Has everything I've every wanted in a camera. I like how it's heavier, it seems like it would make it harder to blur the pictures with a shaky hand or somthing, the same with a gun and aiming.

Yes the batterie tends to run out fast but I've found that if you take it out of the camera at the end of the day it last allot longer.

It's realy the only Camera I've ever used and surprisingly I've had other photographers comment on how great a camera this is when I don't even realy know how great it is cause it's the only camera I've ever really used, haha. I deffinetly really like it though, other wise I probably would have been more interested in looking at getting a new camera.

This camera is one of the most fully featured manual focus cameras you can buy. The choice of shutter-priority, aperature priority, or fully automatic expose is great when you need to focus more on the subject at hand than the camera settings, but also the full manual capabilities allows total control for creative expression. The film speed range of 6-12800 ISO is great for those who like to pull and push film for effect (myself included), and the multiple exposure lever is a handy feature to have. This camera is built like a tank, but pretty much any older SLR is too. The camera is black for those who put looks as a high priorty, and since canon has discontinued the FD series of lenses, lenses of various focal lengths can be picked up for a relatively cheap price.

The camera can be overwhelming at first if you are used to just a simple fully manual camera, but basic camera operation is identical to any other A or F series canon camera.

I bought this camera as a step up from my AE-1. It shares the same lens mount and basic features, but has much much more to offer.

Similar Products Used:

Canon AE-1 Canon AT-1 Olympus OM-1n

Heavy Duty, can take alot of abuse. Cheap. Easy to use controls,just dial what you want.

Battery Life. The thing eats 6volt batteries, always keep an extra near by.

A really good SLR for the money. One in great shape is less than $200 if you look around. The Canon FD Lenses are also cheap. Not built as well as the F1 but alot better than any modern EOS Plastic Job.

Customer Service

If you buy used from a dealer there is usualy a few month warentee.

Similar Products Used:

AE1, FTb, T50.

SO easy to use. Shutter speed easy to change with index right next to shutter release button. ASA goes right up to 12800! LED display in finder is a joy. The whole camera is just great. The lenses as well can be found at HUGE BARGAINS (I advise ONLY EVER use CANONM fixed focal length. And go for as close to f1.0 as they made......)

I guess they break if you use them as much as I do after about five years - but then they are not so expensive to service/replace so who cares ?

i forget how much i paid for my A1s. I had one that just died after a long time and a lot of abuse and now languishes as a spares kit. The second lasted me 5 years and then i overhauled it which cost me half as much as another second hand one. Reading that it sounds like maybe they dont last so long, but I treat them really badly and they never go in a case. My point is I love this camera. I had an AE1 stolen in 1990 and this was my posh upgrade. Now I have had it stolen again (with a 24mmf2.0 on it!!!) and am thinking maybe i will get an F1N, but after reading the reviews I felt I had to say why I love the A1 :- There are TWO reasons that stand out for me. 1. self timer - it has 10 sec AND 2 sec delay. The TWO second delay is BRILLIANT as it means you can take shots with SLOW shutterspeed with slightly less movement. Also for "improvised tripod" work or whatever you only have a two secoinf delay. The F1 doesnt have this. 2. Shutter Speed - this goes RIGHT DOWN TO 30 SECONDS !! the F1 only does 8 seconds. This might seem excessive but I have used this A LOT past 8 seconds. But hmm maybe i will just go buy an F1 and a cheap old A1 as well.

Customer Service

I use SENDEAN in London's Soho. They can fix anything.

Similar Products Used:

AE1 a long time ago

Durable, easy to use, lenses still easy to find, great metering.

Batteries are difficult to find now. (Can't just pick one up at the grocery store) Manual focus can be difficult to perfect in low light.

I love this camera. I first started using it when I was about 11 years old and found the light meter and automatic settings easy to understand and use. And though I kept it from my parents (who owned the camera at the time), I've dropped it and used it unshielded in the rain several times without a single problem. The multiple auto setting (aperture, shutter) combinations are also useful.

-Packed with fancy features yet easy to use -Manual override -Sturdy construction -Not too heavy (without the MA drive, that is:-)) - Truly great lences

-The (in)famous (you guessed it) shutter squeak. It's been there for years on mine, but I don't think it affects the performance overly -Depth of field prewiev is virtually useless (stop-down lever in) -If you're taking lot's of pic's in cold weather, bevare!! This thing is fully dependent on battery power.

