Canon AE-1 Program |
![]() |
Manufactured or assembled in Japan from 1981 to (After) 1984.
Index of rarity in France: Frequent (among non-specialized garage sales)
Inventory number: 10515
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.
In 1981 the Canon AE-1 certainly wasn't a thing of the past. Launched in 1977, it had already sold 4 million units worldwide, and sales continued to rise in France.
To keep up the momentum, Canon retained the best features of the bestseller, added a Program mode (fully programmed automatic exposure) available on the A-1, improved the electronics and viewfinder display using LEDs, and added a finger rest (like on the A-1) to improve handling.
Other major advancements compared to the AE-1 include the ability to change the viewfinder, and the option to share the A-1's A-2 high-speed motor.
The major innovation, which remains somewhat debatable in the hands of knowledgeable amateurs, is the Program mode. You'll notice that the name, on the camera, is written in green. To activate it, you simply set everything to green: Aperture ring to "A" (in green), shutter speed to "Program" (in green). Then you just need to focus, and the camera handles the rest. The program imposes limits, as apertures above f/16 are not used by the program. The maximum shutter speed is 1/1000th of a second. If the display in the viewfinder blinks above f/16, it indicates overexposure. If "P" blinks, it means a speed equal to or lower than 1/60 is prescribed by the program and there's a risk of blur. If f/1.4 or f/1 blinks in the viewfinder, it indicates underexposure
What remains of the AE-1?
The overall appearance, the bayonet mount, and the cloth focal plane shutter (sync at 1/60th).
![Canon AE-1 Program](../../canon/images/canon_ae1_program_chrome.jpg )
Interesting links or bibliography :
Sur mes-appareils-photos.fr, suggested by Eric Carlhan |
Add a link or element of bibliography, a picture taken with this camera, a picture of box or an ads about this camera
Your photos taken with the same camera:
![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Cameras from Ebay France (Canon) (Uploaded each 3 hours)