Canon AL-1
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 | |
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Maker | Canon Camera K. K. |
| Type | 35 mm SLR |
| Lens | |
| Lens mount | Canon FD |
| Sensor/medium | |
| Film speed | ISO 25 to 1600 |
| Focusing | |
| Focus | Manual |
| Exposure/metering | |
| Exposure metering | EV3.5 to EV18 |
| Flash | |
| Flash | Hot shoe |
| Flash synchronization | 1/60 s |
| Shutter | |
| Frame rate | Manual lever winding, unmodified. |
| Shutter speed range | 2 s to 1/1000 s |
| General | |
| Dimensions | 86.5×142.1×47.6 mm (3.41×5.59×1.87 in) |
| Weight | 490 g (17 oz) |
| Made in | Japan |
The Canon AL-1 was an FD mount, 35mm single-lens reflex camera introduced in March 1982.[1][2] Its main feature was the "Quick Focus" focus-assist system[3] that was aimed at those who had trouble focusing through the viewfinder—either novices, or those with poor eyesight—and was intended to head off competition from the first full-autofocus cameras from other manufacturers, such as the Pentax ME F.
As a lower-end camera, the AL-1 did not offer a long list of features. Instead, Canon focused on providing core functionality and lowering price. The AL-1 provides focus-confirmation, aperture-priority autoexposure (controlled by a through-the-lens silicon photocell), manual shutter speeds from 1/15 to 1/1000 of a second, and a 10-second self-timer. It also added a larger grip, and the convenience of using of AAA cells for power. However the battery door is one of its weakness as most of the cameras that are found today on the market have a battery door that is broken or has been replaced. Its body was constructed from a special polycarbonate that was then painted to imitate metal. An ISO hotshoe, A-series power winder connections, and cable-release socket provide an acceptable level of compatibility with accessories. It was also the last Canon SLR to use the Canon logo, which resembles the Japanese romaji font used on Canon cameras since the 1960s on a pentaprism.
The camera uses Canon's breech-lock FD mount, and so users could choose from the wide variety of Canon FD lenses, as well as those from third parties. Users could also utilise Canon R and FL lenses, but with some limitations.
In 1987, Canon abandoned the FD mount in favour of the EF mount along with the EOS camera system, which uses the same concept as the T80 but with a new and incompatible mount designed around an all-electronic interface.
