Ieuanfawr's Review of Canon A1 35mm SLR camera
17th May 2006
Overall Rating
- Value for money

- Photograph Quality

- Ease of Use

- Time Camera OwnedOver 1 Year
- Features

The A1 system is totally comprehensive, and at the time of its launch, was arguably the state of the art complete 35mm SLR. Terrific lenses. The aspherical and perspective correcting ones are very expensive.
Bad Points
Relatively slow shutter speed with flash (1/60 sec); camera totally dependent on battery - there is no manual option if the battery fails, so always a have a spare in your bag. Flash sensor is on the flash, not TTL.
General Comments
The Canon A1 35mm SLR is a classic camera, surpassed only by the F1.
I have had mine since about 1980, and have four lenses: 2 zooms and two fixed focal length. I also have the 199 Speedlight which is very powerful, and will work with lenses as wide as 24mm. I did have the motor drive (now sold) which was quite remarkable. It would consume 36 frames of film in about 5 secs, and the batteries didn't last much longer. The Speedlight could keep up for bursts of 4 or 5 frames before needing to recharge.
From being state of the art, it now seems a bit dated, being large and heavy - very heavy with a 300mm lens, motor drive, and flash. However, it was always forgiven for this as the quality of the transparencies or prints was superb. There was never any concern about enlarging Kodachrome64 to 20" 30".
Swapping lenses is a simple one-handed job, and when I dropped my f4 35-70mm zoom, it was reset by a specialist in Liverpool.
Over the years I have it serviced there several times, and only a broken battery door ever needed replacing. It has been frozen in the foothills of Everest, soaked in Snowdonia and fried in the Arizona desert. The leather case has protected it, and even though the case itself is all but wrecked, the camera itself is in good condition. It has never failed despite the testing environments.
It is easy to use in all modes, and I found that metering at normal light levels was very accurate.
My greatest wish is that I could change the back for a an 8 Mega-Pixel digital receptor!
On average, people found this review very helpful
Members' Comments onIeuanfawr's Review
kriptone
on 27th May 2006Ieuanfawr
on 30th May 2006I have to take issue with your comment about it only being surpassed by the F1. What about the T90?? True, it was outstanding, not least with 1/125th sec flash sync, but sadly it was only on sale for about a year and never caught on with the pros. It was bit like BetaMax VCRs. Technically excellent but never took off commercially. However have recently gone digital so am looking to sell my 35mm equipment. Interested??? Likewise! Meanwhile, I see Canon have halted development of film cameras. :( http://news.com.com/Canon+to+halt+development+of+film+cameras/2100-1041_3-6076876.html?tag=nefd.top
Web Links
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Canon A-1 - Modern Classic SLR Series
Canon replied about a year later, in April 1978, with a revolutionary concept camera that took the photographic world by storm. The Canon A1.
www.mir.com.my -
Canon A-1 - Camera Operation - Index Page
Essentials: - Canon A1 Repair/Service Guide | Determine Years of Made of your Canon; Canon Flash models:- Canon 300TL flash(1.5MB);
www.mir.com.my -
Canon XH-A1 - ProCreative - Macworld UK
There is a vast range of HDV camcorders available today. ... Mon, 05 Feb 2007 Canon XH-A1
www.macworld.co.uk -
Canon A-1 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Canon A-1 is an advanced level single-lens reflex (SLR) 35 mm film camera for use with interchangeable lenses. It was manufactured by Canon Camera K. K. (today Canon Incorporated) in Japan from April 1978 to 1985. It used a horizontal cloth-curtain focal-plane shutter...
en.wikipedia.org -
Canon A-1 Film Camera Sample Photos and Specifications
Canon A-1 SLR Film Camera Sample Photos ... I owned and used the A1 for almost 20 years before I went to digital.
www.pbase.com -
sendean cameras | london's leading camera store & repair shop
Below is a example list of some of the cameras we fix regularly and the average cost we charge to repair them. The cost covers all major faults; ... canon slr a1 £85
www.sendeancameras.co.uk -
Professional Camcorders - High Definition Camcorders and Lenses -
The XH A1 High Definition camcorder has a 20x HD zoom lens. ... The excellence of the XH A1 begins with its Genuine Canon 20x HD zoom lens with Professional L Series Fluorite.
www.usa.canon.com -
Canon XH A1 Camcorder Review - Canon HDV Camcorders
The Canon XH A1 is poised to win over a host of videographers looking to make the switch to HD. Billed by Canon as the XL H1 in miniature, we can tell you that the statement is hardly exaggeration.
www.camcorderinfo.com -
Canon Unveils New Prosumer HDV Line: XH G1 and XH A1 - Canon
July 26, 2006 - This morning Canon USA and Canon Inc. announced the release of their first prosumer HDV camcorders, the XH G1 and XH A1 (expected MSRP $6999 and $3999, respectively). ... As Canon explained,
www.camcorderinfo.com -
Canon XH A1 HD Camcorder - Canon Österreich
Klasse Werkzeug für digitale Filmemacher ? der XH A1 für die 1080i HDV-Produktion. ... CANON iMAGE GATEWAY ... Canon HDV Camcorder XH A1
www.canon.at



While I agree that the A1 is a superb camera I have to take issue with your comment about it only being surpassed by the F1. What about the T90?? I have both (A1 and T90) and the T90 is definitely superior in terms of ergonomics, performance and specification. I also have a number of lenses: 24mm, 50mm. 28-200mm, 70-210mm and two 2x converters plus dedicated flash (300TL, works with A1 and T90). However have recently gone digital so am looking to sell my 35mm equipment. Interested???