Canon AE-1 Reviews

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Canon AE-1
4.5 stars
Average rating for this product is: 4.5 out of 5

From 8 ratings and 27 reviews

Thumb up 96% of users recommend this product

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Average Ratings for Canon AE-1

  • Photograph Quality4.8 stars
  • Features4.3 stars
  • Ease of Use4.8 stars
  • Value for Money4.8 stars
  • Reviewer Ratings4.6 stars
  • Overall Rating4.6 stars

27 Reviews For Canon AE-1

  • Guest 5th Jun 2009

    Reviewer rating: 4.5 stars


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    Good Points: Feels great
    Aperture AND speed priority
    Good variety of FD lenses


    General comments: I bought my Canon AE-1 Program in a flee market some 5 years ago. Didn't know if it worked properly or if I could work it properly.
    Put in new batteries and ran a roll of film. WOW ! ! !
    Since then I bought a 28mm and 100-200mm lens. All pictures turned out great.
    So I just got an A-1 from ebay along with about a douzen other vintage cameras and this one seem s great also.
    As a matter of fact, I just purchased another AE-1 for my niece as she loves photography as I beleive this is a better camera than the Nikon EM she wanted.

  • FD nut Rank: Corporal 8th Feb 2009

    Reviewer rating: 5 stars


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    A friend gave me an Canon AE-1 body in the mid 80's, told me to buy a lens, which I did (Canon 35-70mm) and my amateur photographic career began. Its never let me down, and now with an A-1 and T-90, in my camera bag, as well as several FD lenses, I have no intention of going digital, so long as Fuji and Kodak keep making top quality film.

  • Guest 19th Jan 2009

    Reviewer rating: 5 stars


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    Have had my Canon AE-1 since 1978. It has been everywhere and has never gave anything but excellent results. Even today in 2009 I still reach for it as a first consideration when shootng film. I only reach for something else when I need functions it does not have... It is well Built. Has stood the test of time. Takes excellent photos. Only bad point is I can not buy a new one...

  • tanzer770 24th Nov 2008

    Reviewer rating: 4 stars


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    I do not know what else to say. If I could convert it to a digital without the expence, that would be great. I am a causual home user. The canon AE-1 I have ,has the normal 55mm lens as well as a 135mm, but I wish I had a (70/80---200/210mm) zoom lens.

  • Guest 4th Nov 2008

    Reviewer rating: 4 stars


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    I still have photos from my AE-1 and am looking to buy another. Digital is easy, I am no pro and don't need much, but the AE-1 was so simple compared to the fantastic photo results I got. Easy for amateurs. Somehow produces EXCELLENT photos even in my photographically challenged hands. Mine died and the ex wouldn't pay to repair.

  • Guest 29th Oct 2008

    Reviewer rating: 5 stars


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    The Canon AE-1 is a marvellous camera. I have had mine for over twenty-six years. I have had it serviced once, to clean it and keep it tight. I use it for personal and professional purposes, and I know of nothing better. The lenses are the best there are, and the camera has a good feel and takes the most rugged wear. Well recommend the Canon AE-1.

  • Guest 23rd Sep 2008

    Reviewer rating: 5 stars


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    The Canon AE-1 is an amazing camera and I think people should look into it and buy it on ebay or a seller

  • ulyssalunch 9th Jun 2008

    Reviewer rating: 5 stars


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    My dad has a hobby store and last year someone traded him a Canon AE-1 for some model aircraft parts, then he gave it to me. It is my first real SLR and it is a beaut! I get lots of compliments on my photos, and I've only been working with this SLR for a year. When I got the first roll of film I shot developed, I was amazed at how well the photos turned out. Now, people ask me to do portraits and I only use the AE-1. In my opinion, it takes pictures way better than standard digital cameras. ...

  • julesseyes 15th Dec 2007

    Reviewer rating: 5 stars


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    I have been learning to use my AE-1 Canon for a few years. I know in the future I will have to go digital, but not as long as I have this camera. I enjoyed reading from other's about their feelings on this particular camera.

  • mikmap 26th Aug 2003

    Reviewer rating: 5 stars


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    I LOVE my Canon AE-1. My father gave it to me for my high school graduation (1987)and it has taken thousand's if not a million pictures from my graduation, thru college, graduation again, marriage and the birth of my two children (and everything in between)(2003). I have had it cleaned thoroughly 2 times in it's life, once due to my own carelessness. I didn't notice the bottom panel was loose and I put it down in the sand and sand got up into the mechanism. I had it cleaned and it was like brand ...

