The Canon AE-1 Program with attached 50mm lens makes for a competent SLR kit.
Originally produced in 1981 by Canon, the AE-1 Program ranks among the most popular single lens reflex (SLR) cameras ever made. The AE-1 Program is the culmination of Canon's "A" series, encompassing all of the features available in the original AE-1 (1976) and the A-1 (1978). A sharp, fast Canon FD mount f/1.8 50mm lens was attached to the camera. As is true for the camera body itself, the lens is easy to adjust and focus with help from the following steps -- and a bit of practice.
Instructions
1. Mount the Canon 50mm lens onto the front of the AE-1 Program body by aligning the red positioning point on the lens with the red dot above the camera mount. Turn the lens clockwise until it clicks into place.
2. Remove the action grip, located on the front left of the camera body, by inserting the edge of a small coin into the slot and turning counterclockwise. Beneath the action grip is the battery compartment. Remove the small plastic viewfinder cover from the accessory shoe on top of the camera's prism. Fit the tab on the viewfinder cover into the slot on the battery cover and lift the compartment lid. Insert a fresh PX-28 6-volt battery into the compartment, negative (-) end first. Close the compartment lid and replace the viewfinder cover.
3. Open the back cover by pulling up on the film rewind knob, located on the top left of the camera body. Insert the 35mm cartridge into the film chamber on the left side of the camera, protruding end facing down. Push the rewind knob down so it engages the cartridge. Stretch the film leader (beginning of the roll protruding from the cartridge) across the camera and insert it into a slot on the take-up spool. Advance the film once using the lever at the top right of the camera body, ensuring that the sprocket holes near the edges of the film are engaged. Close the back cover. Fire several blank shots, advancing the film after each shot, until the frame counter (above the shutter speed dial on top of the camera) reads "1."
4. Change the ISO (or ASA) rating using the dial on the top left of the camera. Press the lock release button near the edge of the dial and turn it until the ISO number which corresponds to the speed of your film lines up with the green marker. This step is very important as it informs all of the camera's subsequent "PROGRAM" functions, including metering and aperture selection. If the dial is set to an incorrect ISO value, your pictures may be ruined. The speed rating of your film can be found on the cartridge (common speeds are ISO 100, 200, 400 and 800).
5. Set the main switch (located on the top right corner of the camera) to "A" and turn the shutter speed dial to "PROGRAM" mode. Compose your photograph by pointing the camera at a subject and looking through the viewfinder. Focus your subject by turning the focus ring (at the front end of the 50mm lens) to the right for close-ups or to the left for distant shots. You may also use the distance scale printed on the lens to estimate effective focus range.
6. Depress the shutter button halfway to activate the AE-1 Program's light meter. Look through the viewfinder to ensure that lighting permits a proper exposure -- a green "P" and a suitable aperture value selected by the meter will appear in the right side of the viewfinder. Fully depress the shutter to take the picture. If the green "P" blinks repeatedly, use a tripod to avoid camera shake. If "16" blinks, the shot will be overexposed (too much light); if "1.8" blinks, the shot will be underexposed (not enough light). Increase shutter speed for overexposed photos and decrease shutter speed for underexposed photos.
7. Rewind the film once you have reached the end of the roll by depressing the small recessed button on the underside of the camera. Pull out the lever on the rewind knob and rotate it in the direction of the engraved arrow. Continue rewinding until there is no tension during rotation or until the frame counter reads "S." Open the back cover and remove the film canister.
Tags: AE-1 Program, 50mm lens, camera body, shutter speed, back cover, into slot
