Azriel, you're a pro in every part of your videos! Glad you show not much of yourself compared to your intended message (boring to see other TH-camrs face throughout a video!). Also your voice is crisp, you don't mumble or trail off. I really appreciate your time, energy and the evident knowledge apparent in your work. I had a small mountain of film SLRs in 35mm and 120 size that I finally sold for $675.00 maybe 7 years ago (cost around $20,000 in seventies-eighties). I suffered mixed emotions from this sale: glad it was no longer filling 3 drawers in our guest room but it saddened my heart. Loved my Canons and Mamiyas!
Lol, it was intended as such. BTW Just posted a video. It's an A-Z on Fuji Velvia 50. It took a week to complete and three rolls. Check it out! th-cam.com/video/IRmu4aMx6rU/w-d-xo.html
You make a Change from your Countrymen who 'Waffle on' too much and waste time by showing only their face and NOT enough time on their GEAR ! Also I love the 'Operating Theatre' experience with the White Gloves ! Good Show ! Peter -- the Old Film Bloke in England ---
Great basic review. Good concise info without rambling on. My first 35mm was an AE-1 programmable bought new. I mostly shoot digital now but miss shooting film and the look of film. Thanks for the review.
Good review..small remark...there's a difference between the motor winder (2 frames a second) and the more powerful Motordrive MA (max. 5 frames per second)
Hi Azriel, it's good to see you back again. Thank you for another excellent video. It's interesting how cameras which were produced 30-40 years ago and were relatively high tech at the time seem so low tech today yet are still functional, whereas smartphones which were produced 3-4 years ago are almost obsolete today..
That's a smart observation. I think part of that has to be with planned obsolescence. I also think as things get more complex and knowing people will only use it for three years, companies likely got lazy. It's why we see crazy video games with VR.....aaaand tonnes of glitches, incompleteness.
Thanks Tom! To me that looks like a standard 50 mm 1.8 breach mount lens. It's probably the distortion of the graphic from making it look oike a space ship that is pancaking that. I could be wrong but that's my impression.
Azriel Knight Ha, you could well be right - might be the angle. I have a version of that breech mount lens on my FTb and it's a pretty big beast compared to 50mm lenses on my other 35mm SLRs, in that graphic it looks tiny!
Nice review,just got a Canon A1 recently with the 50mm 1.8 sc with silver locking ring.I thought the body was metal,it's ABS plastic,copper plated , and black enamel painted
Azriel Knight The 50mm 1.8 sc. ( spectral coating) was the standard 50mm lens of its time. I think the mark 1 with the silver locking ring came out in 1971, a second mark 2 was introduced in 1976 . You show the lens in your review. Peter
Hi. I'm new to cameras so I know this maybe a dumb question, but I'd really appreciate if I got an answer. Does this camera only take pictures on black and white or can it take colored pictures depending on the film. Also, does it have a video feature. Let me know. Thanks :)
Nice review and your points are spot on regarding this camera. This was Canon's testing tool to the later EOS. My uncle purchased one brand new back in the early 80s and I remember seeing it - it was such a nice camera - he still has it and will have to see if he will allow me to add it to my camera collection.
I love this series. I found this channel when I was looking for my first film camera and was looking at the EOS 650/620. I now have both and use them a lot. I actually have a request. I know they're expensive, but if you happen to have some affordable medium format cameras laying around like zenza bronica and mamiya I would love to see such a detailed explanation of them by you.
Thanks for the feedback. You're right it really comes down to cost. I have wanted to shoot a bronica for awhile, and I need a "main" medium format camera so it'll happen eventually :)
Hay Alex, I'm new to Photography and also your channel. Irecently got a black Nikon FM worth a motor drive and I was wondering if you would happen to cover the Nikon FM sieres in this old camera
'you can turn off the viewfinder completely....' come on now, this is a slr....there is no turning off the viewfinder (except when mirror is flipped up)
Hey, recently my canon a-1 is doing something weird, the first shot I take lags, by a lot, but then afterwards the other ones are fine, it's just that first exposure. Does anyone know how to fix it?
A great tutorial. Just got this model and I needed some guidelines to get some confidence and your video is easy to follow. One thing I didn't understood was how you advance the film couple of times, because that lever is locked after one advance. The way I did was to push the shutter button and than advance again. Is that the procedure or I'm doing it wrong? Anyway great stuff on your channel so I subscribed. All the best!
