What to do w/ a free camera body

[HiHoSilver]

I was given a Canon AE-1 yesterday, w/ a Sigma zoom on it. The lens looks trashed to me - smudge, haze. I can't say I'm interested or able to appropriately test. The body looks cosmetically excellent. If it had any value unproven, I'd rather it goes for an appropriately low price w/ proceeds to APUG or If someone who can check it out knows a student that could use a 35, I'd just send for the cost of shipping. To me, I wouldn't want to keep for pay the extra ship weight for the lens.
Battery compartment is clean - no corrosion. Shutter doesn't press or release - don't know if this one needs a fresh battery to operate. Any thoughts on how it might be useful to apug or an individual are appreciated.

 

[Alan Gales]

My step-son recently purchased an AE-1 with Canon 50mm lens off Craigslist in Chicago for about $30.00. Just to give you an idea on price. You might list it on Craigslist. I'm sure some local hipster would want it.

 

[HiHoSilver]

I would expect there was some indication/assurance of working. Maybe this one is best donated for parts. S'okay.

 

[bdial]

You could put it up in the classifieds as free for the shipping cost. Few consumer level 35's are getting much love, for one in an unknown working condition $10.00 would be a lot from what I've seen lately.

 

[Theo Sulphate]

Needs a battery to work.

Lots of info here:

http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/canon/fdresources/SLRs/ae1/

 

[HiHoSilver]

Theo, Thank You! My first camera was an A-1 'cause my Navy buyer found Subic Bay sold out of every Nikon product. I paid a premium for the 1:1.2 glass. It was stolen. 'Good camera or at least way better than I was. If I recall, it was $137.

 

[frank]

There are a bunch of newbies in the vintage cameras Facebook group that would give it love.

 

[Theo Sulphate]

The AE-1 and AE-1 Program still command a good bit of money (I'm pleasantly surprised).

They are the gateway drugs to the nice FD lenses.

 

[HiHoSilver]

Gents, again. Thank You. Maybe I should scavenge a lens from craigslist, get a battery & put a short roll through it. It could still go cheap & have proceeds to apug.

 

[MattKing]

On Craigslist, this is a $250 camera, at least.

Not in my neck of the woods.

Of course the photo/video catgory in our local Craigslist is incredibly active. Today alone there has been more than 380 listings posted, and there is still time for more.

 

[Fixcinater]

I just sold one last week, body only, for $13 plus shipping with no assurances it worked to clear up some space. If you put film through it and it's working as it should: $40-50 could be had. That's a bulk roll of cheaper film.

I did that with a Contax 139 with a dented/cracked prism area on the top plate (could see inside through the crack) and the guy is now using it as his main film camera. I wouldn't have trusted it but it works for some people.

 

[ransel]

I posted this many years ago after I got my first digital camera (don't worry, the digital camera is long gone and I still use the F2 regularly - bought it used in 1983)

 

[blockend]

I sold a very clean AV-1 + mint 50 1.8 for less than £20 recently. I'm glad it was of use to someone, and it freed up a little drawer space, but the price was hardly worth the effort of post and packing and a drive to the PO. The buyer liked it and gave positive feedback, so all's well. Canon A-Series cameras have not retained the desirability of earlier or later models, although they're perfectly good cameras.

 

[frank]

For some reason I have an irrational dislike for the Canon Ae1. I feel the same towards the Nikon n2020 model.

 

[MontanaJay]

At a garage sale last year I picked up a camera bag containing an AE-1 Program, four lenses, an array of filters and other gadgets for $5. This was apparently the "Official Camera of the 1984 Olympics" in L.A., and looked like it hadn't been used since then, and the battery still worked.
Gave it to a friend, who was overjoyed.

 

[Theo Sulphate]

For some reason I have an irrational dislike for the Canon Ae1. I feel the same towards the Nikon n2020 model.

Perhaps it's because subconsciously you know there's a higher quality alternative that can be used without batteries: the Canon EF "Black Beauty" of 1973:

It can be used in fully manual mechanical mode or in shutter priority mode. The long slow speeds are electronically timed; the fast speeds are manual.

 

[frank]

I have a black beauty EF, and F1n, and FTb, all which I do like.

 

[HiHoSilver]

'Not sure what goes into the mental soup, but I had the same reaction (to the AE1) when I had my first real camera - an A1. When I read about Canon changing the mount system to accommodate dig., it seemed to mark my parting w/ Canon - likely irrational also, but I hate when a mfr orphans a series.

 

[MattKing]

'Not sure what goes into the mental soup, but I had the same reaction (to the AE1) when I had my first real camera - an A1. When I read about Canon changing the mount system to accommodate dig., it seemed to mark my parting w/ Canon - likely irrational also, but I hate when a mfr orphans a series.

Digital wasn't even a gleam in Canon's eyes when the mount changed.

The new mount was brought in to accommodate electronic automation of cameras and, in particular, auto-focus.

The FD mount would probably be still with us (in some form) if the flange distance wasn't so short.

 

[HiHoSilver]

Matt, Thank You! I appreciate the correction.
I thought what they called 'breach lock bayonet' at the time was better than any I'd seen - never getting loose from wear. 'That said, I've not had other bayonets get loose yet. 'Must mean I need to shoot more.

Thanks again, Matt. Good correction is a good thing.

 

[cooltouch]

The AE-1 was my first 35mm camera. I tired of it rather quickly, though, first buying an A-1, which led me even further into the automation quagmire. I came up for air about a year later and bought an FTb. Best move I ever made photographically. The FTb led to an F-1 and by that point I was truly happy. Personally I think there are quite a few cameras out there that are better for students. It's an okay beginner's camera, but students need a camera that work well in manual mode, and the AE-1 is semi-crippled when used in manual mode.