Canon A1...

blade_922

blade_922

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Name
Omar
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Hi

Well i knew my old man had an old camera somewhere, i had seen it lying around his old stuff a few times, picked it up a few times, that was maybe a year or so ago when i didnt know much about camera and photography at all. I got my first camera the canon 550d just a few months ago.

Anyway here is the lot of stuff i found

Canon A1 Body

Canon Zoom Lens 35-70mm 1: 3.5-4.5
Canon Zoom Lens FD 70-210mm 1:4 (Its one of these pulling and pushing ones)
Canon Lens FD 50mm 1 1:8

Miranda Compact 6v 20W flash i think
Canon Speedlite 199A Flash
Canon Power Winder A

A bag full of filters as well

All kept in top condition

What would a camera like this go for in this day and age? No chance im selling, n he wouldnt let me either or i'll be :bonk:

How is this camera powered, cant see where the battery goes, and anyone know how to open the back of it up where the film goes?

Also would any of the lenses be able to be used on the 550d with some sort of adapter?

I have other questions but havent yet figured out what they are yet :D
 
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How to open the back - as you face the camera from behind, it's the thing on the left on the top plate, it should have a little fold out lever that you can use to pull up and open the back.

Battery, facing the camera from the front, is in a compartment which is partially obscured by the little hand grip thing on the front left - remove it with a coin (it has a notch to remove it, it's a screw), slide the hand grip thing off, and you should see the opening for the compartment door. It uses a 6V battery - not difficult to get hold of, but a bit more pricey than SR/LR44 button batteries that a lot of other cameras use.

Price depends on if it has the Canon squeal/squeak - Google it, lots of information on it, but it's to do with lubricant that dries up.
 
That's a bit of a subjective thing really, isn't it? It's considered a decent bit of kit, if that helps, but of course it's the user that really decides that...
 
blade_922 said:
Wont be selling it anyway. Is it a good camera?
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Very good. My favourite film body; I love mine.

It was one of the first cameras (if not the first) ever to have all four of the modern exposure modes - Program, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority and Manual.

The 70-210 is quite good for a zoom of its era.

e2a: the 50mm f/1.8 was the 'kit' lens with the A-series bodies and the 35-70 f/3.5-4.5, while not stellar compared with some, isn't a bad lens and has a useful range.

With everything else, you've got a very nice FD setup there.
 
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blade_922 said:
Wont be selling it anyway. Is it a good camera?
Click to expand...

have a read through this lot......''link''

it's a classic - in the true sense of the word
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freecom2 is almost correct
the knob on the LHS does contain a folded-in lever but this is to rewind the film - once you have pressed the release bottom on the base

to release the back - pull this knob UP and the back will pop open

put a cheap roll of B&W c41 process film through
dev and scan to CD at PhotoExpress - £5- any streaks of light will show light is getting in through the back seal - a usual prob after 20 years..!

next wind on the shutter - and release - if there is a rasping sound it is the dreaded canon 'cough' due to dried lubrication


NOW ... the A1 is worth restoring so you can get light seals replaced, mirror damper replaced and 'cough' lubricated for about £40 - well worth it. PM me if you need details
.
john
 
freecom2 said:
That's a bit of a subjective thing really, isn't it? It's considered a decent bit of kit, if that helps, but of course it's the user that really decides that...
Click to expand...

True, Guess it will be a while before i'll be sticking a film inside and taking some pictures. More practice with my 550d first :thumbs:


Musicman said:
Very good. My favourite film body; I love mine.

It was one of the first cameras (if not the first) ever to have all four of the modern exposure modes - Program, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority and Manual.

The 70-210 is quite good for a zoom of its era.

e2a: the 50mm f/1.8 was the 'kit' lens with the A-series bodies and the 35-70 f/3.5-4.5, while not stellar compared with some, isn't a bad lens and has a useful range.

With everything else, you've got a very nice FD setup there.
Click to expand...

Thanks, There are so many numbers on the camera and lenses, hek im just getting used to the digital SLR's for the first time. Gona be a while before i'll be using it to shoot photos with it.
 
Yardbent said:
freecom2 is almost correct
the knob on the LHS does contain a folded-in lever but this is to rewind the film - once you have pressed the release bottom on the base

to release the back - pull this knob UP and the back will pop open
Click to expand...

Apologies for not being clear, but this is what I meant (it's the same on almost every other mainstream film SLR).

John, I'm guessing that's through Miles Whitehead? If so, I can recommend his services.
 
be careful opening the battery door - you just need a LITTLE pressure with a SMALL screwdriver to release the catch to open the door

hundreds get broken from forcing the catch

here's the battery - buy 2 ........''link''
 
Omar

if you're stuck on anything...give me a call - we can meet in Glasgow one evening as I taxi near there most days

PM me your tel number if you wish....:thumbs:
 
freecom2 said:
John, I'm guessing that's through Miles Whitehead? If so, I can recommend his services.
Click to expand...

yes Miles is a super guy...very knowledgeable..has done a few members cameras here
 
Yardbent said:
Omar

if you're stuck on anything...give me a call - we can meet in Glasgow one evening as I taxi near there most days

PM me your tel number if you wish....:thumbs:
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No worries thanks. Where abouts Glasgow or near do you taxi?

Managed to get the back open had a play with the lenses and that. The camera has power as there is a button you can press to check this and a red light comes on to show there is power. Might just put it away for a wee while till i get used to my DSLR and improve my pictures, not had much time to go out taking shots with it yet. We'll see what the summer brings...
 
You can't use these on Canon EOS DSLRs I'm afraid. Well, you could find an adapter and use them for macro shots I guess, but they won't focus to useful distances as the register distance is different than the EF mount.

You can buy adapters with a glass element to give you proper infinity focusing, but they act as mild teleconverters, slowing the lens and increasing the focal length as well as degrading the image quality. Useful lenses for Sony Nex and micro 4/3rds users though, so the value of FD stuff is rising...
 
blade_922 said:
No worries thanks. Where abouts Glasgow or near do you taxi?...
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based in Cambuslang - so mostly trips to the railway stns, bus stn
anyway if you're stuck give me a call

about your Digital camera
I would keep the 2 systems separate - dont buy adapters to fit the FD lens to your EOS ...just more hassle

john
 
@ Omar

Canon Lens FD 50mm 1 1:8

did this come with a hood...original is Canon BS-52

I may have a spare somewhere..?....john
 
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