It is perhaps underappreciated that because new 35mm cameras aren’t being made (or at least not produced in volume), we have changed how we evaluate these cameras as a community. When cameras were being produced like any other consumer electronic device, the longevity of a camera was less of a concern. But now, as we see once state of the art electronics fail over the decades, we’ve placed a priority on simplicity. This consideration makes once humble cameras into valuable objects in the film world.
This is the only lens (dies inside) through which you can look at the Canon AE-1 with any sort of positivity. It’s not that the venerable AE-1 is a bad camera. Rather it was seemingly clinically derived by Canon to not cause any reaction in the human soul. Remember, the opposite of love isn’t hate, it’s apathy.
Canon AE-1 Design
The design of the Canon AE-1 can be described as typical of a Japanese SLR made in the mid-70s, which is a polite way to say almost completely unremarkable. The greatest design triumph on the body is the inclusion of the old-school skinny Canon logo, which is an act of typographic perfection so complete that the company was forced to change it to a bloated mess of a logo to cause people to buy more gear to fill the empty void in their hearts.
The only design flourishes are entirely to the detriment of the Canon AE-1’s functionality. The shutter release is an interesting approach, a glossy rounded black button that looks like a tiny Art Deco smoke detector. Sure it’s wide, which I guess makes it easy to find. But it’s also really short. And you know what I want when I need to half press the shutter to meter my shot? A short travel.
The Canon AE-1 shutter speed dial is a fantastic piece of design, if you want to feel like you’re fondling a gear from a reject version of Mouse Trap while also slowing you down as you shoot. It’s made from cassette case grade plastic, and gives all the satisfaction of reheated oatmeal made with too much soy milk when used. And because it’s integrated into the film advance lever, you can’t adjust the dial with your thumb. Meaning you always have to take your finger off the shutter to change the shutter speed. Cool.
Changing the ISO on the Canon AE-1 also requires using this dial. One the one hand, hats off to Canon for integrating three critical functions into minimal camera real estate. On the other hand, changing ISO often requiring asking for the assistance of a small child to use their slight and delicate hands to perform the tactile gymnastics needed to achieve this feat. It’s like no one was actually asked to use it before someone signed off on the design.
At least this left plenty of space on the left side of the camera for… (checks notes) … the battery test button.
Canon AE-1 Functionality
At its most basic, a viewfinder on a SLR should allow you to compose your shot and obtain critical focus. With a split prism, the Canon AE-1 is able to do that with aplomb, so bravo on covering the basics. However in every other way, using the AE-1’s viewfinder is an act of frustration.
The Canon AE-1 does offer TTL metering typical of the era, that in my experience is accurate as any 40+ year old center weighted metering has any right to be. But the way that it’s implemented in the camera is more galling than the friend who’s always reminding you he bought a Contax T2 at a garage sale for $5. Instead of just telling you if your shot is over or under exposed, the meter “helpfully” tells you what aperture you need to set for your chosen shutter speed in order to properly expose the picture. This would be fine, except that’s literally the only piece of information provided in the viewfinder.
I guess some would call it charmingly minimalist, except for the red LEDs that blast your eye every time you meter a shot. If you quickly raised your camera to your eye and forgot to check what f-stop you were at, guess what? Better take that camera away so you can check hoss! Granted, the camera can be set to shutter priority on most FD mount lenses. In that case, the metering would be sort of useful in that you get some transparency in what the camera is deciding. But given that you’re picking up something as simple as the Canon AE-1 to get a more manual photography process, the implementation is a hindrance.
Also the shutter sounds like closing an old screen door onto a wet fish.
The Positives
There are some things to like about the Canon AE-1. It uses FD glass, which is both relatively cheap and abundant.
The Canon AE-1 battery compartment is also surprisingly good. For one, it uses batteries that aren’t actively trying to murder the earth. But it’s placed on the front right where you grab the camera, at least providing some sort of grip. It’s not great, you’re still begging for the carpal tunnel gods to strike your hands down, and it’s made of the same gross 1970s plastic as the shutter speed dial. But it’s a concession to ergonomics rarely seen in consumer-grade cameras of the era. Yes, this camera’s battery compartment is above average. Suck it Nikon.
Some Canon AE-1 Photos
Why Is This Popular?
So why is the Canon AE-1, a light-tight box of room temperature mayonnaise, so popular? It’s part of the depressing truth about film photography in the 21st century that we’re attaching value to those that are prone to break the least (the X-Pan notwithstanding) . Essentially, this camera is popular because a lot of it can break and you can still use it to take photos. And they made a lot of them. It’s in the same boat as the Pentax K1000, a camera that’s the result of a company taking a good camera, the Pentax KX, and taking out all the features of interest.
The Canon AE-1 is a camera devoid of flourish, features, and fun. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m taking mine out to take a few frames of self-loathing.