Great video and very helpful as I've just picked up an A-1. The video showed me all the information I needed to get going with the camera. The information about the double exposure method being particularly helpful. Cheers.
Hi, cool video, So too shoot in full manual, I have to turn of the metering switch in the view finder so it’s just a clear screen. If so, how do I know my metering is set correctly
Oopsy. That's for the heads up. Generally I consider competition cameras that were released during their run time rather than the exact year, but good to know.
I have a question though Azriel, i have a squeak noise when i take a picture, and i know this is a common noise with the A1.What would you recommend to fix it?I went to a local shop, where they sell and fix old cameras, and they say not to put any lubrifiant at all, cause the mechanic works dry.I do not know what to do though?Should i keep the noise and it doesn't affect the camera, or should i fix it with lubrifiant?If so, what lubrifiant should i use?Thanks for your response.Michel
Hi Michel, Your local shop is correct. Though the squeak is a common problems in Canon A-1's and AE-1's it doesn't affect your shutter speed. I have tested ones with it and some are factory standard still. I have very little skill at fixing anything so I can't be much help if you do want to try and get rid of it. I hope this helps though.
You showed the Motor Drive MA, rated up to 5fps (really only 4.5 if there was film in the camera, I tested it) not the Power Winder A which was also compatible with the earlier AE-1 but only rated for 2fps and lacked the grip.
If the battery dies on the a1 can you still shoot it and the shutter speeds be accurate? I tested it at slower speeds and it seems to work, but at the faster speeds it functions but the shutter seems to fire at the same speed. Maybe flash sync speed? My Nikon EM FIRES AT FLASH SYNC with dead battery.
Thanks, found one today, the body mount is loose. I could not figure out where to turn it on, but the shutter was tripping mirror was flipping up. If it was on, i could not see any led's in the viewfinder. I'm going back tomarrow to do a second look, thanks for the info, ill be better prepared.
Just google “Canon EF (35mm SLR)” from the 1970’s and has nothing to do with the Canon EOS system of EF lenses. It’s an FD Mount SLR in Black only, with built in shutter priority mode and manual mode. The only mechanical Canon camera to have a vertically traveling Copal metal shutter which increase the flash sync to 1/125th sec.
Fantastic. Although on digital I'm strictly a Nikon and Fuji man, (simply because all the investment in glass), I do shoot a lot of film for pleasure. I have a vast collection of film cameras and gear, and I do love the A1. This camera was years ahead of its time, and the FD glass is simply remarkable. Loved this video, especially the sample shots. I would love to see many more videos in the future of many other film cameras.
Azriel Knight Any film camera. I don't mind. I just love to watch people actually going out and shooting and the results. Just one small thing though, please try to show all your shots, it helps to relate to your videos and what you saw. Keep up the good work, you're really good, concise and very clear.
Depends what you want to accomplish. Imagine you're a mathematician and you're trying to solve a complex equation. Do you want to learn the intricacies of math, if so bust out a pencil and paper and do it long hand. Or do you just want the answer? If so grab a calculator. Neither choice is "correct" but I like both at different times.
Mr. Knight, thank you so much for responding and this on an old video from 2016! All respect to you man! I am an architectural student and would like to create large presentations usually some of the photo's go up to an A1 size. I thaught film camera's might be a cheaper alternative to an expensive DSLR with a full frame sensor especially if you can find a way to scan the film into your computer. This is where I'm struggling with this decision ... whats your thoughts?
Glad to help Juan. If you're looking to make large, sharp prints, I'm assuming by A-1 you mean the paper (23.4 x 33.1 in) and not the camera, that has more to do with the scanner than the film. A good scanner can get 25 megapixels equivalent from a 35mm frame. I would say it depends what you need to photograph and scan. I don't think you need a full frame camera to get a sharp A1 size image though. Viewing distance also plays a part. I once made images 4 feet by 6 feet on a 5D mark ii, stretching it beyond the limit, BUT, they were hanging off a house, being viewed from 20 feet or more away. If I knew more about the final product I could tell you more. Your phone might even be enough.
In others words: a top cam with a lot of features no professional photographer really needs and the cheapest Nikon or Pentax of those times can better or also do thge same. Besides: Canon lenses of those days were great, but why had Canon the flimsy and complicated FD mount? 5 times slower to mount as a Nikon F lens!
