View source for Canon AE-1 Program

{{Short description|35 mm single-lens reflex camera}}
{{Use American English|date=May 2021}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2021}}
{{more citations needed|date=February 2022}}
{{Infobox camera
 | maker       = [[Canon (company)|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        = [[135 film|35 mm]] [[Single-lens reflex camera|SLR]]
 | lens_mount  = [[Canon FD lens mount|Canon FD]]
 | date             = 1981
 | production       = 1981-?
 | 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&nbsp;mm
 | weight      = 575&nbsp;g
 | price={{JPY|60,000|1981}}, body only<ref name="CanonMuseum">{{cite web |url=https://global.canon/en/c-museum/product/film103.html |title=AE-1 Program |website=Canon Camera Museum |accessdate=14 August 2021}}</ref>
 | made_in     = Japan
}}

The '''Canon AE-1 Program''' is a [[135 film|35 mm]] [[single-lens reflex camera]] that uses [[Canon FD|Canon's FD mount]] [[Photographic lens|lenses]].  It was introduced in April 1981 as the successor to the [[Canon AE-1]], five years after that [[camera]]'s introduction.<ref name="CanonMuseum" />  The major difference was the addition of the [[List of digital camera modes|Program AE mode]] first seen in the [[Canon A-1|A-1]].  This mode sets both the [[shutter speed]] and [[aperture]] automatically&mdash;albeit with a slight bias towards the shutter speed setting. The user [[Focus (optics)|focuses]] the camera and then presses the [[shutter button]].  For those desiring more control, the AE-1's shutter priority auto-[[Exposure (photography)|exposure]] and full [[Owners manual|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 [[light-emitting diode|LEDs]] to show information to the user.

Also like the A-1, the AE-1 Program supports interchangeable [[focusing screen]]s. 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" [[photographic lens|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 [[Canon New F-1|New F-1]]).

The AE-1 Program retains the older A-series type [[electromagnet]]-controlled [[cloth]]-[[curtain]] [[Shutter (photography)|shutter]] that limits top shutter speed to 1/1000 of a second, together with a rather slow [[camera flash|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{{by whom|date=January 2016}} 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 ==
{{center|{{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 [[motor drive (photography)|power winder]]
|Image:Ae-1 program.mnemorino.jpg|AE-1 Program with Canon 50mm 1:1.8
}}}}
{{clear}}

==See also==
*[[List of Canon products#Cameras|List of Canon cameras]]

== External links ==
{{commons category}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20071121212650/http://www.canon.com/camera-museum/camera/film/data/1976-1985/1981_ae-1pro.html?lang=us&categ=crn&page=1976-1985 The Canon online Camera Museum]
* [http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/canon/fdresources/SLRs/ae1pgrm/index.htm AE-1 Program] at [http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/ Photography in Malaysia].

== References ==
{{reflist}}

{{Canon FD film cameras}}
{{Table of Canon SLR}}

[[Category:Canon FD cameras|AE-1 Program]]