Canon AE-1 35mm SLR Film Camera Body Only

i bought this camera just to have a film SLR on hand. The features that this camera had when it came out are amazing even still to this day, they are 150% useful. The camera itself is pretty straight forward, if you buy one and it comes with no manuals, mine did, you can download them for free on the internet- they are a must! You should study what all the indicator lights mean in the viewfinder in order to have an optimal picture. The camera feels amazing in your hands and its build quality is outstanding. I got mine for $45 including the manual, box and complete camera body. Typically the most amount you want to spend without a lens is pretty much what i paid with a standard 50mm lens that the camera was usually equipped with back in the 1980's you probably should look to spend no more than $70 max, give or take of course on the functionality and condition.

I purchased this camera used because I needed a manual SLR camera for when I started my photography classes in college. I love this camera. Everything works perfectly, its fun, the pictures come out amazing and it has a great range of depth. The only thing that I didn't like about it, is that it has some dust inside the view finder that I have to take in to a camera shop to have them clean it out for me. Its not that big of a problem though, because it doesn't affect the final outcome of the pictures. Overall, this camera is great, even for beginners. I would definitely purchase another one if it came to that.

The canon AE-1, the workhorse of 35 MM SLR cameras during the heydays of 35mm film, this camera did it all, it was and still is the most durable and artistic working machine available for any photographer who knows his or her way around the filed of phorography. it has the ability to adapt to a huge number of lenses, flash kits, film motors and any number of other add on equipment. I got mine on E-bay and when I got it in the mail and opened it up, it was like Christmas all over. It was in nearly new condition, the previous owner had taken extremely good care of it almost as if it had been her child, I'm so freakin happy with it, I cannot even put it in words.....though I also use a digital camera, I prize this old dinosaur/relic of a camera as if it were a model-t ford,....this is still a fully functional camera and it is a proud addition to my collection of my old school self!

Nathan Simmons

While most people tend for digital these days, there's a certain charm to film prints - their softness and their dynamic range, along with their color reproduction - that still remains. The AE-1 is a fabulous and cheap introduction into that realm, with a very sturdy build, good viewfinder, good controls, and a good internal lightmeter.

Coupling this with a standard 50mm f/1.8 FD prime lens, you get spectacular results with amazing bokeh. While, of course, its sharpness doesn't match that of my 5D mk II, the price you pay for softness is well made up for in the film aesthetic.

It's also cheap! If you're young or cheap and looking to learn proper photography, this will teach you quite well.

All in all, a really nice camera. Only downside I can see is that the rewinding is a pain with the tiny lever and its a bit difficult to load if you're a film noob, but otherwise, it's great.

I love the Canon AE-1 slr film camera its easy to use. Takes wonderful pictures. Simply perfect for a photo student.