How To Use Canon Ae 1

At first, I had problem falling in beloved with film. I'm withal learning, of course, merely these days I'thou at least comfortable calling myself an experienced picture lensman. I have the Canon AE-1 Plan to thank for that.

I'm often asked questions past those who are ready and willing to jump into photography. A recommendation around which photographic camera to purchase or what lens works best for portraits of their domestic dog, the listing goes on. My mind starts racing because I experience obligated to recollect of an answer that would aid them best. Nine times out of 10, these questions are about digital photography.

The funny thing is that I rarely carry around digital cameras for personal photography anymore. I constantly accept the Canon AE-1 Program strapped around my cervix at family unit functions, gatherings with friends, or any event that I want to retrieve. I also employ information technology for any personal portrait or mural projects that I may conjure in my head.

The camera, or as I like to call it, "ol' reliable," was given to me by a relative knowledgeable of my love for the craft, who had found it sitting in her parents' attic after years of decay. They keep all of their items clean, and so, the photographic camera was in mint status. Being my first movie photographic camera, it holds quite some sentimental value, but it besides allows me to say this camera is great for those ready to showtime with motion-picture show. Information technology has taught me everything I currently know about analog photography and has truly shown me the significant of slowing down when framing a shot.

Now when I'm asked about the best beginner camera by those willing to fiddle in moving picture photography, I immediately recommend the Canon AE-1 Plan. I've been shooting it for over 2 years, and while information technology'southward not a perfect photographic camera, it is the best beginner-level 35mm SLR.

Canon AE1 Program Film Camera on a strap

Canon AE-1 Program 35mm Film SLR Camera Top View of controls.

The Camera as Instructor

The Canon AE-1 Plan is a 1981 revision of the original AE-1. To this older photographic camera, the AE-1 Programme adds a full automatic Plan style, an electronic light meter readout in the viewfinder, and a few smaller changes which take been explored in-depth in a previous article wherein James compared the 2 cameras at length. Information technology's past all measures an excellent photographic camera for any level of shooter, yes, merely it'south greatest force may be in its ability to teach first-fourth dimension users about the 3 basic settings that make up one's mind the exposure of any photo: ISO, shutter speed, and discontinuity.

ISO number refers to the sensitivity of a flick or image sensor (James wrote nigh this in depth in another article). Briefly, the higher the ISO number, the more sensitive a film or sensor is to light. With digital cameras, it's possible to adjust the sensitivity of the sensor at will. Since the AE-1 Programme is a movie photographic camera, the ISO value comes from the film stock. For example, Kodak Ektar 100 is a 100 ISO speed film whereas Cinestill 800 Tungsten is an 800 ISO speed flick. Unproblematic.

The ISO dial on the top left of the Canon's body is used to calibrate the photographic camera's light meter to match the ISO of the loaded film. It can also be ready slightly higher or lower than the film's "box speed" – this is chosen over- or under-exposing film. Over- or under-exposed film can then be developed differently from picture show shot at box speed to reach different final image styles equally desired by the lensman. This more advanced process is known equally "push" or "pull processing," and information technology allows us to shoot certain pic in special circumstances where it might not be best-suited, such equally low light environments. The ISO dial of the AE-1 Program can be positioned from 25 to 3200 ISO, a range that will cover the needs of near any film and photographer.

Our 2nd factor, aperture, is the amount of calorie-free that enters the lens to expose the film (or sensor on a digital). By changing the lens aperture (f stop numbers) nosotros tin can determine how much light hits the film, and how much depth-of-field an image volition show (James wrote about this too, which can be seen hither). Catechism FD lenses include an "A" mode for use on camera bodies which can control lens aperture – the AE-1 Program is but such a camera.

