question on films camera

I'm looking at the AE-1 for my class, just got couple question on what to check before purchase.

what the different between program and non-program??

how would I know if it working fine or not? (able to take pictures...i guess)

how much would it be around??

that about it, for now
thanks
alan'08

Alan, since you are in the Bay Area, I would suggest you take it to Apex Camera Repair in Walnut Creek.
These guys are good. They can give the camera a once over, and make sure that not only does it work, but if the shutter speed is off, they can adjust it.
I have used them several times over the past 18 years, and have always been happy with their work.

Good luck.
Alan

Hey, cool, I shoot with an AE-1 Program. Great camera for what you can buy them for nowadays. You should be able to get one for around $100 or less. From what I understand, the AE-1 and the AE-1P are practically identical, except for the "Program AE" function, which is basically full auto mode.

I don't know how much this matters to you or the class you're taking, but with both cameras, there is no aperture priority mode, only shutter-priority and full-manual.

I dug mine up from the back of my Dad's closet (haven't used it since our family switched over to digital). You can check the battery by pressing the little black button on top, next to the film rewind. If it beeps like crazy, the battery is good.

Agree with ryuen, should be able to get one for $100. BTW, that was my first camera I ever bought in 86. Loved it, too bad it got stolen in a vacation trip about 2yrs after I bought it.

I still have mine. But I need a new battery for it. Oh well. Nothing lasts forever anymore (except maybe that camera itself)

They are great cameras, only drawback is those FD lenses - have you thought about getting an Eos 35mm camera?

Drawback? Given that they're very inexpensive because they aren't usable on EOS cameras, it's an advantage in that you can build up a well-balanced kit for very little. You can also easily adapt Pentax, Nikon or other MF lenses to them, and later use those same lenses on the EOS should you move that direction.

The AE-1 has strictly Tv automation; you set the shutter speed, the camera selects the aperture. The AE-1P also has a mode (which your instructor almost certainly won't want you using) where the camera sets both aperture and shutter speed, as well as Tv. Manual, where you set both the aperture and shutter speed, and which your instructor will probably prefer you to use, isn't all that easy with either. IIRC, you'll need to set your aperture manually and then spin around the shutter speed dial until it shows that aperture, or the offset from that you want. Or meter in Tv and manually set the aperture that is indicated.

Here's alink to a PDF manual for the AE-1 program.

what do I need to look for when i make a purchase??

alan'08

Great camera, I just gave one away. The biggest ouch for the A series was the shutter chirp. There's lots of info on the net about it, the camera makes a weird noise when you shoot, you can probably even find a sound clip of it. Other than that, don't think there is much fatal that can go wrong. Set to manual SS 1/1000 f 2.8 open the back, shoot something bright. You should barely see a large flash of light. Set to SS 1/2, repeat, large opening should be visible for longer. Set aperture to f16, repeat, should see smaller disk of light. If it does all that, it and the lens probably works OK. Make sure not corrosion in the battery chamber. I don't recall any light sealing foam around the back that older Canonets have.

Never tried this
http://www.paradesquar​e.ca/canon_fd/a_series​_chirp.htm
http://cgi.ebay.ca …ewItemQQitemZ22​0240592646

My AE1P never developed this, and its now 26 years old, but not used much the last 5 or so,.