Canon AE-1 - Manual (Page 51)

Exposure Compensation by Changing
the ASA Setting
An ASA film speed twice as fast as
another denotes that only half the amount of
light is necessary for correct exposure as com*
pared with the other film speed. With this in
mind, you can compensate for exposure by
changing the ASA film speed settmg. For
example, with the aperture ring set to the "A'*
mark, when an ASA 400 film is used, you can
double the amount of light striking the film
for exposure compensation by switching the
ASA film speed setting to ASA 200.
Using the ^If-Timer
Obvious uses for the $elf*timer are self*
portraits and the inclusion of the photo*
grapher in the picture. The self*timer. though,
can also be used in place of a cable release
to release the shutter gently arsd smoothly in
dose range work like photomicrography oc
copying.
Push the electronic $etf*timer lever
forward, then press the shutter button, and
the shutter will be released 10 secor>ds later.
The camera memoriгei the exposure value the
very instant the self*timer is activated by
pressii>g the shutter button. While the self-
timer is in operation, the self*tirr>ef lamp
flashes on and off.
After you finish takirtg a picture, the
sdf timer lever should be reset to its orignal
position. Otherwise, it will function again the
isext time you press the shutter button.
Exposure will be automaticatly determined at
the instant the shutter button is pressed, arxf
not when the picture is actually taken. There­
fore. avoid standing directly in front of the
lens when you press the shutter button as the
AE control may miscalculate exposure.
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