Canon AE-1 Program, 1981 Five years after the original AE-1 was introduced, Canon brought out an excellent upgraded version in 1981, known as the AE-1 Program or AE-1P in short. The AE-1 Program was considered as one of the two most elegant looking A series bodies (the other was the Canon A-1 in 1977). The AE-1 Program was certainly a worthy successor. It was packed with improved features, which were not found in its predecessor.
1) Attaching the Lens Removed the body cap. Turn the rear lens cap in the direction of the arrow until it stops and pull it off the lens. Note: The instructions in this section concerning the lens are for an FD lens without a chrome mount ring (Earlier FD lenses). If your lens looks like this one with a chrome mount ring, read its instructions for handling the rear cap and mounting it on the camera. To re-attach the rear lens cap, align it with the lens as illustrated.
To mount the lens, first align the red positioning point on the lens with Then turn the lens in the direction of the arrow until it stops and the lens the red dot above the camera mount as illustrated. release button pops out with a click. Make sure the lens release button has popped out. Otherwise, the lens will not work properly. DO NOT press the lens release button while mounting or it may not pop out. When film is loaded, make sure it is completely advanced to the next frame before mounting the lens.
Remove the front lens cap. To remove the lens, turn it in the direction of the arrow. while pressing the lens release button, until it stops. While pressing in the AE lock pin, turn the aperture ring in the direction of the arrow until "A" click-stops at the distance index. "A" will be in line with the red dot on the camera. If you forget to do th~s, automatic exposure will be impossible. Note : BOTH shutter-speed priority AE and programmed AE require you to set the lens to this setting.
. Open the battery chamber cover using the viewfinder cover. Load a new battery so that its terminals are in the directions indicated by the diagram inside the battery chamber. Insert the negative end first. Then push down and insert the positive end. Close the chamber cover. The camera will not function if the battery is loaded incorrectly or without anyone installed inside. The AE- 1 PROGRAM will not work without a battery.
Note: 1. With normal use, the battery should last about one year. 2. It is necessary to take special precautions with the battery when you are shooting in temperatures below 0°C (32° F}. 3. Remove the battery if you do not expect to use the camera for about three weeks or longer. 5. Learning to Operate Basic Control Make sure the main switch is on "A." Note: Turn the main switch to "L''to prevent accidental shutter release or battery drain whenever you are not using the camera.
While pressing the lock release button, slide the film speed setting lever until the film speed of your film is aligned with the green index. This is necessary for getting correct exposure. 7. Loading the Film Pull up the rewind knob until the back cover pops open. As with any camera purchase new, when you flip open the film back, a plastic insert is attached to the pressure plate of a new AE-1 PROGRAM to protect it in transport.
The film should be taut. If there is slack. gently turn the rewind crank in the direction of the arrow until it stops. Close the back cover. Take several blank shots, releasing the shutter and advancing the film, until the frame counter reads " 1" While doing this, keep an eye on the rewind knob. If it rotates in the direction of the arrow, the film is loaded correctly.
following two AE modes, either of which you can choose according to the shooting situation or personal preference. (1) Programmed AE for those who prefer the camera sets both the shutter speed and aperture settings. The advantage of this exposure mode is that it allows you to concentrate fully on your subject. (2) Shutter-speed priority AE for controlling the subject's movement. Faster shutter speeds can be used to freeze subject motion, and slower shutter speeds can provide artistic blur effects.
Note: If you must set the shutter speed selector dial to a number below "60." If action is a particularly important element in the shot, check sections on choosing a shutter speed. 10. One Shot at a time - Other than using the Motor Drive MA or Power Winder (s) A or A2 Turn the focusing ring until the main subject is sharp and compose the picture. Note *: If there is light, such as the sun or a window, behind your subject, see more details on exposure compensation.
