Canon A-1, released in 1978 and having been produced by Canon up to 1987, went down in the history as a legendary single-lens reflex 35mm film camera, which had a significant impact on the development of photography.
The Canon A-1 camera was the continuation of the Canon AE-1 model, which appeared in 1976 and was one of the most popular in the world of SLR cameras. The AE-1 had the automatic exposure (shutter priority, with TTL- light meter), which was a big advantage of professional photographic equipment. From a technical point of view, the AE-1 camera was ahead of its time, as it had a modular design: 5 main and 25 auxiliary nodes were controlled by a microcomputer.
The Canon A-1, a successor of the AE-1, issued in 1978, by the standards of those times was perceived as a sophisticated electronic device with an all digital control. Modern cameras with complicated circuit systems are much obliged to the Canon A-1, as it was the first SLR featuring an electronically controlled programmable exposure. The A-1 is able to automatically select an aperture setting and a shutter speed with the use of a microprocessor, resulting in taking an irreproachable image.
In addition to Program mode the Canon A-1 was endowed with shutter priority, aperture priority, full manual, and auto-flash modes. For that time it was an unprecedented set of modes which offered a variety of features that none of the devices of other manufacturers had.
The five AE modes in the A-1 is an excellent feature, but moreover each AE mode can be replaced by a manual one, enabling you to use a full creative control. The exposure compensation in the A-1 is ±2f/stops. For exposure compensation you can also use an exposure memory switch. In addition there is a switch for a limitless number of multiple exposures. You can change a shutter -priority mode to an aperture-priority one, then to Program mode, set and adjust factors for each mode, shooting with just one finger. You may experiment and find real enjoyment with the A-1.
Classically styled, with fine black finish, the A-1 weighs 22oz, and it is 3.6 inches high, 5.6 inches wide, and 1.9 inches deep. It is pleasant to shoot with, and this is the camera for those who have a great fancy for shooting. If you bought the A-1 or inherited it, be sure that you would get amazing photos with this camera.
Similar to some other cameras of the A-series, the A-1 uses a wide range of the massive and excellent FD mount. For this camera Canon offers about 50 lenses. The Canon A-1 does not feature a built-in or pop up flash. It can use different flashes on a hot shoe. Purposely for the A-series Canon has designed Speedlite flashes. One of the best is the 199A Speedlite flash, as it is completely synchronized with the A-1 camera.
On the whole Canon has employed about 20 fresh technologies in the A-1. Keeping in mind the earlier AE-1 and the subsequent A-1, we can say with certainty that Canon is a company, which preceded the coming of the world electronics and had a global impact on its development.