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Malcolm Myers on Canon AE-1 Review – The Hater’s Guide – By Rich Stroffolino
Comment posted: 20/10/2020
Ch.Zymler on Canon AE-1 Review – The Hater’s Guide – By Rich Stroffolino
Comment posted: 20/10/2020
The construction was revolutionary, composed of pre-assembled sub-modules and the top and undercover was made of an internal plastic shell and electroplated with different layers of metal. (maybe you can read the extensive test in Modern Photography) It had the advantage of absorbing quite some chocks without denting the covers.When it came out, Nikon and the other camera makers were quite angry on Canon because of the very competitive price. Its an Icon!
loris on Canon AE-1 Review – The Hater’s Guide – By Rich Stroffolino
Comment posted: 20/10/2020
CJ on Canon AE-1 Review – The Hater’s Guide – By Rich Stroffolino
Comment posted: 20/10/2020
Cain on Canon AE-1 Review – The Hater’s Guide – By Rich Stroffolino
Comment posted: 20/10/2020
Comment posted: 20/10/2020
Comment posted: 20/10/2020
Brian Nicholls on Canon AE-1 Review – The Hater’s Guide – By Rich Stroffolino
Comment posted: 20/10/2020
As well as the usual personal pleasure stuff I also did a number of paid assignments (mainly weddings predominantly with the 50 mm) with no complaints. I can't recall being aware of any of the encumbrances to which you refer.
Dean Linney on Canon AE-1 Review – The Hater’s Guide – By Rich Stroffolino
Comment posted: 20/10/2020
Comment posted: 20/10/2020
Fabien on Canon AE-1 Review – The Hater’s Guide – By Rich Stroffolino
Comment posted: 20/10/2020
The just-post-ado spits on the bases of what has been diverted over time to the delight of the incompetent.
basta!
I drive the D850, but I keep shooting with my Rollei 35SE, my CANON AE1-P and my baby, CANON AT-1.
Guess what, button lover, what are my loves?
My Rollei, and my AT-1!(50 and 35mm) !
A photographer worthy of the name does not necessarily need zigouigouis to play.
A speed setting, a f-stop setting, both coupled to a central weighted cell: it's ME who decides and takes the picture, not an algo laid by engineers.
Comment posted: 20/10/2020
Brian Gordon on Canon AE-1 Review – The Hater’s Guide – By Rich Stroffolino
Comment posted: 20/10/2020
Comment posted: 20/10/2020
Comment posted: 20/10/2020
Chalifour Bruno on Canon AE-1 Review – The Hater’s Guide – By Rich Stroffolino
Comment posted: 20/10/2020
BG on Canon AE-1 Review – The Hater’s Guide – By Rich Stroffolino
Comment posted: 20/10/2020
Johnny Martyr on Canon AE-1 Review – The Hater’s Guide – By Rich Stroffolino
Comment posted: 20/10/2020
AlistairH on Canon AE-1 Review – The Hater’s Guide – By Rich Stroffolino
Comment posted: 21/10/2020
I sold a Nikkormat FTn and some Nikkors to buy an AE-1 (probably because of the advertising and hype that make the Nikkormat seem old). I hated it from the word go. It was the first camera I bought new, and I remember being disappointed by it as I took it out of the box that came from Jessops of Leicester. (Back then, we did not have the right to return purchases unless they were faulty.) It felt cheap and nasty, and (as the review says) the controls were all wrong and the viewfinder was utterly horrid.
I hated it even more when its battery was accidentally flattened, and it took me days to get a replacement to the Scottish island I was staying on at the time (these islands were very remote back then). I had not realised that a lack of battery could completely cripple a camera so did not think about carrying a spare.
Lack of funds meant that I had to hang onto it for a torrid year or so. I re-bought my really favoured camera - Olymus OM-1 and some Zuikos - and was very happy. (I still have that OM-1 and I used Olympus and Nikon cameras ever since.)
So profound was the experience of the AE-1, even 40 years on, I would not consider buying a Canon camera. That is how much owning the AE-1 hurt!
About the same time, a pal of mine had a Canon A1 and F1. Both of them broke in annoying and expensive ways. He replaced them with an old Nikon F2Sb, which I eventually bought from him when it was well over 10 years into a hard-used life, and it was an absolute delight! It lived alongside my Olympus cameras for many years.
So, my advice to modern film SLR users is to shun the vile AE-1, and get yourself and Oly OM-1/3, Nikkormat FTn/2/3, Nikon FM, Nikon F2 and you will have a camera that will be a joy to use and that you can pass on to your children and grandchildren! If you want automation, an OM-2 OM-4, Nikon F3/4 EL-2/FE are all so very much better!
Jerry on Canon AE-1 Review – The Hater’s Guide – By Rich Stroffolino
Comment posted: 21/10/2020
Thefountman on Canon AE-1 Review – The Hater’s Guide – By Rich Stroffolino
Comment posted: 21/10/2020
Comment posted: 21/10/2020
Comment posted: 21/10/2020
Marco Diaz on Canon AE-1 Review – The Hater’s Guide – By Rich Stroffolino
Comment posted: 21/10/2020
Bob Janes on Canon AE-1 Review – The Hater’s Guide – By Rich Stroffolino
Comment posted: 21/10/2020
I think you really have to use automatic cameras in their automatic modes to really appreciate them - at the time the AE1 was out I was shooting with Konica Autoreflexes, which were the other 'shutter priority' cameras available - back in those days, along with the debate between manual and automatic (real photographers don't use automatic cameras!) Tenn there was a sub-argument about whether shutter or aperture priority was best.