  • Coop. 9th Jul 2003

    Reviewer rating: 5 stars


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    A fine classic SLR with programmed features or fully manual (for the true camera buff). A treasure with Canon wide angle, Canon 55MM, Tamron 38-200 telephoto lenses and filters. Great for B/W, Sepia, Color pics. Would sell to interested party.
    A real investment quality collector's camera.

  • Thomas B.. 10th Jun 2003

    Reviewer rating: 2 stars


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    Had an AE-1 years ago that I eventually traded for a Nikon. Canon's lenses for this mount are very good, but you'll only find them on the used shelf as Canon obsoleted this entire lens mount (not the first time they've abandoned older Canon owners). For this reason and because of reliability issues I switched to Nikon.

    Only buy this camera if it's in excellent working condition and you have access to lenses, because there is no parts support from Canon for this old dog, and lenses for the ...

  • Jaye. 19th Nov 2002

    Reviewer rating: 5 stars


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    Hey, I am a Nikon_guy. But I always wanted, an AE-1. Well, I got the AE-1, and a Vivitar 283 flash, for $25.00, from a neighbor, who was given the camera on a trash route. I put batteries in the flash, and POW!!, then, I ran a roll of 200 speed in the AE-1, to my surprise, the shots were....POW, a big hit. I have run a few rolls through this baby, and the shots, are great. I just love this camera. And guess what, I went out and got a Canon A1. This is a horse. But the AE-1, is so amazing. ...

  • G Bray. 16th Jun 2002

    Reviewer rating: 4.5 stars


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    I have (and still) use my Canon A1 and AE-1 35mm SLR cameras. I have owned the AE-1 since the 1970s and cannot complain. The A1 was purchased in 1982. I have toured the world with both and they have never let me down (except the original battery of the AE-1 has just -today- given out).

    I use 28mm / 50mm/ 35-70 zoom / 80-210 zoom and so the cameras are subject to the wear and tear of lens changing.

    The cameras do look used but there is little point in having them and leaving them in the b ...

  • KEOHAN. 16th Apr 2002

    Reviewer rating: 5 stars


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    First Canon AE-1 35mm SLR camera was bought new in '86. Loved using it and travelled throughout asia with it. It never failed or caused me any problems. Was stolen in '91. Have missed using a truly reliable manual SLR camera and bought a used AE-1 last week for $105.00 (with a 35-200mm Tokina zoom)at a used camera shop. I am once again truly pleased with it's performance. I just don't know how to select the ASA settings!

  • Ignacio de Nevares. 2nd Apr 2002

    Reviewer rating: 5 stars


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    I think the Canon AE-1 is an excellent 35mm SLR camera. I have taken very good pictures with it. It is too heavy to carry if you take it hiking or mountain climbing as I did, belive me with 0 degrees celcius and 120km/h of wind, as I had one weekend, it was not the perfect camera. It also has many problems with the cold. Nevertheless, it is an excellent camera and you get good pictures with it, what is what I expect of a camera.

  • Andrew Brown. 20th Mar 2002

    Reviewer rating: 5 stars


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    I bought this Canon AE-1 35mm SLR camera a few years ago used back in 1999 I believe. My father actually has one that he bought new when they first came out. Anyway I use it everywhere! I am very much into Outdoor Photography and this camera seems to be indestructable! We live in a very cold climate and have extreme weather conditions ranging from -35 - 40 celcius to (for a few short weeks)+30 in the summer! This camera is like a ROCK with it's old school metal body design and the ability to cha ...

  • Domingo. 24th Feb 2002

    Reviewer rating: 5 stars


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    The Canon AE-1 35mm SLR camera is a real collectors item, always there for the serious action for fun or work.

  • Richard. 6th Feb 2002

    Reviewer rating: 4.5 stars


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    I've had a Canon AE-1 35mm SLR camera since 1979 and it hasn't missed a beat. I sent it to the workshop for routine maintenance for the first time last year and it only needed some minor adjustment. Photographs taken with this camera are excellent (dependant on lens, of course). It's very durable. It even survived a major car accident without damage to the body (some lenses needed repairing).

  • Roy. 8th Jan 2002

    Reviewer rating: 5 stars


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    We bought this Canon AE-1 35mm SLR camera new in 1976, and it wasn't until 5 years later that I was allowed to use it. I have brought it literally everywhere and although I have used up point and shoot cameras along the way, the AE-1 has been the good, reliable one. I was shooting weddings with this camera with excellent results for someone of 14 years of age. It has been with me to about 20 of these United States, including Hawaii and Alaska, North Pole, China, Philippines and only recently ...