Advice: Canon AE-1?

CMaster

I was wondering if any of the film guys here on this site are familiar with the Canon AE-1 body? I have a chance to pick this up with two lenses (50mm f/1.8 & 300mm f/5.6) for a price of $350. If it would be for just adding some extra glass to the collection I would do that, but seeing as how I went Nikon.... So I figured it could be a easy/cheap way into the film world or that I could just upgrade to a better Canon body in the future if I should so desire. I've found some info on the AE-1 out there on the net (haven't done a lot of research) but haven't really seen how well it's performance was and wether or not it would be worth it.

Mainly, I'd like to know if it was a decent body, if the lenses are still usable on modern bodies or only on bodies of that era?

Any help would be greatly appreciated,

Thanks

ShannonW

Hi,
I have one that I only use for infrared film. I really like it. It's durable and has lasted forever! The downside, is the lenses are all manual so they can only fit older cameras. I bought mine for $150 it came with a 50mm 1.8 and I bought a telephoto later. The price seems a little high. Have you looked on EBAY or local pawn shops?

Hope this helps

ivar

I've got that body, and it is great! good quality, never let me down in any way. Like said before, it is all manual, but i loved it. It's actually the body that got me introduced into photography. I still have it, and would never part with it. I can't tell you about the lenses, i have neither one of them. Price does seem a little high, but it depends on the quality of the lenses i guess. The lenses are not compatible with the EOS type lenses.

Ivar.

gus

Mine has some issues so its going to be converted to a pinholer. 20 years faultless service until i damaged it.

ScottMcLeod

CMaster wrote:

I was wondering if any of the film guys here on this site are familiar with the Canon AE-1 body? I have a chance to pick this up with two lenses (50mm f/1.8 & 300mm f/5.6) for a price of $350. If it would be for just adding some extra glass to the collection I would do that, but seeing as how I went Nikon.... So I figured it could be a easy/cheap way into the film world or that I could just upgrade to a better Canon body in the future if I should so desire. I've found some info on the AE-1 out there on the net (haven't done a lot of research) but haven't really seen how well it's performance was and wether or not it would be worth it.

Mainly, I'd like to know if it was a decent body, if the lenses are still usable on modern bodies or only on bodies of that era?

Any help would be greatly appreciated,

Thanks

Great body (mine's been goin' for years), but lenses are *NOT* compatible on newer bodies.

Not worth 350$ though. 300mm f/5.6 is pretty average.

I paid 229.99$ for mine, about 5 years ago, in candian dollars, with a chipped/cracked corner (it'd been dropped), with a 50mm f/1.8 lens.

lulalake

CMaster wrote:

I was wondering if any of the film guys here on this site are familiar with the Canon AE-1 body? I have a chance to pick this up with two lenses (50mm f/1.8 & 300mm f/5.6) for a price of $350. If it would be for just adding some extra glass to the collection I would do that, but seeing as how I went Nikon.... So I figured it could be a easy/cheap way into the film world or that I could just upgrade to a better Canon body in the future if I should so desire. I've found some info on the AE-1 out there on the net (haven't done a lot of research) but haven't really seen how well it's performance was and wether or not it would be worth it.

Mainly, I'd like to know if it was a decent body, if the lenses are still usable on modern bodies or only on bodies of that era?

Any help would be greatly appreciated,

Thanks

Hey Paul,
I have an AE1-p, only slightly different. It's excellent. You will need the FD series of lenses, many are out there and not very expensive. There is an inherent problem with the shutters, many start squeeking. When they do the fix is expensive. Nothing wrong with the sound but the times are off when they start making noise. DO CHECK.
I think that's a bit pricy unless it's in absolutely EX condition.

Cheers

Jules

CMaster

Hey thanks guys for all the responses, I really appreciate it.

I'll see if I can get a better idea of what condition the camera is in. It's in Louisiana and I'm in Pennsylvania, so I'll see what I can figure out. Although it seems to be the general consensus that they want too much for the camera. It's definately too high for me right now due to some very recent automobile issues . I might see if I can talk them down to a lower price.

Thanks again everyone!

ScottMcLeod

CMaster wrote:

Hey thanks guys for all the responses, I really appreciate it.

I'll see if I can get a better idea of what condition the camera is in. It's in Louisiana and I'm in Pennsylvania, so I'll see what I can figure out. Although it seems to be the general consensus that they want too much for the camera. It's definately too high for me right now due to some very recent automobile issues . I might see if I can talk them down to a lower price.

Thanks again everyone!

Sorry, and mine was an AE-1 Program. You might be better off with an AE-1p or A-1.