The Canon A-1 is Groundbreaking, Quirky & Awesome! Full Review
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 3 ก.ค. 2024
- The Canon A-1 is a beautiful, classic, quirky & weird 35mm film SLR which introduced features that still exist in DSLRs today. This first-ever Program Mode SLR is adorned in glorious black paint and well-fitted with many tactile buttons, switches, dials and levers!
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This is probably the best review of the camera. You went over everything! Even the "E" errors!
Thanks! I found the A-1 really interesting. It's like when they designed it, they were on the cusp of engineering everything that we see in cameras of today, but the execution was a little quirky at times. Beautiful camera though.
@@FilmPhotographyChannel Yeah I'm excited! I recently bought one. Will be shooting my first roll today. I do have a question though.
How will I know if I should take the shot? If the light meter isn't blinking and the image through the viewfinder isnt out of focus?
Of course you should check the focus but remember that in some modes the A-1 is “suggesting” what your setting should be so you still need to adjust the camera. Review my video as a reminder. Thanks!
I totally agree. I own an A-1 and I've watched many reviews to be able to say that this one is the best review. Everything is there. I have the broken door as well. Haha, I guess it's a engineer mistake.
Totally agree......the best tutorial I have seen on the A-1 .
In November 1978 I purchased a Canon AE-1. In January 1979 I traded in the body (kept the 1.4 lens) on an A-1. This camera is still working after countless pictures/films. It has been/is an excellent camera. Although not used for years now due to the convenience of digital it was one of the best cameras I have ever owned. The original case protected it from about a 6 foot fall on solid rock. The rubber eye cup (which seems to be missing in your video) is a great addition to make the viewing/picture set up a much more accurate experience. When the local film developer went to digital processing, I complained that the prints were not as good as they used to be. The clerk said I was correct in my observation, but that no one else had noticed the deterioration in quality of prints. As said millions of times "A picture is worth a thousand words". Now there are hundreds of millions of cameras and zillions of pictures. ☺♥†♪♫ 1.29.2023 PS: By the number of ads I saw while watching this, I am guessing the view count is seriously underrated.
Great review. The Canon A-1 is often forgotten today because Canon heavily marketed the ae-1 and ae-1 Program in television and was considerably cheaper for new and amateur consumers. The Canon ae-1 was actually the first Japanese camera marketed in US television programs so that explains the instant recognition and nostalgia value today. They sold millions of them and unfortunately many went to develop mechanical and electrical problems as time went on. The A-1 in the other hand was better built with more metal internal parts and higher build quality overall. The A-series cameras usually have broken battery doors and the infamous squeaky mirror mechanism but both can be remedied with little work and diy. Another thing is also the dependency on a 6V battery usually means that these cameras will not work without one because the shutter actuates with an electromagnet. The a-1 represented the top in the Canon A-series cameras and it was considerably more expensive but not as expensive as the flagship professional F-1. In the used market today, the ae-1 and ae-1 Program are more recognizable and command a higher price despite having less features and quality as the A-1. Naming conventions present today also presume that the a-1, with less letters or numbers in the model name usually seen as the "base" model.
Thanks for the input. I read also that due to the cheaper parts used in the AE-1, they have a much higher failure rate which in turn lowers the supply and of course increases the price. AE-1s are massively over-priced.
I just recently bought a canon A-1 from Japan for $79.99 + $32 shipping, fun camera
I have Cannon A1 camera and want to sell it
I was about 12 years old when I first saw an advertisement for the Canon A-1 in a photography magazine. I have loved cameras and had an interest in photography for as long as I can remember. I wanted a Canon A-1 so badly, despite not knowing one end of a 35mm SLR from the other. My parents were 'Working-Class' people and I was too young to get a job. Needless to write, I never did get a Canon A-1. Very good chance that that fed the Gear Acquisition Syndrome that I have today.
I think 1978 to about 1992 was the 'Golden Era' of 35mm cameras. I recall that, in the 1970's and early 80's, virtually every national or large regional retailer (K-Mart, Sears, Korvettes, Two Guys, etc.) carried off-brand 35mm bodies and slow 'kit' zoom lenses.