Agreed. People put more into a camera these days because the "film" is built in, but as long as the shutter releases properly, it's really about the film and lens choices.
This here is my Tank of a bro from 96' I picked my 1st A-1. And even STILL TO THIS DAY: I captured better photos of moments than young bucks do, randomly snapping off their digital cameras. It's all about time, patience and picking your photos before you take them.
Sweet! Make sure and "use" it every couple years to keep the lubricants moving throughout. Focus back and forth on the lenses and fire a few shots on the camera.
Hello mr. Knight, I just found your youtube profile and I love it already! I'm currently searching for a 'new' camera but I'm not sure which one it could be. At the moment my head spins between the Canon T70 (friend of my has it and I absolutely love the images) and some other oldskool SLR camera's. What camera do you think is better than the T70 from this era? Any tips?
Hi Jor, thanks for the joining the channel! The T70 is an ugly but solid choice. double a batteries and a fairly reliable shutter. If you want the mechanical feel, the ae-1 is nice. This is assuming you're sticking to Canon. It's really a matter of taste, and how it feels in your hand.
Another great video Azriel, good to see you back after a well earned rest. Recently sold my A-1 as it ended up with the dreaded EEEE EE in the viewfinder unless I used a lens slower than f4, so had to shoot fully manual all the time, and then the meter went 1-2 stops out. Interesting to see how much cheaper they are on your side of the pond as well - good condition & working body only is about £50 here on eBay (around $70 US)
Thanks for the feedback Glen, sorry to hear your A-1 died. It's funny hearing someone say the prices are good here, but from the UK it makes sense. Here in Canada the US prices are what we envy. Shipping is expensive in Canada. It's cheaper for me to mail to Florida than within some places in my own country, so once you factor that in our savings are gouged, and sellers have to lower prices to compensate. Population here is also 10% of the US so there's just not as much "stuff"
Thank you very much for this video and all the others, I love them. Perhaps (apart from ergonomics for certain functions) it has a small disadvantage compared to for example the Nikon FA or the Minolta XD (7,11) and that is that in manual mode it does not show the chosen shutter speed only the recommended one.
Just a quick question, when doing the double exposure I read in the manual they recommend to decrease the exposure by 1 stop. So if I use a -1 compensation for each shot on a 2 shot double exposure, that should be good to go? Great video btw :)
Thanks for your question. I think you're right. But I would say that you should compensate by an ADDITIONAL f stop. I often shoot -1 when incorporating the skies. Just my taste. So if the manual was telling me to decrease by an f stop I would add that to make -2, make sense?
Yea it does thanks. Manual basically says to decrease exposure by 1 stop for 2 multiple exposures and then up to 2 stops for 3-5 exposures on the same negative. I'll do some testing with my next roll of film. Thanks for the reply.
Welcome back! This Old Camera is my favourite segment of yours. I like the production value and branding. Not to mention the disco music soundtrack during the history part :)
Love my A-1. Feels good in the hand and is aesthetically pleasing to look at. It's a competent enough camera for my needs. Excellent review and good to know that I haven't overspent.
Good to see you back Azriel :) And also I'm glad that you've bring the 'This old camera' series back. As always your review was great to watch, full with information and very well presented. I've also noticed that this video is of better quality compared to your previous videos. Keep it up!
Lovely to see an Azriel Knight notification again...been a long time. I was recently given an A-E1 Program. Haven't put a roll through it yet but it has the dreaded squeaky shutter...such a sad sound!
Thanks for this review, I'm still hunting for an inexpensive camera body to replace my broken AL-1. I'd definitely consider an A-1 now, but they tend to be more than I want to spend. If you have access to one I'd be interested to see a review of the Canon T50.
Azriel Knight they are going very cheaply in eBay right now, but I'd have to get the flash unit designed for those cameras for best results, but they are cheap.
Some would say using a DSLR and light table is the best way. I think flat bed scanners (specifically made for film) is the overall best workflow, but I plan to do some testing in the future.
" you have to wonder what happened..." beautiful! LIKE!
Thanks :)
Consumism happened
Excellent video! Very well done. I just bought an excellent ++ A-1 on ebay and am in love with it. Perfect combo of looks and functionality.
Azriel, you're a pro in every part of your videos! Glad you show not much of yourself compared to your intended message (boring to see other TH-camrs face throughout a video!).
