Film cameras
Canon AE-1 User manual
User manual for Canon AE-1. 75 pages in English. Read the original PDF, download or print a copy without registration.
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Document details
- Brand
- Canon
- Model / document
- Canon AE-1
- Document type
- User manual
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 75
- File size
- 16.6 MB
- Category
- Film cameras
- Document date
- Not specified in catalog
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Page 5 · Read text
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PICTORIAL OUTLINE FOR USING THE CAMERA
Set the aperture ring of the lens to 11 I the "A" mark. Z Load the battery.
Set the ASA film speed. q Look into the viewfinder.7l'T Select a shutter speed. J Compose the picture and focus.
ffi*@Out of Focus I n Focus i^[rView original page 5Page 8 · Read text
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Photography with the Canon Power
Winder A
1. Remove the Battery Pack A.
2. Load the batteries into the Battery Pack A.
3. Attach the Battery Pack A to the Power
Winder A.
4. Take off the winder coupler cover.
5. Attach the Power Winder A to the AE-l.
6. Turn the main switch on.'
7. Focus and press the shutter button. Winder Coupler CoverView original page 8Page 9 · Read text
TABLE OF CONTENTS Stopped-Down Metering Index Mark
SPEC|FTCAT|ONS . . 8-11 and Manual Aperture Control "M"Signal .. ....40PRELIMINARY PREPARATION . . . . 12
Mounting the Lens and Setting the Effects of Changing the Shutter Aperture 41-42Aperture Ring to the "A" Mark . . 13 Speed and theLoading the Battery and Depth-of-Field . . 43-44
BatteryCheck ..14-16 Shooting against the Light and . . . . .45Loading the Film and Setting Manual Override
Exposure Compensation by Changing thethe ASA . 17-20 ASA Setting and Using the Self-Timer . .46-47OPERATION FOR
. .48GENERAL PHOTOGRAPHY ...23 Long Exposures and "B" Setting Stopped-DownMetering ..49SelectingtheShutterSpeed . . . .25 Lock for Manual Aperture Control . . b0-51Focusing and Dioptric Lenses . . b3-S6AdjustmentLenses ...27-28
HoldingtheCamera ...31 ACCESSORIES, CARE OF THE CAMERA,
57RewindingtheFilm .....33 MAINTENANCE, AND MISCELLANEA CanonSpeedlitel55A ... b9Double-Check Before Shooting . .34
60DETAILED OPERATION OF Flash Photography with the AE-l . . . . . A . . .' 61THEAE-1 .. ....35 Canon Power Winder
Viewfinder Information and Canon Data Back A
Meter Sensitivity Pattern . . 37 andAutoBellows ...63AE Coupling Range and OtherAccessories ..64-65
66-69OverexposureWarningMark . . . .38 Characteristics . Care and Storage of the Camera 71-72Underexposure and
Using the Camera inCoupling Range Warning LED Lamp 39 Very Cold Conditions 73View original page 9Page 10 · Read text
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SPECIFICATIONS index mark which also serves as battery
Type: 35mm SLR (Single-Lens-Reflex) charge level check mark. Besides, there are two red zones at the top of the aperture camera with electronically controlled AE
overexposure. (Automatic Exposure) and focal plane scale to warn of
Below the aperture scale, a red warning shutter.
LED lamp blinks to indicate under-Picture Size: 24 x 36mm
lnterchangeable Lenses: Canon F D series exposure.This lamp also indicates that the
with full aperture metering and AE coupling. selected shutter speed is outside the AE
Canon F L series with stopped-down coupling range with respect to the ASA
of the film being used. metering.
Above the aperture scale, a manual
signal (red LED)Standard Lenses: Canon FD 55mm f 11.2 aperture control "M"
aperture s.s.c. blinks as a warning that the
AE Canon FD 50mm t|I.4 S.S.C. ring is not set at the "A" mark for
Canon FD 50mm f/l.8 S.C. photography.
Lens Mount: Canon Breech-Lock mount. Viewfinder Attachments: Angle Finder A2
Canon FD, FL and R lenses can be used. and B, Magnifier S, Dioptric Adjustment
Viewfinder: Fixed eye-level pentaprism. Lenses (10 kindsi, and Eyecup 45.
