Easy to use, robust and capable of producing pictures to rival anything on the market today. I like shutter priority AE as the sole AE mode. Large bright viewfinder, focussing is rapid and accurate. Quality of Canon FD prime lenses is superb.

ASA setting is fiddly.

My AE-1 wasn't as totally reliable as some other reviewers'. At the age of 6 years, the shutter developed a fault which caused occasional frames to be grossly overexposed. This was fairly cheap to get fixed. Also, towards the end of the time I owned it, the wind on crank kept coming loose.

This is a posthumous review! I sold this camera system in 1994 when I changed to my EOS system. While I have been very happy with my EOS 5, I have totally regretted selling my AE-1 to this day.

As this AE-1 was my first camera, given to me from my father (he bought it in 1977), I had nothing to compare its quality with and as such I didn't realise just how d*** good it was. When I bought my EOS system, I'd assumed technology would've improved the quality of EF zooms to the point where they would equal that of the older FD primes. I was WRONG!! The EF 28-105 that I purchased with my EOS has never even approached my FD 50mm 1.4, or FD 24mm 2.8. (At this point I should point out that the EF equivalents of these lenses are at least as good as their FD counterparts).

In short, my old AE-1 would've complemented my EOS system nicely, and I should've never accepted the paltry $500 I got for my AE-1 system.

In 2000, this is a difficult camera to grade. As it's quite sought after amongst the photo student set, good used models tend to be a bit overpriced. Therefore I won't score it highly in the value stakes. Similarly the "overall" rating of 3 stars may upset some people, but this reflects its place in the camera world today. If this were 1977, I would have no hesitation in giving it the highest praise.

Customer Service

Plenty of servicing readily available

Similar Products Used:

Canon EOS 5, EOS 1000, OM1, OM2.

Bulletproof, easily learned camera that is capable of any type of photography with excellent results. Shutter priority and manual modes give the user complete control. (I still don't understand why the new slr's all come with so many unneeded program modes.)

Not being a pro, I haven't found any deficiencies.

Like everyone else, I highly recommend this one.
For newer photographers, get one of these. You won't be dissapointed. It gives you control which nearly guarantees learning the basics and beyond. Tons of lenses are available. I recently bought a Tokina 35-135 macro for it. I've taken everything from lakefront landscapes to close-up macros of electronics to time-exposure night shots, all with excellent results. It's available cheap. I bought this camera new and have never had a problem with it in many hundreds of rolls of film. I'd have bought an A1, but didn't have the cash at the time!! (I was 19 and starving!!)

Customer Service

Never needed it.

Similar Products Used:

Pentax K-1000
Numerous auto p/s cameras for snapshots.

Very robust capable slr camera with an excellent range of Canon FD lenses avalible. Focusing is easy and most controls are easy to set. When your used to it, you can use it at eye level. The lenses are easy to change.

The meter reading that appears on the right hand side of the viewfinder can be difficult to see in bright sunlight (but we are talking Gozo near Malta at midday)also as with all centre weighted metering, it's fooled by differnent situations so I use a handheld meter to take an incident reading. This makes it difficult to use as a point and shoot camera. You also have to keep a warm battery in your pocket under very cold conitions as the lithium batteries loose their charge when they're cold. Heavy to carry around.

An excellent basic camera that I'd reccomend to anyone beginning in photography and wanting to learn. I've had my 3 bodies and a range of lenses for 10 years plus now and neaver had them serviced, never had a problem, even though I've dropped them a couple of times and attached them to the front forks of a 500cc motorbike at 90+MPH occasionally. Aside from some niggly little problems with the viewfinder, I'm most pleased with them. I'm just thinking about a Pentax MZ-7 as they're just a bit heavy to carry around, but I'd never get rid of them.

Customer Service

Not ever needed it.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon FE2, Olympus OM10, Nikonos 3.

