Canon A-1 |
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Manufactured or assembled in Japan from 1978 to (After) 1984.
Index of rarity in France: Frequent (among non-specialized garage sales)
Inventory number: 1419
See the complete technical specifications
Chronology of cameras Canon
Starting from the late 1950s, Canon expanded its range of rangefinder cameras by manufacturing a new type of camera, the single-lens reflex (SLR), which had previously been overlooked by the brand. Demand grew worldwide, whether from professionals or amateurs. However, Canon had to produce multiple models before offering one that could compete with the leading professional market model, the Nikon F.
Year | Mount | Exposure | Shutter | ||
Canonflex | ![]() |
1959 | R | Manual | 1 to 1/1000, B, T |
Canonflex RP | ![]() |
1960 | |||
Canonflex R2000 | ![]() |
1960 | 1 to 1/2000, B, T | ||
Canonflex RM | ![]() |
1962 | Built-in selenium photocell meter coupled to the shutter speed dial | 1 to 1/1000, B | |
Canonex | 1963 | Fixed lens | Selenium photocell for comb-controlled shutter speed-priority EE | 1/15 to 1/500, B | |
FX | ![]() |
1964 | FL | CdS element for aperture readings | 1/2 to 1/1000, B |
FP | ![]() |
1964 | Manual | ||
Pellix | ![]() |
1965 | stopped-down match needle | ||
FT QL | ![]() |
1966 | |||
Pellix QL | ![]() |
1966 | 1/2 to 1/1000, T | ||
TL | ![]() |
1968 | 1/2 to 1/500, B | ||
EXEE | ![]() |
1969 | EX | shutter speed-priority | 1/8 to 1/500, B |
F-1 | ![]() |
1971 | FD | stopped-down match needle | 1/2 to 1/2000, B |
FTb | ![]() |
1971 | 1 to 1/1000, B | ||
EX Auto | ![]() |
1972 | EX | shutter speed-priority | 1/8 to 1/500, B |
FTb-N | ![]() |
1973 | FD | stopped-down match needle | 1 to 1/1000, B |
EF | ![]() |
1973 | shutter speed-priority | 30 to 1/1000, B | |
TLb | ![]() |
1974 | stopped-down match needle | 1 to 1/500, B | |
TX | ![]() |
1975 | stopped-down match needle | 1 to 1/500, B | |
AE-1 | ![]() |
1976 | shutter speed-priority | 2 to 1/1000, B | |
F-1 | ![]() |
1976 | stopped-down match needle | 1 to 1/2000, B | |
AT-1 | ![]() |
1976 | stopped-down match needle | 2 to 1/1000, B | |
A-1 | ![]() |
1978 | multi-modes | 30 to 1/1000, B | |
AV-1 | ![]() |
1979 | shutter aperture-priority | 2 to 1/1000, B | |
AE-1 Program | ![]() |
1981 | shutter speed-priority,, Program | 2 to 1/1000, B | |
New F-1 | ![]() |
1981 | stopped-down match needle | 8 to 1/2000, B | |
AL-1 | ![]() |
1982 | shutter aperture-priority | 2 to 1/1000, B | |
T50 | ![]() |
1983 | Program | 2 to 1/1000, B | |
T70 | ![]() |
1984 | shutter speed-priority, Program | 2 to 1/1000, B | |
T80 | ![]() |
1985 | Multi-program | 2 to 1/1000, B | |
T90 | ![]() |
1986 | multi-mode | 30 to 1/4000, B | |
T60 | ![]() |
1990 | shutter aperture-priority,stopped-down match needle | 8 to 1/1000, B |
... To be continued with the EOS series.
__________Released in 1978, the Canon A-1 quickly became a legendary camera. Even though its features seem quite outdated compared to today's DSLRs, the A-1 truly left a mark on an entire generation of amateur photographers and set the foundation for fully automatic cameras marketed afterward.
Firstly, the camera offered several exposure modes:
- Program mode, where the camera selects an appropriate shutter speed/aperture combination
- Shutter priority mode, where the camera selects the aperture based on the chosen shutter speed
- Aperture priority mode, where the camera sets the correct shutter speed according to the chosen aperture
- Classic manual mode
- Flash mode with dedicated Canon models (including the Speedlite)
- Stopped-down mode (actual aperture)
What truly made this camera interesting is that it was primarily a professional model that could be used by the most complete beginner, as long as they knew how to focus.
The FD bayonet mount allowed for a wide range of lenses to be used, whether Canon or other brands.
In summary, the A-1 is truly a legendary camera built to last and can hold its own against modern cameras in terms of overall quality.
![Canon A-1](../../canon/images/canon_A1.jpg )
Interesting links or bibliography :
Sur Camera-wiki.org, suggested by Sylvain Halgand |
Sur mes-appareils-photos.fr, suggested by Eric Carlhan |
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