Which is better Canon AE1 or Nikon FE?

AstroZon · May 19, 2014

I think that the Pentax SuperProgram / SuperA is one of the better under-the-radar cameras out there right now - fairly cheap too. I like it better than the Pentax ME or ME Super as you can use it at full auto, aperture or shutter priority, or full manual. I really like shooting in aperture priority mode. I bought one recently with a 35-70 zoom for $25. I have another that I bought new in 1985. The K-mount Pentax lenses haven't shot up in price like the M42 Takumar lenses or old Nikon glass, yet they're great lenses.

Of the Canon AE-1 or Nikon FE, I'd go with the Canon simply because the lenses are going to less expensive. Both have very accurate metering. The AE-1 is a historic camera being the first to incorporate a microprocessor. There were also a number of manufacturing milestones with the AE-1 with its reduced parts count, modular assembly, etc. It's the camera that put Petri, Topcon, and Miranda out of the camera business. They simply couldn't afford to invest in the R&D that the AE-1 incorporated.

RalphLambrecht · May 23, 2014

everybody gets born as a Canon person;only the great can overcom it.

Russ - SVP · May 24, 2014

Nikon FE! Much better built.

Alan Gales · May 24, 2014

Kiron Kid said:
Nikon FE! Much better built.

Kiron Kid,

Back in the day a very good friend of mine bought a brand new Pentax ME Super Program camera when they came out. He was wanting a Pentax zoom lens really bad but couldn't afford it. I recommended a Kiron to him but he thought I didn't know what I was talking about. He finally went to the local pro shop to find out what they had to say and of course they sold him one. He ended up being thrilled with the lens. I remember him framing a beautiful 11x14 shot of the Arch and Eads bridge taken with that lens.

Kiron was a lot of bang for your buck!

lxdude · May 24, 2014

fstop said:
Pintos were sold in great numbers (10 million) no one considers them great.The difference is the AE-1 won't explode if it hit in the film door.:munch:

Good points!

camtec · Jun 19, 2014

How did the SRT die? They are one of the toughest cameras I've ever worked on. If it is locked up, usually it takes less than one minute to fi.

blockend · Jun 19, 2014

My favourite A-series camera is the AT-1. Designed for overseas markets only (no domestic Japanese sales), it was a full manual camera when the prevailing fashion was for automation. There are a number of things going for it, match needle metering, modern readily available batteries, a huge shutter speed dial around the wind on lever, light weight - and it's dirt cheap nowadays.

The AT-1 is an anachronism, functionally from a previous era, in a polycarbonate body - the exact opposite of my T90. Anyone looking for a manual camera that doesn't weigh a ton or require re-jigged metering circuits could do a lot worse.

AgX · Jun 19, 2014

The AT-1 has no polycarbonate body. Only the top cover and the apron around the lens are from plastic.

Later on the A series also the bottom plate was made from plastic.

blockend · Jun 19, 2014

AgX said:
The AT-1 has no polycarbonate body. Only the top cover and the apron around the lens are from plastic.

Later on the A series also the bottom plate was made from plastic.

It must be that special metal Canon used that feels and looks like plastic.

camtec · Jun 21, 2014

The AT-1 is mechanical only in the sense that the user sets the shutter speed. It is an electronically controlled camera with a shutter similar to the AE-1 and the A-1.

John Koehrer · Jun 21, 2014

camtec said:
The AT-1 is mechanical only in the sense that the user sets the shutter speed. It is an electronically controlled camera with a shutter similar to the AE-1 and the A-1.

Perhaps manually operated match needle camera would be a better description. It was generally a mechanical camera with an electronic release and shutter timing system. The other AE series weren't as convenient to use in manual. That's an opinion BTW.

The minor flaw in the AE1 is the mirror squeak caused by the (plastic)gears in the mirror governor. If let go long enough, it will slow the rising of the mirror, but that has no effect on exposure because the mirror(all SLR's) actually releases the shutter.
It's a very common problem and Nikon never had a similar problem like that.

The AE series did literally get millions of people into photography.

markaudacity · Jun 21, 2014

RalphLambrecht said:
everyone is born a Canon person;only the great can overcome it.

I love this. ^_^

camtec · Jun 21, 2014

You are correct John. The canon squeak is caused by the mirror retard mechanism. Not too hard to fix.

AgX · Jun 22, 2014

And there are still A-type cameras that have not (yet?) developed that squeak.

John Koehrer · Jun 22, 2014

AgX said:
And there are still A-type cameras that have not (yet?) developed that squeak.

That's true. It seems to be pretty random and limited to the AE1. It's hard to assess because there were so many AE1's sold compared to other cameras.

trythis · Jun 22, 2014

My A1 had the squeal fwiw.

sent from phone. excuse my typing.

blockend · Jun 22, 2014

camtec said:
The AT-1 is mechanical only in the sense that the user sets the shutter speed. It is an electronically controlled camera with a shutter similar to the AE-1 and the A-1.

I don't think anyone described it as mechanical, I certainly didn't. What makes the AT-1 unusual is it's a manual camera from the non-mechanical era. That's a good or bad thing depending on your expectations. What started life as a cheap SLR variation for developing camera markets that couldn't afford automated versions like the A-1, turned out to be a hybrid that still makes a lot of sense almost four decades on, if you like full control, light weight and modern battery power. Not too many cameras fit that bill.

