Is A Canon Ae 1 A Good Camera?
It is peradventure underappreciated that considering new 35mm cameras aren't being made (or at least not produced in volume), we take changed how nosotros evaluate these cameras every bit a community. When cameras were being produced like whatsoever other consumer electronic device, the longevity of a camera was less of a concern. Just now, as we encounter once state of the art electronics fail over the decades, we've placed a priority on simplicity. This consideration makes one time humble cameras into valuable objects in the film earth.
This is the only lens (dies inside) through which you can wait at the Canon AE-1 with whatever sort of positivity. It'southward non that the venerable AE-1 is a bad camera. Rather it was seemingly clinically derived by Catechism to non crusade any reaction in the human soul. Remember, the opposite of love isn't hate, information technology's apathy.
Canon AE-1 Blueprint
The design of the Catechism AE-1 tin can be described as typical of a Japanese SLR made in the mid-70s, which is a polite mode to say near completely unremarkable. The greatest design triumph on the body is the inclusion of the old-schoolhouse skinny Canon logo, which is an act of typographic perfection so complete that the visitor was forced to modify it to a bloated mess of a logo to cause people to buy more gear to fill the empty void in their hearts.
We weren't worthy
The simply design flourishes are entirely to the detriment of the Canon AE-1's functionality. The shutter release is an interesting approach, a glossy rounded black button that looks similar a tiny Art Deco fume detector. Sure it's wide, which I judge makes it easy to find. Just it's also really short. And you know what I want when I need to half press the shutter to meter my shot? A short travel.
An act of design malfeasance
The Canon AE-1 shutter speed punch is a fantastic piece of pattern, if you lot want to experience like you're fondling a gear from a reject version of Mouse Trap while also slowing you down as you shoot. Information technology'due south made from cassette case grade plastic, and gives all the satisfaction of reheated oatmeal made with as well much soy milk when used. And because it's integrated into the film advance lever, you lot tin can't adjust the punch with your thumb. Meaning yous always take to accept your finger off the shutter to modify the shutter speed. Cool.
Irresolute the ISO on the Canon AE-1 also requires using this dial. One the one hand, hats off to Canon for integrating 3 critical functions into minimal photographic camera existent estate. On the other hand, irresolute ISO often requiring request for the assistance of a small kid to use their slight and delicate hands to perform the tactile gymnastics needed to accomplish this feat. It's like no ane was actually asked to use information technology before someone signed off on the blueprint.
At least this left plenty of infinite on the left side of the camera for… (checks notes) … the battery test push button.
"People don't even use their left hand, correct?" – Catechism Executive, circa 1975
Canon AE-i Functionality
At its nearly basic, a viewfinder on a SLR should allow you to compose your shot and obtain critical focus. With a dissever prism, the Canon AE-i is able to exercise that with ataraxy, so bravo on covering the basics. All the same in every other way, using the AE-1'southward viewfinder is an act of frustration.
The Catechism AE-one does offer TTL metering typical of the era, that in my experience is accurate as whatever forty+ twelvemonth old middle weighted metering has any correct to be. But the way that it's implemented in the photographic camera is more galling than the friend who's e'er reminding you he bought a Contax T2 at a garage sale for $5. Instead of but telling yous if your shot is over or under exposed, the meter "helpfully" tells y'all what aperture you need to set for your chosen shutter speed in lodge to properly betrayal the picture. This would be fine, except that's literally the only piece of information provided in the viewfinder.
Stare into the void (then look away to check your discontinuity over again)
I guess some would call information technology charmingly minimalist, except for the cherry LEDs that blast your centre every time you meter a shot. If y'all quickly raised your photographic camera to your heart and forgot to check what f-terminate you were at, guess what? Better have that camera away so yous can check hoss! Granted, the photographic camera tin exist set to shutter priority on most FD mountain lenses. In that case, the metering would be sort of useful in that you lot get some transparency in what the camera is deciding. But given that yous're picking up something as simple every bit the Canon AE-1 to get a more than transmission photography process, the implementation is a hindrance.
As well the shutter sounds like closing an one-time screen door onto a wet fish.
The Positives
In that location are some things to like well-nigh the Canon AE-1. It uses FD glass, which is both relatively inexpensive and abundant.
The Canon AE-1 battery compartment is also surprisingly good. For one, it uses batteries that aren't actively trying to murder the earth. But information technology's placed on the forepart right where you catch the photographic camera, at least providing some sort of grip. Information technology's not great, yous're withal begging for the carpal tunnel gods to strike your easily down, and it's fabricated of the same gross 1970s plastic equally the shutter speed dial. But it'southward a concession to ergonomics rarely seen in consumer-grade cameras of the era. Yeah, this camera's battery compartment is in a higher place average. Suck it Nikon.
So sick
Some Catechism AE-1 Photos
Why Is This Popular?
So why is the Catechism AE-1, a light-tight box of room temperature mayonnaise, so popular? It's role of the depressing truth virtually film photography in the 21st century that we're attaching value to those that are prone to break the least (the X-Pan notwithstanding) . Essentially, this camera is popular because a lot of it tin break and you can even so employ information technology to take photos. And they made a lot of them. It's in the same boat every bit the Pentax K1000, a camera that'southward the result of a company taking a proficient photographic camera, the Pentax KX, and taking out all the features of interest.
The Catechism AE-i is a photographic camera devoid of flourish, features, and fun. At present if you lot'll excuse me, I'm taking mine out to have a few frames of self-loathing.
Source: https://www.35mmc.com/20/10/2020/canon-ae-1-review-the-haters/
Posted by: mccoyquincluddeas1995.blogspot.com
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