Canon AE-1 User Manual

TABLE OF CONTENTSSPECIFICATIONS...8-11PRELIMINARY PREPARATION ... 12Mounting the Lens and Setting theAperture Ri

Distance ScaleThe distance scale is for distances measured from the film plane. This scale is not generally used except for confirmin

Infrared Index MarkThe red dot infrared index mark engraved on the lens barrel is a focusing correction index mark for infrared film.

focused distance with this red dot.For instance normally, when the focus is adjusted at 5m on the distance scale, you turn the focusing ring

Accessories, Саге of the Camera, Maintenance and Miscellanea

Canon Speed life 155AThe versatile circuitry of the Canon AE-1 allows it to perform fully automatic flash photography with the Speedlit

aperture ring manually. When you are using a Canon FL lens which does not allow full aperture metering, automatic flash photography c

offers more appropriate exposure than the present flash units do.Moreover, when the main switch of the Speedlite 155A is turned off, t

matically adjusted to the X synchronization speed at the time the pilot lamp lights up.2. Flash Terminal: The AE-1 offers a choice of two k

Stopped-Down Metering Index Mark and Manual Aperture Control"M" Signal ...40Effects of C

Canon Power Winder AThe Canon Power Winder A is an automatic film winder which makes the functions of automatic photography of the

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Data Back AThis is an interchangeable back cover with a built-in data imprinting mechanism. It can imprint the day, month and year o

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Accessories1. Angle Finders A2 and B2. Eyecup S3. Magnifier S4. Camera Holder F25. Macrophoto Coupler FL55, 586. Lens Hood BS-557. Microphoto H

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21. Extension Tube M Set22. Dioptric Adjustment Lenses for Eyesight Compensation (10 kinds)23. Speedlite 155A24. Power Winder A25. Data Back A (T

CharacteristicsThe Canon AE-1 represents a landmark in the history of SLR (Single-Lens-Reflex) cameras.Up to now, electronic control in SLR came

SPECIFICATIONSType: 35mm SLR (Single-Lens-Reflex)camera with electronically controlled AE (Automatic Exposure) and focal plane shutter.Pictur

electronic technology, after a thorough analysis of all mechanisms and their operation. The important mechanical features made way for

concept of a camera as we have known before.Exceptional Reliability through Application of ElectronicsThe Canon AE-1, since it employs comput

By new production methods and the adoption of highly advanced packaging techniques in the manufacture of electronic circuitry, the vit

A Gentle Touch Activates the Shutter ButtonThis unique shutter button activates a complex of electronically controlled fuctions.As oppos

avails itself to you, a gentle pressure on the shutter button will do the trick.Silicon Photocell and Logarithmic Amplifier In a Single 1CT

Compact, Lightweight Design for Great Handling EaseBody dimensions have been reduced to a minimum, and the lightweight structure, with a

matically set and the aperture automatically determined. After the flash, the camera returns to its original AE setting.Using the Sharp FD a

Care and Storage of the CameraNo matter how exceptional the camera may be, it will not give you all it can unless it is taken care of properly

not to touch the shutter curtain when doing so.MaintenanceKeep the camera in a place with low humidity and no dust. After removing

index mark which also serves as battery charge level check mark. Besides, there are two red zones at the top of the aperture scale to wa

Note: When taking off the top cover of the soft case, turn the top cover to the bottom then slide the cover straight up and pull i

To guard against the inconvenience of loss, theft or other unforeseen problems, fill in the form below to keep as a record of your

Self-Timer Lamp -IVIemo HolderWinder Terminals-74

Shutter Speed Index Frame CounterWinder Coupler CoverWinder Guide HoleFilm Rewind ButtonTripod Socket

When the camera is used in very cold conditions:Battery performance is usually affected by temperatures below zero C. It is always necessar

In sudden changes of temperature from cold to hot, the viewfinder or the lens may get moist and fog. Therefore, the camera should be ex

CanonCANON INC.11 28. Mite 3 c I, Tokyo 108, JapanCANON U.S.A., INC. HEAD OFFICE10 Nevada Drive, Lake Success, Long Island NY 11040 USACANON U.S.A.. I

PRINTED IN JAPAN

method employing a Silicon Photocell as photosensitive element.Exposure Meter Coupling Range: With ASA 100 film, EV1 (f/1.4 at one sec

lever. The number 2 for two seconds is marked in orange; other numbers as well as X synchronization are in white.There is a shutter d

aperture ring.Power Source: One 6V silver oxide battery Eveready No.544, UCAR No.544 JIS 4G13, or Mallory PX28) or alkaline manganese

amount of light is automatically controlled for correct flash exposure.Back Cover: The camera's back cover has a memo holder for

Safety Devices:• The shutter does not drain battery power when not released.• The film cannot be wound while the shutter is in operation.