Lastly, the photographic camera's shutter speed determines the length of time that light will expose the pic. The AE-ane Program'due south shutter is capable of speeds from 1/1000th of a 2nd to two seconds, and is controlled by a dial on the peak correct of the body. On this same dial is a setting for Bulb mode, for long exposures, in which the shutter stays open up as long equally the shutter release push is held down. Shots using this mode just turn out usable or even pleasing to the eye if a shutter release cable is used with the camera on a tripod.

On the same dial is a setting labeled "PROGRAM," and this is the feature that sets the AE-1 Programme apart from its sibling model in the Catechism A-series, the AE-1. While the original AE-1 offers simply shutter-priority semi-auto mode and full manual mode, the AE-1 Programme adds "PROGRAM" way too. This is basically "automated" mode. Set the lens aperture to "A" and the shutter speed dial to Program and the camera automatically chooses the all-time aperture and shutter speed based on the current lighting situation equally read by its light meter. When this mode is in employ, a "P" flashes in the viewfinder. Otherwise, an "M" for transmission flashes.

The inclusion of this Program mode is one of the things that makes the AE-1 Programme then perfect for beginners. It was extremely intuitive when I showtime started, making the transition from digital to film stressless. If I was always unsure of my shot, I could count on Programme mode to help.

The AE-1 Program in Use

What we have with the Canon AE-1 Program is a straightforward electronic photographic camera that can shoot in fully automatic Programme way, and semi-automatic Shutter-Priority manner (set the lens to A and choose your shutter speed – the camera volition select the right aperture). This is perfect for those just starting. It volition finer let the new photographer see exactly how ISO, shutter speed, and aperture work together to make a properly exposed photo. It's likewise got full manual manner. And for me, this was the hard part – doing it myself.

Using the photographic camera in manual mode helps us become a amend lensman, but, it'south a rocky road. Learning to properly expose an image on an entirely manual photographic camera is intimidating, especially when you can't encounter your image directly after the shutter release. And, I'll acknowledge, I did not know this photographic camera had a light meter for my first two rolls. I received back some disappointingly underexposed shots during my beginning stages with film photography. Mistakes happen. It'southward important to larn and move on.

And that'due south what I did – I was forced to learn how to utilise "ol' reliable" in lodge to "reliably" make decent photos. In one case I did research on the three factors of a photograph, mentioned above, I came to find that the low-cal meter on this one-time Catechism is actually quite accurate. I used a inexpensive Fuji stock to examination it out and discovered that the meter focuses on properly exposing the brightest betoken in your epitome unless selectively metered a unlike style. With a tripod, I tested its accurateness with bright windows from dark rooms, sunlight in shaded areas, and lonely lamps in dimly lit rooms. Most of the time, only based on the meter, the image came out with the brightest parts properly exposed unless manipulated otherwise. For example, in my window test, what is seen through the window is visible and properly exposed, whereas what is in the room is underexposed.

The light meter operates by taking the information of the film's speed, determined from the ISO punch, and the desired shutter speed of the photographer, and calculates what discontinuity would properly expose the current lighting situation. When the shutter is pressed halfway, very small LEDs are projected into the viewfinder to explain to the user what aperture the manual lens should be adjusted to. If a state of affairs is too dark, the LED projects a flashing "1," whereas if the situation is too bright, a flashing "32" is projected.

Then, the photographic camera is exceptional at agreement whether or not the electric current loaded movie stock tin can handle the current situation at the desired shutter speed. As a beginner, this is a quality characteristic that definitely taught me which settings piece of work well together to make a properly exposed photo. At present afterward dozens of film rolls, I can (almost) confidently shoot without using a light meter.

Canon AE-1 Program

Canon 35mm Film Camera Lens

These iii major controls are fundamental to making a good photo. Additionally, they're but nearly the simply controls the Canon AE-1 Program offers. It'southward an advanced camera, but at the aforementioned fourth dimension it's pretty basic. That said, there are a few animate being comforts.