We’ve had similar experiences with these golden age cameras. I didn’t dare even ask my parents for such an expensive camera. I would’ve sounded insane in their minds I’m sure. I finally bought an OM-1n with my own money while I was in college. My most desired camera was the Nikon FE in silver and the Yashica Electro 35. I’ve always loved Leicas but they were so far out of reach, all I ever did was read articles and drew pictures of them. I remember making a screen print of an M3 in grade school putting it on at-shirt. I too suffer from an acute case of GAS based on never being able to buy any of these cameras as a kid.😀
@@FilmPhotographyChannel I hear ya'. You put it PERFECTLY, I too, "would not have dared to ask my parents" for ANY 35mm SLR. LOL!
I too, have the Gear Acquisition Syndrome of 2021! Being the year of the covid-19, I am online looking for great deals that I never had and can afford when I was a teenager. Now I have a collection of 35mm & digital cameras. I need to stop buying. My last acquisition was this month (Sept. 2021) is the Canon A-1 that I bought used from Facebook Marketplace for about $160 which included shipping and tax. It came with 3 lenses, 2 flashes, and a camera bag. I haven't tried it yet because I could not find a battery for it at the local stores. My first camera was a Minolta SRT-101 that I bought for $209 at K-Mart back in 1973 when I was 17 and used my newspaper delivery boy income to splurge on it. I took photography class in high school and college, learning how to process and print B&W films. My greatest feat was taking photos of Bruce Jenner when he was still a man, and Muhammad Ali when he was the greatest (and still is!) back in 1979, I believe.
Ive looked at a lot of videos about this camera, and this is by far the BEST one on youtube. You talked over things I had no idea about!
Just picked up an A-1 yesterday. This video is a great find thank you!
Glad I could help!
Excellent review and b-roll!!
I agree. This gives you all you could ask for.
Very good and relaxing review of Canon A-1. Thank you!
Exquisite run-through! Nice and clear. Thanks!
Thanks so much!
Thank you for your expertise.
I have owned an used an A1 since 1985 along with an F1, ABSOLUTELY LOVE BOTH CAMERAS. As far as being "quirky" , I think most any camera can be described as such until one gets acclimated to it. You have one of the most enjoyable photography channels on youtube, THANKS!
Thanks so much. I agree 100% about the “quirkiness”
The best part about those black AE-1 and black A-1s is that they were actual brass, so when the paint does eventually wear off, it still looks absolutely gorgeous
great video, thanks a heap, cleared up how this thing works. I just picked one up and you helped out! thanks!!!
I’m glad you found it useful. Thanks!
That’s a sweet lens for sure!!
Great review, very clear and easy to follow. Thank you very much.
Thanks, I’m glad you enjoyed it!
what a review. i just bought mine today. cant wait for it to arrive. thanks so much for the help!
I’m really glad you found it useful!
Your videos are so legit! I just got my A-1 and this is very helpful
Good. I’m glad you find my videos helpful.
Love my A-1
Cool video, I especially like the way you inform us about the problems you’ve come across and the way you worked them out, I’m getting my A1 + 50mm f1.4 on 14-08-20 can wait. Thanks for the info 🥊🥊🥊
Awesome! Thank you!
Best tutorial of this camera on TH-cam!!!
Wow thanks!
Really nice review!
Thanks so much!
Fantastic vid!! My A-1 has just arrived and can't wait to use it, this has been the best review I've watched by far. It's given me a perfect breakdown of all the settings and a great starting point. You're a legend!
Thanks so much! Glad I could help!
Great review👍
Thanks so much!
Thank you
I just bought an A-1 before watching your video. I am looking forward to using it. Great Video, too!
Thanks. It’s a cool camera. Great Canon glass too.
Thank you. Cheers from Poland
You are welcome! Thanks for stopping by.
What an awesome review ! Thank you so much - you've got a new subscriber :)
Thanks so much! I’m glad you found it useful.
Hey Eric! Can't believe your video is free. It's incredible. Hope you're having a good one :D
Thanks so much Eric.
Geez, just watching this in:July 2021 and I’ve had one of these for months in my collection and haven’t shot a roll yet! Thanks for the overview and inspiration to shoot this amazing camera.
Go have fun. It’s a neat camera. 😀
Nice intro music, and title ;)
I shot with the A-1 for several years and enjoyed the camera, except for the shutter wheeze that I had to get serviced every couple of years. It was great that Canon was making "quirky" cameras back then as opposed to the fairly generic cameras they are making today. I got angry with Canon when they came out with the EOS series without providing an adapter for use of FD lenses on the newer bodies and eventually switched to Nikon. But the Canon F1 and A-1 from this era and the later T-90 were great cameras back in the day.