This is the camera I grew up with, and still use to this day (My fathers camera initially, but his eyes aren't up for manual focus anymore, so now it's mine). I just love this little machine. Feature laden, yet easy to operate. Even a complete novice can easily cope with this camera. Virtually indestructable it is too. I've dropped this thing on solid rock or pavement more than once(!) and it doesn't affect the performance at all. All those new EOS machines look (and feel) silly IMO, and I don't think they could take very much of abuse. The pictures are allways great (unless I, the photographer, make a mistake. An important point, as most auto focus SLRs I've seen lack manual override). Metering very reliable. Also the lenses are spectacular. So bright, so awesome colours... Can still be bought used. There are truckloads of them out there, and the prices aren't too bad either.

Customer Service

None needed so far

Similar Products Used:

AE-1 (also a very very good machine) Also tried an EOS machine or two, but couldn't get my vits around the autofocus thing...

Automatic modes. Lighter than my others

Not as rugged as the F1 or EF. Plastic parts.

The A1 owned since new, some 24 years old now. Apart from a broken ON/OFF function and a broken battery door still works like a charm. Kills batteries now as I can't turn it off.

Customer Service

No support from Canon.

Similar Products Used:

Canon F1 and EF both metal construction.

Multiple AE modes, full manual, wide selection of great, affordable lenses, reliability.

Propensity to develop the mirror return noise with age; no spot metering.

I purchased my A-1 new in 1982 while on R&R in England (my AT-1 having been stolen in Somalia - but later recovered!!). Having grown up with hand-held light meters and match-needles, the A-1 seemed extremely modern and high-tech (which it was at the time). It spent its first six months back in north Africa and since then has been my only 35mm until the past year. It didn't even require a CLA until 2002! At that time, mirror squeak (heading toward squeal) was remedied and all foam replaced. A little brassing at edges is the only evidence of its age. The A-1 gives me a lot of control over exposure, depth of field and shutter speed. The multiple AE modes are adaptable to almost any situation. I have come to take the LED info display in the viewfinder for granted and forget how much I really use and depend on it. The camera has been extremely reliable and has produced the images one would expect with top-of-the-line Canon lenses (I won't say anything about the cheap lenses I've tried!). Only the lack of spot metering caused me to spring for a T-90 recently. The A-1 will still go along for the ride - for backup and the occasional roll of B&W film.

Customer Service

N/A - serviced by local technician as Canon does not service FD cameras any more.

Similar Products Used:

FTb, AT-1, AL-1, AE-1, AE-1P, Nikon FM, T-90, etc.

Solid manual body with a view finder that will look familiar to anyone who has used Canon's EOS bodies. Five metering modes, and if you look around for FD lenses, you can find some really great deals.

Batteries are a bit expensive, and if you lock the shutter open in bulb, the batteries will still drain. No batteries - no photos! Canon no longer makes any manual cameras or lenses!!!!

I have a couple EOS bodies but the A1 is the camera I carry every day. I bought it in good shape so the camera is very solid and just a lot of fun to use. The A1 is famous for developping a squeeky shutter but I haven't had this problem, and I use the camera almost every day.

Customer Service

I've been to the cutomer service centers in Tokyo and the people are friendly but I haven't had to have a camera repaired yet...

Similar Products Used:

EOS cameras & lenses

Built to last. Gives the user a freedom to compose and be creative because of the selection of modes. Lens selection (if available), quality, and price comparison. cheapest! Technology of yesterday that still is competetive today.

Metering mode is Averaging which gives a pale color(overexposure) if not familiar with this metering style. Memory botton does not lock which gives the user an akward hold on the camera when using a Zoom and memory metering.

I got may SLR in 1982, as a teenager the Digital Meter seem very attractive, 5 modes were simply kewl not to mention sample pictures were truly sharp! With without considering anything else i got it! 20years later i still have it. And having fun with it. This SLR will let "you" take total control or take full control which ever you want and it can go in between. From the City to the Mountains to the Beach from dusk till dawn this baby will give you your desire. EVEN after 20 years. Ive tried other SLR and i can't say they dont take good pictures but the fun in taking them is not there. Digital EOS-D1, G1 and G2 gives a monetary thrill but nothing can inspire me like an A1.

Customer Service

I had my unit cleaned because of noisy shutter. It took more than a month. Charge is fair and job done is very good.

Similar Products Used:

Nikons and Canons