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- Outline
- Specifications
| Marketed | April 1976 |
| Original Price | 81,000 yen (w/FD 50mm f/1.4SSC), 4,000 yen (case) |
Introduced in April 1976, the AE-1 was a very successful camera worldwide.
When the AE-1 came out, TTL manual-metering models (including the Canon FTb and FTb-N) were still the mainstream in the 35mm SLR market. Auto-exposure models were still at the very top end of the SLR market. They were expensive and produced in small numbers.
The AE-1, however, was designed from the ground up with five major units and twenty-five minor units. They were centrally controlled by a microcomputer. By incorporating electronics, the parts count could be reduced by 300. The manufacturing of the camera was also highly automated. This made it possible to produce a low-cost camera having high-end features.
| Type | 35mm focal-plane shutter SLR camera |
| Picture Size | 24 x 36 mm |
| Normal Lens | Canon FD 50mm f/1.4 SSC, FD 50mm f/1.8 SC |
| 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 controlled electronically. Built-in self-timer (with blinking LED). |
| Flash Sync | X-sync automatic-switching sync contacts with German socket and hot shoe. |
| Viewfinder | Fixed eye-level pentaprism. 0.86x magnification (EX 50mm), 93.5% vertical coverage, 96% horizontal coverage. Split-image rangefinder encircled by microprism rangefinder at center with a fresnel matte screen. Exposure meter needle, aperture scale, overexposure warning, stopped-down aperture metering needle and battery check indicator, and underexposure warning LED provided. |
| Exposure Control |
SPC for TTL full-aperture metering with shutter speed-priority AE or TTL stopped-down match needle manual metering (center-weighted averaging). Exposure compensation range of +1.5 EV. Metering range at ISO 100 and f/1.4: EV 1 – 18. Film speed range from ISO 25 to 3200. |
| 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°. Winder A also optional for power winding. |
| Frame Counter | Counts up. Resets automatically when camera back is opened. |
| Film Rewind | Camera-top crank |
| Dimensions & Weight |
141 x 87 x 48 mm, 590 g |