8/11/2019 Ae-1 Quick Guide

1/2

Check the Battery

Whenever you check out one of our cameras you should verify thatthe battery level is good.

The battery level is checked by pressing the battery check button onthe top of the camera while watching the meter needle in the view-nder. If the meter needle rests below the index mark or 5.6 thebattery level is ok. If the meter needle rests above the index mark askthe lab aide to replace the battery for you.

Battery check button

Meter needle as seen in viewfinder

Getting started with the Canon AE-1The Very Very Short Version.

Setting the Film Speed and Using the Meter.

Set the Film SpeedTo set the lm speed, rst pushthe lm advance lever to its stand-o position away from the camerabody, then lift up the ASA ringaround the shutter dial and rotate itin either direction until the propernumber is aligned with the greenindex mark.

Light MeterFirst set the shutter speed to thedesired setting. TIP: For hand-heldshots you shutter speed should beset to 125 or higher.Then to use the

light meter, lightly press the shutterrelease button while looking throughthe view nder. Make note of theaperature setting indicated by themeter needle in the veiwnder thenset the aperature ring on the lens tothe setting indicated. The setting willvary depending on your shutter speedand lighting conditions.

Meter

Set the Film Speed

Rewinding the FilmWhen the lm advance lever cannot travelall the way to the end of its stroke, the lmcounter tells you that you have reachedthe end of the roll. You have to rewind thelm into its protective cartridge beforeremoving it from the camera. To rewind,press the small black rewind button on thebottom of the camera, unfold the rewindcrank and turn it in the direction of the ar-row. When the frame counter has reachedthe S mark you should stop. Then pullup the rewind crank and open the camera

back.

Rewind Button

Page 1Page 4

8/11/2019 Ae-1 Quick Guide

2/2

It is important to load the lm correctly to avoid time comsumingre-shoots. Follow these steps. Avoid direct sunlight when loading orunloading lm.

How to Load the Film

Open the Back Cover

Pull up the rewind crank and the back cover will pop open. The backcover can be securely closed by simply pressing it until it locks.

Rewind Crank

Next, Place the cartridge into the lm cartidge chamber and pressdown while rotating the rewind knob until it drops securely into posi-tion. The protuding part of the cartridge should be on the bottom. Pullthe lm leader across and insert the end into one slot of the the take-up spool. Turn the lm advance lever and wind the lm around thetake-up spool making sure that the perforations of the lm areengaged in the teeth of the lm transport sprocket.

Film Cartidge Chamber

Then, make sure there is no lm slack. In case there is, gently turn thelm rewind crank in the direction of the arrow to obtain proper lmtautness. Crank the lm advance lever to ensure that the lm leader iswound fully on to the take-up spool before closing the camera back.

Close the back cover until it snaps shut. Gently turn the lm rewindcrank in the direction of the arrow to take up any remaing slack. Then,advance the lm a couple of times presssing the shutter button untilthe rst exposure appears in the frame counter. TIP: Watch the filmrewind knob as you advance the film. If it rotates, the film is properlyloaded. If it doesnt, open the back cover and load the film again fromthe start.

Take-Up Spool

Rewind Crank

Page 2 Page 3