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The A-1 was the top-of-the-line A-series
camera. (The AE-1 was the first in this series.) It was a sophisticated
electronic camera with all-digital control. Besides the shutter speed-priority
AE and aperture-priority AE modes, it featured the first fully automatic program
AE mode, preset aperture-priority AE, and Speedlite AE mode. The viewfinder
information was also easy to read with a 7-segment red LED readout. The control
settings were displayed at the same time which made it very useful. Besides the
Power Winder A, developed at the same time as the AE-1, accessories for the A-1
included the compact Motor Drive MA which attained a maximum shooting speed of 5
fps. This Motor Drive had a convenient vertical-grip shutter button. Also, there
was the Speedlite 199A which had bounce flash capability.
CANON A-1 SPECIFICATIONS
 | Type: 35mm focal-plane shutter SLR camera
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| Picture Size:
24x36 mm
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| Lens Mount:
FD mount
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| Flash Sync:
X-sync automatic-switching sync contacts with German socket and hot
shoe
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| Shutter: Four-axis, horizontal-travel focal-plane shutter
with cloth curtains. X, B, 30, 15, 8, 4, 2, 1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/15, 1/30,
1/60, 1/125, 1/250, 1/500, 1/1000 sec. All speeds controlled electronically.
Built-in self-timer (with 2- and 10-sec. delay and blinking LED). Multiple
exposures enabled with a lever. Electronic shutter release
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| Viewfinder:
Fixed eye-level pentaprism. 0.83x magnification, 93.4% vertical
coverage, 95.3% horizontal coverage. Split-image rangefinder encircled by
microprism rangefinder at center of fresnel matte screen. Eyepiece shutter
provided. Six interchangeable focusing screens optional (installed by
service personnel). The standard screen was later replaced by the brighter
and sharper Laser Matte screen
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| Viewfinder Information:
Digital readout with 7-segment red LED for shutter speed, aperture,
dedicated Speedlite flash-ready, manual settings, and warning displays
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| Metering and Exposure Control:
SPC for TTL full-aperture centerweighted averaging metering or TTL
stopped-down metering. Exposure compensation range of 2 EV. AE lock
provided. Five AE modes: Shutter speed-priority AE, aperture-priority AE,
program AE, preset aperture-priority AE, and Speedlite AE (with dedicated
Speedlite). The mode is set with a selector dial. Metering range at ISO 100
and f/1.4: EV -2 - 18. Film speed range from ISO 6 to 12800 in 1/3 steps
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| Power Source:
One 4G-13 6 V mercury oxide battery or 4LR44 alkaline battery.
Battery check with button and blinking LED
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| Film Loading & Advance:
Slotted take-up spool. Advances with camera-top lever's 120° stroke
(partial strokes enabled). Ready position at 30°
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| Frame Counter:
Counts up. Resets automatically when camera back is opened. Counts
down during rewind
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| Film Rewind:
Camera-top crank
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| Dimensions & Weight:
141 x 92 x 48mm, 620g
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