Fief d of View: 93.5% vertical and 96Yo Mirror: Instant-return, large reflector'mirror
horizontal coverage of the actual picture with shock absorbing mechanism.
area. AE Mechanism: Shutter priority, electro-
systemMagnification: 1:0.86 at infinity with a nically controlled AE metering
standard 50mm lens. incorporating two lCs and one LSI equi-
12 L (lntegrated Iniection Logic)Viewfinder lnformation: Split-image/micro- pped with
prism rangef inder, aperture scale with Light Metering System: TTL (Through-
meter needle and stopped-down metering The- Lens) Central Emphasis MeteringView original page 10Page 11 · Read text
method employing a Silicon Photocell as lever. The number 2 lor two seconds is
photosensitive element. marked in orange; other numbers as well
Exposure Meter Coupling Range: With ASA as X synchronization are in white.
100 film, EVI (t11.4 at one second) to There is a shutter dial guard to prevent
dial. EV18 fflti at 111000 second). unintentional movement of the
Film Speed Range: ASA 25 to ASA 3200. The ASA dial is located underneath
Exposure Correction: By pressing the back- the shutter speed dial.
is a large, button light control switch, exposure is corrected Shutter Release Button: lt
by the automatic opening of the dia- type magnetic release switch. Depressing
halfway phragm 1.5 stops more on the aperture the shutter release button
scale than the actual setting, switches on the light metering circuit,
Exposure Preview: The meter needle will while full deoression releases the shutter.
indicate in the viewf inder when the The shutter release button has a locking
cable shutter release button is depressed half- ' device, besides a socket for the
way or the exposure preview switch is release in the center.
depressed. Self-Timer: Electronically controlled self-
timer. After the self-timer lever is pushedShutter: Cloth focal plane shutter with four forward, the self-timer is activated by the spindles. Shock and noise damping shutter release button. The self-timer mechanisms are incorporated. All shutter releases the shutter after a time lag of 10 speeds are electronically control led. seconds. A self-timer lamp (red LED)Shutter Speeds: 1/1000, 1/500, 1/25O, blinks on and off to indicate when the 11125, 1160, 1130, 1115, 118, 114, 1/2, 1, self-timer is in operation. 2 (seconds) and B. X synchronization is Stopping-Down the Lens: Stopping-down the at 1/60 seconds. lens can be performed by pushing theShutter Speed Dial: The shutter speed dial is stopped-down lever after setting the on the same axis as the film advanceView original page 11Page 12 · Read text
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aperture ring. trolled for correct f lash exposure.
Power Source: One 6V silver oxide battery Back Cover: The camera's back cover has a
(Eveready No.544, UCAR No.544, JIS memo holder for your convenience. The
4G13, or Mallory PX28) or alkaline man- cover can be removed for attaching the
ganese battery (Eveready No.537, UCAR Canon Data Back A. To open, pull the
No.537).The battery lasts approximately rewind crank up.
one year under normal use. Film Loading: Easy film loading with multi-
Battery. Check: Battery power level can be slot take-up spool.
checked by the meter needle in the Film Advance Lever: Single stroke with 120o
viewf inder when the battery check throw and 30" stand-off . The film can be
button is pressed. wound with several short strokes. The
Flash Synchronization: X synchronization is Canon Power Winder A also can be
at 1/60 second. mounted for automatic winding of the
M synchronization is at 1/30 second and film.
below. Frame Counter: Additive type. Auto-
Flash Terminal: The accessory shoe has a matically resets when the back cover is
direct flash contact and automatic flash opened. While rewinding film, it counts
control contacts. On the f ront of the back the frame numbers.
camera body is the flash terminal, JIS-B Film Rewinding: Performed by pressing
type for flash units with a cord. lt has a the rewind button on the bottom and by
built-in protective rim to prevent elec- using the rewind crank on the top. The
trical shock. rewind button is automatically reset
Automatic Flash: With the exclusive Canon when the film is advanced with the film
Speedlite 155A, the shutter speed and advance lever.
aperture are automatically set. The
amount of light is automatically con-View original page 12Page 13 · Read text
Safety Devices:
o The shutter does not drain battery
power when not released.
o The film cannot be wound while the
shutter is in operation.
