Canon Sureshot A1 Review – Underwater fun! – by Chris Dodkin

By Chris Dodkin

The Canon Sureshot A1 – This is the perfect camera to ride the retro wave, and make a splash at the beach or pool during the summer. It’s a fully automatic 35mm camera – fixed 32mm f/3.5 Lens – Auto ISO, Auto Exposure, Auto Focus It has an active 3-point AiAF system (fixed focus under water), with a focusing range: 0.45m to infinity on land; 1m to 3m (macro: 0.45 to 1m) under water. It has an easy-to-see, real-image ‘Big’ Viewfinder, and is water resistant to a depth of 5m.

It has built-in flash, which can be run in full Auto mode, or always ON, or disabled – and the camera runs off of a single 3V lithium battery (CR 123 A/DL 123A).

The rear of the Canon Sureshot A1 features a ‘big’ easy to use viewfinder, which has bright line frames and adjusted frame-lines for close focus/parallax correction, and a simple film canister window, so you can see what film is currently loaded.

All of the controls are big and easy to use – I guess so that you can operate them easy while wet or under water – with the top plate having a large red shutter release, and a smaller reassessed self-timer button.

You also get a simple frame counter – which will also indicate when the film has finished, and been automatically rewound back into the film canister (a nice feature).

The battery compartment is accessed from below – and is sealed with a marine rubber gasket to keep the water at bay.

You also get a tripod thread (which seems to be plastic, so may not take much abuse).

Film loading is very easy, you crack open the sealed camera body with a big red locking release tab – and insert the film into the right hand slot. Pull the leader to the left up to the indicated line, and close the back – the camera does the rest, with a fully automated wind-on.

While the camera is open – check the red rubber marine seals to make sure they are clean and undamaged – you can apply a little silicon seal lube to keep the supple – and you must ensure they stay free of grit or hairs, as one grain of sand could cause a fatal flooding of the camera!

My A1 came from EBAY for $20 – and appeared to be as new – with minimal use – the seals were in great looking shape, but it was still a nerve-wracking moment when the camera was immersed for the first time!.

Operation is very simple – there is a big dial on the front that you switch to AUTO, and away you go.

You get a solid green LED in the viewfinder when the camera locks AF and is ready to shoot – no LED and you may be too close for the AF – flashing LED may indicate you need flash as the shutter speed is too low.

Given the simple operation of the Canon Sureshot A1 – I threw in some XP2, and handed the camera to the ‘kids’ in the pool for July 4th – while I retreated to a safe distance with a G&T 😀

 

 

The Canon Sureshot A1 passed it’s test with flying colors (or at least mono-tones) – it was water-tight, actually floated (even without the float lanyard I had found on EBAY) – and got some great shots.

The parallax error did catch people out – but then again, I didn’t explain what the lines in the viewfinder were for! [doh]

Of course, the Canon Sureshot A1 works just like a normal point and shoot out of water – and is ideally suited for the British summer, or a ride on a splash/soak ride at the theme park, or a kayaking holiday etc etc.

No worries about heading to the beach or walking about in torrential rain – Canon Sureshot A1 just laughs at the elements.

It takes a decent picture as well – just remember to clean the glass in front of the lens before you start shooting out of water. Water droplets make for blurry images (as me how I know 😮 )

It’s a barrel of fun to use – simple and easy to get a decent photo from, and cheap as chips compared to the modern digital waterproof cameras on the market.

You do have to use print film (not slide film) if you plan any underwater photography – but other than that it’s about as point and shoot as you can get.

It will be getting further abuse during the summer I’m sure 🙂

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Comments

Ken Hindle-May on Canon Sureshot A1 Review – Underwater fun! – by Chris Dodkin

Comment posted: 03/11/2015

I bought one of these earlier this year. It seemed like a great little purchase and functioned really well as a rugged (if bulky), all-weather camera. Unfortunately, remaining watertight in the rain and remaining watertight when submerged are two very, very different things. The first time I took it swimming, quite a lot of water got straight in and ruined it. I did everything the manual said; cleaned the seals carefully, didn't jump in, was gentle with it in the water, but it wasn't enough. I think the issue is simply that the seals get less flexible over time, then are more likely to leak. I had read somewhere that applying silicon grease to the seals helps them stick, but I decided against it because the manual seemed pretty definite that absolutely nothing should be on the seal. I'd at least give that a try if I ever bought another one. I'm not sure I will, though. Realistically, if you're really going to use a film camera underwater your best bet is to either go for something like a Nikonos with replaceable seals, or at least something a bit more robustly built like one of the Sea & Motormarine cameras.
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joby on Canon Sureshot A1 Review – Underwater fun! – by Chris Dodkin

