canon a1 reviews | Watch This Item.

Picture courtesy of Max Vico.

Average Ratings
Photograph Quality9.5/10 Based on 28 ratings
Features9/10 Based on 32 ratings
Ease of Use9.1/10 Based on 28 ratings
Value for Money9.3/10
Reviewer Rating9.3/10
Overall Rating8.6/10 Based on 50 ratings
91% Recommended30 out of 33 Reviews
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33 Review Centre Canon A1 Reviews

  • Full review by
    jjames1274
    on 9th Jun 2009


    User Rating : 10
    Respect : 0

    Good Points: never had a problem, could take slide and any film, great for outdoors and indoors and also for low level and time frame, like for astronomy.

    General comments: i have had the Canon A1 camera since 1976 and i still have the camera with sppedlite 199a and also motor drive that lets the camera do five frames a second. also able to take a picture over a picture. also have 50mm and 135mm. have other cameras but i still prefer this because of flexability
    jjames1274's review and ratings     | 81 words

  • Review by
    PopsPhotos
    on 4th Jun 2009


    User Rating : 7
    Respect : 0

    I, just last week, traded a framed, matted print from my gallery for an A-1. I made the trade because I wanted something of quality which would take multiple exposures. I have used Canon in the past, so assumed it would be a rugged, reliable camera. I'm not very disappointed. The lens is stuck, so I can't get it off. I took a roll of film with it Thursday and I'm pleased with the results. I purposely pushed the macro and depth of field into marginal results and got exactly what I expected, No ...
    PopsPhotos's full review     | 136 words

  • Review by
    Guest.
    on 13th Apr 2009


    User Rating : 5
    Respect : 0

    I bought a Cannon A1 in 1982 brand new when I was 17 the price was £320.00.The best parts of the camera was viewfider which showed aperture and shutter flash reader and programmed modes.I also bought a cannon 166 speedlight for £99.00 which was dedicated.The camera was an absolute classic but when I bought a Cannon EOS RTI realise how much the A1 Was Limited in features handling and quality.For The time when the A1 came out it was an icon but the Cannon cameras available now 2009 a ...
    Guest's full review     | 103 words

  • Review by
    FD nut Rank: Corporal
    on 13th Feb 2009


    User Rating : 10
    Respect : 0

    I bought my Canon A1 in 1992 secondhand for £120 and it still works perfectly, and has never been repaired or serviced, nor let me down. With some TLC I expect it to last a good few more years yet. Some may say film is expensive, but if you surf the net good deals are out there. As good as any 35mm camera I've used. The only bad point is no mirror lock up.
    FD nut's full review     | 73 words

  • Review by
    Guest.
    on 16th Dec 2008


    User Rating : 10
    Respect : 0

    This was a ground breaker in its day, sort of like the first EOS Rebel DSLR which broke the mold for entry DSLRs, the A-1 broke the mold for entry SLRs by introducing an affordable auto exposure. I personally feel this is much more of a camera then the modern DSLR equivalent (say 450D) which are plastic replicas. The A-1 evokes the days of the newspaper photographer.I brought mine second hand a decade ago. In fact it was older than my Pentax SE which I also still have. The SE I brought new, but ...
    Guest's full review     | 240 words

  • Review by
    Guest.
    on 4th Dec 2008


    User Rating : 10
    Respect : 0

    I find this a very special stuff for me. Now I work with my eos 30d and 5D... but usually I pick up my old A1 with some black and white film and just enjoy it, I love it. Digital ones are awesome but A1 35 mm film camera has something very special, maybe romantic, and different. Anyway it works great. No problem after 25 years of use.My father bought this camera when I was a child. At eleven years old I begun to use it and thanks to my father and this camera I felt in love with photography.
    Guest's full review     | 99 words

  • Review by
    Guest.
    on 30th Nov 2008


    User Rating : 10
    Respect : 0

    This is actually one of my favourite 35mm cameras because it allows many of the virtues of today's electronic cameras in a circa 1978 more well constructed body. The exposure is extremely accurate for most shooting situations and the ability to use a standard screw in shutter release is welcome. I would recommend this camera with a few caveats. If the shutter squeaks, have the mirror lubricated. Many older cameras need shutter lubrication and new seals so a trip to a trusted repair shop is reco ...
    Guest's full review     | 121 words

