Excelent build, lot of features for its age

cloth shutter

After all these years this body is still going strong, wish modern units were built this tough

Customer Service

Not needed!

Similar Products Used:

canon AE1P

A real tough camera that should last a lifetime. A lot of features that are found only now in more modern AF cameras. Lots of accessories availble to suit every need. Batteries last a long long time.

Heavy compared with modern AF cameras

A great looking and usable camera for intermediate photographers. I would not recommend this for someone just starting into photography since it takes some "camera" experience to learn how to operate all the fucntions. I purchased my camera from someone who inherited it but could not figure out how to use it. For intermediate photographers, it's a great camera with all the features one could ever need. An excellent camera that comes very highly recommended.

Similar Products Used:

Canon EOS (4 units)
Canon A sries (3 units)
Minolta AF 7000
Minolta X series

A camera as good as they get.

Everybody wants to touch it.

I first used this camera when my dad bought it in 1980. We have been fighting over it since then (and we have other cameras at home). Finally I got my own in mint condition.
This camera has been with me everywhere and has always delivered the best photographs. I am a Geologist and the A1 is my professional field camera. It is true it can get a little bulky and heavy when you carry it, but it is the right size for grabbing and taking the perfect photo. All the switches and options on the camera are available at a glance (without having to open any "secret compartments") and they do not interfere with the operation of the camera. For comfortable operation, it is important to have the "action grip" which comes with the camera ... so make sure you do not loose it when changing the battery.
With a Canon Macro Lens it delivers not only the best detailed close-ups, but the best portraits you have ever seen with zero distorsion. I almost never take the Macro Lens off.

Customer Service

Never needed it.

Similar Products Used:

Pentax, Minolta, Olympus and other Canon.

Controls easy to access, Very effective AE modes, Reassuring build quality, Simple but reliable CW metering capability (EV -2 to 18), Great FD lenses, Control through manual focus.

No TTL Flash metering, 1/60s flash sync, No Spotmetering.

It all started with this camera 18 years ago. This camera is excellent for the beginner or advanced photographer. The metering has proved to be very accurate, contributing to many great shots. On a recent tour of Switzerland, the 24/2.8 FD and the 100/4.0 Macro FD lenses were superb, exhibiting excellent contrast and sharpness. It's only conceivable that I will use it for the next 18 years - A true classic!

Customer Service

Common shutter squeal was easily corrected at a local shop.

Similar Products Used:

Canon FD lenses 24/2.8, 50/1.8, 100/4.0 Macro (excellent for dental photography), 75-200/4.5, 35-105/3.5; 155A flash, Sunpak DX-8R ring flash; Canon AE-1; Nikon F100, N80; Contax G2 systems.

Has the ability to push film all the way to 12,000 asa and goes from 1/1000 to 30" exposures, which have been very useful to me. It has a light meter that reads through the lense so it automatically compenmsates for filters.

My Tele-Zoom lense seems to be hard to put on and take off.

I have found the camera very easy to use. It works well with low lighting situations. All other cameras I have tried have not. I took pictures in complete darkness of lights probably a mile away and it came out nicely. I also took a roll of 50 speed B&W at night and the meter said there was enough light (when I used the 30" shutter speed). It weighs more than the Argus C-3, but has alot of better functions than the older cameras did so it is worth it.

Customer Service

None.

Similar Products Used:

Argus C-3

What can I say-20 years, and never been in the shop-knock on wood.

Mine has the shutter squeak. No battery, no picture. Can be hard to focus in low light. Either that, or my eyes are getting older

Awesome camera, bought mine new when they first came out, and it still works fine. Have the motor drive and a 522 flash (flimsy shoe mount on dedicated adapter to flash) Now if I could just find one of those autofocus lenses that Canon made for it:-)

Customer Service

Never had to use

Similar Products Used:

EOS, F1-now shoot video on DVC Pro

Outstanding picture quality. Rugged design. Easy to operate.

Bulky

I was formerly a strict APS user, being from the internet generation it seemed like the logical choice. I recently started using the A-1 my uncle gave me years ago. Put it this way: I shot a roll of asa400 film at an outdoor sporting event with a telephoto lens. Might I also mention that it was at night with poor lighting and -5F. They were the best action photos I have ever taken. I will never go back to APS for serious photographs.

Customer Service

N/A

Similar Products Used:

Formerly a strict APS user.

Versatility, Ease of Use, Consistency of results, Reliability.

Can't think of any.

I began photography with an old Canon AT1 (which is still going strong as my back up) and bought a used A1 in 1985. I've never had any reason to think about replacing it. The camera has everything needed for both creative and casual photography: manual and priority modes for the serious stuff and a reliable programme mode for grab shots and holiday snaps. The A1 is built like a tank and has a very reassuring feel of solidity in use - I'm convinced that the weight of the machine helps suppress camera shake in marginal light when hand held. A genuine classic.

Customer Service

No problems.

Similar Products Used:

None

Good handling and look; solid feel; multi-mode; durable; cheap to buy now; great selection of cheap FD optics and accessories

Shutter squeak which will eventually lead to costly repair; exposure lock button awkward to use; dim viewfinder compared with T series; decay of foam in mirror box and light seal

Sold my first A1 a few years ago but missed it enough to get another recently which I use as a backup to my T90. A real classic which has been bettered by later models but remains special.

Customer Service

Have not had it serviced yet.

Similar Products Used:

T70 and T90

Superb build quality that will last a lifetime. Controls laid out thoughtfully and easily adjusted. Fits well in the hands with excellent weight distribution. Everything about this camera is just right!

Can't think of any.

I started off with an A1 in the late '80s with little knowledge of photography. My photographs never seemed right (blurred). I had the auto winder and a Vitar 263 Flash which made me look really professional. I sold the whole lot for 75 dollars and then found it was poor eyesight and not the camera to blame! I searched high and low until I found another recently for which I paid 250 dollars with a 50mm lens! You live, you learn, you get wiser. I'm not giving this one up! I wanted another as my first camera was absolutely perfect in every way and a set of spectacles now contribute to pin-sharp and well exposed photographs. I have a Minolta autofocus camera too but it's not as involving to use (naturally). You need a little thought and understanding to use this camera but there's no reason that anyone couldn't get along with it. Not ideal for the holiday snaps at Disneyland though!

Customer Service

Never used.

Similar Products Used:

Pentax P30T and Olympus OM2.