Size:. 141 x 87 x 47.5mm (5-9/16" x 3-7116"
x 1-7 /8"t.body only.
Weight: 5909 (20-13/16 ozs.) body only.
7909 (27-7 /8ozs.l with the 50mm
t/1.8 S.C. lens.
8959 (31-9/16 ozs.) with the 50mm
f/l.4 S.S.C. lens.
Subject to change without notice.View original page 13Page 14 · Read text
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PRELIMINARY PREPARATION
Attaching the Neckstrap
Attach the Canon AE-l's neckstrap by
threading it through the rings and adiusting it
to the desired length as indicated in the
photos. A case Jor a spare battery can be
attached to the neckstraP.
Handling the Lens Cap
The lens cap can be removed from the
front of the lens after pressing in the tabs on
both sides of the cap. The rear dust cover can
be removed by turning the bayonet ring in the
direction of the arrow. To attach the dust
cover, align its slot with the positioning pin
below the red dot of the bayonet ring, and
press it in. When the dust cover is removed,
the bayonet ring is locked.
For an explanation of how the lens
mechanisms function, see page 52.View original page 14Page 15 · Read text
Mounting the Lens1 I Remove the body cap and mount the lens
onto the camera. The lens is mounted by
aligning the red dot of the body with the red
dot of the bayonet ring, and then turning the
bayonet ring clockwise, pressing gently until it
locks into position. Reverse the procedure to
dismount the lens.
FD series lenses must not be mounted on the
camera when the film is partially advanced'
the. Aperture Ring to the) settingL "A" Mark
The AE-l delivers perfest AE photo-
graphy when the apenure ring is set for
automatic exposure. The "A" mark on the
aperture ring should be set to the EE position.
Hold in the EE lock pin while turning the
aperture ring to the "A" mark. This can be
done either before or after the lens is
mounted on the camera. This setting can be
unlocked by pressing the EE lock pin in and
turning the aperture ring away from the
"A" mark.View original page 15Page 16 · Read text
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Q Loading the Battery This camera will not function without -r battery power. A 6V silver oxide battery is
loaded into the battery chamber after opening
the battery chamber cover. lt can be opened
more easily by using the viewfinder cover that
is inserted into the accessory shoe.
Be careful to load the battery correctly
with the "+" side up as indicated in the
diagram. Load the battery by inserting first
the "-" contact in the battery chamber.
The battery can be unloaded in a similar way
by pulling it out from the top. The battery.iL.:c.:I E.5 can be loaded and untoaded more easily
when the lens is dismounted. The battery
should last for approximately one year under
normal use. Refer to page 73 about the
details of the battery when the camera is used
in extremely cold conditions.View original page 16Page 17 · Read text
A Checking the Battery'T Since the AE-1 is an electronically con-
trolled camera, the shutter will not function
without sufficient battery power.
The battery requires checking in the
fol I owing ci rcumstances :
1. When a new battery is loaded.
2. When the shutter does not function.
3. When long exposures are f requently
performed.
4. When the camera is used very f requently.
5. When the camera is used after it has been
stored for a long period. www.butkus.us
6. When the camera is used in extremely ryAlkaline Manganese cold conditions. Silver Oxide BatterY Battery
t- -----l I Usable Batteries I
Silver 0xide
Battery (6V ) JIS 4G13, Mallory PX28
Alkaline Manganese
Battery (6V)View original page 17Page 18 · Read text
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How to Check the Battery
To check the charge level of the battery,
press the battery check button on the top of
the camera while watching the meter needle
in the viewfinder. lf the meter needle rests
below or coincides with the index opposite
the 5.6 f/stop, the power level is sufficient.
lf the needle rests above the index, replace
the battery with a new one of the prescribed
type. When a new battery with full voltage is
used, the needle will swing below the 4
f/stop. The weaker the battery, the closer
the needle comes to the index.