What I like about it is the viewfinder match needle provides an 'index' of under/over exposure by comparing it to the central 'correct' position. In other words you can assess the scene and tweak the aperture ring for highlights or shadows by moving the needle to the edge of the match circle (a half or whole stop, etc) without removing your eye from the eyepiece, or being assailed by LEDs, shutter speeds, apertures, arrows or whatever. I believe that's the speediest way of metering, while still retaining full compensation of each shot as it occurs. Quicker than any smart override I've used anyway.

AgX · Jun 22, 2014

If there was a scale fixed to the circle-watch of the AT-1, one could easily "place" luminosities like on the Zero.adjust dial of the Profisx meter.
So there only are for sure 1/2 and 1 stop deviation. 1 1/2 and 2 stops would also be possible by extrapolation in case of linearaity.

The meter of the AT-1 is 2 stops less sensitive than that of the AE-1. It also uses a photo-resistor instead of a photo-diode/trabsistor.

Tony-S · Jun 25, 2014

John Koehrer said:
The other AE series weren't as convenient to use in manual. That's an opinion BTW.

The AL-1 also has an easy manual exposure mode.

kivis · Jun 30, 2014

StoneNYC said:
There does seem to be a lot of misinformation about Canon here.

First off.... Leica mount adapter made by canon...

View attachment 87885

Aperture priority is stupid on older models, they only usually go to 1/1000 so you only have 5 stops before you have to worry about camera shake issues...

View attachment 87886

Whereas shutter priority on older film models let's you choose the best shutter action for the situation (sports, or if you want semi-blur, vs a still photo where you don't need as much but the subject is closer etc etc etc). While still having a 7 stop (or more) range to play with.

View attachment 87887

Finally, non-full-manual mode is almost always futile anyway with older models and meters aren't that great and you're working slow so why do you need the camera to do your job anyway? It's not that hard to adjust exposure.

Also... The camera is most certainly NOT mostly plastic... Very much metal...

View attachment 87888
View attachment 87889

Just the back is plastic.

View attachment 87891

but even the interior is metal with black paint.

View attachment 87890

Mine was bought new just around 1981 or so, and later given to me at 12 or so, and I've shot with it for 20 years, and I've never EVER had to give it a CLA and now that it's about 30 years old, has the mirror started to stick when taking vertical shots (this only affects the return of the mirror and not the image itself.

That's pretty good quality...

My only complaint is the more obscure battery it takes,

View attachment 87892

but then the Mamiya 7 takes the same battery so it works out ok for me since I have both.

Nikon DOES have an advantage as the lens mount hasn't changed much, but the change canon made to the electronic mount certainly gave them an advantage for a very long time in terms of auto focus capabilities.

You can use many MORE adapters on canon cameras than any other camera including Nikon because canon lenses rear element is much closer to the film plane, so the added adapter distances of other mounts and lenses won't interfere with the mirror operation, something that Nikon has issues with in adapting for other lens brands.

Both are GREAT camera companies, and it will all come down to feel, and where you want to go, but I wanted to clear Canon's name a bit, they make an excellent product.

A Nikon FE will go to 1/4000, it just does not show it on the scale. This was verified to me by Pete Smith RIP, the Nikonsmith using some pretty damn sophisticated testing equipment. The FE is a dandy. I have 2, one for color and one for B/W. See Ken Rockwell's review of the FE. One time I totally agree with him. Last one I got for $40 and it works perfect. Mate it with the Nikkor 50/1.8 AIS (not the E) and you have the sharpest and most bombproof rig out there.

blockend · Jul 1, 2014

The real difference between Nikon and Canon in the current market, is the cost of manual lenses.

David Goldstein · Jul 9, 2014

ToddB said:
Hey guys,

I was wondering which one was better.. The Canon AE1 or Nikon FE. I know both are great cameras. But does one have slightly better advantage?

Todd

Todd,

You never say what it is you plan to do with either camera. But for general shooting, I'd say the Nikon FE is better than an AE-1.

Now, my 2 cents, a better Canon is the AE-1 Program. Even though it is considered a shutter priority camera, the AE-1P displays aperture in the viewfinders as you adjust the shutter speed dial and blinks if you get below 1/60th to let you know when you are getting into slow shutter speed conditions. It has always been an easy, reliable, and predictable camera to use, (33 years now). I personally like being able to focus with my left hand, adjust aperture and shutter speed simultaneously with my right forefinger on the shutter speed dial. I basically ignore the aperture ring and to me, that makes the AE-1P a fast camera to shoot when you learn how to use it that way.

Don't get me wrong, I shoot Nikon film and digital FX as well. I appreciate both brands.

Copyhat · Jul 18, 2014

A friend of mine was given his Father's AV-1 (the Aperture preferred version of AE-1) and it's a gem. He's a total novice, but it all works out for him when I showed him DoF theory and how shutter speeds affect motion.

zanxion72 · Jul 18, 2014

I would opt for the FE. It has a more smooth film advance, match needle metering not obtrusive/bloating the viewfinder (although under certain conditions you cannot see it), less noisy shutter, and long exposures for as long as your battery lasts.
The only advantage of the Canon, I have the A-1, would be the ease to use M42 lenses with no corrective optics.

Which is better Canon AE1 or Nikon FE?

David Goldstein

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency