Canon AE-1, SLR

The Canon AE-1 is one of those cameras that helped make 35mm photography accessible to a whole generation of photographers, and it's still a lovely way to get into shooting film today.

First introduced in 1976, the AE-1 brings together the hands-on experience of a traditional SLR with just enough automation to make everyday photography feel approachable.

You focus the lens yourself, frame your photograph through the viewfinder and choose your shutter speed. The camera can then select the appropriate aperture when used with a compatible FD lens, taking some of the guesswork out of exposure.

If you'd rather take full control, manual exposure is there too.

That's part of what makes the AE-1 such a rewarding camera to learn with. You can start by concentrating on composition and focus, then gradually explore how shutter speed, aperture and different film stocks change the way your photographs look.

The Canon FD lens system also gives you plenty of room to experiment, from everyday standard lenses to wider views and portraits.

It's a camera that encourages you to slow down a little, pay attention to the light and enjoy the process of making each photograph.

A great choice for someone starting their film photography journey, or anyone looking for a dependable classic 35mm SLR design with a little photographic history behind it.

Best for

Learning film photography, everyday photography, travel, portraits, street photography, experimenting with manual exposure and photographers looking to explore Canon FD lenses.

What to expect

The Canon AE-1 is a manual-focus film camera, so you'll need to focus the lens yourself before taking a photograph.

Its shutter-priority automatic exposure mode makes it easier to get started, while manual settings allow you to experiment as your confidence grows.

The camera uses standard 35mm film, giving you a choice of colour negative, black and white and compatible slide films.

Film is advanced manually after each photograph and rewound into the cassette when the roll is finished.

The AE-1 also relies on battery power for its electronically controlled shutter, so a suitable battery is essential.

Developing

The Canon AE-1 uses standard 35mm photographic film.

Colour negative film is generally processed using C-41 chemistry, while traditional black and white film requires its appropriate black and white developing process. Slide film typically uses E-6 processing.

Once your roll is finished, rewind it fully before opening the camera and have it developed by a suitable film lab.