English EditionINSTRUCTIONS

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PRELIMINARY PREPARATIONAttaching the NeckstrapAttach the Canon AE-1's neckstrap by threading it through the rings and adjusting it to

'i Mounting the LensI Remove the body cap and mount the lens onto the camera. The lens is mounted by aligning the red dot of the bod

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3 Loading the BatteryThis camera will not function without battery power. A 6V silver oxide battery is loaded into the battery chambe

4 Checking the BatterySince the AE-1 is an electronically controlled camera, the shutter will not function without sufficient battery po

Alkaline Manganese BatterySilver Oxide Battery15

How to Check the BatteryThe charge level of the battery is checked by pressing the battery check button on the top of the camera Carefully

PICTORIAL OUTLINE FOR USING THE CAMERAA Set the aperture ring of the lens to ')I the "A" mark. ZSet the ASA film speed. Select a shutt

5 Loading the FilmThe Canon AE-1 uses color or black and white film in standard 35mm cartridges.Opening the Back CoverTo load a cartridge o

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up spool making sure that the perforations of the film are engaged in the teeth of the film transport sprocket.Then, make sure that

Checking Film WindingOperate the film advance lever while watching the film rewind knob. If it rotates, the film is properly loaded.

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The following ASA ratings can be set on the camera. Figures in parentheses indicate intermediate film speeds.ASA25 50 100"^"&qu

Film Advance and Shutter ReleaseTurn the film advance lever until it stops, so the film will advance one frame all in one motion. The

Shutter Button Lock

Shutter Button and Shutter LockThe shutter release button is designed to function as the main switch of the camera to activate the AE

shutter release button is turned to the "L" position, the shutter button will be locked to prevent unintentional shutter re

Operation for General PhotographyThe AE-1 is an Automatic Exposure camera with a shutter speed priority system which electronically contr

^ Setting the Shutter Speed* The shutter dial controls the length of time that light is allowed to reach the film. On the shutter speed d

rotated between "B" and "1000".BrightnessShutter Speed (Seconds)Indoorsl/30tol/60Outdoorsl/125toi/250Mid-summer Beach• Snow-cove

Overexposure Warning MarksUnderexposure and Coupling Range Warning Lampspeed when using a standard 50mm lens. For indoor photography, with no s

than 1/200 second, therefore the shutter speed in this particular case should be set at 1/250 sec. Image blur can also arise if t

shutter speed dial until the meter needle inside the viewfinder moves into the proper exposure range. To confirm this, turn the shut

Out of FocusIn Focusimage when not accurately in focus. It is also possible to focus with the matte screen outside the smaller centra

Distance Scale (in feet and meters) Focusing Ring Aperture RingBayonet Ring Exposure Preview Switch Stopped-Down LeverBacklight Control SwitchDistanc

Accessories such as an eyecup, dioptric adjustment lenses, angle finders, and magnifier can be attached to the viewfinder eyepiece.28

Dioptric Adjustment LensesDioptric adjustment lenses can be attached by inserting them from above into the grooves in the viewfinder ey

Angle Finder A2 and BThe angle finder is a magnifying glass which can be attached from above into the grooves of the viewfinder eyepi

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Holding the CameraUnlike the mechanical release system, the magnetic release system of the Canon AE-1 electronically controls the shutter. T

When you use comparatively slow shutter speeds or when you use telephoto lenses, it is advisable to lean against a wall, a tree trunk or some fi

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Adapter A for T ripodWhen using a lens of considerable overall length, depending on the tripod being used, it may be difficult to hold the

Releasing the ShutterThe Canon AE-1's shutter button uses a magnetic release system. The shutter button travel is very short and

