Canon A1 Review

Watch this item
Canon A1
4.3 stars
Average rating for this product is: 4.3 out of 5

From 17 ratings and 35 reviews

Thumb up 91% of users recommend this product

Rate it Now:

Click on the stars above to rate this product:

Tweet This Item


oniko's Review of Canon A1 35mm SLR camera

8th Sep 2003

Overall Rating

4.5 stars
  • Value for money
    4.5 stars
Good Points

there are many fd mount fitting lens second hand for this camera ranging from 17mm thru to 6oomm from many manufactures.
this camera was one of the first multi mode cameras to come onto the market and one of the more successfull like the AE-1 with easy to understand controls, while the red leds in the viewfinder can be seen in even bright light.
it is a system camera with powerwinders and motordrives, and different focusing screens etc.


Bad Points

it has a low flash sync speed, but most people use flash for general photos, so thats ok.
the mirror box gears can dry out after a few years giving the "canon cough" that people talk about.
some parts are getting hard to get, but so are most classic cameras. it is a heavy camera, with controls that you have move various buttons and knobs to work them.


General Comments

The Cannon A1 is a great camera for general photography.you have AV for landscapes. TV for sports and movement. full manual that you can see and control in the viewfinder. as well as programme that your pet cat could use. it uses the same lenses that the F1N and AE-1 use, and look how many of those cameras are still giving great service.
its able to take a huge range of cheap s/hand lens and runs on a cheap 6 volt battery.
it has metal in the body and guts of it, not lots and lots of plastic that cracks after a knock or a drop.
a local repair person can usually repair it cheaply in a week or so and not have to have go back to japan for 3-6 months.
its a camera that you can grow with, meaning you can try all the options that different metering modes in the camera can give you,rather than just on programme.

Tweet This Review

On average, people found this review helpful

How helpful did you find this review?


Members' Comments ononiko's Review

  • oniko Rank: Major on 9th Oct 2003

    oniko here,i have just brought a second s/hand body to go with my first one.

    its nice to be able to read your exposures in low light with its red lcd's.