What are the most useful Canon FD lenses and accessories for an AE-1 or AE-1 Program?
Asked 11/15/2010
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I'm considering switching from a Pentax K1000 to a Canon AE-1 or AE-1 Program for film photography. For someone new to the Canon FD system, which lenses are the most popular or practical choices, and are there any accessories or buying tips I should know about?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
15y ago
2 Answers
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The Canon AE-1 and AE-1 Program are fine models that can be acquired quite cheaply today, although I do prefer the A-1 because it has Aperture Priority which I favor instead of Shutter Priority.
FD lenses are availabe everywhere, but do look out for the newer FD lenses that don't have the mounting ring like the older ones, they are not as swiftly mounted. I found the combination of a 50 F/1.4, a 28 F/2.8 and a 135 F/2.8 to suit my needs. Look out for the SC or SSC marks in the lenses, they signify later models with better coatings that can make all the difference in the world.
Batteries (the 4LR44) are also still plenty available, in contrast to some of the other manufacturer's models of that era.
Originally by user92. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user92
15y ago
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Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
The Canon AE-1 and AE-1 Program are solid, affordable film SLRs, and FD lenses are still widely available. A practical starter lens set mentioned by users is:
- 50mm f/1.4 for everyday shooting
- 28mm f/2.8 for wide-angle use
- 135mm f/2.8 for telephoto reach
When shopping for FD lenses, look for versions marked SC or SSC, which indicate improved lens coatings. Also pay attention to the lens mount style: there are older FD lenses with a breech-lock mounting ring and newer FD versions without it. The older breech-lock style can be slower to mount, so some buyers prefer the newer style for convenience.
As for accessories, one practical advantage of the AE-1 series is that its 4LR44 battery is still easy to find, unlike batteries for some other cameras from the same era.
If you're comparing bodies, one community member noted a preference for the Canon A-1 because it offers aperture priority, while the AE-1 line emphasizes shutter-priority operation.
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