I lf the meter needle fails to stabilize
within about three seconds, the battery is
near exhaustion and should be replaced.View original page 18Page 19 · Read text
( Loading the Film
J The Canon AE-l uses color or black and
white film in standard 35mm cartridges.
Opening the Back Cover
To load a cartridge of film into the
camera, first open the camera's back cover.
Pull up the rewind crank and the back cover
will pop open. The back cover can be securely
closed simply by pressing it until it locks.
The Canon Data Back A, an accessory for
imprinting data such as the day, month and
year, can be attached to the AE-1 in place of
the back cover. (See page 63.1
How to Load the Film
Avoid direct sunlight when loading or
unloading the film.
Put the cartridge into the film cartridge
chamber and press down while rotating the
rewind knob until it drops securely into
position. The protruding part of the cartridge
should be on the bottom. Pull the film leader
across and insert the end into one slot of the
multi-slot take-up spool. Turn the film ad-
vance lever and wind the film around the take-
17View original page 19Page 21 · Read text
Checking Film Winding
Operate the film advance lever while
watching the film rewind knob. lf it rotates,
the film is properly loaded. lf the rewind
knob does not rotate, open the back cover
and load the film again from the start.
Speedfi Setting the ASA Film\,, After loading the film, set the ASA film www.butkus.us
speed according to the ASA speed of the film
in use. To set the ASA, first push the film
advance lever out to its 30" stand-off position
away from the camera body, then lift up the
ASA ring around the shutter dial and rotate it
in either direction until the proper number is
aligned with the green index mark. ASA is a
numerical rating of a film's sensitivity to light.
A higher ASA number indicates a faster film
which is more sensitive to light. On the other
hand, a lower ASA number indicates a slower
film which is less sensitive to light. The ASA
rating recommended by the manufacturer is
printed on the film box, e.9., ASA 100.View original page 21Page 22 · Read text
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The following ASA ratings can be set on
the camera. Figures in parentheses indicate
intermediate f ilm speeds.
ASA25 '1'' 'to' 50 '9' '1' 100"3u' 1r.601 200(2:0) '1''400
r{, '{) 36f t9) ,lnol600rT, ,,P,3200
Use of the Memo Holder
The memo holder on the camera's back
cover is useful for keeping data like film
speed, location, shooting. For example, after
tearing off the part of the film box which
specifies the type of the film being .used, it
can be inserted into the memo holder as a
constant reminder.
36 EXPOSURES
c 135-36View original page 22Page 23 · Read text
Film Advance and Shutter Release
Turn the film advance lever until it stops,
so the film will advance one frame all in one
motion. The shutter will cock, and the dia-
phragm and mirror will be ready for the next
shutter release, while the frame counter
advances simultaneously to the next number.
By pushing the film advance lever lightly with
the tip of your thumb, it will open to its
30o stand-off position away from the camera
body for easy film advance.
While the film is advancing, the shutter will
not be released. Film winding can also be ac-
complished by advancing the lever in short
strokes, Shutter Button Lock
Canon has developed the Power Winder A
to be used with the AE-l for automatic film
winding. lt greatly increases the automation
and mobility of the AE-l. (See page 61.)View original page 23Page 24 · Read text
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Shutter Button and Shutter Lock shutter release button is turned to the "L"
The shutter release button is designed to position, the shutter button will be locked to
function as the main switch of the camera to prevent unintentional shutter release. Keep
activate the AE meter and shutter operation. the shutter release button locked while
The shutter has a magnetic release, so the carrying the camera to prevent film waste.
meter can be read by pressing the shutter When the power level of the battery is
button halfway with light pressure. By de- insufficient, a safety mechanism will keep the
pressing it further, the shutter will be released. shutter from being released.
The magnetic release shutter button enables
faster metering for shooting in succession than Frame Counter
the mechanical release method does. There is The frame counter is an additive type
also less chance for camera shake. which counts one frame every time the film
When the shutter lock lever around the advance lever winds the film. When the
camera's back cover is opened, the f rame
counter automatically resets itself to the "S"
position.
