Description
Canon AE-1 35mm SLR
Canon AE-1 35mm SLR – A rare black Canon AE-1 in well used but good condition and fully film tested – see sample shots.
The camera is serial number 1285581 and its date code gives its manufacturing date as October 1978. The camera is paired with its original 50mm f1.8 FD lens (Serial 1386018).
The camera is fully functional in all respects with an accurate shutter and light meter which has been tested on our professional testing equipment.
The camera is supplied with a fully working auto-winder and also has the original autowinder cap for use when the camera is used without its auto-winder attached. The camera also has the original Canon rubber eyecup AND the extremely rare 1976 Montreal Olympics lens cap (worth around £35 on its own). A hot shoe cover is also included – this is not the original item.
We will supply the camera with its original instruction manual which is tatty but perfectly usable.
The lens is clean and clear with a smooth focus throw and a fast reacting diaphragm. All in all an excellent example of this in-demand classic camera.
Camera has been fitted with new light-seals and mirror bumper. The seals are Jon Goodman seals which will outlast any foam types.
Things you need to know…
There is a minor defect. There is what appears to be a very tiny bug on the focus screen at the lower left side and the focus screen shows some slight damage to its upper right side. We suspect someone tried cleaning the screen. The view through the viewfinder is acceptable though and obviously these marks do not show on the film.
The camera also shows some brassing on its top shoulders. The Canon AE-1 has a plastic top cover and Canon applied a brass paint under the black finish. On one shoulder the brass paint has worn away to show the white plastic underneath.
From Wikipedia – The Canon AE-1 is a 35 mm single-lens reflex (SLR) film camera for use with interchangeable lenses. It was manufactured by Canon Camera in Japan from April 1976 to 1984. It uses an electronically controlled, electromagnet horizontal cloth focal plane shutter, with a speed range of 2 to 1/1000 second plus Bulb and flash X-sync of 1/60 second. The camera body is 87 mm tall, 141 mm wide, and 48 mm deep; it weighs 590 g. Most are silver, with black grip and chrome trim, but some are black with silver and trim.
Its name refers to the fact that it’s an electronic camera using the aperture for automatic exposure (shutter speed priority). It’s sometimes stated that the AE-1 was the first microprocessor-equipped SLR, but this is incorrect. Canon’s competitor Nikon introduced 1972 the Nikkormat EL, the world’s first camera with an IC.[1]However, Canon was able to integrate more functions into the microprocessor and hence make the camera smaller. Both the microprocessor-controlled automatic exposure and the small size helped to make the camera a success backed by a major advertising campaign, the AE-1 sold over 5.7 million units, which made it an unprecedented success in the SLR market.
We have a review of the camera on in our articles HERE if you want more information and an entertaining read.
No work has been carried out on the camera other than new light-seals and mirror bumper. The seals are Jon Goodman types which will outlast any foam seals.
Test pics are thumbnails please click for high definition version.
Please be aware that the cameras and lenses for sale can be up to 50 years old. They have been serviced and/or checked and are always as good as they can be made, but please don’t expect them to be flawless as if they were made yesterday.
All lenses of this age exhibit some small particles of dust and coatings are not up to modern standards. Cameras will exhibit some wear signs and likewise may have small dust specks in their viewfinders or focus screens. These do not affect the picture in any way.
ANY problems or issues will be described in the main text which you are advised to read carefully.If you are unfamiliar with film cameras we suggest you do some online research and read the manuals which are freely available from online resources.
We are enthusiastic film fans and spend our time hunting cameras and lenses that have been or are being unloved. We then spend hours to bring them back to fully working and clean condition, ready for a new lease of life with you We always change the film seals, give the camera a clean/service and make sure its fully working before we sell it on to you.
Most lenses are cleaned, re-lubricated and all of their functions checked prior to sale so you know they will work, full details will always be in the text. All items are packed safely for transit using proper packing material NOT something the cat was sick in. Having been stung both on eBay and by dealers alike who often know very little about film cameras we decided to offer people a chance to experience film using a camera that will last for many years and which we can say for sure works reliably
Mel & Claire
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