I'm so hungover and I just bought one of these cameras. My head hurts to much to process all this info.. I had no idea film photography had so much to it! I'll have to return to this video when my head is a little clearer. Very good source of info.
Bro that's insane I'm literally trying to explain how the meter works in this camera to my fiance right now as you commented on this video! Forgot all about it and all the sudden bam right when I needed it. Super weird lol
Seven years later and this video is still helping people! I just bought this camera at Goodwill for twenty bucks. It already had a zoom lens that (having never used a real camera) and I didn't know what a single button or measurement was. Found your video and I'm SO grateful!
Just bought this camera in a bit of a manic episode in attempt to find a passion in life again. Never used a film camera before but this video was extremely helpful. Will update once I’m able to take some pics and develop them.
Bought one of these cameras 5 years ago - my first foray into film photography. I watched this video to learn how to use it. Many cameras and years later, my photography has since been published in major publications. I owe so much to this video and have shared it with other friends who've come to me asking for recs on intro film cameras. On behalf of all of us, thank you!
As someone who started out with a Canon T3i that did all the work for me, I was overwhelmed when I picked myself up a Canon AE-1. This video was a perfect pace and simple to understand. Also taught me lots about exposure/shutter speeds. Now I can apply all this new info towards both my film AND my DSLR cameras. So excited to take these 24 shots then race to the photo store to see how they turned out!
I bought my AE-1 in 1977, and it was my constant companion, It went everywhere that I did - through art school and all my subsequent travels - for decades, right up until I switched to digital photography in the 2000s. I love my current DSLR (also a Canon); but I do miss my AE-1.
Wow now that was a trip down memory lane, bought one of these back in 1980 and turned my bedroom into a dark room, my mother wasn't too impressed and thought I had lost my mind, but I was only 20, damn where have all the years gone...far too quickly lol
Getting back in the film for the first time in 35 years and this tutorial and how to use the camera help me out now and you should do a little bit more of this because people like me would love to see more and just keep on doing what you're doing
Just got mine for a photography class! We don't start talking about how to use our cameras until Wednesday, but I just got mine and want to know what everything does...Was wondering why the battery compartment wouldn't shut all the way--the previous owner must have loved this thing, because they snapped off that little button you mentioned. Luckily it came with a little cover for that. Was also super confused by the screen on the back! I didn't realize you just slide a piece of paper into it, and it's not a screen at all...(born in 2001 here, so). So excited to give it a go : )
I just bought one of these on ebay and I found your tutorial very informative. When my camera comes I will have some idea how to use it. Thanks for posting.
Thank You soooo much. I have this camera and every time I take photos and get them printed they turn out a disaster. I am really close to giving up and sticking with digital, but i really want to be better at film photography. I actually learned a lot from this video. I didn't know anything about this camera when I first bought it. I was just figuring it out on my own. I started comparing it to digital and I got very few "good images".
+ashley778909 You're welcome! I'm happy to help. Don't give up on film! It's a great way to learn photography because it forces you to learn about how it all actually works instead of letting the camera's computer do the thinking for you. Keep learning and practicing and I promise your images will get better!
Thank you so much! This was the best camera overview I've ever seen. Thank you for explaining EVERY button, and the explanation for how to tell what will be in focus based on your aperture setting was super helpful and not something I've seen before. ❤️
Thank you so much I am now using one that belonged to my father (He is in the hospital now with a terminal cancer). I want to treasure his camera, which is the one he used all the time when i was little. You really helped me understand how it works, i hope to continue to capture images like he used to do. THANKS AGAIN with all my heart!
My folks stumbled upon one of these while getting our old house I'd grown up in ready for sale. It belonged to my great grandfather--I've one of the newer EOS Rebel T3i DSLR units and It's a world different! Wasn't even 100% sure where the shutter was really, so I'm glad this video exists!
Thank you for this video. Just started using my grandfather favorite camera and getting into photography more. It's nice to see these still being used again thank you for these videos
Thanks. My dad owned one from the 80s and I've had it for the past 2 decades, but never knew what to do with it. Never had resources like this (RU-vid).
Such a helpful video. So clearly explained! I knew the basics of how to use a film camera but ignored the extra buttons. Never knew it had a self timer!! Thanks for this
Thank you for explaining how the exposure metering works in this camera. I kind of inherited an AE-1 from my brother in law's sister's husband as he passed away a couple of years ago and I'm the only one close related that's interested enough to take a bite in this. Now as I bought a film scanner my interest in this analog film tool is wide awake again. As I'm used to my dslr's it's easy to make the mistake to think that the meter in the view finder is showing how much over vs under exposed the picture is going to be, so I couldn't figure out what the aperture values was all about. :) Now I know better! I also learned what the small silver button over the AE-button is. I had no clue something like that even existed. This is going to be a whole new way of exposure thinking for me and I love the challenge. :)
Amazing tutorial. Having just bought an ae-1 this video is invaluable. Having only shot digital until now ,this much is clear - there is no substitute for knowing how the "exposure triangle" works, be it digital or film
Just got the Black AE-1 today and I'm extremely new to the film/photography field. You videos have been very helpful though especially this video, much thanks!
many thanks for the video. I just bought an AE-1 at a thrift store for $30 and it seems to work and it look in perfect condition. you explained its functions well. thanks again.
