Japan
Americas
Europe, Asia, Oceania
- Outline
- Specifications
| Marketed | May 1979 |
| Original Price | 57,000 yen (w/New FD 50mm f/2) |
Even though the camera would cost more, shutter speed-priority AE cameras were important to Canon since users could comprehend shutter speeds easier than aperture settings. However, in America and other overseas markets, aperture-priority AE 35mm cameras were in the majority.
Overseas distributors also clamored for an aperture-priority AE model. Canon responded with the AV-1.
When this camera appeared, a new type of FD lenses featuring instant mounting/demounting was also introduced. A low-cost FD 50mm f/2 lens was made available for the AV-1.
| Type | 35mm focal-plane shutter SLR camera |
| Picture Size | 24 x 36 mm |
| Normal Lens | Canon New FD 50mm f/1.8, New FD 50mm f/2 (Quick mount/demount type) |
| Lens Mount | FD mount |
| Shutter | Four-axis, horizontal-travel focal-plane shutter with cloth curtains. X, B, 2, 1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/15, 1/30, 1/60, 1/125, 1/250, 1/500, 1/1000 sec. All speeds stepless and controlled electronically. Built-in self-timer (with adjustable delay and blinking LED). |
| Flash Sync | X-sync hot shoe. |
| Viewfinder | Fixed eye-level pentaprism. 0.87x magnification, 92% vertical coverage, 93% horizontal coverage. Split-image rangefinder encircled by microprism rangefinder at center of fresnel matte screen. Exposure meter needle, shutter speed scale, overexposure and underexposure warnings, battery check index and camera-shake warning, and Flash-ready indicator provided. |
| Metering & Exposure Control |
SPC for TTL full-aperture metering with aperture-priority AE (center-weighted averaging). Metering range at ISO 100 and f/1.4: EV 1 – 18. Film speed range from ISO 25 to 1600. |
| Power Source | One 4G-13 6 V mercury oxide battery or 4LR44 alkaline battery |
| Film Loading & Advance |
Slotted take-up spool. Advances with camera-top lever’s 120 stroke (partial strokes enabled). Ready position at 30. |
| Frame Counter | Counts up. Resets automatically when camera back is opened. |
| Film Rewind | Camera-top crank |
| Dimensions & Weight |
139 x 85 x 48 mm, 490 g |