Also your voice is crisp, you don't mumble or trail off. I really appreciate your time, energy and the evident knowledge apparent in your work. I had a small mountain of film SLRs in 35mm and 120 size that I finally sold for $675.00 maybe 7 years ago (cost around $20,000 in seventies-eighties). I suffered mixed emotions from this sale: glad it was no longer filling 3 drawers in our guest room but it saddened my heart. Loved my Canons and Mamiyas!
Thanks for the kind words Jay :)
Never been a "Canon Guy" but this vid was really well done per usual for Azriel. Who knows, I might pick one up.
I'll take that as a compliment :)
Lol, it was intended as such. BTW Just posted a video. It's an A-Z on Fuji Velvia 50. It took a week to complete and three rolls. Check it out! th-cam.com/video/IRmu4aMx6rU/w-d-xo.html
You make a Change from your Countrymen who 'Waffle on' too much and waste time by showing only their face and NOT enough time on their GEAR ! Also I love the 'Operating Theatre' experience with the White Gloves ! Good Show !
Peter -- the Old Film Bloke in England ---
Thanks Peter! The white gloves are dish gloves and they double as fill light :) Glad you enjoyed it!
I still have my AE-1 from when I was a teenager
Good to see a new posting from you! This review was super, concise, well illustrated and loaded with information. Thanks.
Thanks Ryan!
Here's another link...
mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/canonf1/html/macro/index.htm
Ryan Holderman Perfectly Said Ryan...! Keep up the great work Azriel. Nick.
great to see you making videos again.
Thank you!
Why do you have only 2,300 subs?! Your content is solid!
Thanks for the compliment! ;)
Really excellent review of a classic camera. Like all of your sample photos.
Thanks Merlin!
This is my favorite segment you do. I know they take a lot of work to do but I appreciate it so much. Love this old camera
Thanks William!
You're back!
:)
He's alive. ALIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hoorah! etc.
:P
just picked one up at a yard sale a couple days ago for $10. good video for me
Wow, great deal!
Great basic review. Good concise info without rambling on. My first 35mm was an AE-1 programmable bought new. I mostly shoot digital now but miss shooting film and the look of film. Thanks for the review.
Thanks Johnnie, you should consider picking up film again :)
I have held on to my Pentax 67II and occasionally dust it off. When the new Kodak Ektachrome comes out I will have to shoot some.
Hello mr. Knight! I am getting a Canon AE-1 program tomorrow! Looking forward to using your AE-1 video to get to know it better.
Sweet let me know how it goes!
Good review..small remark...there's a difference between the motor winder (2 frames a second) and the more powerful Motordrive MA (max. 5 frames per second)
Oh good to know, thanks!
Canon A1, great camera, i have one, and i want to use it again, A1 still popular ! Thanks for you video ;) Michel
Glad you enjoyed it, thanks :)
Bought one a few weeks ago as fully working when I received it turned out not to be :( will hopefully be repaired now
Welcome back!
Thanks Mark!
Great review, I even learned a bit about my A-1! Great camera in design and function overall, just a little tricky getting used to it. 📷
I agree with the learning curve of the A-1.
Hi Azriel, it's good to see you back again. Thank you for another excellent video. It's interesting how cameras which were produced 30-40 years ago and were relatively high tech at the time seem so low tech today yet are still functional, whereas smartphones which were produced 3-4 years ago are almost obsolete today..
That's a smart observation. I think part of that has to be with planned obsolescence. I also think as things get more complex and knowing people will only use it for three years, companies likely got lazy. It's why we see crazy video games with VR.....aaaand tonnes of glitches, incompleteness.
Interesting as a camera, a bit expensive in good condition. The minolta XD-11 would be a good alternative and ergonomically more relaxed.
Great review, thanks Azriel :-) Is that an FD pancake lens in the ad at 0:30? I didn't think there were any really small lenses for FD cameras...
Thanks Tom!
To me that looks like a standard 50 mm 1.8 breach mount lens. It's probably the distortion of the graphic from making it look oike a space ship that is pancaking that. I could be wrong but that's my impression.
Azriel Knight Ha, you could well be right - might be the angle. I have a version of that breech mount lens on my FTb and it's a pretty big beast compared to 50mm lenses on my other 35mm SLRs, in that graphic it looks tiny!
