Modern film camera
Canon AE-1 review | Digital Camera World
Early Verdict
The Canon AE-1 was a revolutionary 35mm SLR for the brand, allowing it to bring advanced features at a more affordable price. Some reliability issues can affect models though, but shop wisely and you should be able to find a great example that won't break the bank.
Pros
- +
First camera to feature a CPU
- +
Featured a shutter speed-priority mode
- +
Compact and affordable
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Launched way back in 1976, the Canon AE-1 broke new ground for 35mm SLRs, becoming the first camera to feature a central processing unit (CPU). Together with a huge advertising campaign that featured famous golf and tennis players, the AE-1 was a huge hit for Canon, selling well over a million units in its eight year lifetime.
The AE-1 was also a turning point for Canon. Until the arrival of the AE-1, Canon’s range of SLRs had attracted a predominantly amateur photographer, but the arrival of the AE-1 and its electronically controlled internals meant Canon could offer more advanced functionality that hadn’t been seen at this price point before.
Specifications
Lens mount: Canon FD
Exposure control: Manual, shutter priority
Shutter speed: Mechanical 1/1000 sec to 2 second, plus bulb
Exposure metering: Centre-weighted
Battery: 2x 1.55V SR44 / 1.5V LR44 batteries
Dimensions: 141 x 87 x 47.5mm
Weight: 590g
Key features
(Image credit: Getty Images)
As well as being the first camera to sport a CPU, the Canon AE-1 was the world’s first 35mm SLR to be equipped with a shutter speed-priority exposure mode (AE stood for Automatic Exposure Control).
Many rival brands offered an aperture-priority exposure mode on their high-end SLRs, but because of the lack of information available in the viewfinder, there was invariably the risk of the camera selecting a shutter speed lower than desired, often resulting in a wasted frame of film because it was just too blurry.
The AE-1’s shutter speed-priority mode, though, was a huge benefit to more novice photographers as you’d always know how long the exposure was going to be, while the camera adjusted the aperture.
Canon took things a step further with the launch of the AE-1 Program in 1981. The successor to the AE-1, the AE-1 Program featured a Program auto exposure mode that saw the camera set both the aperture and shutter speed.
The maximum shutter speed on the AE-1 was a little disappointing though, maxing out at a little limiting 1/1000 second, though an optional Canon Winder A provided a motorized single frame advance up to a heady 2 frames per second.
The AE-1 used Canon’s FD lens mount, accepting both FD lenses and the New FD mount (often referred to as FDn).
The earlier FD lenses feature a chrome twist-ring to the bayonet, while an FDn lens slots entirely into the camera, and then twisted to lock it.
Design and operation
With the implementation of the CPU, Canon took the opportunity to tear up the rule book and design the AE-1 from the ground up. This saw the AE-1 made up of five major units and twenty-five minor units, allowing Canon to make the whole manufacturing process highly automated.
With the implementation of the CPU, Canon took the opportunity to tear up the rule book and design the AE-1 from the ground up.
Looks can be a little deceiving though and while the AE-1 looks to be based around an all-metal chassis, Canon opted to use a decent smattering of structural plastic in a further drive to keep costs down. While the top-plate might look like metal for example, it’s actually an injection molded thermoplastic polymer that’s been finished in either a satin chrome or black enamel.
Don’t let that take the shine of it though, as the viewfinder is nice and large – it’ll certainly make many optical viewfinders in modern-day DSLRs feel quite tunnel-like.
Verdict
(Image credit: Canon)With the AE-1 proving incredibly popular, before you jump on eBay, it might be worth asking relatives if they have one – you never know what might be tucked away in a shoebox in the back of a cupboard. Otherwise, your best place to start tracking one down is eBay.
The good news is that one won’t break the bank either – an AE-1 in nice condition with a 50mm f/1.8 shouldn’t set you back more than much more than £175 / $150. Just be mindful that there can be a few issues if they haven’t been looked after, namely poor light seals and the reflex mirror returning slowly which results in a loud squeak.
