I went into the camera store here in Japan looking for an AE-1. I was so excited to find the camera that I bought it on the spot only to realize it was the A-1 instead. Best mistake ever!

I’ve had two A-1s and one AE-1 programs. My beloved A-1 was stolen from my apartment in the late 80s. I then purchased the AE-1 Program in 91 and used it for about a year before I began having eye problems. I ended up losing vision in my dominant eye and didn’t think I’d ever be able to adjust so I sold the AE. about 7 years ago I decided that I wanted to get back into film photography and purchased my second A-1. I’ve almost replaced everything that was either stolen or that I sold, with the exception of a decent tripod.

The switch which blocks the view finder is used for long exposures with a tripod. It blocks the light which might enter through the view finder. Very nice feature, instead of the small plastic covers that you might easily lose.

I've had the A1 since 1980 and it's still going strong. I absolutely love it and using it brings back so many memories of the pictures I've taken of family members that have passed on. The A1 has become a part of me.

Bought my first A1 in 1982......it’s still going strong...... dnt seam to be able to let go of shooting film

I actually got both. Found them at the goodwill bins for about $2 each. No lenses but I had one luckily! Love the AE-1 personally.

I bought my A1 in 1983. I took it with me when we went away last weekend. I had it serviced last year and it's as good as new.

The Canon A-1 looks so sexy. I can see where the inspiration for the Sony a7 mirrorless cameras came from.

my little brother just recently gifted an A-1 to me and I haven't had the chance to use it yet but just holding it in my hands I already love it

My uncle gave me his old A1 and I love it. It had the dreaded Canon squeak but once I sent it off to get it serviced, it came back just perfect!

Both! But my A-1 out the bunch of A-series is the "Ol' Reliable" tank of the bunch. 23 years I have had the first body and maintenanced it myself since. It's still kicking and photographs amazing photos that make digital want to up it's specs.

A-1 is doubtless the best! I'm shooting with this camera already since 1980. I think there is no need to ask questions ;))

4:20" is Eye Piece Cover and used as To prevent light leaks during long exposures

A1 simple the best multimode camera of it’s day. Parents bought it for my 21st birthday 🥳 and 38 years later it performs flawlessly. The LED screen is still retro cool. The blank out rear eyepiece is to stop extraneous light enter from the rear on long bulb exposures as the viewfinder is a good old pentaprism and mirror. No longer EVF screens or touch panels. Satisfying clunk of the cloth shutter 😍

Both. The AE-1 Program was the first SLR I bought and it has snowballed. I now have 2 AE-1 Programs, an A-1, an AE-1, 2 AV-1, and an AL-1. Usually run Delta 100 in the A-1 and HP5 in the Program. Love love love my A Canons.

At similar prices, I recommend the A1 every time. The ergonomics are awesome, and passing on the extra features and steeples aperture and shutter speeds in auto mode is not what I would recommend. ON top of that, the A1 is drop dead gorgeous. In the hand, A1 feels like a modern Mirrorless camera, which is a good thing if you lend it over to a novice. The AE1 feels more like a vintage camera, but, and that's my humble opinion, I greatly prefer a match needle camera over Shutter Priority auto exposure when shooting, as, unless I'm shooting sports or fast moving action, a twist of the aperture ring is just as good if not better.

Just picked up a pristine condition AE-1 program for $50. Has the manuals and a 50 1.8 with it. Excited. Thank you for the video.

Good to hear you enjoy both of these bodies. My main film bodies for years were A-1, T70 and T90. I have also used AE-1P but was underwhelmed by it. The T70 is functionally similar but has an incredibly easy to use exp lock button which AE-1P/A-1 also has but is slow and inconvenient in comparison. The T70 also has a partial metering option which saved me on many occasions.

I’d go for a1 which I think is a great tool to guide beginners through film photography. It’s like having one great teacher from kindergarten to secondary school 🤣

Memories lol. I had a K1000 then AE1 then A1 years ago and the A1 was great. Now back into it and started with the 200D then 90D, same transition

Nicely filmed video - great detail. Thanks (AE1 Program btw in black with motor drive and a few decent FD lenses).

I have used both the AE1 and the A1. At this time I was given an AE1 Program which I prefer over the digital do-it-all EOS. Affordable and reliable the old AE1 is good quality. Your video was very useful since I do not have a written manual. Thank you.

The AE-1 ISO selector is intended to be used as exposure compensation so it is easy to set. The A-1 one is only for setting the film speed. Blocking the viewfinder is for tripod use. Other cameras have the cover in the strap. AE-1 program is still a classic camera. A-1 is a more modern and so it can feel primitive compared to modern cameras. Both of the cameras are electronic inside.

I'm glad you mentioned the infuriatingly fiddly and poorly designed ISO button. It's the one thing about this camera that irritates me. The AE-1 program has a much better designed button. You could also get a Minolta X-300 or X-500 etc and have similarly good ergonomics but inferior reliability.