Thanks so much! I’ve taking up photography a few years ago and someone gave me this camera and it seems like a different world than digital. I was messing with the buttons with you and it makes much more sense now!
Your AE-1 looks immaculate! I bought a new AE-1 in 1979 with that same FDn 50mm f/1.8, but I don’t think it looked any better than the one in your video.
I started to collect cameras. Your tips are interesting. If someone lacks the instruction manual, then this movie is a 'rescue' board. Thank you for your movie.
My first A series camera. I now have the AE-1, AE-1 Program, AV-1 and the gorgeous A-1. Shame that the "squeak" plague most of these A series cameras but a quick drop of oil in the mirror mechanism fixes it up nicely.
You are a gentleman and a scholar! I just replaced the battery in my AE-1 and knew the basics of film photography it but not the other details like the aperture settings and the green A and the DOF preview. I thought that had to be pushed in to take the picture at the chosen f stop. Didn't know it was like digital cameras where the blades close when the shutter is fired. I was always wondering why the needle changed when I moved it up to the suggested f stop. Now I know. Thanks again. The information was straight forward and your delivery was easy to follow and understand. So many people just talk and talk but don't actually say anything so thank you.
Holy crap, I think I have been using my camera all wrong... I've been taking pictures with the needle in the middle of the meter (where it says 5.6) because I thought that the middle meant perfect exposure. Feel like a dumb-ass.
Thanks for making this video! I took a black and white photography class two years ago and I recently wanted to start shooting film again but I needed a quick crash course on my camera again. This was perfect, appreciate the help!
Thanks man, impulse buy yesterday, always wanted too so just bit the bullet, payed the money and now i kind of HAVE to learn, so thanks for making this part pretty easy
I owned an AE-1 back in 1980. It had shutter priority but I still had to think about flash speed's, depth of field and a million other things, but I kind of enjoyed my photography more back then than I do now.
just bought one for 100 compared to the 200+ sales ive been seeing. i've been wanting this film camera for a while now, and i'm super excited to get it! next im looking forward to buying a fujifilm one
Thanks. Very good run through. I have just bought one and the most difficulty I had was getting a lens on and off. I think I have it worked out now particularly as you have said different lenses other than canon are put on slight differently. very helpful. geoff
Just purchased this camera today and currently waiting for it to arrive in front of my door. I guess my first film roll will full of failed photos hahaha I am excited anyway. Thank you for your detailed explanation!
@@SteariaLit oh sorry no notification so didn’t know you asked. Idk which country you are living in, but I bought it in an online thrift camera shop in Indonesia. They have pretty good stuffs but the prices were too high tbh.
thank you as well...I had an AE-1 Program before and then my father left me one,and I was trying for a minute to figure things out..I watched this video and realized that nothing was going to work without a working battery(duh?),so i am probably going today to get one.I already moved to digital,yet photography is a daily learning experience,and I realize now,that anyone who says they know it all is delusional.There's just so much science,creativity,and imagination involved,just like the other arts.I just feel like using my film cameras again is just like traveling for a home cooked meal.I will probably be watching your videos so much my computers might get up and walk away.
First time I used this camera about 35 years ago, and I still have it, unfortunately with out use, but keeping it as a memory... Thanks for a great explanations , which even after so many years, I got some tricks I didn't know.
Massive thanks. Photography is only a hobby for me, but I only ever shot with my Dad's old Fuji S9500 Digital camera. It does cool shots, but I've recently found My dad's two old Canon Ae-1 and A-1 Along with all his lenses, But I didn't know how o use it at all. I owe you one!
Thanks. I'm still an amateur when it comes to film photography. I've mostly just been collecting cameras, but I'd really like to get into photography more. I just picked up an AE-1, with extra lenses, at a local thrift store. Good to see what everything does. I have quite a few other cameras, but I'm planning on using this one as my primary film camera.
I've just bought this camera and this video has been very helpful. I haven't shot film in 30 years and never with an SLR. I'm really looking forward to getting out and shooting with this. It will also help me improve my digital photography too. Thank you. I wonder how many times i'll be chimping at the back of the camera after a shot though :D
Oh my God. Thank you! I can see that everyone felt the same way I did after watching your video! I had so many questions! It all clicked! (I found mine in my Grand-Father's garage, weirdly there's no mold, it is dusty, and needs to be cleaned up, but it works!) Thank you!
I recently bought a Canon AE-1 with 2 vivitar lenses, a Power Winder A and an agfatronic that refuses to work. So glad I did it because I had a real sucky time this week.
Just found this camera at a pawn shop and put it on layaway. And I'm so excited to get it that I wanted to look up more stuff about it and this video was just perfect! Thank you!
I loved the depth of explanation you went through to produce this video. It really helped me understand how to use the camera, and actually has pushed me more towards buying the canon Ae-1 now that I have a better idea of how to use it. Quick suggestion though. Sometimes the video was out of focus. Maybe set it to auto-focus if it is reliable enough on your camera? Anyway great job!