The AE-1 might seem a little rudimentary now, but it helped open up more advanced features to a much wider audience. Relatively risk-free for the price, the Canon AE-1 is still a very capable SLR.
Find the Canon AE-1 on eBAY
An AE-1 in nice condition with a 50mm f/1.8 shouldn’t set you back more than much more than $150. Just be mindful that there can be a few issues if they haven’t been looked after.
Find the Canon AE-1 on eBAY.co.uk
An AE-1 in good condition with a 50mm f/1.8 will cost around £170, but you can find examples for around £75. Just be mindful that there can be issues that the seller may not even know about.
Read more:
• Best film cameras
• Best film
• Best darkroom equipment
• Best film scanners
• Best Lomography cameras
• Best student camera for studying photography
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Phil is the Managing Editor of Top Ten Reviews, and is a former Editor of Techradar's camera channel.
He is an accomplished photographer, and specializes in shooting cycling and fast cars.
Pentax K1000 review: classic film cameras revisited
Early Verdict
Selling over 3 million examples in almost 20 years of manufacture, the Pentax K1000 was a huge photographic success story. It’s simple controls, solid build and affordable price tag made it the perfect choice for those looking to get started in photography.
Why you can trust Digital Camera World Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
The Pentax K1000 35mm SLR was launched 1976, the same year that saw Canon release the groundbreaking AE-1. While the Canon AE-1 bought an array of technical advances, the K1000 was very much a fully mechanical SLR.
Incredibly it was still in production in 1997, though was now being made in China as opposed to Japan (while it was also made in Hong Kong for a time as well).
Over its lifetime Pentax managed to shift millions of K1000s, and while its fair to say it didn’t have any standout features, it’s popularity can be attributed to the fact that it was simple and easy to use, affordable and there was a wide range of lenses readily available for it.
Pentax K1000: Specifications
(Image credit: Alamy)
Camera type: 35mm film SLR
Lens mount: Pentax K
Exposure control: Manual
Shutter speeds: Mechanical 1/1000 sec to 1 second, plus bulb
Exposure metering: Center-weighted
Battery: 2x 1.55V SR44 / 1.5V LR44 batteries
Dimensions: 143x 91 x 48mm
Weight: 620g
Pentax kept things simple with the K1000, with it featuring a completely mechanical shutter mechanism. This meant that you could happily fire the shutter without any batteries (just like the Nikon FM2 that was released in 1982), with the K1000 only requiring a couple of SR or LR44 batteries to power the metering system.
Speaking of metering, the K1000 uses a full-scene averaging method to obtain an exposure. It’s worth noting though that the K1000’s meter does not automatically switch off - to avoid draining the battery unnecessarily, you’ll need to pop the lens cap back on first.
The maximum shutter speed possible was a pretty unremarkable 1/1000 second, while the flash sync was rated at a modest 1/60 second, while there’s a PC sync socket as well.
The Pentax K1000 features the company’s now long established K mount, which means owners have access to a large catalogue of lenses. Even some of Pentax’s newer autofocus lenses will attach to the K1000 and can be used happily in manual focus, though Pentax’s latest lenses that lack an aperture ring won’t offer any exposure control.
The later Pentax K1000 SE (Image credit: Alamy)
The Pentax K1000 started off with satin-chromed brass top and bottom plates and an aluminum and steel film rewind assembly, but the quality of materials changed throughout the camera’s life and by the end when it was being made in China, there were significantly more plastic parts being used.
This saw the overall weight drop from 620g to 525g in its lifetime.
As you can imagine, the original Japanese-made models are the sturdier and more sought after cameras. A good trick to determine if you’re looking at an earlier model is if the ‘Asahi’ branding is present on the pentaprism - something that disappeared as the production moved away from Japan.
With such a limited set of features, the K1000 is nice and straightforward to use, though its fully manual exposure mode will be a bit of a shock to those coming from cameras that automate everything. Focusing is via a microprism spot in the centre of the viewfinder that’s not the easiest to get on with, though the Pentax K1000 SE (and upgraded model) featured a split-image in the center.