Great Review!
Thanks so much!
@@FilmPhotographyChannel Love how you handle the camera showing all the details! A new channel for me to explore ;)
Thanks. More to come.
just got mine in the mail today! Beyond excited to start shooting with it.
Cool. Congrats. It’s a fun camera. The motor drive is a great addition too.
@@FilmPhotographyChannel yes sir, mine has one as well
Nice! That’s a beautiful rig.
Love this review! I think you covered everything. The exposure preview button is in a GREAT location. I find the dial lock unnecessary though, and can actually engage by accident slowing you down. The dedicated 199A speedlite allows gorgeous flash photography, but use a cord to get it off camera. The infamous shutter squeak (actually, the mirror mechanism) is an easy fix, but you need a precision needle oiler to deliver one controlled drop of oil. A couple months ago I picked up a body in clean condition at a flea market for $14.00!
Thanks for stopping by! I've really grown to like this camera even with the quirks. Sounds like you made a great deal to get one of these for $14.00! I've been to lots of flea markets in my area and haven't seen any good cameras like this.
The Canon A1s is a great camera. When introduced, it was a fairly pricey camera. I brought an AE1 because it was about $100 less than the A1. The A1 was considered the top of the line prosumer camera, below the F1 and F1 New which were the top of the line professional cameras, those bodies sold for about $1000. A lot of people recommend that AE1 and AE1 program because they are simple to operate and easy to learn how to use. Many pros had the A1 as a back up to the F1. The AE1 was considered flimsier. When digital cameras became pretty common, film cameras lost their value as people feared film would disappear. I finally was able to buy a couple F1 New for a couple hundred dollars, cheap considering that with a lens they could run $1200 and up when they came out in the 1980s.
Great Video thank you!!
I love how small the camera looks when you’re holding it 😂20:21
Thanks for watching!
I just bought a used one from Facebook Marketplace for $100, plus $50 shipping and tax. The paint is still intact. No brass showing. It came with a Vivitar 55mm f2.8 Macro Lens, Tamron 80-200 f3.8 zoom lens, Quantaray 500 f8 mirror telephoto lens, Vivitar 2800 flash, Canon 199A flash, lens filters, and a camera bag! I have not used it yet because I cannot find a battery at stores to power up this camera. I hope it works. Thanks for showing the functions of this camera. No need to read the manual (because it did not come with one!). You explained it clearly to me, especially the quirks of it.
Great! I’m glad you found it helpful. I get my batteries at my local Batteries Plus Bulbs. They’re a great resource for classic camera batteries.
Thanks. Just finished watching your video on the Nikon FE. Just bought one of those. Just bought an A1 as well. Mint condition with the same lens you have on yours. I got rid of all my Canon film stuff when I switched to digital. Now I'm buying them back. Go figure. Though I never had an A1. Had the AE program. Like the A1 better.
Good choices! I prefer the A-1 over the AE-1 and the FE over the FE2.
Best video I've seen explaining the A1 features. I might not need to read the manual after your video. Well done. Just bought a mint condition body with a 50mm 1.4 lens at a yard sale for $40.
It’s a great looking camera and the that 50mm f1.4 is a superb lens. I’m sure you will enjoy it!
@@FilmPhotographyChannel
I have Cannon A1 camera and want to sell it
The dot below “1.4” is indeed f1.2. It’s for the 55mm f1.2 and the later 50mm f1.2. I have a 55mm f1.2 SSC, which I use occasionally on my A-1 or my T90.
Thanks
Classic design. The AV/TV toggle is brilliant design - despite it getting a bit odd with the manual aperture mode on the ring! Thanks for the video.
Glad you like it!
@@FilmPhotographyChannel I just picked one up! Quite cool! I wonder if you know much about the A1 and it's maximum aperture pin to measure the attached lens max aperture?
My A1 is reading incorrectly, for example an F1 .4 lens is reading at max f1.8, an f3.5 reads max f.4 etc. The metering is a stop out, based on the aperture max not reading properly.
13:16 just had a flashback to 1981 Duran Duran Girls On Film.
Hah, you’re right! I had to look up that music video. It’s been ages since I’ve seen it.
Great review of my very first SLR! Still have it, mistreated it, and now you have made me want to use it again. After all these years, the battery still works!
