I totally agree that the A1 is the best A series camera

Hi I have both a A1 and Av1 as my back up camera the Av 1 is a cracking little camera most people are quick to slate it never even using one then they eat there words once they get there films processed and are pleased with the pictures.The A1 I’ve owned since 1980 a gift from my father and it’s just flawless the best semi pro SLR I’ve owned and still shoot with today

This is why I really like the canon AL-1. Aperture priority and manual mode as well as a quick focus feature. Still going for around $50-75 in good condition.

I have all the "A" series cameras. My personal fav, the AL-1... As long as you have a good battery door and the "auto focus" light works. It's an aperture priority camera that has a few shutter speeds, if you want, and it takes AA batteries. Don't get me wrong, the AV-1 is an excellent camera, I like the AL-1. Great video. Thanks.

This is such a good review! I finally understand all this stuff... speaking of, where does the A-1 fit into all these? And what are it's Minolta and Pentax counterparts?

The Canon A-1 is also a fantastic option, it features shutter priority, aperture priority, and full manual and auto

I only shoot in manual, so the AE-1 or A-1 would work for me. The issue with the A-1 however is the lower durability. Every copy of the A-1 that I’ve owned has needed major servicing. No so with the AE-1.

I've had an AV-1 since the mid-80s, as my first 35mm camera. I didn't know at all how aperture affected the depth of field, or exactly what the exposure needle in the viewfinder was telling me. I assumed that it meant that I should try to get the needle as close to the middle of the range as possible, so I almost never shot at the wide end of the aperture range. This also meant that I favored 400 or 800 film, so I was always amazed whenever I had a photo turn out with that nice dreamy bokeh!

I've done a lot of shooting on most of the A series cameras. I'd argue that the AE-1, because it shows aperture in the finder, is better for on-the-fly depth of field control. With the AE-1 you simply change the shutter speed until you see the needle on the aperture you want. When you're changing aperture on the AV-1 you have to keep taking the camera away from your eye to see the aperture setting. Bummer that Canon did not show BOTH shutter and aperture in these viewfinders. I like the black AV-1. Very pretty.

I'll always pick the AE for a single reason. The AE-1 taught me to THINK in aperture priority, rather than letting the camera do it. I go into a lot of shots knowing exactly where I want my aperture (especially with my Helios adapted to the front, swirly bokeh, gang gang), so I start adjusting the shutter speed to reflect. Plus, my preferred Helios historically fucks with old AP cameras, so it's full manual or bust.

La AV-1 junto con el New FD 50mm f/2 es una combinación perfecta, es una maravilla de cámara, y si es por modo manual completo, me quedo a ojos cerrados con la F-1, EF, FTBn QL o A-1, y si uno quiere tener todo, la T90 es la solución

Just bought one of these with a 35-105 lens for 30 quid. Looking forward to trying it out

1:40 No, the reason was that serious photographers want control of their exposure parameters. With programmed automatics there is no control. You might for example not be able to utilize a fast f/1.4 lens as the shutter speed would be too slow to handhold.' Te first Canon SLR with only fully automatically was T50 and I thought it was a joke.

I agree totally! Have AE-1 impossible to change ASA ISO, AE-P nice but.. The AV-1 all you need.

Interesting perspective, and one I share. I bought my A-1 in 1983 for all the reasons spelled out or alluded to here. Owning an A-1 makes owning any other Canon A-body a bit moot, and even if I needed a second A-body, I'd just shop for another A-1.

I'm reading your reviews on your website for years, and I just found out you have a KZfaq channel! 😁

Got an AV-1 with a 50mm 1.8 lens for about ten dollars. I like it for the aperture priority mode since at the time I was also using a Nikon FE. A couple years ago I found a A-1 and I like more than the AV-1.

I bought an A1 and love it. Still thinking about adding an AV1 though. Good stuff. Thanks.

the ending, totally agree.

I've got most Canon SLR's and I reach for the A1 first.

I wish I'd been into photography in the late '70's early '80's, but I just had no interest at that age. Despite my apprenticeship at UK's sole importer of Minolta, who's flagship camera was the XD7. Instead, I had a little 110 snapper the Minolta Autopak 470, which I still have. It took miserably poor pictures, I can't remember running more than half a dozen rolls of film in it. Recently I bought a couple of 35 mm film cameras, first a Viewfinder camara from 1962, the Zeiss Ikon Contessa LK. A beautiful little German built miracle. Then two weeks ago a ridiculously cheap Minolta XD 11 which came with an MD Rokkor 50mm F1:1.7 (all for just £21 on eBay). The camera needed a full strip and service, as the Mirror wouldn't release. This was due to dry lubrication and an almost seized mirror damper. It took a deep strip of the mirror box and a few electronic gremlins to fix, but I'm delighted with the results after around 25 hours work on it. It's an amazing camera, with a silky film advance and orgasmic shutter sound. I managed to tune the shutter release button to eliminate the slight rubbery feel of my example, a good clean and Teflon dry lube on contact points. But what an absolute joy it is to use. I may be biased, but I'd take the Minolta with its pioneering AS&M modes over the Canon any day of the week.

It was my first camera and I still have it..great pictures say it all.

I own all 3 , a1 ae1 and av1 . If I'm general shooting I'll take the a1 if I'm shooting sport I'm take the ae1 with a power winder attached if I'm shooting stationary objects I'll take the av1 . I'm a canon snob ❤

What about the AE-1 program, that camera can do both modes, and has exactly the same beautiful body as the AE-1?

It was very helpful. Thank you ♪

Hi There, I Wanted To Ask You Which Lens You Were Using To Get Shot Of Those Kids?? Really Informative Video btw

I love my Canon AV-1

I've been offered one for free. Thought I'd have a look at what it's like. Good to know it's a capable unit

You have a few details wrong. The XD11/7 was the first camera to feature something like a P mode. More precisely, the Minolta XD shutter priority mode in reality operated like a Ps mode. You set the desired shutter speed like in any Tv mode, but if the selected speed is insufficient at the widest aperture, the XD will reduce the speed until a correct exposure ensues. So, yes. That increases the fame of the XD even more as it beat anyone else to claiming the title of being the first to introduce P mode to the market.

The A-1 is an excellent camera! The best T series camera is undoubtedly the T90.

And everyone still hates on the Nikon EM when the AV-1 is basically a normal sized version.

Really nice video. Thanks for making it :)

I've been shooting with an AE-1 for a little over a month now and can't you just choose your aperture and adjust your shutter speed until it matches the aperture setting? Sure it's not automatic, but it's essentially shooting in aperture priority mode

I got drunk to how many times you AE-1 😂

Same here. I really don't get how these photography students are ever learning anything by using auto mode all the time.

I have cannon A1 camera and want to sell it

Well said.

so surely the a1 is just a better av1?

The AE-1 is just and OK camera, not a great camera by any mean as 99.99% of people says, well built yes, but just that.

hahaha i choose canon A-1 too.

Super vidéo Merci pour votre aide ( Dieu te cherche, Clic sur le Smiley)