Canon AE-1 Program
35 mm single-lens reflex camera
title: "Canon AE-1 Program" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["canon-fd-cameras", "cameras-introduced-in-1981"] description: "35 mm single-lens reflex camera" topic_path: "general/canon-fd-cameras" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canon_AE-1_Program" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::summary 35 mm single-lens reflex camera ::
::data[format=table title="Infobox camera"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| maker | Canon Camera K. K. |
| camera_name | Canon AE-1 Program |
| image | Canon AE-1 Program Black2.jpg |
| caption | Canon AE-1 Program with all-black finish |
| type | 35 mm SLR |
| lens_mount | Canon FD |
| date | 1981 |
| production | 1981-1989 |
| recording_medium | 135 film |
| focus | Manual |
| fsynch | 1/60 s |
| speedRange | ISO 12 to 3200 [manual] |
| shutterRange | 2 s to 1/1000 s |
| exposure | Program, shutter priority, manual |
| metering | EV1 to EV18 @ ASA 100 |
| flash | Hot shoe |
| battery | 4LR44 6V battery or 4 LR44 1.5 volt batteries |
| dimensions | 87 × 141 × 47.5 mm |
| weight | 575 g |
| price | , body only; , w/New FD 50mm f/1.4SSC; , w/New FD 50mm f/1.8SSC |
| predecessor | Canon AE-1 |
| made_in | Japan |
| :: |
| maker = Canon Camera K. K. | camera_name = Canon AE-1 Program | image = Canon AE-1 Program Black2.jpg | caption = Canon AE-1 Program with all-black finish | type = 35 mm SLR | lens_mount = Canon FD | date = 1981 | production = 1981-1989 | recording_medium = 135 film | focus = Manual | fsynch = 1/60 s | speedRange = ISO 12 to 3200 [manual] | shutterRange= 2 s to 1/1000 s | exposure = Program, shutter priority, manual | metering = EV1 to EV18 @ ASA 100 | flash = Hot shoe | battery = 4LR44 6V battery or 4 LR44 1.5 volt batteries | dimensions = 87 × 141 × 47.5 mm | weight = 575 g | price=, body only; , w/New FD 50mm f/1.4SSC; , w/New FD 50mm f/1.8SSC |predecessor = Canon AE-1 | made_in = Japan The Canon AE-1 Program is a 35 mm single-lens reflex camera that uses Canon's FD mount lenses manufactured by Canon Camera K. K. (today Canon Incorporated) in Japan and introduced in April 1981 as the successor to the Canon AE-1, five years after that camera's introduction. The major difference was the addition of the Program AE mode first seen in the A-1. This mode sets both the shutter speed and aperture automatically—albeit with a slight bias towards the shutter speed setting. The user focuses the camera and then presses the shutter button. For those desiring more control, the AE-1's shutter priority auto-exposure and full manual modes are still available.
Features
Like the A-1, the AE-1 Program has a right-hand "action grip" on the front of the camera. It also supports the A-1's Motor Drive MA; this requires another electrical contact on the base plate. The AE-1's Power Winder A, and a new, faster Power Winder A2, are also supported. The viewfinder uses LEDs to show information to the user.
Also like the A-1, the AE-1 Program supports interchangeable focusing screens. Unlike the A-1, though, which specifies that screens should only be changed by the factory or by experienced service technicians, those on the AE-1 Program can be changed by the user. The camera came standard with the new split/microprism screen, but seven others were available. The focusing screen on the AE-1 Program is brighter than any previous focusing screen on any Canon manual focus camera, allowing the user to focus with greater ease with "slow" lenses (up to f/5.6). It is the same focusing screen design that is used in the newest model of the top-of-the-line Canon F-1 (known as the New F-1).
The AE-1 Program retains the older A-series type electromagnet-controlled cloth-curtain shutter that limits top shutter speed to 1/1000 of a second, together with a rather slow flash sync speed of 1/60 second. In the years since the AE-1 Program was introduced, this shutter design has also proven to be more maintenance-intensive than modern vertical-travel metal blade designs. The camera's electronics and electromagnets are powered by one 4SR44, PX28A, A544, K28A, V34PX, 4LR44, or L544 alkaline battery.
The additional electronics used for the program features of the AE-1P have resulted in more electronic gremlins over the years, and the model is considered by some more difficult to repair than earlier and simpler A-series cameras. In its day, however, the AE-1 Program's automated features and simple controls helped introduce many new consumers to the SLR camera.
Gallery
|width=220 |Image:Canon AE-1 Program D Barthel.jpg|Canon AE-1 Program body with silver finish |Image:Canon AE1 with telephoto lens.jpg|Canon AE-1 Program with telephoto lens and power winder |Image:Ae-1 program.mnemorino.jpg|AE-1 Program with Canon 50mm 1:1.8
References
References
::callout[type=info title="Wikipedia Source"] This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page. ::