The A-1 is a beautiful professional camera, i wish i had one !

I got the A1 circa 1981 and I love it!

You just answered my question I have been going back & forth with. Thank you! 🎞📸

I have the AE 1 Program out of convenience. However I do believe an A1 is most definitely in my future.

Corrections: 1. the battery is a 4LR44 2. The shutter blocker is for longer shots so you don’t have light bleeding through the viewfinder

Simple answer, forget the AE1 program! The A1 does everything the AE1 program does plus, plus, plus!

Minolta X700 ftw!!! :) actually I just picked up a pretty good condition A1 with the FD 50mm 1.4, FD 28mm 2.8, FD 80-200mm f4, a working auto winder, and a bunch of random stuff (filters, teleconverter, flash, etc) all in pretty good shape for $100. Even had a nice leather camera bag. Not sure if it’ll replace my Minolta X700 as my daily film driver, but I’m definitely gonna enjoy using it. Nice vid.

AE-1 Program is what I ended up with. Looks great. One owner.

I ended up getting an excellent example of each of these for basically free... Thanks for the video! Very helpful.

Bought the A-1 in the early 90s and it still going strong. Plus I have an EOS 50d, I do both film and digital.

I bought the A1E-1 Program new in the 80s and had some repairs done to it many years ago but it works great and a few years ago a friend gave me his AIE with a few lenses I have not had a chance to try it yet. I still love my AIE-1 Program camera :)

I believe you might close the view finder to make sure there are no light leaks when you are doing a long bulb exposure. I am just guessing.

I bought my AE-1 back in 1979 for $499 Cdn, since then the price has gone way down up until the last 7 or 8 years. Now you can buy a used AE-1, AE-1 program or A-1 for about the same price. Still a great camera IMO.

The best video about these cameras I found on yt. Thank you

I have a few of each, and love them all. I actually have an all black version of the AE-1 program and it’s the only one I’ve ever seen.

March-04-2023, so cool, thanks

Or, get both. The A-1 was $20 and the AE-1 Program was $12. Both have taken some beautiful shots. I usually run HP5 in the Program and Delta 100 in the A-1.

I’ve been considering getting the a1 this summer. I’ve been really wanting to get into film photography.

That’s for night long exposure like for Star photography so there is no light leak during long exposure through the viewfinder

I had the A1 (which I originally bought for my Daughter but she made off with my F1 instead.) The A1 had the Motor Drive, the 28mm f2.8, 50mm f1.4, 135mm f2.8 and 200mm f2.8 lenses as well. It took SUPERB Photos but I got off of all before the investment was dropping due to digitals and got most of my $1400 out of it. (The new owner snapped the battery door off of it a couple months after the purchase!) Then when Digitals were in full bloom and 35mm film cameras were going so low, I bought a Canon AE1 Program with it's 50mm f1.8 lens along with a power winder & the Canon Speed Lite 199A which is specially matched to the AE1 Program, for the opening bid of $69.99 on eBay. I've never regretted it.

No contest. The A1 was a technically superior camera. I still have and use mine. I also had an AE-1 program. I just sold it with a 28mm lens and got $175!

i recently just got the a-1 at a garage sale for only $30 bucks and it came with a light meter and flash and then my grandpa found the ae-1 in his sock drawer so now i’m trying to figure out how to use film cameras

The A1 is a better camera than the AE1 Program it's also better built with a metal body. Its variable shutter speeds and AV mode is something the AE1 lacks. The A1 was Canons new flagship before the New F1 was created. It also has a 5fps motor drive as opposed to the AE1 Program's 2fps power winder.

The A-1 is a great camera. True, the ASA dial is tricky. Also, dust cling to this camera more than my other cameras. Maybe something about the paint causes that. Those are the only two cons.

The viewfinder bolck is for avoiding light leaks during long exposure i think, new canons have viewfinder cap on straps

to block the viewfinder is to prevent light intrusion in the camera while long exposures

The A-1, it's amazing. so much better than the AE-1 or even the Program.

4:20 I was told that it is ment for long exposure photos, just in case if some light might hit film through VF

Honestly prefer the original ae1 to the program, I have both and just don't like the feel of the camera or the layout of the iso or shutter speed dials. Also prefer the power switch on the original ae1 and have a small strip of skateboard grip tape on the front of it so I can just flip it on easily with my shutter finger. Honestly just a better camera in both feel and function. Looks better too if i do say so my self.

just get the Canon EF. it's a bit more rare but cheaper and it works without a battery as well. plus it's actually built like a tank, not like these 2 where the battery door loves to snap off.

I don't understand the question, I own the AE-1, A-1 and additionally the F-1 new. All are great, but the F-1 new is gorgeous.

