Canon AE-1 - Manual (Page 27)

Shutter Button arnl Shutter Lock
The ihuuer release button is designed to
function as the main switch of the camera to
activate the AE meter and shutter operation.
1>)e shutter has a magnetic release, so the
meter can be read by pressing the shutter
button halfway with light pressure. By de*
pressing it further, the shutter will be released.
The magnetic release shutter button enables
faster metering for shooting in succession than
the mechanical release method does. There is
also less chance for camera shake.
When the shutter lock lever around the
22
shutter release button is turrwd to the
position^ the shutter button will be locked to
prevent unintentional shutter release. Keep
the shutter release button locked while
carrying the camera to prevent film waste.
When the power level of the battery is
insufficient, e safety mechanism will keep the
shutter from being released.
Frdnse Counter
The frame counter is an acklitive type
which counts orse frame every time the film
advance lever winds the film. When the
camera's back cover is opened, the frame
counter automatically resets itself to the
position.
While rewindirsg film« the frame counter
counts back the frame numbers. The starting
position 0, ornl the even numbers 2 to 38
are displayed by the counter. Numbers 20 and
38 are marked in orange to call your attention
to the er>d of film cartridges such as are today
commercially available. The frame counter
cannot count higher than 38.