Canon AE-1 - Manual (Page 72)

Characteristics
The Cenon AE-1 represents a lendmerk in
the history ot SLR (Single* Lens* Ref I
cameras.
Up to now. electronic corttrol in SLR
cameras was limited, for example, to the
mechanism that decides exposure, but the
AE'I is the first camera in the world to
ineorporatc a CPU (Central Proces$»f >9 Until
by means of which automatic exposure,
memoery, transmission of sipr^als. display,
regulation of time and completion signal are
all electronically controlled. It is an entirely
new kind of SLR camera.
A high degree of automation has r>ot been
restricted only to the camera. It extends to
the various accessories with the same standard
of precision.
The AE*1 is the first camera to offer a
totally automated electronic photographic
system. It takes its name. AE*1, from this
concept.
Application of Electronics is the
Cornerstorse of the Entire Design
Automation in the AE1 was made
possible by the application of the latest
electronic technology, after a thorough
analysis of all mechanisms and their
os>eration. The important mecharrical features
made way for the electronic or>es. thus
changing the very essence of the camera's
design.
As a result, a miniature computer (CPUl
was successfully incorporated in the AE*I for
the first time in the woitd to compute, vudge.
control, display ar>d regulate required in*
formation.
Adoption of the Most Advanced Ele­
ctronic Technology
The I^L (Integrated Injection Logic), as
far as its applications in photography are
cor>cerr>ed, is the most outstanding achieve*
ment in electronics up to date. An LSI digital
circuit with extremely high properties of
accumulation, an operational amplifier, a
circuit with full use of an ar\alog switch, a
hyperbolic fufKtion resistance using both
thick and thin film technology, an analog*
digital convertor, artd the proper ir>terfaces.
together with their construction and arrange*
ment in modular form, represent techno*
logicai breakthroughs that go well beyond the