Canon A-1. Pick up this remarkably light camera, look through the viewfinder while pressing slightly on the ultra-smooth magnetic shutter release and you will see what may well be the future for most SLR cameras. Below the focusing screen, in bright red calculator-type numerals are displayed the shutter speed set and the aperture set. Swing the camera from a light to a dark area, and the numbers magically change.”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]TYPE: 35mm eye-level single-lens reflex camera.
LENS: 50mm f/ 1.8 Canon FD in interchangeable Canon break-lock mount, stops to f/16, focus to 24 in. SHUTTER: Electronically-controlled cloth focal-plane with speeds from 30 to 1/1000 sec. plus B, X, FP. M sync, electronic self-timer.
VIEWING: Fixed eye-level prism with service station-interchangeabie split-image rangefinder, microprism coliar, full-focusing screen.
OTHER FEATURES: 6-volt silver-oxide-battery powered silicon diode cell above eyepiece measures slightly below centerweighied area of focusing screen at full aperture at ASA 6 to 12,800, choice of aperture priority, shutter-speed priority, full program or stop-down-aperture automatic exposure, auto-exposure-compensation scale, memory hold button, double exposure, motor winder and motor drive provision, locking electromagnetic release, batterycheck button and diode, built-in viewfinder blind, film-box-end reminder holder, removable back, hot shoe for auto-coupling flash, depth of-field preview, LED digital viewfinder readout of shutter speeds, apertures, under, over-exposure, manual control, flash warning signals, accessory hand grip and spare battery container furnished.
PHYSICAL DIMENSIONS: 5 1/2 in. wide, 3 1/2 in. heigh, 3 1/2 in. deep,
WEIGHT: 1 lb. 14 oz.
The inevitable wedding of the modern camera and the electronic calculator has now taken place in a most fascinating and remarkable instrument.
Pick up this remarkably light camera, look through the viewfinder while pressing slightly on the ultra-smooth magnetic shutter release and you will see what may well be the future for most SLR cameras. Below the focusing screen, in bright red calculator-type numerals are displayed the shutter speed set and the aperture set. Swing the camera from a light to a dark area, and the numbers magically change. Although the actual exposure is continuously variable in aperture and stepless in actual shutter speeds, the digital readout provides half f.stops and mid-shutter speeds all the way from f/1.4 to f/32 and from 30 sec. to 1/1000 sec. Switch to manual operation and an M appears: use a fully-coupled flash unit and an F appears when the unit is fully recycled, shift to a bulb exposure and the word “bulb” appears; into over- or underexpasure and the appropriate aperture or shutter-speed numeral flashes in warning; foul up your settings and a bright string of EEEEEEs appears. In bright light, the numerals are at their most brilliant but dim in four stages as subject light diminishes, for comfortable viewing.
The A-1’s incredibie finder readout system is exceeded only by its vanely of auto exposure possibilities. Instead of a conventional shutter-speed dial there’s an overhanging „aperture time“ dial on the front which lets you set apertures or shutter speeds which are read out ina window on top, and a mode selector switch is settable for aperture- or shutter-preferred auto exposure, for completely programmed automation, or conventional manual settings.
In terms of handling, the well-finished, all-black camera with its highly durable, almost scratchproof plastic top and bottom plates fit well into the hands of everyone who tried it.
The view through the finder is bright. with good contrast. The central rangefinder worked well with lenses of up to f/5.6 maximum aperture.