Thanks Naomi! Isn't it amazing that in this age of having to charge our phones and other devices daily, we can still actually reach for something useful and fun to use that has years and years of battery life?
@@FilmPhotographyChannel You have that right! I still have a rotary phone - but VOIP makes it impossible to use. It's a 1940s Ericson, and weighs a ton.
That day when Steve Erko does a camera review.
Your not wrong
I used to have 2 of them. Sold 'em off. Great lens, but in the end I favored the F3. I would pick one up again, but it would have to be mint mint condition.
This A-1 was recently CLA’d to fix the squeak and has fairly new light seals. I think the F3 is a lot more durable but the A-1 is very nice in its own right. Great glass too.
just got an absolute BEAUTY A-1 from a japanese dealer on ebay. just received it in the mail today.
I really love your channel and your complete overviews and reviews. They are very much appreciated. I bought an AE-1 Program last year that's in beautiful working condition, but really would like to sell it and get my A1, which I had and loved using when it first came out. Shame on me! ;0)
It’s ironic that the AE-1 costs more than the A-1 because they have poorer build quality than the A-1 and are harder to find in working condition. There’s no prettier camera than a Canon A-1 with motor drive attached IMO.
@@FilmPhotographyChannel I just pulled the trigger and picked up my A1 in pristine condition coming from Japan. I hope it works as well as the seller says it does... I'm super excited and I thank you for helping me to decide. Happy shooting!
That’s great news. I’ve had only good experiences with Japanese sellers. My items arrived surprisingly fast and I even had to return an item which was quickly refunded. Have fun with your “new” A-1!
I have one of those, with of course the battery door broken (I've done it myself, by mistake) :D
Nevertheless, it's a neat little machine, as "archaic" as it has some modern features, like the PASM or full auto thing... definitely a classic model.
Yep and it’s a good looking camera too. I find it’s easier (for me) to stay away from using every single option or mode that this camera has. I just use it in AV mode and that’s it.
I just picked up one of these today, and within the first five minutes I got the "EEE EEE" in the viewfinder. Didn't know what I had done, but playing with the camera a bit (I must have advanced the lever) I got it to go away. Thanks for the explanation, though, as I now fully understand the issue.
Your very welcome. The A-1 is a fine camera that I’m sure you’ll enjoy. It’s not without its quirks but great overall.
But I like shooting Manuel, get more control by thinking, and the blinking EEEEEEE's means that your Exposure setting is wrong, I have the Canon T90 has I had it on. As I had it on a Wrong mode setting and got the EEEEE's. And also I have. Canon FD to Nikkor F mount adapter that I could place my Manuel Focus Nikkor lenses so I could use the Canon T90 in using the Stop Down Metering as it works, and still get sharper images with Canon Metering, and Nikon Lenses. I prefer to get the older BL FD mount lenses for the T90.
Hi Eric, really enjoy your detailed videos, helps me venture through different film cameras. Curious, in this price range, what is your favorite slr camera?
For me it’s a toss up between the Nikon FE and F3. Probably the F3 by a nose. It’s so well made.
@@FilmPhotographyChannel thanks for the input. Trying to decide on my first slr.. nikon slrs getting pretty expensive nowadays
Don’t use your fingers you have to use a took like a little screwdriver. The hot-shoe cover has a tool built in. But I don’t have one, just pulling it open will break it eventually. It should just pop open with a tool without touching the door.
Thanks for the tip
The grip and battery door seem to be the same on the AE-1 P
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’m sorry but I couldn’t possibly figure this out without having hands on the camera. I wish you luck!
Have you covered the Nikon FA? Curious to know your thoughts on it, also how it compares to the canon offerings!
No unfortunately I’ve never owned or even used an FA. Maybe one day
Great Review! If you had to decide between the Canon A-1 and the Olympus OM-2n, which one would you go ahead with?
I’ve had both and I really prefer the Olympus. Both camera systems have great glass available for them. I would check the lens prices as that might help you make your decision. The OM-2n is extremely intuitive and gets completely out of your way while the A-1 is a little quirky and can leave you wondering what’s going on with LEDs in the viewfinder. The OM camera & lens combos are also much lighter than the equivalent Canon kits. Don’t rule out the OM-1n if you don’t need Aperture Priority since you get mirror lockup and you won’t have the unexpected battery drain problems that come up if you leave the power switch on. That being said th Nikon FE is one of the best cameras you can get. Good but inexpensive lenses and no usability issues.