Nice review,just got a Canon A1 recently with the 50mm 1.8 sc with silver locking ring.I thought the body was metal,it's ABS plastic,copper plated , and black enamel painted
There are a few different versions of the 50mm 1.8. I think you have one step up from the super chepo one, hard to keep track.
Azriel Knight The 50mm 1.8 sc. ( spectral coating) was the standard 50mm lens of its time. I think the mark 1 with the silver locking ring came out in 1971, a second mark 2 was introduced in 1976 . You show the lens in your review.
Peter
Hi. I'm new to cameras so I know this maybe a dumb question, but I'd really appreciate if I got an answer. Does this camera only take pictures on black and white or can it take colored pictures depending on the film. Also, does it have a video feature. Let me know. Thanks :)
Name of the Sound Track in video? ThankYou
Nice review and your points are spot on regarding this camera. This was Canon's testing tool to the later EOS. My uncle purchased one brand new back in the early 80s and I remember seeing it - it was such a nice camera - he still has it and will have to see if he will allow me to add it to my camera collection.
Thanks for sharing that!
this was a superb camera. the only lacking was failure by canon to have the aperture display in the viewfinder.
I love this series. I found this channel when I was looking for my first film camera and was looking at the EOS 650/620. I now have both and use them a lot. I actually have a request. I know they're expensive, but if you happen to have some affordable medium format cameras laying around like zenza bronica and mamiya I would love to see such a detailed explanation of them by you.
Thanks for the feedback. You're right it really comes down to cost. I have wanted to shoot a bronica for awhile, and I need a "main" medium format camera so it'll happen eventually :)
I dig the futuristic Dream like Space Ship Interior look with the White Gloves and White everything, except the Canon A-1.
Not a fan of the A-1? Those are dish gloves btw and I wear them because they help reflect light onto the camera :)
Yes, I like the A-1, your Video is cool, its a cool Video, it really does justice to the A-1.
oh okay, my mistake :)
Its ok.
best review i have seen
Thanks Lucio!
FWIW a stack of four 357s will make do if you can't find an LR44. The latter are probably almost impossible to find now.
Thanks for the tip!!
Hay Alex, I'm new to Photography and also your channel. Irecently got a black Nikon FM worth a motor drive and I was wondering if you would happen to cover the Nikon FM sieres in this old camera
Hey Trevor! If I come across a Nikon FM I'll definitely consider it! Thanks for the suggestion!
I definitely should've found that video waay sooner
'you can turn off the viewfinder completely....' come on now, this is a slr....there is no turning off the viewfinder (except when mirror is flipped up)
I did this video years ago but I likely meant viewfinder display.
so sick of youtubers scrounging via patrion.. NO ONE is asking you to make videos ... so dont expect to get paid for doing it !
No one is asking you to act like a prick yet, here it is.
Hey, recently my canon a-1 is doing something weird, the first shot I take lags, by a lot, but then afterwards the other ones are fine, it's just that first exposure. Does anyone know how to fix it?
No idea, but check your batteries, test the meter against one that works, etc...
My canon (2) a1 and ae1(black body) programs with motor drives battery pak ma , and flashes still wok today. Now that is atestiment to canon .
Agreed! :)
if you could test a t 90 canon i would like to see how good theses are thank you
T90 is a solid choice and has been recommended before. I had a peak at the pricing on eBay for one, not too bad, I'll definitely keep it in mind.
2021 here, the best A-1’s are coming out of Japan but the shipping is pricey
Interesting. I always found shipping from Japan reasonable, but the I end up with dud cameras. An opposite experience.
I bought mine 1982. Hard to believe I've had it 40 years
Crazy!
A great tutorial. Just got this model and I needed some guidelines to get some confidence and your video is easy to follow. One thing I didn't understood was how you advance the film couple of times, because that lever is locked after one advance. The way I did was to push the shutter button and than advance again. Is that the procedure or I'm doing it wrong? Anyway great stuff on your channel so I subscribed. All the best!
Great video and very helpful as I've just picked up an A-1. The video showed me all the information I needed to get going with the camera. The information about the double exposure method being particularly helpful. Cheers.
Glad I could be of some help!
Hi, cool video, So too shoot in full manual, I have to turn of the metering switch in the view finder so it’s just a clear screen. If so, how do I know my metering is set correctly
Good review.