Pentax K1000: Should you buy one?
(Image credit: Pentax)
How much you send on a Pentax K1000 depends on what generation of K1000 you’re after, but the more desirable earlier versions will set you back getting on for $200 with a 50mm f/2 prime lens.
It might lack some of the more sophisticated features that other cameras at the time enjoyed, but it was this stripped back and simplified approach that helped make it the success it was. An SLR that was perfect for beginners, the K1000 was responsible for millions of photographers learning the basics, and for that it should be applauded.
Find the Pentax K1000 on eBAY
An K1000 in nice condition with a 50mm f/2 should set you back more around $150 – but you can find more battered bodies from around $80.
Find the Pentax K1000 on eBAY.co.uk
A Pentax K1000 in immaculate condition with a 50mm f/2 will cost around £170, but you can find examples for around £80. Just be mindful that there can be issues that the seller may not even know about.
Read more:
• Best film cameras
• Best film
• Best darkroom equipment
• Best film scanners
• Best Lomography cameras
• Best student camera for studying photography
Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
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Phil is the Managing Editor of Top Ten Reviews, and is a former Editor of Techradar's camera channel.
He is an accomplished photographer, and specializes in shooting cycling and fast cars.
The best film cameras of all time
March 24 2021
Despite the fact that digital photography has overshadowed analog photography, many photographers still prefer to shoot on film. This type of shooting requires patience and skill, does not tolerate haste and does not give room for error. However, many will agree with the fact that it is worth it!
The most intensive development of the photographic equipment industry took place in the last century. Many models of those years, presented in the review of film cameras, today are included in the category of rare ones.
A film camera in the hands of a photographer is a kind of portal to another era and a completely unique tool for creating masterpieces with their own unique aesthetics. And for storing photos, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with photo albums on our website.
We offer a selection of the best devices that have left their mark on the history of photography.
Pentax K1000
This model gained popularity in the 70s and held the bar for a very long time. The Japanese film camera Pentax K1000 is a perfect example of conciseness and quality. The device is equipped with a durable metal case and mechanisms that can withstand even the most severe weather conditions. From the very beginning, this model belonged to the low price segment. Due to its ease of use, the camera is still considered one of the best beginner film cameras.
Leica M6
The cameras of this German company have played a very important role in the history of photography. Leica products have always been considered the standard of excellence. It was one of the first rangefinder cameras with a built-in exposure meter that retained its compact size. Reading the meter reading was simplified as the LED arrows in the viewfinder indicated over or under exposure. The Leica M6 was produced from 1984 to 1998 in various modifications: the M6J represented a collection series of 1640 units, the M6 0.
85 featured an enlarged viewfinder eyepiece, and the M6TTL had some additional options. This camera is perfect for documentary and journalistic work.
Olympus OM-1
The Olympus OM-1 is considered the first full-frame (24x36mm) modern camera. This DSLR combines a compact design with a wealth of features for professional use. It was one of the first devices in which the function of the air damper of the mirror appeared - that is, matrix stabilization, which leveled out the shake of the shutter during the release. Ease of use, durability and a nice, concise design can be added to the treasury of the advantages of the camera.
Canon AE-1
In the mid-70s, Canon AE-1 film cameras were especially popular. For ten years, until 1985, 5 million units of goods were sold, which was a record of those years. This camera was one of the first available DSLRs on the market with TTL AE metering and a microprocessor. Canon AE-1 will be a good tool for creativity.
The camera can run on conventional batteries, in addition, many of the mechanical elements in it have been replaced by electronic modules. And yet, for this device there is a large selection of optics at reasonable prices.
Minolta X-700
This camera has been a huge hit since its inception. Minolta lens technology and lens mount was acquired by Sony and is used in today's mirrorless and translucent DSLT digital cameras. This model has all the functions necessary for film cameras, except for auto focus. In the 80s, Minolta was considered one of the best and was assembled in factories for more than 20 years. It has an aperture priority mode, as well as the ability to shoot a burst of up to 3.5 frames per second.
