Modern Classic SLR Series The Canon AE-1 - Camera Operation Part II

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Preliminary Preparation for AE-1

Attaching the Neckstrap	Attach the Canon AE-1's neckstrap by threading it through the rings and adjusting it to the desired length as indicated in the photos. A case for a spare battery can be attached to the neckstrap.	Handling the Lens Cap The lens cap can be removed from the front of the lens after pressing in the tabs on both sides of the cap. The rear dust cover can be removed by turning the bayonet ring in the direction of the arrow.

To attach the dust cover, align its slot with the positioning pin below the red dot of the bayonet ring, and press it in. When the dust cover is removed the bayonet ring is locked.

1. Mounting the Lens onto the camera Remove the body cap and mount the lens onto the camera. The lens is mounted by aligning the red dot of the body with the red dot of the bayonet ring, and then turning the bayonet ring clockwise, pressing gently until it locks into position. Reverse the procedure to dismount the lens.

2. Setting the Aperture Ring to the "A" Mark The AE-1 delivers perfect AE photography when the aperture ring is set for automatic exposure. The "A" mark on the aperture ring should be set to the EE position. Hold in the EE lock pin while turning the aperture ring to the "A" mark. This can be done either before or after the lens is mounted on the camera.

3. Loading the Battery This camera will not function without battery power. A 6V silver oxide or alkaline battery is loaded into the battery chamber after opening the battery chamber cover. It can be opened more easily by using the viewfinder cover that is inserted into the accessory shoe.

Be careful to load the battery correctly with the "+" side up as indicated in the diagram. Load the battery by inserting first the "-" contact in the battery chamber. The battery can be unloaded in a similar way by pulling it out from the top. The battery can be loaded and unloaded more easily when the lens is dismounted.

The battery should last for approximately one year under normal use. Check on other section with specifications of the battery when the camera is used in extremely cold conditions.

4: Checking the Battery

Since the AE-1 is an electronically controlled camera, the shutter will not function without sufficient battery power. The battery requires checking in the following circumstances:

1.When a new battery is loaded.
2.When the shutter does not function.
3. When long exposures are frequently performed.
4. When the camera is used very frequently.

5. When the camera is used after it has been stored for a long period.When the camera is used in extremely cold conditions.

Usable Batteries: Silver Oxide Battery (6V ) (Eveready (UCAR) No.544, JIS 4G 13, Mallory PX 28; Alkaline Manganese Battery (6V) (Eveready (UCAR) No.537, Mallory 7K l 3)

How to Check the Battery The charge level of the battery is checked by pressing the battery check button on the top of the camera Carefully watch the meter needle in the viewfinder.

Press the battery check button and if the meter needle in the viewfinder rests below the index, power level is sufficient. If the meter needle rests above the index, the power level is insufficient. If this is the case, replace the battery with a new one of the prescribed type. When a new battery with full voltage is used, the meter needle in the viewfinder indicates close to the 2.8 f/stop.When the battery power wanes, it takes more time for the meter neelde to stop fluttering.

Because of the special circuit, the meter needle's swing depends on the state of the battery. The meter needle will rise as the battery power wanes until it reaches the f/5.6 position where there is no longer any more power. Press the battery check button until the meter needle rests still. When the battery is just about to fail, the meter needle in the viewfinder rests close to the index.

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