Just to point out: Nikon FE was the competitor, back in 1978. (Not the FA which didn't come out until 1984)
Oopsy. That's for the heads up. Generally I consider competition cameras that were released during their run time rather than the exact year, but good to know.
I have a question though Azriel, i have a squeak noise when i take a picture, and i know this is a common noise with the A1.What would you recommend to fix it?I went to a local shop, where they sell and fix old cameras, and they say not to put any lubrifiant at all, cause the mechanic works dry.I do not know what to do though?Should i keep the noise and
it doesn't affect the camera, or should i fix it with lubrifiant?If so, what lubrifiant should i use?Thanks for your response.Michel
Hi Michel,
Your local shop is correct. Though the squeak is a common problems in Canon A-1's and AE-1's it doesn't affect your shutter speed. I have tested ones with it and some are factory standard still.
I have very little skill at fixing anything so I can't be much help if you do want to try and get rid of it. I hope this helps though.
I guess i will keep the noise, if it doen't affect the camera throught the time.Thank you !
You showed the Motor Drive MA, rated up to 5fps (really only 4.5 if there was film in the camera, I tested it) not the Power Winder A which was also compatible with the earlier AE-1 but only rated for 2fps and lacked the grip.
That's correct. I actually own the A winder. I left a few accessories out, like not mentioning every flash either, for time sake.
Azriel Knight I noticed. ☺
I had a Speedlight 533G until it was stolen, I replaced it with a 283.
If the battery dies on the a1 can you still shoot it and the shutter speeds be accurate? I tested it at slower speeds and it seems to work, but at the faster speeds it functions but the shutter seems to fire at the same speed. Maybe flash sync speed? My Nikon EM FIRES AT FLASH SYNC with dead battery.
The A-1 wont fire without a working battery. Cameras have a tendency to slow down at high speeds over time. Hope that helps.
Thanks, found one today, the body mount is loose. I could not figure out where to turn it on, but the shutter was tripping mirror was flipping up. If it was on, i could not see any led's in the viewfinder. I'm going back tomarrow to do a second look, thanks for the info, ill be better prepared.
The A-1 has an on/off for the viewfinder display, a switch on the top.
Maybe you can do another video like this about the Canon EF SLR from 1974 Azriel.
which is that?
Just google “Canon EF (35mm SLR)” from the 1970’s and has nothing to do with the Canon EOS system of EF lenses. It’s an FD Mount SLR in Black only, with built in shutter priority mode and manual mode. The only mechanical Canon camera to have a vertically traveling Copal metal shutter which increase the flash sync to 1/125th sec.
Thanks Azriel, nice review and pics.
Thank you.
nice and concise.. no bull$hit chatter.Thank you.
LOL, thanks Rob, I try.
Heya what film did you use for the first two photos? It’s Super crisp and nice
Oh man, I can't remember :-\
It will be shown on the negative.
Great review and explanation, thank you.
Glad I could help.
Fantastic. Although on digital I'm strictly a Nikon and Fuji man, (simply because all the investment in glass), I do shoot a lot of film for pleasure. I have a vast collection of film cameras and gear, and I do love the A1. This camera was years ahead of its time, and the FD glass is simply remarkable.
Loved this video, especially the sample shots. I would love to see many more videos in the future of many other film cameras.
Thanks for the comment! Any camera in particular?
Azriel Knight Any film camera. I don't mind. I just love to watch people actually going out and shooting and the results. Just one small thing though, please try to show all your shots, it helps to relate to your videos and what you saw. Keep up the good work, you're really good, concise and very clear.
In the future I might send a link to all my shots but I like to keep things tight on video. Thanks for the feedback!
Would you think that its worth it today to still take pictures in film? or rather to go in digital photography?
Depends what you want to accomplish. Imagine you're a mathematician and you're trying to solve a complex equation. Do you want to learn the intricacies of math, if so bust out a pencil and paper and do it long hand. Or do you just want the answer? If so grab a calculator. Neither choice is "correct" but I like both at different times.
Mr. Knight, thank you so much for responding and this on an old video from 2016! All respect to you man!
I am an architectural student and would like to create large presentations usually some of the photo's go up to an A1 size. I thaught film camera's might be a cheaper alternative to an expensive DSLR with a full frame sensor especially if you can find a way to scan the film into your computer. This is where I'm struggling with this decision ... whats your thoughts?
