Today’s Post by Joe Farace
In my post A Look at Canon’s A-Series Cameras. My Latest Ones I said, “All that’s now missing from my collection is an AT-1 but all of the models that I’ve found for sale, so far anyway, have been in rough shape. I can wait… The wait is over. I found one in EXC condition from KEH and…
The AT-1 is a 35mm FD-mount single-lens reflex camera that was manufactured by Canon starting in December 1977. According to Canon’s numbering system, my camera was built in 1978. This particular mode was produced purely for export and was never sold in the home Japanese market, which is why it has been so hard to find one in “Mint” condition from normally dependable Japanese eBay sellers. Most of the models I’ve found for sale in the US had not been treated kindly. And while I expect a camera to be functional, I am also a bit of an Oscar Madison (he was a photographer on the Odd Couple TV show) and like my cameras to look nice too. The nicer the better.
Here’s the deal on the AT-1: It’s yet another version of the mega-popular AE-1 but without the shutter-speed priority auto-exposure mode that’s found in that camera. The AT-1 features manual exposure only. This made the camera somewhat cheaper to build because it was Canon’s feeling that some consumers didn’t want or require auto exposure and also did not want to pay for it. They were obviously wrong since there are so many more AE-1’s available in great condition and a dearth of AT-1 and most of those in not-too-good shape.
It has a pentaprism with 0.82x magnification, 93.5% vertical coverage and 96.3% horizontal coverage. Focusing screen is a split-image rangefinder encircled by microprism at the center of Fresnel matte screen. All of the accessories that Canon produced for the AE-1 also work with the AT-1, including motor drives and winders. I’m going to try my A2 Winder and, you know, see what happens.
The built-in light meter features TTL center-weighted average metering with a CdS photocell with what is now the classic match needle in the viewfinder. CdS light meters use a photo resistor sensor whose electrical resistance changes proportionately to light exposure. These also require a battery to operate. The camera uses a 6V 28L battery that Batteries Plus sells for $10.49. The Manual says only a silver oxide battery can be used but I have used 28L Lithium and 28A Alkaline and one of my camera, the AE-1 Program came with some kind of generic 6V battery and works just fine. The self-timer is also electronically timed and is also dependent on battery power. A 10-second self-timer with blinking LED indicator is activated by rotating a tab alongside the shutter release to its forward position
If you would like to send a roll of film for me to review or other stuff for these posts and my videos you can mail it to: Joe Farace, PO BOX 2081, PARKER, CO 80134