Comment posted: 13/02/2016

I just bought one for 12 quid! Looks new. Will try it out in the summer and report back....
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Phil on Canon Sureshot A1 Review – Underwater fun! – by Chris Dodkin

Comment posted: 02/03/2016

On photos 3 and 4 my A1 Sure Shot has a date back and I have seen other WP's with date backs. Not really sure what determined the addition. Also my camera stops counting film frames at 24 and not 36 kinda a bummer any help would be appreciated, Thanks.
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Hamish Gill replied:

Comment posted: 02/03/2016

stops counting because the counter doesn't go any higher, or just gets stuck?

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Phil on Canon Sureshot A1 Review – Underwater fun! – by Chris Dodkin

Comment posted: 02/03/2016

I believe the counter dosn't go any higher. Although I could be wrong. I'm running the camera without separate battery for the date back (CR2025 3V), not sure if that makes any difference?

Also I appreciated your thoughts on the GR1. I have been thinking about a fixed 28-30mm pocketable point and shoot. Right now I'm using a Olympus stylus epic. For the prices people are paying for old cameras its almost worth getting a Ricoh GRIV and taping the screen up and buying multiple memory cards to just keep the same work flow "no chimping"!
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Phil on Canon Sureshot A1 Review – Underwater fun! – by Chris Dodkin

Comment posted: 08/03/2016

well thanks for trying to answer my question…
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Patrick on Canon Sureshot A1 Review – Underwater fun! – by Chris Dodkin

Comment posted: 21/03/2017

Phil, as far as I know they count to 36. I had one years ago.... lost it, and came across two this weekend. Test roll was a 24 exp and got 27. possibly your cam had water leakage ? Not exactly a answer but they def roll past 24.
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VeloRydr replied:

Comment posted: 21/03/2017

I took apart an A-1 because I was curious what it looked like inside. The counter physically goes to 36. I shot some Portra 400, and it let me shoot to 37. Btw, the front flat lens cover easily pops out, which exposes the normal lens. The cover looks very reflectlive, which is probably why the camera is prone to flare. I can't wait to test a roll without the cover, to check for increased sharpness and contrast. Also, the actual camera, within the housing, is built one notch better than a disposable camera.... no trace of metal parts. Lastly, the camera shoots quite loudly without the front element... likely, because it's no longer weather sealed.

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Alan Yahnke on Canon Sureshot A1 Review – Underwater fun! – by Chris Dodkin

Comment posted: 17/07/2017

Mine works great, I don't swim however. The photos are nicely detailed and exposed properly. I was very impressed by the camera and always keep a roll of film in it now, even though I have many others to shoot. It is definitely one of my favorites.
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Alex G on Canon Sureshot A1 Review – Underwater fun! – by Chris Dodkin

Comment posted: 05/07/2018

Anyone have issues with opening the film door? Seemed to work a few times but now won't unlatch. Only thing the manual says is that it could be a pressure difference and to open the battery door to mend this, but that did not work at all. Could just be a faulty latch I suppose.
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Steven Grandy on Canon Sureshot A1 Review – Underwater fun! – by Chris Dodkin

Comment posted: 22/01/2019

Some Images from Flikr aren't loading. Time for a pro account?
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Anselm on Canon Sureshot A1 Review – Underwater fun! – by Chris Dodkin

Comment posted: 13/01/2023

My main problem with this camera is matching it with the right film. There still seem to be a few around in decent condition even though buying one these days is always going to be a lottery.
not sure if the quality control was massively different from factory to factory but some later models may possibly have had some tweaks in terms of waterproofness. as a free diver I have progressed past 5 m and am currently searching for anything more reliable to go deeper
Although it sports a surprisingly good lens I find that it is mainly the subjective visibility that will determine if any of your photos are going to be decent quality. I recently tested Cinestill 800T which was entirely a bad choice as the colours were not be rendered very well and most pics were awful. I was discouraged from trying slide films because of their narrow exposure latitude and impatiently wait for fugufilm 400 which might resolve my main problems.
I recently saw a few interesting although grainy BW from Nikonos but a large majority of photographing divers seem to agree that they are becoming expensive to service of not really difficult...
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