The AE- 1 PROGRAM sets the exposure the moment you press the shutter button. Do not stand in front of the lens whiie pressing the button or exposure may be incorrect. Advance the film to the next frame and focus your subject. Set the main switch to "S." Use the viewfinder cover to cover the eyepiece whenever your eye is not to it at the moment you take a shot. If it is uncovered, stray light entering from the rear may cause underexposure To start the self-timer, press the shutter button.
the flash into the AE-1 PROGRAM's accessory shoe. Tighten the lock nut. and red positions each indicate the distance range which corresponds to the aperture you have set on the flash. Please note: For correct exposure, the subject must be within a certain range of distances from the camera. The required distance range is indicated on the Speedlite 188A by the red or green line. Turn the Speedlite's main switch ON. When the flash is charged, its pilot lamp will glow.
tissue which has been moistened with a few drops of lens cleaning fluid. During prolonged storage, remove the camera from its case and wrap it in a clean soft cloth. Remove the battery. AE-1 PROGRAM, was one of the two best featured Canon A series models. It was a high performance SLR camera that offers you plenty of creative freedom through its many functional features incorporated within. It can be used in three automatic exposure (AE) modes: Programmed AE, Shutter-speed priority AE, or Flash AE.
Making the Most of Your camera 12. Battery Issues 13. Viewfinder a. Viewfinder Information b. Focusing 26. Interchangeable Focusing Screens 27. Caring for Your Camera 28. Optional Accessories a. Canon Power Winder A2 c. Exposure Warnings b. Canon Motor Drive MA 14. Exposure Control c. Canon Wireless Controller 15. How to Choose a Shutter Speed LC-1 16. Shooting at Shutter Speeds Slower than 1/60 sec d. Data Back A 17. Aperture. Exposure's Other Half e. Angle Finders A2 and B a.
preview switch, or the AE lock switch uses battery power. Take care that nothing presses on any of these when the camera is not in use. 5. Remove the battery if you do not expect to use the camera for about three weeks or longer. With normal use, the battery should last about one year. 6. Do not try to take the battery apart and never dispose of it in fire. 7. Try to make a habit of checking the battery at the following times: • • • • • • • • After loading a new battery.
Correct exposure is provided by the Central Emphasis Averaging System (Also generally referred as "center-weighted average metering"), which reads the entire viewing area with emphasis on the central portion where the subject is most likely to be placed. Since a new type of split-image rangefinder is used in the center of the viewfinder, the brightness of the split-image rarely changes even when using a lens whose maximum aperture is f/5.6 or smaller.
In Focus When the subject is out of focus, the microprism ring breaks the subject into tiny fragments, causing a shimmering effect. It is clear and steady when your subject is in focus. The laser-matte screen appears fuzzy until the subject is in focus. It is particularly effective when you are using accessories for copying or close-ups. Canon offers eight different types of inter-changeable focusing screens. When using a lens with a maximum aperture of f/5.
Meter coupling range When using an FD 50mm f/1.4 lens and ISO/ ASA 100 film, the built-in exposure meter couples within a range of EV1 (f/1.4 at 1 sec.) to EV18 (f/16 at 1/1000 sec.). At given film speeds, the built-in exposure meter couples with the aperture and shutter speed, as indicated in the chart on the next page. If the shutter speed and aperture combination are outside the coupling range, the camera warns you by flashing the appropriate display inside the viewfinder.
Manual Control Viewfinder information display, shutter speed dial setting and user defined FD lens aperture setting. A red "M Exposure Warnings When taking pictures in excessively bright or low light, the aperture display blinks in the viewfinder. Depending on the warning displayed, make the appropriate adjustment as follows: Note: Besides pressing the shutter button halfway, you can also turn the meter on to check exposure in the viewfinder by pressing the exposure preview switch.
Shutter-speed priority AE mode: A number equal to or smaller than the lens' maximum aperture blinks. Choose a slower shutter speed so that the aperture stops blinking. Shutter-speed priority AE mode: When 2 sec. is set on the shutter speed selector dial and a number equal to or smaller than the lens' maximum aperture blinks; or Programmed AE mode: When the lens' maximum aperture blinks, you can either: a) Use flash or other additional light or b) Use a film with a higher ISO/ASA rating.
There are usually several combinations of shutter speed and aperture which will give the same exposure. This fact is the key to one of the most creative tools in photography. Find out more about it in the next three sections. 15. Choose an Appropriate Shutter Speed The shutter controls exposure by the length of time it remains open.
You can also blur the background by "panning." Choose a slower shutter speed in proportion to the effect and suitable for the subject's motion and release the shutter as you follow the movement, turning the upper part of your body. 16. Shooting at Shutter Speeds Slower Than 1/60 Sec. With a standard 50 mm lens on your AE-1 PROGRAM, a shutter speed of 1/30 second or slower is liable to result in blurred pictures because of camera movement when you are handholding the camera.
