Canon AE-1 Manual page 18

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Angle Finder A2 and B The angle finder is a magnifying glass which can be attached from

above into the grooves of the viewfinder eyepiece. It rotates 90 degrees so that the image on

the viewfinder can be viewed directly from the side or above whenever it is inconvenient or

impossible to look directly through the eyepiece.

Magnifier S The Canon Magnifier S gives 2.5X magnification of the viewfinder center for

precision focusing in close-up work. The strength can be adjusted to your eyesight within the

range of +4 to -4 diopters.

Holding the Camera Unlike the mechanical release system, the magnetic release system of

the Canon AE-1 electronically controls the shutter. The shutter button moves with a very light

touch and its travel is very short. The shutter will be released by lightly depressing the shutter

button so as to prevent camera shake. But, unsteady holding of the camera will cause camera

shake in spite of the magnetic release system. Therefore, be sure to hold the camera firmly.

Rest the camera on your left palm and grasp the lower part of the lens focusing ring between

your thumb and forefinger or middle finger. Hold the right end of the camera firmly, with

your right thumb behind the tip of the film advance lever and your right forefinger on the

shutter button, while the other fingers hold the camera's finger grip.

To reduce camera shake, press your left elbow strongly against your body and look into the

viewfinder steadying the camera against the forehead. The right arm should be relaxed while

holding the camera. When you use comparatively slow shutter speeds or when you use

telephoto lenses, it is advisable to lean against a wall, a tree trunk or some fixed object for a

steadier grip.

This is very helpful in copying, close-ups, macrophotography, and

photomicrography. There are two types, the A2 whose image is reversed

as in a mirror, and the more advanced Angle Finder B with the normal

camera image.

The Magnifier S combined with its adapter can be inserted into the

grooves of the viewfinder eyepiece. The adapter of the Magnifier S is

hinged to allow the magnifier to swing upward from the eyepiece leaving

the whole screen image visible after focusing.