I've have a A-1 since it was new.....well, actually my dad had a bit first. The AE-1 Program came after. Never used one and so I can't really comment on it. I quit using my Nikon because of the features on my A-1. If it was a 'life & death' shot and inclement weather, I'd go for the Nikon. For all other times, the A-1. The real halt to using these cameras came with the end of local developing. I had about thirty rolls needing developing, did a hasty search online, sent them off and let's just say I was majorly disappointed with the results. Ironically, I ran into a gal who had worked at a development center. She took one look at the pics and said what happened;old chemicals and the lids were not on the chemical compartments when the film was being processed. In short, I got screwed out of decades of memories. With more research online I found highly rated labs still doing development. But to the tune of $30+ per roll. I still have about ten fresh rolls of film to shoot. But I can see why everyone jumped to the digital ship;cost, convenience and PC storage.

I'm a Minolta fan but I still lust for the A1.

I have both.

Get them BOth! A-1 excellent with led viefinder and both av/tv I own 10!

i got the AE-1 but if i see the A-1, I will also pick it up

Help me! I was replacing the lens on my A-1 and had somehow fumbled and jammed the Stop-Down Lever (showing the red dot lock indicator) and Shutter Lever (in upward position, rather resting downward) where the lens would mount. The Film Advance arm, Multiple-Exposure Lever are stuck too. Shutter button not working, and opening the back of the camera (empty of film) doesn't reset anything. I've check the Battery Life Indicator light, and that still flashes fast (meaning life is still significant according to the manual). I've opened the bottom plate and checked that shutter mechanism thing, and but that wasn't stuck, as suggested by another video. Do you have anything tricks that I can try out?

I don't find the silver ISO switch that hard, but I come at it from the top. I use a single hand, tuck a fingernail onto it, and twist the ring all with one finger and thumb. Overall I think (as long as it's not jammed or stiff or crusty -- which it can be) the dial isn't hard to work with, with a little practice. I do like the ease of the AE-1P's dial, though. IMO it is a better feature, but doesn't have the exposure compensation built into the A-1's dial. I've had both for a very long time.

Hi, I'm interested in getting the A1. As I'm only a beginner in film photography, could you further explain the Program mode on the A1? Would it be automatic? Thanks

When Canon introduced the A1 to the world, there were marketing men all over Japan kicking themselves for not of 'A1' first.

I just brought my AE-1 Program out of mothballs that I bought over in Germany in 1984.

None of those two, I got two Canon New F-1, the best ever analog 35mm SLR camera ever made !

Honestly, though.... of what use is a 2-second self-timer?

Thank you very much

I have both. 📷📷 #happyshooting

in my country, a-1 so expensive than ae-1

I got both!

I bought AE-1 but cant turn ISO selecter wheel to ASA, am I doing something wrong ?

You can get the AE-1 Program in black as well. Then again, you can get all "A" cameras, except the AT-1, in black. They were, at the time of your video, rather cheap. Get one of each. lol

I've been debating which one is better for a while now and which one to get. I'm in doubt between the Canon A1, Canon AE-1 and the Canon F1 New. What is your opinion on this?

Im still wondering why the AE-1 is more popular, when from experience the A-1 is better...

05:17 Love the cat :)

I have canon A1, and I have problem. Every exposure or aperture I put, he have BULB word on the screen. Similar problem someone?

So which camera would you consider in your opinion take the best high quality photos? I appreciate

The reason why the AE-1 (especially the Program version) is more expensive, is that they manufactured less of it, thus there is (slightly) less on the market than of the A-1. Though technically the A-1 is better, the availability/demand ratio raises the price of the AE-1 Program.

I have a Canon 50mm 1.8 lens that came with my 1975 F1. Instead of the green "A" on the f-stop ring there is a small green circle with the same locking button. Would this serve the same purpose as the green "A" if I mounted it on the AE1 Program? I've asked this question in other places and either nobody knows or nobody's saying. Thanks.

I have a A1 with a motor drive.

Best is to get bouth of them :) My favorite is A1

I recently bought a canon AE-1 program off eBay. One of the first things I noticed is the aperture ring, when turned, doesn’t move the blades inside the lens. Is my lens broken or am I doing something wrong?

I have two AE-1Programs.

Ae 1 program and A 1 which want ok ?

I chose both ... plus an FTb ... so hard to just pick one :)

I own both

The answer to the question is..get neither. Go back to the Canon F series. F1n or FTb with FD lenses.

Would you prefer pentax k1000 or canon ae-1 program?

As someone that likes to repair vintage cameras, I can confirm that electronic cameras are better in the long run. Fully mechanical cameras become terribly unreliable over time due to the greases and oils drying up, and that starts affecting timing mechanism severely. Electronics from the 70s and 80s are very overbuilt and just won't die.

A1 for life ❤️

I say get both if you got the $

Canon A1 ... cheaper, metal gears, does everything and more than the AE-1 or AE-1 Program ... no brainer really

For the Canon A-1 how do you upload your pictures from the camera to your IPhone? ✨🦋

ถ่านตระกูลนี้หาซื้อยากชิป

It‘s actually not even the AE1.. the model you got is the AE1 Program