A switch almost the shutter release tin can point to one of iii settings: "A," "L," and "Due south." "A" is a style that fires the shutter in one case the button is pressed. "L," which stands for "Locked" is useful when y'all put the camera abroad for travel. The shutter does not fire when prepare to this mode and it has prevented me multiple times from wasting a frame. And the concluding mode, "S," stands for "Self-Timer." This mode, when the shutter button is pressed, activates a x-second timer with a beep at each second. The cocky-timer feature is fantastic for self-portraits, group shots, or long-exposures when you do non want your shaky hands to affect the offset of the image.

At that place's a push on the side of the lens mountain for exposure lock, and a sliding lever near the lesser previews depth-of-field. There's a hot shoe on superlative for mounting dedicated flash units. At that place's a tripod socket on the bottom. The picture show door opens by pulling up the motion-picture show rewind knob. Focusing screens are interchangeable by the end user, though most people will exist perfectly fine with the normal screen installed. It works dandy and transmission focus (the only manner offered) is a breeze. There is a convenient dorsum "pocket" where we can shop a piece of paper to indicate which blazon of moving-picture show is currently loaded. This too helps to remind us of the film's ISO.

The AE-1 Program is easy to travel with. It's small-scale and lightweight for an SLR, and it feels nice in the hand with a comfy detachable "action grip." It's also gorgeous. My model has a sleek silvery body accented with black leatherette and controls. There's also an all black version. The camera's pentaprism proudly displays "Catechism" engraved in a surprisingly satisfying font. If this photographic camera were broken, I would utilise it as decoration.

Lenses

The camera uses Canon's FD mountain, and Catechism's FD mount lenses rival any optics made for consumer or prosumer shooters of its era. Almost of the time, I accept my Catechism FD 50mm f/1.4 attached, and it is one trustworthy piece of drinking glass. I've taken some photos I'yard extremely proud of with this lens. The fast maximum aperture allows for extremely creamy bokeh and the lens often gives me sharper images than I would expect out of a 35mm negative.

Like many 50mm lenses, this lens' strength is found when shooting mid-distance subjects, whether these be people or objects. The subject isolation at fast apertures combines with the sharpness of the focus airplane to really make images that pop. I've taken some of my favorite shots on trips with this lens.

In addition to offset-political party Catechism lenses, the FD mount received decades of love from third party lens makers. This means that there's not only a fine Canon lens for every focal length and state of affairs, only often there are a number of far less expensive lenses to fit every budget. These lenses may not be as glamorous as fast glass or Canon brand lenses, but they do the job.

When I apply my Albinar 80-200mm f/3.ix macro zoom lens, I find the quality of the paradigm e'er comes out adequate and to my liking. I've mainly only used this lens when I need to see something so far away or but want some compression. For case, earlier a stay-at-home club was put into effect, I used it to take portraits of some friends from their porch at the get-go of the COVID-19 pandemic. I was surprised with the same quality images I would normally become with my 50mm lens' portraits, specially existence then physically far.

Final Thoughts

In essence, the Catechism AE-1 Program is a beautiful camera that's responsible for my beloved of film photography. Of class, information technology has flaws, but every piece of equipment has flaws if we look hard plenty. I'k happy with the work I've created with this camera. It truly was a nifty entry point into the globe of analog photography.

Information technology should be noted, nevertheless, that while this camera will work wonders for any and all photographers, experienced pros with discerning needs and wants may find themselves a bit express. I used information technology to first and then can anyone else, but information technology won't satisfy photographers looking for ultimate immovability, aperture-priority mode, a not-reliance on battery power, or those who need loftier burst rates, autofocus, spot-metering, or other special features. Information technology's just not made for that.

But for a beginner? Go for it! Someone who just wants to capture memories the quondam fashioned fashion? This is the camera for you. And that's because it'due south a peachy photographic camera. Merely after two years of using 1, I plan on upgrading to a more powerful 35mm SLR. Until then, and likely long after, the Catechism AE-1 Program will e'er have a place in my heart.

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