Canon AE-1 Program (1981)

It was five years after the AE-1 became a worldwide hit. Many users wanted the program AE mode that was featured in the A-1. This mode set both the shutter speed and aperture automatically. The user just had to press the shutter button.

The AE-1 Program camera was developed in response to the demand for program AE and to succeed the original AE-1. The camera now had both shutter speed-priority AE and program AE modes. It also sported a palm grip like the A-1. The camera was also compatible with the A-1’s Motor Drive MA. The viewfinder featured LEDs. It was quite an advanced camera.

To make Motor Drive MA compatible with the AE-1 Program camera, it had three electrical contacts instead of only two which the original version had. Also, Power Winder A was converted into Power Winder A2 for higher performance.

 

Name	Canon AE-1 Program
Manufacturer	Canon Japan
Made in	Japan
N°
Production Date
Type	35mm focal-plane shutter SLR camera
Series	A Series
Picture Size	24 x 36 mm
Normal Lens	Canon New FD 50mm f/1.4, New FD 50mm f/1.8
Lens Mount	FD mount
Focus	Manual Focus
Shutter	Four-axis, horizontal-travel focal-plane shutter with cloth curtains. B, 2, 1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/15, 1/30, 1/60, 1/125, 1/250, 1/500, 1/1000 sec. All speeds controlled electronically. Built-in self-timer (with beeper).
Dimensions & Weight	141 x 88 x 48 mm, 565 g
Production Period	April 1981 - 1984
No Produced	4.000.000
Original Price	86,500 yen (w/New FD 50mm f/1.8SC)

 

 

(source: Canon Camera Museum, Wikipedia.org, Camera-wiki.org, knippsen.blogspot.com)