Glad to help Juan.
If you're looking to make large, sharp prints, I'm assuming by A-1 you mean the paper (23.4 x 33.1 in) and not the camera, that has more to do with the scanner than the film. A good scanner can get 25 megapixels equivalent from a 35mm frame. I would say it depends what you need to photograph and scan. I don't think you need a full frame camera to get a sharp A1 size image though. Viewing distance also plays a part. I once made images 4 feet by 6 feet on a 5D mark ii, stretching it beyond the limit, BUT, they were hanging off a house, being viewed from 20 feet or more away. If I knew more about the final product I could tell you more. Your phone might even be enough.
Thank you Mr. Knight,
You really gave me a few perspectives to think about. Thank you for your advice!
In others words: a top cam with a lot of features no professional photographer really needs and the cheapest Nikon or Pentax of those times can better or also do thge same. Besides: Canon lenses of those days were great, but why had Canon the flimsy and complicated FD mount? 5 times slower to mount as a Nikon F lens!
Agreed. People put more into a camera these days because the "film" is built in, but as long as the shutter releases properly, it's really about the film and lens choices.
This here is my Tank of a bro from 96' I picked my 1st A-1. And even STILL TO THIS DAY: I captured better photos of moments than young bucks do, randomly snapping off their digital cameras. It's all about time, patience and picking your photos before you take them.
Agreed Eddy! Thanks for watching :)
Nice explanation, one question where I can get a diopter for this wonderful camera. thanks
I'm not sure to be honest....ebay?
no problem thanks
slow and smooth is fast top gear up in smoke is chong out of breath and cool on that iso 1000 idea thank you for reply have a good day
Beautiful video. You are a master of your craft.
Thanks very much!
I still have mine with many Canon lenses. All mint ÷.
Sweet! Make sure and "use" it every couple years to keep the lubricants moving throughout. Focus back and forth on the lenses and fire a few shots on the camera.
thanks
How much to pay one with a 50mm in 1978 ..???
Not sure...in 70's money or today's money?
Hello mr. Knight, I just found your youtube profile and I love it already! I'm currently searching for a 'new' camera but I'm not sure which one it could be. At the moment my head spins between the Canon T70 (friend of my has it and I absolutely love the images) and some other oldskool SLR camera's. What camera do you think is better than the T70 from this era? Any tips?
Hi Jor, thanks for the joining the channel! The T70 is an ugly but solid choice. double a batteries and a fairly reliable shutter. If you want the mechanical feel, the ae-1 is nice. This is assuming you're sticking to Canon. It's really a matter of taste, and how it feels in your hand.
Can i use the light meter if im using an adapted lens?
I don't know.
2019 - I went with the EF instead. Simpler and cleaner body.
What film did you use for you sample shots?
Tri-X
Another great video Azriel, good to see you back after a well earned rest. Recently sold my A-1 as it ended up with the dreaded EEEE EE in the viewfinder unless I used a lens slower than f4, so had to shoot fully manual all the time, and then the meter went 1-2 stops out.
Interesting to see how much cheaper they are on your side of the pond as well - good condition & working body only is about £50 here on eBay (around $70 US)
Thanks for the feedback Glen, sorry to hear your A-1 died. It's funny hearing someone say the prices are good here, but from the UK it makes sense. Here in Canada the US prices are what we envy. Shipping is expensive in Canada. It's cheaper for me to mail to Florida than within some places in my own country, so once you factor that in our savings are gouged, and sellers have to lower prices to compensate.
Population here is also 10% of the US so there's just not as much "stuff"
Thank you very much for this video and all the others, I love them. Perhaps (apart from ergonomics for certain functions) it has a small disadvantage compared to for example the Nikon FA or the Minolta XD (7,11) and that is that in manual mode it does not show the chosen shutter speed only the recommended one.
Thanks Marcelo!
Thank you for the review. I've had an A-1 for a couple years, but not I know what some of the buttons do. Especially multiple exposure.
There's so much going on, on this camera. I didn't know about the multi exposure either.
Great videos. Thanks
Thank you :)
Just a quick question, when doing the double exposure I read in the manual they recommend to decrease the exposure by 1 stop. So if I use a -1 compensation for each shot on a 2 shot double exposure, that should be good to go? Great video btw :)
Thanks for your question. I think you're right. But I would say that you should compensate by an ADDITIONAL f stop. I often shoot -1 when incorporating the skies. Just my taste. So if the manual was telling me to decrease by an f stop I would add that to make -2, make sense?
