Canon AE1 vs AE1 Program

[RetroCameraReview]

Hey there,

So I recently had been trying to figure out the differences between the AE1 and the AE1 Program. Specifically, I was curious if anyone had found out if trying to make "Aperture Priority" work on it. Turns out it doesn't technically have it.
I made this video about it today, but wasn't sure about all my facts:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQ_ZXX0tc_s

Lemme know if it makes sense or if I'm really wrong about something.

 

[Theo Sulphate]

Nice video presentation.

As you know, on the AE-1 Program there are three modes:

- Manual: you set both aperture and shutter speed
- Shutter-priority: you set shutter speed, lens is on A, camera selects aperture
- Program: dial is on PROGRAM, lens is on A, camera sets everything

What is not addressed by Canon, and what I've long wondered, is what happens if the dial is on PROGRAM and the lens is set to a specific aperture rather than A. I've tried that, but couldn't tell what the camera was doing. I've not been able to find an answer to this.

 

[Chan Tran]

If you experiment you should be able to figure that out. I think the camera works normally with the back open or removed so it's easy to check.

 

[pentaxpete]

EXCELLENT Video -- unlike lots of your 'Countrymen' you do not 'Waffle on' but speak clearly and get to the 'Nitty-Gritty' straight away and it has interesting 'editing' - -- wish I knew how to do all that on MY Camera Videos on You Tube !

 

[Ricardo Miranda]

I agree with Pete. It is a nicer video and not so fast paced as some other offerings. Good sense of humour as well Daniel!

 

[gone]

There's a couple of other differences that are not mentioned. The AE-1 Ps have a user replaceable focus screen, which is a really nice feature. The focus screens in the Ps are a LOT brighter than on the AE-1 cameras too. If you use a non Canon lens w/ an adapter on the P cameras, you use the f5.6 LED in the viewfinder just like you would w/ a match needle camera. f8 gives you one stop less exposure, f4 is one stop more, and f5.6 would be the equivalent of having your needle centered. You cannot do this w/ a Canon FD lens to my knowledge, only w/ non FD lenses. THE AE1-P cameras also have an AE lock feature (located in a very unergonomic spot on the camera).

I like shooting non AI Nikon lenses on the AE-1P cameras just for the looks you get when you stumble onto someone who knows what's up. Using a Leica R lens on the Canon cameras is easy too w/ just a Leica R to Nikon adapter on your Nikon lens, then you put a Nikon to Canon FD adapter on that. As good as FD glass is, the image quality goes way up.

Unfortunately, many of the AE-1 and AE-1P cameras suffer from shutter screech, and/or shutter speeds that are slow, or run on only one speed. These cameras have lived far beyond their expected life span, which is why I'm trying to figure out if I can hack a Nikon mount to my FL 135 3.5 lens and use it on my Nikon cameras. Love the FD glass, the FD cameras, not so much. I prefer the Nikon SLRs to nearly any SLR for build quality, especially the early Nikkormats.

 

[Chan Tran]

I think the AE-1 or AE-1P are not that good cameras but if you want to use the FD glass why not get something like an F1.

 

[RetroCameraReview]

I've yet to really find out the answer to the setting "PROGRAM" and custom Aperture Setting.
Word on other forums is that it might work specifically for wide open, but can't meter for anything else.

Good points all around. I've heard the Nikon FE was nicer, and I used to own one, but it didn't seem as "fun" to me. There's something really cheap and thrilling about the canon AE1, might have to do with me seeing hipsters using them in Williamsburg Brooklyn.

Thanks for watching this, such a compliment to hear your thoughts!

 

[eng1er]

I think the AE-1 or AE-1P are not that good cameras

Why?

Full disclosure: I have happily shot tens of thousands of frames on an AE-1 Program, but also own some A-1s, a New F-1, but have mostly shot with EOS-1/1Vs for 35mm the last 20 years.