Why I Use a Canon AE1 SLR Camera in 2022

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Why I Use a Canon AE1 SLR Camera in 2022 image

^{"Canon AE1 Program" by Max Noisa is marked with CC BY-ND 2.0.}

If you like old-school cameras and are on the hunt for a classic Canon 35 mm film camera, there’s nothing quite like the Canon AE1 SLR. It’s an absolute legendary Canon SLR film camera and one of the most influential cameras of all time.

It became an overnight sensation from the day it hit stores almost 50 years ago, and even today, it remains a popular choice by both beginner and professional photographers alike.

This in-depth article covers the camera's history, its key features, and the positives and negatives of shooting with it. Additionally, I will share where you can get your hands on one, how much you can expect to pay, tips for buying a used film camera, and why I love shooting with the Canon AE1 SLR camera in 2022!

What are we waiting for? Let’s dive in and discover everything there is to know about the amazing Canon AE1 SLR camera!

Canon AE1 SLR Camera History
Canon AE1 35mm Camera Key Features
Pros and Cons of the Canon AE1
Where to Buy a Canon AE1 SLR Camera
Canon AE1 Price
What to Look for When Buying a Used Film Camera

Canon AE1 SLR Camera History

Canon AE1 SLR Camera History image

^{"Where VW Bugs go to rest, somewhere in Slovenia. Taken w/a Canon AE1 on its last trip before retirement." by claydevoute is marked with CC BY 2.0.}

1974 - Over 100 Japanese engineers at Canon are assigned to the “New Model X Development Plan” team with the hopes of developing a “fully automatic camera.
1976 - Canon unveils the Canon AE1 SLR camera to the world, making it the first-ever 35 mm AE SLR with a built-in Central Processing Unit (CPU) and shutter speed-priority TTL (Through The Lens) metering.
1978 - The Canon AE1 SLR camera is officially launched in stores worldwide.
1979 - Canon starts an ad campaign marketing the Canon AE1 SLR camera across the USA. As part of the campaign, Canon released a string of TV commercials on national television featuring high-profile athletes like John Newcombe, Tracy Austin, and Joe Theismann. The campaign is a first for Japanese camera companies and leads to record-breaking sales.
1981 - Canon releases the Canon AE1 Program SLR camera. It’s the successor to the Canon AE1 SLR camera, but the two are sold side by side for a handful of years.
1984 - Canon halts production of the Canon AE1 SLR camera. Some 5.7 million Canon AE1 SLR cameras were sold during its time on the market, blowing every previous sales record out of the water and cementing Canon’s status as king of the camera world.

Watch an original Canon AE1 commercial from 1981 in the video above by kaseyi.

Canon AE1 35mm Camera Key Features

Canon AE 1 image

^{"Canon AE1 + FD 28mm 1:2" by blumenbiene is marked with CC BY 2.0.}

Camera Type: Canon SLR 35 mm film camera
Picture Size: 24 x 36 mm
Lens Mount: Canon Breech-Lock Mount (FD, FL, and R lenses are compatible with it)
Viewfinder: Fixed eye-level pentaprism rangefinder
AE Modes: Shutter speed-priority AE, Aperture-priority AE, Program AE, Stopped-down AE, Speedlite AE
Light Metering System: TTL
ISO Range: 25 - 3200
Shutter Speeds: 1/1000, 1/500, 1/250, 1/125, 1/60, 1/30, 1/15, 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, 1, 2
Shutter Timer: 10 seconds
Battery: 6V silver oxide battery or alkaline manganese battery
Size: 141 x 87 x 47.5 mm
Weight: 590 grams

Pros and Cons of the Canon AE1

Pros and Cons of the Canon AE1 image

^{"Canon A-1, Canon AE1" by huzu1959 is marked with CC BY 2.0.}

One of the biggest reasons why I use a Canon AE1 SLR camera in 2022 is because I love the feeling of shooting on film. The mechanics of advancing the film are so awesome. I also like taking a break from the EVF on my modern cameras and shooting simply without feeling the need to review my images. The simplicity is awesome!

Also, there’s tons of great features…

Pros:

It is fantastic for beginners who want to learn the true art of photography and what goes into it (the exposure triangle, manual focus, patience, etc.).
It has loads of manual controls for pinpoint exposure adjustments.
Photos taken on film have a soft and gentle look that digital cameras can't replicate.
Its compact and lightweight body makes it an excellent camera for travel, the outdoors, and everyday use.
It features built-in controls that alert you when it’s better to use a tripod or if your subject is out of focus.
It has a classic retro style that is sure to turn heads.
There are tons available online for dirt cheap prices.

Of course, there’s a few cons as well…

Cons:

The camera film is expensive, so you have to make sure every shot counts.
The manual controls are more labor-intensive and slow down a photographer's workflow.
There is limited lens availability.
It is difficult to find people who know how to repair them properly, and if you do find someone, it can be expensive.
Its plastic body isn’t the most durable.

Despite a few downfalls, the Canon AE1 is really a fantastic camera that offers a great shooting experience.

Where to Buy a Canon AE1 SLR Camera

Where to Buy a Canon AE1 SLR Camera image

^{"Photographer in Boat Holding Canon AE1" by Image Catalog is marked with CC0 1.0.}

One of the best things about the Canon AE1 SLR camera is that they are everywhere! I bought mine off eBay and couldn’t be happier with it, but here is a list of other places where you can find great deals on used Canon AE1 SLR cameras.

Canon AE1 Price

Canon AE1 Price image

^{"Canon AE1 Program 35mm Film Camera" by Trenten Kelley is marked with CC BY-ND 2.0.}

Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all price when it comes to buying used cameras, and this is definitely true with the Canon AE1 SLR camera. The price range is quite large for such a cheap camera, but typically, for a functioning camera, you can expect to pay somewhere in the field of $200-$400.

What to Look for When Buying a Used Film Camera

What to Look for When Buying a Used Film Camera image

^{"Canon AE1 with Speedlite 155A Flash" by spablab is marked with CC BY-ND 2.0.}

Here’s a list of some of the top things I try to find out about a used film camera before purchasing. Many of them will factor into the price you ultimately end up paying. But trust me, it’s better to figure out these things beforehand if you can.