  • Review by
    Guest.
    on 24th Sep 2008


    User Rating : 10
    Respect : 0

    Best over-all full mode 35 mm camera. Cameras like the F-1 are superior in quality construction, but not in features. In any case, after nearly 30 years, the A-1 speaks for itself.
    Guest's full review     | 99 words

  • Review by
    Guest.
    on 2nd Sep 2008


    User Rating : 10
    Respect : 0

    I Have recently bought the Canon A1 off ebay and in my opinon the best slr around, and I frequently use it in program mode, great results! Fantastic camera! Easy to use!great features!wide range of lenses! A+++
    Guest's full review     | 44 words

  • Review by
    thewood Rank: Corporal
    on 5th Aug 2008


    User Rating : 10
    Respect : 0

    Sorry folks, just knowing how to pressing the shutter doesn't make you a better photographer or gives you the ability to take any better photos. If this is you, don ' t waist your money on this quality camera, buy a disposable and be done with it.
    thewood's full review     | 128 words

  • Review by
    Guest.
    on 18th Jul 2008


    User Rating : 10
    Respect : 0

    The feel ,touch, looks, ease of use,and the results in the form of near perfect pictures on every shot !
    Guest's full review     | 22 words

  • Review by
    Guest.
    on 12th Jul 2008


    User Rating : 10
    Respect : 0

    I had the A1 CANON WITH 70 to 210 canon lens and 50m lens suburb results........
    Guest's full review     | 20 words

  • Review by
    Guest.
    on 10th Apr 2008


    User Rating : 10
    Respect : 0

    I used an A1 until poor eyesight forced me to change to autofocus or i would still be using it today
    Guest's full review     | 34 words | 1 comment added.

  • Review by
    beautybear Rank: Major
    on 9th Apr 2008


    User Rating : 10
    Respect : 0

    The Canon A1 was my first 35mm SLR, I had the AE-1 Program which meant all I had to do was focus and shoot. The camera was amazing, I wish now I had kept it. The controls were really easy to use and the pictures were the clearest sharpest images I've ever seen. The control wheel on the top of the camera allowed selection of Full Program, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority Or Full Manual.The film advance lever worked smoothly and I could use ANY ASA Film from 12 to 3200. A 'Stop-Down' leaver al ...
    beautybear's full review     | 139 words

  • Review by
    Guest.
    on 22nd Mar 2008


    User Rating : 10
    Respect : 0

    As for the review i am sure if the person doesn't consider a Canon A-1 the hype or the best 35mm slr for its age or ever, then i am sure tescos has a point and shoot suited just for them! and cheap enuf to replace , and thanks to digital many good quality lenses and mint condition canon A series are now affordable and available due to persons changing to an "easier" "faster" "complicated electronic digital" cameras
    Guest's full review     | 122 words

  • Review by
    Sooprman44
    on 12th Mar 2008


    User Rating : 10
    Respect : 0

    What a camera ! ! ! I have two of the Canon A1. One was purchased by my Grandfather in the early 80's. The other by my father around the same time. I have since inherited both of them. I also have several of the AE-1's. Three to be exact. Thank god they both purchased a large assortment of lenses as well. Got them too. All of my Canon cameras take beautiful photographs. They are not as rugged as my old Honeywell Pentax Spotmatic, But that one was made in the 60's and it still works like a champ ...
    Sooprman44's full review     | 107 words

  • Review by
    Billy Moffet
    on 2nd Mar 2008


    User Rating : 9
    Respect : 0

    I have had my Canon A1 for around 25 years I have always loved using it and it has never let me down. When I purchased it, it was expensive and as an amateur I couldn't really justify the cost. Now 25 years later the initial outlay is justified at around £0.60 per year. You can't even buy a decent newspaper for that! A classic that is still going strong and I prefer the A1 to my digital.
    Billy Moffet's full review     | 107 words

  • Review by
    bds1958
    on 23rd Feb 2008


    User Rating : 10
    Respect : 0

    Had mine for over 20 years now. Brilliant pictures. Just upgraded to EOS 400D and look back at my A-1 with fond memories.
    bds1958's full review     | 26 words

  • Review by
    Guest.
    on 16th Jan 2008


    User Rating : 10
    Respect : 0

    love the Canon A1 camera so so reliable its like an old friend who goes everywhere with me.
    Guest's full review     | 31 words

  • Review by
    jmrackowe Rank: Staff Sergeant
    on 15th Jun 2007


    User Rating : 9
    Respect : 0

    The Canon A1 is a superb conventional 35mm camera.
    jmrackowe's full review     | 31 words


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