Canon A1 Reviews

Rating
Reviewed by:

danic
( Intermediate)

Review Date
September 10, 2008

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
2.00 of 5,
1 votes

Review 1 of 84

Price Paid: $0.00

Summary:

This camera was given to me as a gift, with a whole range of lenses.

I haven't been disappointed at all with this setup. I have a 28mm, 50mm, 35-70mm, 70-210mm and x2 TC. These cover the full focal range for me and offer the versatility that I need.

The exposure is fine for most occasions, and is able to take some punishment when being slung around.

I would highly recommend this camera for anyone wanting to shoot 35mm film.

Strengths:

Rugged
Durable
Smooth winding action

Weaknesses:

None.

Similar Products Used:

Pentax Spotmatic

Customer Service:

Not required.

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Rating
Reviewed by:

Allan Mee
( Intermediate)

Review Date
September 5, 2008

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
3.00 of 5,
2 votes

Review 2 of 84

Price Paid: $100.00 from Luton Camera Reoair

Summary:

One of the world's classic film SLRs.
Ideal for the pro-photographer or even a newbie amateur.
Probably THE best camera of the 70s era. It's the camera that 'converted' me to Canon.
Two words sum it up:-
Totally brilliant.

Strengths:

One of the best informational viewfinders ever put into a camera.
5 simple to use AE exposure modes and full manual modes.
Well built - despite some shutter squeal on some models.
Multi-exposures lever.
Great range of acessories and lenses.
Long battery life.
Cheap s/h prices.

Weaknesses:

No autofocus.
Uses older FD mount rather than newer EOS mount.

Similar Products Used:

OM2, OM40, Various Nikon F series.

Customer Service:

NA nowadays unfortunately.

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Rating
Reviewed by:

Al Kassam
( Beginner)

Review Date
April 4, 2008

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5,
1 votes

Review 3 of 84

Price Paid: $266.00 from Online

Summary:

I am extremely happy to own this camera. It is in my opinion, one of the finest SLR's ever designed. (LeicaR4S mod.p, Nikon F4, and the Leica M6ttl) are the best ones. However, the A1 is a continuous joy to use. The exposures are perfect everytime. The only camera of the bunch that I regularly shoot in the Program mode with superb results. One disappointment is the dreaded...
shutter squeek. Ok someone, HELP>>>>>>What is it? and how do you get rid of it?
I certainly could use some advice as how to overcome this nuisance.

Overall, a masterpiece which doesn't need to stay on a shelf. - Use It !

Strengths:

Build quality, ergonomics, well balanced, ease of use, many available accessories, Lenses are plenty and quite easy to find on E Bay.
The overall feel in your hands suugest a precision photographic instrument.

Weaknesses:

The Shutter squeek, Some ones gotta know how to rid that irritating niose.

Similar Products Used:

Leica r4sP, Nikon F4s, Nikon FA, Leica M6

Customer Service:

DOn't have any need yet.

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Rating
Reviewed by: Mal
(Expert)

Review Date
September 25, 2007

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Review 4 of 84

Price Paid: $450.00 from NZ

Summary:

Bought the Canon A1 13 years ago, fixed the "Squeak" with online advice and have acquired extras galore as the masses flock to "megapixels"!
I love it each time I hear, "your photos are so clear, whAT kind of camers do you use?"
Here's hoping film processing does not go the way of Black & white!
Malachy

Strengths:

Exposure accuracy.
Able to blow up to 'infinity'!
Ready availability of cheap but excellent accessories
No need to worry about "sensor dust"

Weaknesses:

Weight
Occasioanal miss load of new film roll.

Similar Products Used:

Pentax K 1000

Customer Service:

Phototronics

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Rating
Reviewed by: Bennie Sheffield
(Intermediate)

Review Date
September 20, 2007

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5,
2 votes

Review 5 of 84

Price Paid: $0.00

Summary:

There is no doubt that the newer canons have all the bells and whistles and are on the cutting edge of technology, but you cannot discount the purity of the canon A1. I am hard-core film base and I still use my A1 for all of my outdoor landscape and some portrait work. I love having to think my way through various shots with regard to exposure because it keeps me sharp. The A1 may be old but she still delivers great images. The work and technology(at the time)that Canon put into this 35mm SLR was not in vain as that technology was the jump off point for what we have now. The A1 is my absolute favorite hands down. A beautiful work of art (in my opinion). The weight of the A1 makes you feel like you are holding a quality piece of equipment as opposed to a toy (no offense intended). The lens selection is varied and inexpensive and in combination with this great camera, will deliver some outstanding images. THREE CHEERS FOR THE CANON A1!!

Weaknesses:

Cloth Curtain, Shutter Squeak, no auto rewind

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