I first owned a Canon A-1 over two years ago. It was the ninth camera and the first Canon camera I ever came to own. The A-1 stood out amongst the other A-series cameras, maybe because it was only offered in black and looked great or maybe because of the quality images it produced. 

The Canon A-1 Instruction manual greets the user with, “Congratulations! You are now the owner of the most exciting and advanced camera on the market.” Released in 1978, the Canon A-1 was the top-of-the-line camera of the Canon A series cameras. It employed the same chassis as the Canon AE-1 released two years prior, but added a few tweaks.

Important overall features and specifications are as follows:

• Shutter speeds: 30 sec to 1/1000 electronically controlled. 
• Front-mounted battery compartment for 1x 4LR44 battery or equivalent. 
• Mirror lock-up is not present. 
• Depth of Field preview is activated by depressing a button on the right-hand side of the lens mount.
• Lens mount: Canon Breech-Lock mount, allowing for use of Canon FD, FL and R lenses. FD lenses are usable with four full-aperture metering AE modes, unlike the FL and R lenses which will not communicate AE information. 
• Multiple-exposure: Designated switch which is incorporated into the self-timer layout. 
• Self-timer: Switch allowing for selection of either 2 seconds or 10 seconds. 
• Flash synchronisation: X-sync at 1/60, FP and M-sync at 1/30 and slower.
• Shutter type: Focal plane, horizontally travelling cloth curtains.
• ASA speeds: 6-12800 in a dial format, beneath the rewind knob.
• LED digital readout, displaying shutter speed, aperture, flash and manual operation signals. Displays aperture from f/1.2 to f/32 and shutter speed 1/1000 – 30 sec. 
• Split-prism focus aid with microprism ring surround. 
• Eyepiece shutter: Built-in, lever activated. 
• Exposure compensation +- 2 stops and exposure memory switch for temporary correction. 
• Photographic modes: 6 modes. Shutter priority AE, Aperture priority AE, Programmed AE, Flash AE (with specific Canon electronic flashes), Stopped-down AE and full manual operation.

The Canon A-1’s ability to seamlessly switch between At, Tv and Manual modes single-fingered was an amazing feature. Many accessories were available to supply professional photographers and journalists with what they needed to take that all-important photo. Canon Speedlight electronic flashes and motorwinders were two accessories that made the A-1 layout even more capable, albeit with added weight. Even little things like a rubber eyepiece surround were often fitted to the Canon A-1, something not seen by most other manufacturers.

Although released eight years earlier, all the Canon A-1s had access to the non-breech-lock style New FD lenses (FDn). These differed from the earlier FD breech-lock lenses, which were heavier and less quick when interchanging. The FDn lenses were lighter, had silkier focus rings and offered brilliant optics. An example of a renowned standard lens is the Canon FD 50mm f/1.4 lens, which is often paired with the A-1. Simply turn the lens aperture ring to ‘A’ and shutter mode to ‘P’, and the Central Emphasis Averaging  Metering system will mean that almost every exposure is spot on. 

A further feature that makes you say “Wow!” is the LED display, which changes the brightness depending on the subject, which maintains an almost consistent degree of brightness to the human eye. The option to turn the LED off completely to conserve battery power can also be done.

A Rant – My User Experience

My example of the Canon A-1 which I still own originally came from my local Tip. For the handsome sum of $30, I was rewarded with 50mm f/1.4, 28mm f/2.8 and 70-210mm f/4 lenses, which were all FDn lenses in reasonable condition. Not long after I had it serviced by the late Alan Small, Co-founder of the Camera House chain who cured the squeaky escapement issue, often known as the ‘Canon Cough’. 

I am more than happy to admit that when I first used this camera it was all a bit overwhelming. Prior to coming into possession of this camera, I had only ever shot one roll of film, on a Kodak Retina 1b, which had no automatic functions and did not require batteries. Hence the Tv and Av dials were quite daunting and muddled my senses. 

Since then I have mastered the A-1 and put all its features to use. Personally, if I know an important event or event coming up, I’ll turn to the A-1 for its reliability in nailing the exposure and providing great results time after time. I can set the lens to ‘A’, switch between Tv and Av modes and the camera will choose the appropriate setting according to the chosen shutter speed or aperture. If I want to do some more artistic photography, I can use the double-exposure switch or do long astrophotography exposures and close the viewfinder shutter.

The ease of use of the A-1 is just brilliant, as canon puts it, “A simple click of a single switch will put you in any one of the AE modes.” Something that is extremely handy for me, who runs one roll of film through multiple cameras, is the film counter, which counts down while rewinding the film. 

One of the best things about the Canon A-1 is the lenses it can take. The FDn lenses are of equal capability to the A-1 and pair excellently. Pick yourself up a nice 50mm f/1.4, 50mm f/1.4 or 28mm f/2.8 and you’ll be glad you did. They are typically extremely smooth, have a long focus throw and offer wonderful optics and precise focusing. Compact, quality pieces of Canon Camera Co.

Final thoughts:

The Canon A-1 camera that educates, I feel sorry for whoever threw out the A-1 to the tip; for they’ll have something very cunning missing from their lives. It had users in front of mind, packing every feature that they could think of into the A-1, just in case you needed it, but there was no clash, no side effects. It is a camera that educates and allows for a great understanding of exposure settings.

It is worth investing in the A-1, as the next-in-line Canon T series cameras will leave you stranded. 

Gone were the days of matching needles and cluttered viewfinders, the Canon A-1 feels good. Looks good. Is good.

If you would like more reviews of other cameras, feel free to leave a comment on any models that you would like reviewed, and chances are I might happen to own one. 

See Canon A1s currently for sale