Yea it does thanks. Manual basically says to decrease exposure by 1 stop for 2 multiple exposures and then up to 2 stops for 3-5 exposures on the same negative. I'll do some testing with my next roll of film. Thanks for the reply.
Be sure and let me know how it goes, I'm curious as I don't have experience with double exposure photography :)
I will do hopefully I'll get a roll shot in the next week and I'll let you know how I get on.
Azriel thank you for video. I just bought this camera last week and was looking for this kind of instructional video. Great job
Fantastic, I'm glad it helped :)
Hi azriel, can u show us old camera yashica electro 35 gsn?
I added it to my list of requests, thank you :)
nice video I have owned my A1 from new great camera my dial guard has broke so now looking to buy one for spares :-)
Nice!
Do the Olympus OM 1!!
Added to the list of requests! Thanks :)
i bought one for ca. 100 bucks or abit more and it is my current camera because i broke my dslr. btw i love your subtle humor xD
Thanks very much :)
the om4 was the olympus competitor. not the om2.
The OM-4 was released in 1983, five years later.
om2 is only aperture priority or manual. a1 has full auto, incl program auto mode.
Welcome back! This Old Camera is my favourite segment of yours. I like the production value and branding. Not to mention the disco music soundtrack during the history part :)
I tried finding a place for that song during Days of Knight but couldn't wedge it in, I love it! :)
Thanks from Germany
no problem :)
I had a couple of those back in the 70s. You didn't mention the LED readout in the viewfinder. At the time that was cool.
I just bought and a1 and it’s cool now lol
Love my A-1. Feels good in the hand and is aesthetically pleasing to look at. It's a competent enough camera for my needs. Excellent review and good to know that I haven't overspent.
Agreed, a really nice camera all around.
Its nice to see support for film photography right here in Canada, thanks Azriel :)
Thanks for watching :)
Good to see you back Azriel :) And also I'm glad that you've bring the 'This old camera' series back. As always your review was great to watch, full with information and very well presented. I've also noticed that this video is of better quality compared to your previous videos. Keep it up!
Thanks very much! Glad you enjoyed it!
Excellent review and very helpful. Thank you for keeping it simple and easy to understand.
Thanks Mike glad you enjoyed it!
Excellent video! Covers the basics while keeping it interesting. Nice picture samples with solid exposures. Cheers Mate!
Thanks Vincent!
This is really good.
Thank you.
Lovely to see an Azriel Knight notification again...been a long time. I was recently given an A-E1 Program. Haven't put a roll through it yet but it has the dreaded squeaky shutter...such a sad sound!
Good news is the sound doesn't necessarily affect the speed of your shutter. Sometimes, but not always!
Azriel Knight Good to know, thanks!
Awesome camera, I have inherited my dads which makes it even cooler 😊
That's always ideal!
Thanks for this review, I'm still hunting for an inexpensive camera body to replace my broken AL-1. I'd definitely consider an A-1 now, but they tend to be more than I want to spend. If you have access to one I'd be interested to see a review of the Canon T50.
I've had a couple requests for the T50, maybe I should look out for it. I believe I had one but it's broken.
Azriel Knight they are going very cheaply in eBay right now, but I'd have to get the flash unit designed for those cameras for best results, but they are cheap.
Best A-1 Review!
Thanks Chuck :)
The thing about the A-1 is that- EEEEEEEEEEEE
hey, I just have one question: what's the best way to convert the negatives to digital?
thanks
Some would say using a DSLR and light table is the best way. I think flat bed scanners (specifically made for film) is the overall best workflow, but I plan to do some testing in the future.
have been expecting content for a while!
sorry :(
Azriel Knight should you have time and money, I recomand Canon FTbn. It is a great and feature filled camera!
do the nikon f3
I'll add it to the list. :)
How much is this Cam actually worth?
Depends who's selling it.
You mean someone who knows smthinng about cams, gets more for it than someone who dosnt!
Mate, you could do a Canon FTb, the mirror knock-back is amazingly smooth!
I'll add it to my list!
Finally a new video! :D
What is the viewfinder display switch? Turning the meter display on or off?
Sid B yes!