Canon AE-1 profile in Popular Photography
This is an excerpt of a much longer writeup in Popular Photography around the launch of the Canon AE-1. Clearly the editors recognize what a groundbreaking SLR this is, using electronics and simplified manufacturing to offer most of the Canon EF's functionality in a much cheaper and lighter package. Canon's statement that they reduced the parts-count of this model by 300 pieces is rather astonishing.
Also notable is the way the Olympus OM-1 has already become the reference standard for camera size. Comparing the size of the AE-1 to Canon's own FTb is an indication of how influential this downsizing trend had become. Even just-introduced Pentax models would rather quickly be replaced by smaller alternatives.
The AE-1 became one of Canon's all-time sales hits, produced in the millions. As an affordable autoexposure model, it became the starter camera for countless amateurs; and it is the subject of great affectionate nostalgia in some quarters. It must be acknowledged that the cost-reduced manufacturing did not result in the the most robust construction, and other cameras might represent a better choice for a film newbie today.
Canon AE-1 profile in Popular Photography
This is an excerpt of a much longer writeup in Popular Photography around the launch of the Canon AE-1. Clearly the editors recognize what a groundbreaking SLR this is, using electronics and simplified manufacturing to offer most of the Canon EF's functionality in a much cheaper and lighter package. Canon's statement that they reduced the parts-count of this model by 300 pieces is rather astonishing.
Also notable is the way the Olympus OM-1 has already become the reference standard for camera size. Comparing the size of the AE-1 to Canon's own FTb is an indication of how influential this downsizing trend had become. Even just-introduced Pentax models would rather quickly be replaced by smaller alternatives.
The AE-1 became one of Canon's all-time sales hits, produced in the millions. As an affordable autoexposure model, it became the starter camera for countless amateurs; and it is the subject of great affectionate nostalgia in some quarters. It must be acknowledged that the cost-reduced manufacturing did not result in the the most robust construction, and other cameras might represent a better choice for a film newbie today.