Takes abuse like nothing else
Easy to use, takes wonderful photos

None that I can find

This camera was bought new by my grandfather in the 70s. It has been passed down from my grandfather to my father, and now to me. It has survived over two decades of abuse and has never been cleaned. It has never needed it, however. There is no "A-series whine" and the camera takes immaculate photographs. It is easy to use, has all the features you need, and has enough ruggedness to make a Jeep jealous. I cannot express my pleasure with this camera enough.

Customer Service

The light seals were getting old and I took it in for repair. It cost me less than $50. What can I say? I love this camera.

high quality, enormous range of lenses

finder gets dirty

Good ease of use camera with a high performance. Lacks the modern gadgets.

Customer Service

very good from local reseller (Philipart)

Similar Products Used:

none

tough vell featured body

cloth shutter, developed something called "shutter brap", Still working OK though

Good body, need perodic re-lubrication

Customer Service

Not needed!

Similar Products Used:

A1,F1

Solid build - classic body design with a good range of affordable second hand quality lenses. I use Canon F1.2 and 1.8 prime lenses, a 135 mm telephoto and a Zeis 35-70 zoom. All produce excellent results. Auto setting produces good exposure in most situations.

No auto focus - but I find this is not a problem for 99% of subjects. Seems to be getting harder to get hold of good quality examples of this model now.

I would recommend it to anyone who is starting out and wants to learn about the basics of good photography. If you can get hold of a good one then seriously consider buying it. Generally a much better option than any P and S available today. If buying from a dealer make sure it has been checked and thoroughly serviced including lubrication of the shutter and mirror.

Customer Service

No experience

Similar Products Used:

Olympus OM10, OM20 (both good) and a Canon A1 (also a superb camera although it is rather heavy)

Rugged, dependable.

Battery-dependent, not suited for action photography.

I own both the AE-1 and AE-1 Program bodies. These are some of the best manual focus cameras I've used. Except for tricky lighting situations, the meters on each have always been on in any mode available. The only downside is that they're totally battery-dependent, but I've just carried a spare, and have never had a problem. Plenty of fine used models are around, as are other accessories. Aftermarket lenses and flashes work well, also. These are very tough and reliable cameras that will serve well into the future.

Customer Service

One CLA.

Similar Products Used:

Manual focus Canon, Pentax, Nikon, Minolta.

Extremely durable body. Auto exposure is generally very reliable. Although it's manual, it is very easy to focus.

Can be a bit awkward due to the weight, but normally not a problem. Manual focus make sports/action shots more difficult.

I've had this camera 21 years, shot hundereds of rolls of film and never had a mechanical problem with it. This is my camera of choice for most situations. I've used it to shoot portraits, weddings, photojournalism projects, wildlife, landscapes etc. and would NEVER give it up. I would recommend the AE-1 to anyone from beginners to the seasoned photographer.

Customer Service

Never needed customer service.

Similar Products Used:

None

Nice looking classic SLR.

No aperture priority. Terrible manual mode.

A friend gave me this camera to add to my collection since he never plans on using a manual focus camera again. I have played around with it and don't really like it much. It is quite beautiful to look at, but since it doesn't have aperture priority the AE modes doen't really buy me anything... I prefered the ergonomics of my K1000 and think for most instances a full manual camera is much easier to use than this dog. It is also very frustrating trying to use this camera in manual mode, so unless you get a great deal on one of these I would probably skip it... top dollar prices would put you near a Rebel with a 50mm EF lense which allows much more creative control than is possible with one of these dinosaurs. I love my EOS cameras, bought the Rebel 2000 just for the light weight. Aside from a few design weaknesses the camera is just great. I will probably use the AE-1P on certain occasions just for its classic 70's elegance, but flash forward to now when I want to do serious photography. Yes, you can take great photos with the AE-1P, but you can also take them with an old Argus brick... you just have to answer one question, why?

Customer Service

none yet.

Similar Products Used:

Pentax K1000, Miranda something, EOS 650, Rebel 2000. Kiev and Zorky rangefinders.