I seem to remember that Canon produced a manual exposure version of the AE1 (AT1?) - I wonder if you would find that a more suitable fit...
Sciolist on Canon AE-1 Review – The Hater’s Guide – By Rich Stroffolino
Comment posted: 21/10/2020
You can fool some of the people some of the time &etc...
Paul on Canon AE-1 Review – The Hater’s Guide – By Rich Stroffolino
Comment posted: 21/10/2020
Excellent review. I once lusted after the AE-1 but could never afford it but I now own two and have found them to be - Meh!
I also wanted a Pentax ME Super and now that I have one (and an ME) find it somewhat inconvenient to use. On the other hand i overlooked the Olympus slr's back then but now adore them. The AE-1 I find just has a tinny, flimsy feel to it. It'll do the job well no doubt but just isn't a satisfying, soul quenching experience for me.
Nice job
Barry Reid on Canon AE-1 Review – The Hater’s Guide – By Rich Stroffolino
Comment posted: 21/10/2020
It incorporates all the drawbacks of the AE-1 (including the non-coupled manual mode metering) but about 40% heavier and requiring not one but 2 PX-625 mercury batteries. Much loved by the hairshirt brigade on photo.net’ equipment forums because it’s heavier than an anvil and some of its shutter speeds can be used without a battery.
Comment posted: 21/10/2020
Acuberos on Canon AE-1 Review – The Hater’s Guide – By Rich Stroffolino
Comment posted: 21/10/2020
Bill Smith on Canon AE-1 Review – The Hater’s Guide – By Rich Stroffolino
Comment posted: 22/10/2020
My history with Canon and the AE-1, when I started seriously shooting back in the late 1990s mom and dad gave me a Canon Rebel XS as a birthday present and a subtle hint I was working too hard and needed a hobby. Around 2001 I picked up a Canon AE-1 and shot with that, my brother got into the hobby the same time and got a Minolta XG-M. Fast forward a few years after buying a Nikon F around the same time my dad passed and I also inherited his Nikon F. I traded off the Canon AE-1 and FD glass as it made more sense to go deeper into NIkon, Around 2008 a friend gifts me a Canon FTb, a year later I buy brother's Canon New F-1 and FD glass. Two years later I bought another AE-1 why not for old times sake, traded that away two years later fast forward a bunch of years, I was gifted a black AE-1P shot with that for a little while, let that one go. In the mean time I picked up a few more F-1 bodies, an EF (a very cool and underrated camera) and a second FTb. So I'm a Nikon fan boy with a fair bit of Canon FD gear.
Thing is A-series Canon bodies do nothing for me. We all know the quirks of the AE-1 mentioned above but that hasn't stopped every Instagram influencer grabbing one. The A-1s, ah the A-1s, light years ahead of the AE-1 but the user interface is a rhymes with fluster duck, but a Canon digital shooter will feel right at home with an A-1 body. Give me a Canon New F-1, FTb, or EF any day of the week.
Picturenaut on Canon AE-1 Review – The Hater’s Guide – By Rich Stroffolino
Comment posted: 23/10/2020
If you basically don't like such cameras, just sell it and get another one, instead of torturing yourself! Btw, as others already said here, we didn't use the ASA/ISO wheel frequently back in those days, because we mostly used ASA 100 films to get fine grain, and ASA 400 films when we expected low light. My girlfriend in the 80s had a Canon AE-1, and it was a good affordable and reliable SLR back then, I enjoyed using it sometimes. Finally, the lens was much more important for the results anyway.
There is definitely too much hate in this world to apply it to something as wonderful as photography IMO. The only cameras I really hate are those pinky digital Kids toy cameras with bad image quality and even worse lcd screens. Only adult idiots can put such cameras on children who have the best eyes of their lives at this age.
Comment posted: 23/10/2020
Holly Gilman on Canon AE-1 Review – The Hater’s Guide – By Rich Stroffolino
Comment posted: 24/10/2020
AW on Canon AE-1 Review – The Hater’s Guide – By Rich Stroffolino
Comment posted: 25/10/2020
That, plus the common shutter squeal and the fact that FD lenses seem boring to me - too modern in apperance and image quality to feel vintage and characterful, means there's zero interest from me, despite owning numerous other Canon cameras.
Lita on Canon AE-1 Review – The Hater’s Guide – By Rich Stroffolino
Comment posted: 28/10/2020
Howie Dewing on Canon AE-1 Review – The Hater’s Guide – By Rich Stroffolino
Comment posted: 30/10/2020
Dennis Sulz on Canon AE-1 Review – The Hater’s Guide – By Rich Stroffolino
Comment posted: 07/11/2020
D Cho on Canon AE-1 Review – The Hater’s Guide – By Rich Stroffolino
Comment posted: 12/03/2021