late 1980s. Had the squeal fixed back when there were camera repair places all over the place. Hasn't squeaked since. FD glass is the best bargain out there although prices are creeping up because the M4/3 crowd is slapping them on their cameras now. I shoot mostly BW with mine these days when I want to slow down. I wish I could find diopters for mine because I hate shooting with glasses on. I actually picked up a Canon Elan 7e like new for $30 and use that when I need to focus more quickly without glasses. To me the A-1 was the pinnacle of prosumer cameras in the 80s and are selling for peanuts now...</p>

[david_kaye]

Question #2: was my suggestion of SIU close to the mark? I was a full professor and department chairman at the

University of Washington in Seattle over 30 years ago.

[User_4136860]

<p>I owned a Canon A1 for more than 25 years and never really liked it, because although it was much lighter in weight and was reliable it always felt cheap and nasty compared with my New F1's, and I gave it my niece a few months ago and don't regret it.</p>

[robbz_fotoz]

<p>Ben: tell us how you really feel. Well, never mind. Nope I agree the New F-1 is a rock of a camera, and it was supposed to be just that as the A-1 was never designed to be a pro camera although a lot of pros did use this body and liked it ( worked for the Philly Inquirer for while ). I too lusted after the New F-1 when it was released (this is the final body you're referring to right ? From 1981 to 1996 - correct me if I'm wrong as I know there was the F-1, the F-1 update from 1976 and then the totally new "New F-1" in 1981 ) but when this final F was released I was well into "life" starting out my career, and knew the A-1s would have to suffice. I am always checking out "new" F-1s where I find them but then I ask myself how many cameras do I need (vs lusting after). Most cameras have an Achilles Heel, and one thing I learned sorry to say from experience is the A-1 is not an all weather camera. I'm sure the New F-1 and all of the previous iterations were probably more water resistant.</p>

[User_4136860]

<p>Yes the F1's have a very comprehensive weather sealing system.</p>

[liebermann]

<p>This was my first really good camera, bought from one of the NY mail-order places based on the ad in the back of ______ Photography magazine. Unfortunately, with the $450 or so I'd saved up and decided I'd get the A1 and a 50/1.4, the fast-talking salesman convinced me I ought to get instead a 1.8 and a flash... %$#@! flash only lasted a year or so.<br /> <br /> That camera began its end in the famous (to me) "Leningrad mayonnaise incident" (though hung on for another 8 or 9 months after being coated in fresh mayonnaise in my rucksack) and was replaced by another, used one. Sadly, that one's been in storage on the other side of the continent since 2002.<br /> <br /> I always liked the camera's ergonomics, the FD bayonet mount, the battery cover-grip, the nice LED indicators, etc. Only thing weird was the stop-down lever/button... I had a couple AE1s, but never found them as outstanding as the A1.<br /> <br /> I can never remember if these get a dash between the A and the 1.<br /> <br /> Oddly the A1 isn't a camera I've run across cheap and used and local - yet. When I do it'll be like old times! (except that Yeltsin won't be in power and I won't be shooting ____chrome and I won't be able to get freshly baked bread and a thing of mayonnaise for SUR5000).<br>

<br /> By the way, mine did get some nice 'brassing'!</p>

[JDMvW]

<p>Some other A-series reports I've done:<br>

http://www.photo.net/modern-film-cameras-forum/00cmRJ - Canon AL-1<br /><a href="/canon-fd-camera-forum/00XFXF">http://www.photo.net/canon-fd-camera-forum/00XFXF</a> - Canon AE-1 P<br /><br /></p>

[stephen_morris3]

This is my latest Canon A-1. I have been recapitulating my photographic journey from childhood to 1979 when I switched from SLRs to pocket film cameras, then to compact digital and then to smartphones with great cameras (Lumia). My fifth cameras was a new Canon AE-1 bought in Japan in 1976 through a friend with contacts at Canon's factory. No tours were allowed then because their A project was so cutting edge. A lot more factory automation, not much to look at anyway. I replaced it with the A-1 in 1978. Now that these wonderful instruments can be had for pizza $$, how can I resist trying ALL the great cameras from those great days?

 

For general use, I prefer the shutter priority automation of the AE-1 and A-1. For ISO 100 and for daylight, I can set the shutter to 1/125 and I'll have a much wider auto exposure range without having to change any settings. Just focus and shoot. I found that I didn't use the Program mode very much on the A-1; it would too often select a shutter speed too slow for hand-holding. I usually just stuck to shutter-preferred. I really appreciated the bright, clear and complete LED viewfinder display. Also like the flash automation though not TTL.

 

I think I've finally settled on the Canon EF simply because it does everything I want but in a body/chassis much akin to the F-1 (I know, the shutter and much else is totally different). It's heavier, all-metal and precision butter-smooth and works fine without batteries. Probably a lot of nostalgia for things more "handcrafted" involved. Still split sometimes between the A-1 and EF. Didn't care for the New F-1, although it is probably the most durable SLR ever made.

 

Which brings me to my last point: I can imagine that a lot of pros in the 1970s went from the durable, proud-to-be-abused, system cameras like Nikon Fs and Canon F-1s to the prosumer cameras like the A-1 and Nikon FE/FE2 because they appreciated (like me) reliable and accurate auto exposure and exposure lock capabilities. Both Nikon and Canon put exposure automation into their "true" pro cameras by the 2nd or 3rd generation. So, exposure automation does not an amateur camera make.

 

This A-1 sure feels good in my hands...

[Matthew Currie]

A strange revival of an old thread here, but I'll add my little bit. Last year I found an A1 at a local thrift shop for $12.00 with the lens, so of course I bought it. it was very nice looking, and seemed mint except for a slight shutter squeak. I looked that up and determined that it can basically be ignored, so I threw some film in it and shot a roll. It worked very well, and made nice pictures. It is, to my way of looking, one of the best looking cameras ever made, not far behind the Nikon F3. But for all that and for all its great capabilities, I found myself, accustomed to other makes, constantly inconvenienced by the peculiar ergonomics, and since I had only the one lens, and hardly needed any more cameras, I gave it to one of my kids, who has had an A1 for a zillion years, and is much more of a Canon lover than I am. It did work nicely, though, and I certainly could not complain about the metering.

 

[stephen_morris3]

Just curious, what is strange about a new member commenting on an old post?

[Matthew Currie]

I suppose it's not so strange except that I'd expect it to be hard to find unless you got it on a google search and then joined, but how one gets here hardly matters in any case, because here we are. The A1 is a lovely camera, and one of the things I've noticed recently is that older Canon lenses are pretty easy to come by cheaply. Maybe not quite as cheap as old Minolta mounts, but good.

[JDMvW]

What is happening is that the defaults for displaying threads have been slightly altered so that, if the settings are made so, then age-old posts can be brought to the top of the line.