Load the film.Advance film; Check exposure. Press the shutter button.Салол frJtrefcerJ

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To rewind the film, press in the small rewind button on the bottom of the camera, unfold the rewind crank and turn it in the dir

camera back and lift the cartridge out.If you stop rewinding the moment the frame counter has reached the "S" mark, the film w

Detailed Operation of the AE-1Up to this point you have been reading about the fundamental principles of AE photography. We ask you to

Viewfinder InformationIn keeping with Canon'sstandard of providing all relevant information in an easily readable format, all informati

ASA Film SpeedCoupling Range25- -502 tol/lOOOsec, -100 1 tol/lOOOsec. -2001/2 tol/IOOOsec, -400 1/4 tol/lOdOsec,• -800 1/8 tol/lOOOsec,- -16001/I5t

Shutter Speed and AE Coupling RangeThe shutter speed and AE coupling range are indicated in the table. If any combination outside the coupli

ing; Increase the shutter speed until the meter needle indicates f/22 and then decrease the shutter speed by one gradation so that the expos

When the shutter speed is set at "B" (Bulb) and the shutter button is pressed halfway, this warning lannp will also flash

Photography with the Canon Speedlite 155 A1. Load the batteries.2. Set the ASA film speed.3. Mount the Speedlite 155A on the AE-14. Turn the m

Manual Aperture Control "M" SignaP Battery Check and Stopped-Down Metering Index Mark-M40

Battery Check and Stopped-Down Metering Index MarkThis battery check index mark serves also as the stopped-down metering index mark for use

Concerning the Exposure (Shutter Speed and Aperture Coupling)In order to obtain the correct exposure, it is necessary to correctly match the

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2 Effects of Changing the ApertureBecause this camera is an AE camera with shutter speed priority, when you change the shutter speed, the ape

shutter speed dial until the meter needle on the right of the viewfinder reaches the f/stop desired.Depth-of-FieldWhen a certain subj

observed on the screen. When the stopped- down lever's release button is pressed, full aperture metering will be restored.3. After

7 10 15 302 3 5 10I I I I I I, I18 111) 4 4 11112.6 4 5.6 8 11 16only be possible up to the previous exposures aperture. Also, when the aperture

changes, the depth-of-field changes, too. For example, if the same subject is photographed from three and then from seven meters away

Photography with the Canon Power Winder A1.2.3.4.5.6. 7.Remove the Battery Pack A.Load the batteries into the Battery Pack A. Attach the Batt

Using the Self-TimerObvious uses for the self-timer are self- portraits and the inclusion of the photographer in the picture. The se

AE control may miscalculate the proper exposure.To prevent stray light from entering the viewfinder from the rear and possibly affe

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Cancelling the Self-Timer OperationIf you should want to cancel the self- timer operation after having pressed the shutter button, depre

Shooting Against the Light with the Backlight Control SwitchIn most cases, the Canon AE-1's Central Emphasis Metering system will

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Long Exposures and "B" (Bulb) SettingWhen you need shutter speeds slower than two seconds such as for shooting night scenes or

Stopped-Down MeteringWhen the AE-1 is used with Canon FD lenses, photography can be performed with through-the-lens (TTL) metering and

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stopped-down coupling lever becomes visible, as does the red mark in the case described above.The FD lenses mounted on the AE-1 shou

Manual Aperture ControlWhen accessories requiring manual aperture control are used between the camera body and a lens, lock the automatic

lens is mounted on the camera, the diaphragm blades will open or close by turning the aperture ring. To revert from manual aperture contr

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Lock pin Positioning Pin52

Changing the LensFD lenses incorporate a safety mechanism to prevent the bayonet ring and the diaphragm blades from moving when the lens i

Lens Signal.CouplingAperture Signal LeverThis lever transmits the actual f/stop to the exposure meter. It is coupled to the aperture rin

Automatic Aperture LeverEE SvJitch PiriFull Aperture Signal PinAperture Signal Lever53

Film Plane IndicatorThis mark is engraved on the top of the camera between the film rewind crank and the battery check button, just

Scales on the Lens Aperture ScaleThe aperture of the lens is the opening of the diaphragm blades, like the iris of the human eye. It control