Advice on Canon AE-1

FruscianteFan

I'll start with the back story, I was given a Canon AE-1 about ten years ago. Ive had it ever since but have never been able to get it working. I did take it around to a few shops in Dublin a few years ago but they said that there was not much they could do to it. It would probably be very hard to find someone to repair it and wouldn't be worthwhile. Ive always been interested in photography but I'm starting to want to do more. Basically what I want to know is what I should do with all the stuff that came along with the camera. Ideally I would like to buy a digital SLR and use the lenses but they are all FD mount. I have read that people have done it before but it seems to be a step backwards. You are sacrificing quality and ease of use. Would it be worth it to pick up a working AE-1? I have seen them for sale for not much money. The only thing I would be worried about is the fact that everything is manual. Would I be able to learn how to use it or would I be completely lost? It would also be a major disadvantage that all photos would be on film. I like to take a lot of photos and then pick the best, that brings me on to the last option. Should I sell on everything to someone who will actually use it and use the money to buy a digital SLR? What sort of price would the whole lot be worth? I know it would be a tough task to sell everything but time is on my side, I'm in no real rush. Just to note that everthing is in excellent condition. The only thing that looks it's age is the leather that has started to crack. The previous owner was meticulous about everything, he really looked after it. Sorry about the really long post and thanks for listening!

The set includes:

LENSES

Canon FD 50mm 1:1.8

Canon FD 25mm 1:2 s.s.c.

Canon FD 85mm 1:1.8

Tamron SP F system 2x tele-converter for Canon BBAR MC

Canon 55mm close-up lens 450

Instructions for lenses

OURTENAY PHOTONICS flash meter 303 and instructions

Canon DATA BACK A + case + instructions

Canon Power Winder A + case + instructions

SHROUDS

Canon BT-52

Canon BW-5-B

Canon Extension tube FD 25 + instructions

Canon-light digital exposure meter + instructions

Canon Magnifier S + instructions

Canon Release 50

HOYA Multi lens hood

FILTERS

Canon 55mm skylight 1x

Canon 55mm CCB4 1.5x

Canon 55mm CCB12 3x

Canon 55mm CCA5 1.5x

Canon 55mm CCB8 2x

Sun Polarizer filter 72 mm

Filter guide

11811

You could try to pick up an AE-1 program, if you want to try your hand at film for a bit. it's a slightly more automatic version of the AE-1. It can set shutter speed and aperture automatically for you. All the other gear you have would work fine with it. I got one a while back for 20 quid on eBay.

You're right in saying that the FD lenses don't work great with DSLRs, Image quality seems to suffer as the adapters require an extra glass element.

Partagas

FruscianteFan wrote: »

I'll start with the back story, I was given a Canon AE-1 about ten years ago. Ive had it ever since but have never been able to get it working. I did take it around to a few shops in Dublin a few years ago but they said that there was not much they could do to it. It would probably be very hard to find someone to repair it and wouldn't be worthwhile. Ive always been interested in photography but I'm starting to want to do more. Basically what I want to know is what I should do with all the stuff that came along with the camera. Ideally I would like to buy a digital SLR and use the lenses but they are all FD mount. I have read that people have done it before but it seems to be a step backwards. You are sacrificing quality and ease of use. Would it be worth it to pick up a working AE-1? I have seen them for sale for not much money. The only thing I would be worried about is the fact that everything is manual. Would I be able to learn how to use it or would I be completely lost? It would also be a major disadvantage that all photos would be on film. I like to take a lot of photos and then pick the best, that brings me on to the last option. Should I sell on everything to someone who will actually use it and use the money to buy a digital SLR? What sort of price would the whole lot be worth? I know it would be a tough task to sell everything but time is on my side, I'm in no real rush. Just to note that everthing is in excellent condition. The only thing that looks it's age is the leather that has started to crack. The previous owner was meticulous about everything, he really looked after it. Sorry about the really long post and thanks for listening!

The set includes:

LENSES

Canon FD 50mm 1:1.8

Canon FD 25mm 1:2 s.s.c.

Canon FD 85mm 1:1.8

Tamron SP F system 2x tele-converter for Canon BBAR MC

Canon 55mm close-up lens 450

Instructions for lenses

OURTENAY PHOTONICS flash meter 303 and instructions

Canon DATA BACK A + case + instructions

Canon Power Winder A + case + instructions

SHROUDS

Canon BT-52

Canon BW-5-B

Canon Extension tube FD 25 + instructions

Canon-light digital exposure meter + instructions

Canon Magnifier S + instructions

Canon Release 50

HOYA Multi lens hood

FILTERS

Canon 55mm skylight 1x

Canon 55mm CCB4 1.5x

Canon 55mm CCB12 3x

Canon 55mm CCA5 1.5x

Canon 55mm CCB8 2x

Sun Polarizer filter 72 mm

Filter guide

To be honest I would get another AE1 Body off Ebay as you have all those accessories, they're a great camera

DannyBuoy

+1 for the AE-1 program, has all the manual settings with the auto feature to fall back on if needed Ebay all the way to the UK Parcel Motel address!