Canan A1 Owners...

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I just traded an AE1P for a Canon A1 in excellant condition. Shot one roll of film and really like the new body. I would like to hear from other A1 owners regarding their likes/dislikes/problems with the A1. Thanks in advance to those who take the time to respond!

Tony Liberty, SC

-- Tony Hathcock (tonyh@carol.net), July 19, 2000

Answers

Tony, Great choice on the A-1. I got my first one about a year and a half ago, and bought number two a couple of months ago. Lots of great lenses and accessories available for not a LOT of money. Just be careful with the battery door. Kirby

-- Kirby Chilton (kirbyc@prodigy.net), July 23, 2000.

I bought two A-1's new in 1985 and 1986 and have been very pleased ever since. I don't shoot a tremendous amount of film, but have had no problems in 14 years other than the ubiquitous mirror squeak. The center weighted metering requires a bit of forethought in situations with very bright or dark backgrounds. The A-1 has plenty of features, without the technology becoming a field of study in itself-- it doesn't get in the way. Mechanical reliability and enjoyment have been excellent! As mentioned in an earlier reply, lenses and accessories are still readily available used at pretty reasonable prices. I have been able to collect a very complete system, which I expect to enjoy for years.

-- Alan Swartz (swartz@tyler.net), July 25, 2000.

I also have an A1 almost since the model was introduced. it is now a second string camera but very reliable. Only two problems - 1.Battery door was broken when the outer protective piece got lost, hang on to that, as the door is easily damaged with an accidental door opening when being put in a bag or case if the outer piece is lost. 2. Some form of flash synch problem which has stopped me useing for indoor work.

-- R Bradshaw (dstc47@indigo.ie), October 29, 2000.

I have had an A-1 since 1981. I love it. The things I don't like - Not easy to bracket, Not easy to change focusing screens, Single meter weighting pattern, Not easy to meter and use in manual mode.

But I still like it. It is now a backup body to my T90s.

I also had the shutter squeek and had a CLA done about a year ago.

-- Terry Carraway (TCarraway@compuserve.com), October 29, 2000.


I got my A-1 last November (2000) for $200 at a pawn shop. Came with a 28mm, 50mm, 70-210mm, and Speedlite 199A flash. Had shutter problems, but after $130 service job works like new.

Love the camera, my only gripe (actually my family's gripe) is I am too slow setting up the shot. Takes me a bit to focus. :)

Other than that it's a great camera that is going strong after 20 years. Can you say any new camera today will still be working in 20 years? I dare say my A-1 will! :)

Tim

-- Tim Millea (cyberlord@cyber-wizard.com), April 02, 2001.



I bought my A1 in 1983, and it still work fine, although with some maintenance. I believe it is a great camera, easy to use with well thought controls and a viewfinder that not distract you with too many infos.

A minor annoiance is this: if you use exposure compensation, there is no warning in the viewfinder, sometimes it is easy to forget you got it enabled.

Enjoy your camera.

-- Luigi D. Sandon (cp@sandon.it), April 16, 2001.


I'm a young photographer who uses his A-1 as his main body. I am in the process of arranging the purchase of a T-90.

I am in love with the A-1. I would be able to receive staff pricing on a new Canon (or any other brand) camera because of my employment as a camera salesperson, but I'll be holding on to my FD system for a long time. It's simple to put together a complete kit (and I mean COPLETE) for under $2000 CDN, sometimes even cheaper. It's reliable, and much more legit than a new autoeverything camera. It takes a firm understanding of the principles of optics to really use an A-1 to its full potential, and that's a very good thing.

What's wrong with the camera? A-series shutter squeak, somewhat poor ergonomics (when put beside the T-90 or an EOS). It's typical of the era with its centre-weighted metering which is easy to get used to if you're from the EOS school of photography.

Tomorrow morning I'm buying a used 200mm f2.8 for my A-1, and then heading downtown to photograph a memorial service for those lost two days ago in New York. God rest their souls.

- Ren -

-- Ren Bostelaar (day_4_nite@putthenameofmicrosoftsbiggestemailservicehere.com), September 14, 2001.


I'm a young photographer who uses his A-1 as his main body. I am in the process of arranging the purchase of a T-90.

I am in love with the A-1. I would be able to receive staff pricing on a new Canon (or any other brand) camera because of my employment as a camera salesperson, but I'll be holding on to my FD system for a long time. It's simple to put together a complete kit (and I mean COPLETE) for under $2000 CDN, sometimes even cheaper. It's reliable, and much more legit than a new autoeverything camera. It takes a firm understanding of the principles of optics to really use an A-1 to its full potential, and that's a very good thing.

What's wrong with the camera? A-series shutter squeak, somewhat poor ergonomics (when put beside the T-90 or an EOS). It's typical of the era with its centre-weighted metering which is easy to get used to if you're from the EOS school of photography.

Tomorrow morning I'm buying a used 200mm f2.8 for my A-1, and then heading downtown to photograph a memorial service for those lost two days ago in New York. God rest their souls.

That aside, enjoy the use of this fine camera! - Ren -

-- Ren Bostelaar (day_4_nite@hotmail.com), September 14, 2001.


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