I have both of these and much prefer the usability of the Olympus, simply magnificent viewfinder compared to the canon, I find it much easier to focus with the Olympus because of the brighter viewfinder, the zuiko lenses are as good as if not better than the canon fd ones as well but just so you know the aperture ring is located at the end of the lens rather than towards the body, and finally the Olympus just looks bloody gorgeous !
Hello, I was wondering what your thoughts were on the F4 compared to your F3 & F6.
Also, I’m really into flash photography but I struggle when I usually have my camera on Aper priority.
Thank you !
Hi, I don’t own an F4-yet. I’m looking at one and will post a review after using it for a while. The F4 is the true successor to the F3. After 20 plus years of Nikon selling the F3, the F4 was a more electronic and more feature-filled version with a dial, knob or button for literally every function on the camera. I mean it’s a mechanical (and electronic) work of art! The F4 with batteries weighs almost as much as the F3 with MD-4 Motor Drive attached so it’s not light. The F6 is better at everything: it’s smoother, quieter, better metering (slightly), better auto focusing, modern Nikon flash photography, lens compatibility (nearly every Nikon lens ever including modern AF-S and VR) and weighs about 400-500 grams less than the F3 w MD-4/F4 (still not a light camera). Problem with the F6 is it ain’t cheap! F100 is a great compromise. That being said, I love the layout of the F4. I’m a sucker for the chunky form-factor and all the dials and buttons. It’s a work of art and I look forward to getting my own.
Remi - My advice is Don't get it. F4 was short live NOT AS Tough as the Nikon F F2 and F3, get the F3 or the F5, The F model I have 3, and Still working after 50 years, and more, one of them has the F36 drive, and the other as I Modified to shoot Panoramic scenes by placing Black tape on the shutter plane. Still it is still on there.
Great review! I recently bought a Canon A1 and I've been trying to find out what year it was made. I found a guideline that says the first letter in the serial number (Located in the film chamber) is the year it was manufactured (A=1960, B=1961....all the way to Z=1985). My A1 has an F as its first letter, which corresponds to 1965 which is inaccurate. Any idea if there is another way to find the manufacturing date for these cameras?
This may be helpful. It’s new information for me. bobatkins.com/photography/eosfaq/DATECODE.HTM
Was wondering if there was a way to fix my view finder the light meter doesn’t show
I’m so sorry but I don’t know how to repair these cameras.
FINALLYYYY!!!!!! Someone found the flaws of the manual mode and explained them! But one thing i have to add. The aperture only blinks if a larger aperture is needed. As example you set F to 22 but 32 or 45 are required, then it blink. if 16 is required the viewfinder shows 16. And Canon didn't change this with the T90 either it has a scale on the right side which could be use as indicator.
Thanks for the info. It’s a quirky camera to be sure. Great glass and it looks good for what it’s worth.
19:00 huh, that’s a very strange way for canon to have the manual mode viewfinder display configured.. It would’ve been nice if I can see the aperture I’m in
And funny how you just say “just don’t use it in manual” loll
Yep it’s a quirky camera.
Sorry for the dumb question, do you know if there's a way to use Canon EF mount lenses on this body?
Not dumb at all. Unfortunately there isn’t an EF to FD mount converter although there is a converter for using those beautiful manual focus FD lenses on your EF mount camera. Thanks!
The "EEEEE EE" appears only, if you start the stopped down aperture mode and dont't shoot. So the metering electronics had to be reset. And therefore you had to push the double expose lever and the film advance lever.
I find it funny that they couldn’t fix this flaw before releasing the camera. It’s like a built in flaw.
@@FilmPhotographyChannel It's not a flaw, it is a necessity. Canon FD lenses, as well as the cameras to this system, are exclusively build for shutter priority. So the lenses must have an aperture simulator and the maximum aperture cam on the rear. If you press the aperture lever, the A-1 is set to stopped down aperture mode in the digital (!) metering system of the camera. If you don't shoot, the system remains in this stopped down mode, even if you open the aperture without taking the picture. It is a real reset of the system to prevent a false metering with another program. It's no bug, it's a security feature.
so the blinking inside the viewfinder determines which setting you change, for example if the shutter speed started to blink, i would change that?