When taking pictures using shutter-speed priority AE or programmed AE the lens' aperture ring must be set to the "A' mark. With the lens on this setting, the AE-1 PROGRAM automatically selects the correct aperture, based on lighting, the film speed, and the shutter speed. When you press the shutter button halfway, the f/stop the AE- 1 PROGRAM has set automatically appears in the viewfinder.
the AE-1 Program. The usual one is by using the depth-of-field scale on the lens. This is a scale of f/stops repeated on each side of the distance index. 1. First focus. Then press the shutter button halfway and note which number appears in the viewfinder. Find the two f-stops on the depth-of-field scale which correspond to that number. 2. Draw imaginary lines from those two numbers to the distance scale. The effective depth of field lies between those two distances.
22. Flash Photography Display Information in AE Flash Photography: Flash Charge-completion Display (with only dedicated Canon Speedlites 011 A, 155A, 166A, 177A, 188A, 199A, 533G, 577G, 299A and 300 TL etc..) When the Speedlite is charged and the shutter button is pressed halfway, a green and the auto working aperture light up in the viewfinder display. After the shutter is released, the AE-1 PROGRAM switches automatically to normal AE photography until the pilot lamp and green glow again. Note: 1.
Auto-exposure Flash Confirmation Signal (During its introduction, it works with the Speedlite 188A and 166A only, but other similar dedicated speedlites like the 299A or the TTL's 300TL should works (TTL mode is not possible). Please check with your local Canon Distributor for the compatibility listing. After the shutter is released, continue to press the shutter button halfway; the green will flash on and off for two seconds if the shooting distance provided correct exposure.
1. Insert a direct-contact hot-shoe type flash directly in the accessory shoe. For this type of flash, no other connection is necessary. 2. If you use a flash which requires a synchronization cord, branch the cord between the flash and the camera's PC socket. Note: 1. Before mounting a flash unit, make sure its power switch is OFF. 2. Two flash units can be fired simultaneously by placing one in the accessory shoe and connecting the other to the PC socket. 3.
When using any of these Speedlites, a green LED display lights up in the viewfinder of the AE-1 PROGRAM the moment the flash unit is charged. And, when using the Speedlite 188A or 166A, that same LED display will flash on and off for two seconds after you take a picture to confirm correct exposure. No other flash units offer these features. You can also switch to manual fiash photography with six out of these eight Speedlites.
Try to remember the following: 1. Load a new battery, and keep the camera warm until you are ready to shoot. Try to finish the shooting session as quickly as possible. If you must shoot for a long time, carry a spare battery. Alternate the two batteries, keeping the one that is not in use warm. Do not throw the original battery away. That it does not perform well in the cold does not necessarily mean that it will not work normally again in warmer temperatures.
A. Microprism Matte/Fresnel field with microprism rangefinder New Split/Microprism Standard screen with the AE- spot in the center of the screen. Especially suited for general 1 Program photography when using an aperture of f/5.6 or larger. B. New Split Matte/Fresnel field with split-image C. All Matte Matte/Fresnel field with clear rangefinderspotin the center of screen. The lens matte center spot.
I. Double Cross-hair Reticle Matte/Fresnel L. Cross Split-image Matte/Fresnel field with field with 5mm clear center spot containing cross split-image in the center of the screen double cross-hair reticle. While focusing, move which divides the subject in half both your eye left to right. If cross-hairs stay in the horizontally and vertically. The subject is in same position on the subject, then the subject focus when the four quarters merge to is in focus. Recommended for become one unbroken image.
Controlled by the AE-1 PROGRAM's microcomputer, these accessories expand the AE-1 Program's shooting versatility and handling ease. Attached to the AE-1 PROGRAM, this accessory advances the film, readying the camera for the next shot automatically. Lightweight and compact, the Power Winder A2 is very effective in capturing a subject's movement. Simply set the main switch to "C", hold in the shutter button, and you can shoot at about two frames per second at any shutter speed from 1/60 to 1/1000 sec.
Canon Wireless Controller LC-1 This older accessory is a remote control photography device using infrared rays to control cameras from a distance. The LC-1 is particularly useful in sports photography, wildlife photography, news coverage, and for numerous other fields. The Wireless Controller LC-1 consists of a transmitter and a receiver. Up to three cameras can be operated in series when the receivers are set to different channels.
28. Other Accessories Lens Hood The use of a lens hood is to keep out side light which may cause flare and ghost images to form on the image. Rigid Canon hoods also help to protect the lens from shock. Use only a hood which is specified for your particular lens. Most Canon hoods fit into the bayonet mount and are fixed by turning. For more details, please see the respective lens' instructions.