Nikon FM2
Another permanent leader in the list of legendary cameras. Rugged, lightweight, fast and reliable - you always know exactly what to expect from this device. Among the camera's many features is a mechanically synchronized vertical metal shutter that delivers a lightning fast 1/4000 second top speed and 1/200 X-sync.
Also, this camera works great with almost any Nikon lens.
Fujifilm X-T10
A new classic-styled mirrorless camera. With this camera, you can fine-tune exposure compensation and shutter speed, as well as select the shooting mode and shutter operation. You can take a panorama and immediately apply an effect to the frame, such as lomography or enable multiple exposure. On the top panel of the metal case there are not two tuning wheels, but three. This little helper is definitely worthy of attention!
Mamiya RZ67
This camera has become a cult favorite among studio and wedding photographers. Although the camera is not compact (it weighs more than 2 kg with a 110 mm lens), it wins with ease of use and high quality. Its modular design allows the use of various accessories that are easy to replace. The back of the camera rotates, allowing you to switch between landscape and portrait shooting without moving the camera or tripod.
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top modern cameras for beginners, with metal shutters, soap dishes, 35 mm
Shooting on film provides a special experience and unique qualities that cannot be reproduced with digital. The rating of film cameras, which includes models from well-known manufacturers, will help you choose a functional device for both a novice and an experienced user.
From ₽8,950
The ultra-lightweight instant camera from renowned Japanese manufacturer Fujifilm is made to take selfies and landscapes while traveling, parties, outings and other events. The device is compact in size. The camera has everything you need to create interesting and high-quality photographs. The manufacturer has provided several focus modes, and a flash that works in fill mode, automatic shutter speed setting, auto-run timer and many other useful features.
Lomography Simple Use Camera 400/27 B&W
Automatic camera with built-in flash is easy to use. The device already has a black and white film for 27 frames. Even a child can use the camera, all exposure settings are fixed.
Fujifilm Instax Mini 90
From ₽8,789
The Instax Mini 90 is a favorite of many customers due to its retro design, simplicity and practicality. Making a review of this modern multi-functional "soap box", it should be noted impressive functionality with low weight and very modest dimensions. The LCD screen displays all the necessary indicators: the number of remaining shots, battery level and others. The built-in macro lens is useful when shooting from a short distance, while automatic and manual exposure controls allow you to take good quality photos in daylight and darkness.
Rollei RPX 400/135-27
Disposable film camera in a bright design, suitable for a child or teenager. The device already has black and white film ISO 400 with a length of 27 frames.
The camera is suitable for shooting under normal conditions, as well as for working with moving objects.
Fujifilm Instax Wide 300
From 7 939 ₽
In the top of the best instant cameras with which you can get a high-quality image of a fairly large size (86x108 mm), the Instax Wide 300 model from the Japanese company Fujifilm is presented. The device is equipped with a retractable lens with a focus of 95 mm. The manufacturer provides two correction modes Lighter and Darker, which allows a complete combination of light and shadow. If necessary, you can use the fill flash function. A good gift for both a beginner and a sophisticated user.
How to choose a film camera
When buying a camera, you must first consider the purpose for which the equipment will be used. To choose the right film camera for a beginner, you need to study the advice of experts and real users.
For travel, a disposable model is suitable, which is inexpensive, but it is not a pity to throw it away if it breaks.
With the help of such a camera, it will be possible to shoot only one film, but the whole process is fully automated, and you can absolutely not know about the design of the device. If the photographer plans to create masterpieces on film, the design of the camera should be more complex, and when choosing, one should pay attention to the technical capabilities and characteristics of the device.
It is important to remember that the quality of photographs depends not only on the photographer, but also on the quality of film development and printing. And not every photo salon will undertake this business today.
It's good to have a manual or automatic flash in the camera. This allows you to take pictures even at night. When choosing a device, it is necessary to take into account the focal length. The smaller it is, the more it fits into the frame, and vice versa, the longer the focal length, the closer the lens brings distant objects closer. A small focus is suitable for shooting landscapes, architecture, a large group of people.