Sort of. In Tv mode the F-stop is blinking because the A-1 is telling you that you're improperly exposed and you should turn the shutter speed dial until it stops blinking. In manual mode, the fstop is blinking for the same reason, ie, your lens can't properly expose for the shutter speed you have currently selected. If the aperture is NOT blinking, then you CAN take a properly exposed photo, just don't forget to turn the aperture dial to the fstop displayed in the viewfinder. Notice that in manual mode, the displayed aperture doesn't change when you turn the aperture ring but the shutter speed adjustments do. The aperture displayed in the viewfinder is a "suggestion" from the A1. You have to remember to turn the aperture dial before snapping the photo. It's a bit quirky, I know but you can adjust your exposure compensation very quickly by over/under exposing for the camera's suggested fstop. I explain starting at 17:07 Hope this helps!
Film Photography Channel yes it did help, thank you!
How do you know if you have the right or wrong exposure A 1
In auto mode, it should always be right. Check the shutter speed to make sure it's not too slow so you don't end up with a blurry picture.
What about minolta's XD11? It came out in '77 and has all 4 modes.
Hi Erik, my only point in the video was that the A-1 was the first to have the 4 modes. I know that many more cameras adopted similar systems even into the digital age.
I bought that XD-11 new when I lost my Minolta SRT-101 camera gear.
I use manual mode a lot and I'm taken aback by the poor implementation here. Maybe Canon wanted to look "with it" by having only LEDs, but match-needle systems were better (eg Canon F1n? Pentax K2, Nikon F2?). Pentax arrived at a better compromise with LEDs for the meter read-out, a mechanical flag/needle for the user shutter setting, and a Judas window for the aperture (eg MX and LX).
In my opinion, the best implementation of manual mode metering on an auto capable camera is probably on the Nikon FE. It employs a match needle that lets you easily see the entire shutter speed range (vs a single speed at a time) and allows you to easily match the aperture to said speed. A close 2nd is the Olympus OM-2. It has a full shutter speed scale used for auto metering which completely disappears and is replaced with a center needle system (like the K1000) when the camera is set to manual. Both are great systems which I prefer to Pentax leds or other systems that I’ve used. For manual-only cameras the Leica M6’s dual leds with varying intensity to indicate a stop over/under or even is perfect. It’s possible that I feel that way because I’ve had my M6 over a decade. 😀
@@FilmPhotographyChannel I didn't know the FE and OM2 viewfinders but just Googled them. I like the FE's, similar to Pentax LX except LX has a little LED light up by the speed to show the metered value instead of the FE's black needle. The Pentax K2-DMD is most like the FE. Not impressed by the OM2 because in manual, after you get the meter needle balanced I would then want to take it down from my eye to check I'd got sensible aperture and speed settings - could stray into camera shake speed. Of course, Olympus OMs could never have a viewfinder Judas window for the aperture because they put the aperture ring on the far end of the lens :-S
The manual-only Pentax MX was good too. The speed was shown in the finder very simply by a protruding part of a disk attached inside to the spindle of the speed selection dial. The metereing was shown by an LED equivalent of the OM-2/K1000 manual needle - by a vertical row of LEDs red-amber-green-amber-red, half stops apart, and with green being correct. Plus a Judas Window.
I have a Pentax 6x7 and its metering head is like the K1000 so I know the "center the needle" routine. But you expect a 6x7 to be ponderous, not an action camera like you might expect a 35mm to be (among other things).
You made some good points. The way that I use manual metering is to set the shutter speed to a ballpark setting for the light, leave it there and adjust the aperture as I shoot. I’ve always worked that way so almost any system will work because it’s a quick twist of the aperture ring to set proper exposure. I almost never set both shutter and aperture to take a photo.
That being said I’m not an led fan except for Leica’s system. I like the progression of the shutter speed scale on the FE and any similar system like the ones you mentioned.
i just got a canon a1 everything seems to be working fine on it but im not getting any red led light display of anything when i look through the viewfinder its just black on the bottom. i have not shot and develped any film with it yet but do you think it should work fine? also is that a easy fix or not worth it.
You should definitely be seeing red LEDs. I would check the battery first and if it still doesn’t work after confirming a good battery, return it. Hopefully the seller accepts returns for DOA. Good luck.
Make sure the lever that turns on the display is switched on. Its next to the ASA dial.
19:14 What happens if you keep using the camera with the squeak issue?