30.Caring for your Camera As with any precision instrument, proper care and maintenance involve a few simple rules in addition to common sense. Observing these few rules will keep your AE-1 PROGRAM in top condition at all times. 1. The best thing you can do for your AE-1 PROGRAM is to use it regularly. In the event that you must store it for quite a while, first remove it from its case or camera bag. Remove the battery. Wrap the camera in a clean, soft cloth and place it in a cool, dry, dust-free place.
For Programmed AE, turn the shutter speed selector dial to "PROGRAM," making sure that the lens aperture ring is set on "A." Although the aperture is selected for you automatically, the f/stop will still appear in clear, red LED's in the viewfinder. Shutter-Speed Priority AE Whatever the shutter speed you have set, the AE-1 PROGRAM's viewfinder will display the f/stop, providing a handy reference to the depth of field.
The light sensitivity pattern (shown below) remains virtually unchanged even when different lenses are used. AE Lock Switch There is only a single handy way in the AE-1 Program to override camera's selected exposure - with the AE (Automatic Exposure) Lock. Although one would expect Canon to incorporate an additional exposure compensation dial as well as but strangely it was omitted. However, a seasoned photographer should able to utilize the film speed setting to attain similar compensation.
In fact, it has the widest choice among its class - eight different screens were available including the standard screen incorporating the New Split/Microprism rangefinder. The New Split/Microprism rangefinder, has clearly benefited from the development of the professional class New Canon F-1's sophisticated focusing screen technology. With the gentle-angled part of the screen. The conventional split-image rangefinder employs the single-angled echellette prism.
the image at small apertures. Until now the matte's surface particles were irregularly shaped with the consequence that light rays striking it were diffused in different directions. Canon has solved this problem with a unique laser-matte screen. Its surface texture is finer and smoother, and the particle sizes are different. Light rays hitting the surface are less diffused, so less light is lost. As a result the AE-1 PROGRAM's viewfinder is 50% brighter than its predecessors.
maximum firing rate of 4 fps can be achieved with the Ni-cd Battery Pack MA and 3 fps with alkaline cells. Since all the manual-focus Canon cameras and their accessories have been discontinued, it is better to use the Motor Drive MA with its battery Pack MA that uses AA-size alkaline or carbon-zinc batteries. The Motor Drive MA has two speeds which advance the film at a rapid 4 fps and 3 fps, respectively. Single-frame shooting is also possible.
Making its debut along with the AE-1 PROGRAM was a new dedicated flash unit: the Speedlite 188A. The Speedlite 188A has its advantage in its operating ease and convenience. All you need to do is to set the ISO film speed and the auto aperture on the flash. There are two apertures to choose from besides manual: f/2.8 and f/5.6 with ASA 100 film, which correspond to distances of 1-9m and 0.5-4.5m respectively. Guide number was a moderate 25 (ASA 100, m).
Release for automatic diaphragm control, and the easy-to-use Macrolite ML-1 flash unit. Two close-up lenses - the 450 and 240 - can be used on any Canon lens from 35mm to 135mm to take superb macro pictures. Copying - taking pictures of flat objects is another field fully catered to with Canon accessories. Essential in this line is the Copy Stand 4. For the scuba diver who wants to take his Canon AE-1 PROGRAM underwater to film the wonders of the deep, there is the Marine Capsule A.
Standard Lenses: FD 50mm f/1.2, FD 50mm f/1.4, FD 50mm f/1.8 Lens Mount: Canon breech-lock mount. Viewfinder Information: Fixed eye-level pentaprism. Gives 94% vertical and 94% horizontal coverage of the actual picture area with 0.83x magnification at infinity with a standard lens. Information is displayed in form of LED digital display to the right of viewing area.
close-up accessories). Power Source: One 6v alkaline-manganese (Eveready [UCAR] No. A544,IEC 4LR44) silver oxide (Eveready [UCAR] No. 544, IEC 4SR44, Duracell PX 28), or lithium (Duracell PX 28L) battery. Battery lasts about one year under normal use. Battery Check: "Beep-beep" sound when pressing battery check button. Six or more beeps per second indicate sufficient power; three or fewer beeps per second indicate insufficient power. Flash Synchronization: X synchronization at 1/60 sec.