While rewinding film, the frame counter
counts back the frame numbers. The starting
position "S", 0, and the even numbers 2 to 38
are displayed by the counter. Numbers 20 and
36 are marked in orange to call your attention
to the end of film cartridges such as are today
commercially available. The frame counter
cannot count higher than 38.View original page 24Page 25 · Read text
The AE-1 is an Automatic Exposure for catching fast-moving subjects, especially at
camera with a shutter speed priority system the decisive moment.
which electronically controls the aperture Furthermore, the shutter speed priority
for the given shutter speed to ensure the system allows you to control image blur at
optimum exposure. Canon's shutter speed will and to emphasize the movement of the
priority system has been used in this camera subject. For action or other such situations,
in the idea that a photograph is an instant you can realize all photographic aspirations.
snatched from elapsing time.
The shutter speed priority system is idealView original page 25Page 27 · Read text
1 Setting the Shutter Speed I The shutter dial controls the length of
time that light is allowed to reach the film. On
the shutter speed dial, shutter speeds from
1/1000 to "B" are marked in white, while the
2-second speed is marked in orange. Each
shutter speed gradation is twice or ap-
proximately twice the preceding speed,
beginning with 1/1000 sec. (1000).
I.l Thus, the light reaching the f ilm ar 11250
second is half the light reaching it at 11125.
The numbers on the shutter speed scale
represent the corresponding fraction of a www.butkus.us
second 1125 = 1/'l 25), with the exception of 1 rotated between "8" and "1000"
and 2 (marked in orange) which stand for 1 rutter Spe and 2 seconds respectively. Brightness ( Seconds)
The "B" setting is for long exposures. At I ndoors I/3orot/60
the "B" setting, the shutter remains open Outdoors r/125to1/250
Mid-summer Beacn' 5now-covereo l/5OOtot/1oOO while the shutter button is depressed and Moun tai ns closes when it is not depressed. See page 48
for more details concerning long exposures. Selecting the Shutter Speed
To set the shutter speed, rotate the dial in Shutter speed is determined in accord-
either direction until the desired number ance with the brightness of the scene and the
is moving. clicks into place next to the white index speed with which the main sublect
mark. An in-between setting should not be You can use the above table as a general guide
used, and the shutter speed dial cannot be to help you select an appropriate shutterView original page 27Page 28 · Read text
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Overexposure than 1l2OO second, therefore the shutter
Warning Marki speed in this particular case should be set at
Underexposure and 1/250 sec. lmage blur can also arise if the
Coupling Range camera is not properly held. See page 31. Warning Lamp
) Reading the Exposurespeed when using a standard 50mm lens. For L This camera incorporates a magnetic
indoor photography, with no special illumi- release system using an electromagnetic switch
nation, choose 1/30 of a second and 1/60 of a to effectively perform instantaneous light
second in a brightly lit room. metering. The shutter release button activates
For outdoor photography, select 11125 light metering and exposure in succession and
second when cloudy and 11250 second in practical ly simulta neously.
sunshine. To take pictures in particularly This is a two-step shutter button. The
bright sunshine such as at a beach in mid- exposure can be confirmed by the meter
summer or in snow-covered mountains, use needle inside the viewfinder by pressing the
shutter speeds of 1/500 sec. or 1/1000 sec. shutter button halfway.
The above mentioned shutter speeds When the meter needle inside the view-
apply when using a standard 50mm lens, but finder stays within the proper range and the
it is necessary to choose faster shutter speeds underexposure warning LED lamp below the
when using lenses of longer focal lengths aperture scale inside the viewfinder does not
because they are more diff icult to hold blink, the exposure is correct. See page 3gsteady. lt is generally said that the shutter about the underexposure warning lamp..
speed figure should be greater than 1 divided When the underexposure warning lamp
by the focal length of the lens in order to ob- inside the viewfinder blinks, or when the
tain sharp images. meter needle moves into the upper over-
For example, when using a 200mm tele- exposure warning zone in red, the exposure isphoto lens, shutter speed should be faster incorrect. When this is the case, turn theView original page 28Related documents and language editions
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PDF verified 2026-10-10.