Great review! Thanks
My understanding is that whatever is squealing in there will completely fail and damage the camera. There’s lots of people saying that it can be fixed with a single drop of oil placed somewhere near the mirror box after removing the top plate. It’s also said that this is a temporary fix. I’m not sure how accurate this is; I just read it.
@@FilmPhotographyChannel interesting! Thanks for your prompt reply. I’ll definitely look into this. I’ve had one for some years now and definitely want to preserve it as good as possible. Cheers 🖐🏻👍🏻
@@FilmPhotographyChannel from my understanding it’s a dry bearing in the mirror train, and thankfully not shutter related. Relubricating the bearing should clear up the noise. The only effect on operations is a minute delay in the mirror setting, however the shutter won’t fire until the mirror is fully up.
Can you give me an advice between canon a1, nikon fe and olympus om2.?
Whoah, very tough question, lol. It’s like choosing one dear friend over another! All three cameras have great lenses available to them so that’s a tie. They have similar shutter speed ranges. Again a tie. Ergonomics are subjective but I would say the Olympus is better because of the shutter speed ring around the lens mount. The FE is a close second and the A-1 has quirky ergonomics and is weird to use. Build quality would have to go to the Nikon hands down. The A-1 is solid but the shutter has the squeaky syndrome that happens pretty commonly and the Olympus sometimes needs the circuit boards replaced. I personally never had a problem in 20 years of total ownership of three different OM cameras. There’s a company that makes a good business repairing OMs so I imagine it’s a real issue. Aesthetics, are subjective but I like the looks of the Olympus. Shutter actuation goes to the Olympus’ super-well dampened mirror and silky smooth shutter action. The FE is a close second and the A-1 is perfectly fine but not as silky smooth. My pick? I really love the OM2; it’s dead simple to use and does everything right. It’s smooth, quiet, tiny and beautiful. Again, the FE is a close second and I sold my A-1. Also, Nikon has many more lenses available and are generally a little cheaper than Olympus. If you haven’t watched them already, I made videos of all three of these cameras. Thanks for the question. It was interesting for me to think through this!
Thanks you very much for this detailed response. Because this is an old video, i think probably you will not notice the question
Would you help me ? I wanted a camera SLRs to be a photojournalist, I have a rangerfinder and now I wanted one like a Nikon f3 that is used in one of my favorite movies (the secret life of Walter Mitty). If there is a photojournalist photographer that inspires me a lot, Would a1 aon be a good choice for me? I do not like Nikon, or do you think you should get a Canon F1 soon
I much prefer Nikon and really like the F3. It was used by photojournalists for decades so it would be a great choice.The Nikon AI-S lenses have great optics and are relatively inexpensive. If you prefer canon, they make (made) great SLRs also, just make sure that you get one that's been CLA'd (Clean, Lubed & Adjusted) since they don't hold up (in my experience) quite as well as Nikon. Look at my Nikon F3 review to see what I mean. Thanks!
@@FilmPhotographyChannel now thinks that an a1 can perform the same function as f3 or should buy a canon f1
They all can get the job done. The one thing I’ll say about the F1 is that it’s more of a pro camera along the lines of the Nikon F3. I’ve read that it’s more reliable than the A-1 but I haven’t used an F1 as of yet.
Gustavo Sil - If you want to get the F3 do so, But keep the Rangefinder, and also have not seen the film in Which the new MItty film is a remake from the 1947 version with actor Danny Kaye, but I will look for that film since William Defoe acting I like.
Phew, I could go on a long rant now about how Canon ruined my fun in photography by making everything too complicated! I had a Pentax K1000 during my late school days, a friend of mine this camera, and we tried switching and I couldn't get this damn quirky thing to work. Needless to say my friend had no idea how to get out of full automatic mode either, I totally gave up trying. Recently, after collecting busloads of old cameras from all manufacturers but the big 2, I came across an A-1 again and it still took me hours figuring out how to use it. Anyway, I blame this camera for everything unintuitive in modern photography. It's still pretty though. :)
😂😂 thanks for sharing. I don’t disagree that this camera is a little frustrating to use. The program setting is literally hidden at the end of the shutter speed dial and don’t get me started on the whole EEE EEE thing?!? It took me hours to figure out how to fix that. But yeah, it’s a beautiful camera. 😀
Just had mine stolen, reminiscing. :'(
Sorry to hear that!
I’m sorry 😢
PASM? Why didn't they call it SPAM? 😆
Haha. I guess the only spam back then was sold in a can!