Peter J. Vis: The legendary Canon AE-1 in a nutshell

Peter J. Vis gives a compact presentation of the Canon AE-1 including repair topics and a look under the hood on


An excellent introduction to this legendary camera, which was the first to incorporate a microprocessor into its body, allowing electronic processes to be digitally controlled.


Electronics of the Canon AE-1 in depth

Details and extensive explanations of the technology of the Canon AE-1 can be found in the service manual.

Anyone interested in electronics will get their money's worth here, as the circuitry of the AE-1 is described in depth.


Further information can be found here:

Andreas Thaler said:

Electronics of the Canon AE-1 in depth

Details and extensive explanations of the technology of the Canon AE-1 can be found in the service manual.

Anyone interested in electronics will get their money's worth here, as the circuitry of the AE-1 is described in depth.

http://www.fou-du-canon-f-1.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/AE-1-Program-service_manual-1.pdf

Click to expand...

Late correction:

The link refers to technical information about the Canon AE-1 Program, which is a further development of the Canon AE-1.

Looks like a do-able project. Nicer camera than the Rollei SL35E, as the electronics seem better designed and implemented. The service manual looks complete in terms of description of the circuit and troubleshooting.

Appears to be serviceable with your shutter and exposure tester, voltmeter and oscilloscope.

ic-racer said:

Looks like a do-able project. Nicer camera than the Rollei SL35E, as the electronics seem better designed and implemented. The service manual looks complete in terms of description of the circuit and troubleshooting.

Appears to be serviceable with your shutter and exposure tester, voltmeter and oscilloscope.

Click to expand...

Perhaps the Canon AE-1 and other Canon A cameras are the only digitally controlled SLRs whose electronics can be largely understood, thanks to the excellent documentation in the service manual and the usual brilliant technical articles by Larry Lyells.