Canon AE-1 Manual page 5

ball bearings. While combination of permanent magnet and electromagnet which use very
little battery consumption and the omission of holding mechanisms.
Shutter Priority Automatic exposure (AE) System Canon's earlier screw mount models, the
EX EE (1969) and EX AUTO (1972) have already offered Shutter-priority AE in their
exposure control system while the FD lenses, which also used the famed breech-lock mount
(but with auto-diaphragm) as found in the FL-type lenses, were introduced along with the
Canon F-1 in 1971. It was still too early to see an SLR model exploring the potential benefits
of what the 'new' and sophisticated breech lock mount system these FD lenses can offer.
The AE-1, which has a Shutter-priority AE system that can automatically decides the correct
diaphragm opening of the lens you are using according to the light the subject is reflecting,
based on the shutter speed that has been previously set. This is the meaning of shutter speed
priority. The pins and structures of all FD lenses allows the AE-1 to couple with the functions
of the Shutter speed priority AE.
Therefore, as you compose the picture, you can freely choose the shutter speed that
corresponded to the speed at which the subject is moving.
A Gentle Touch Activates the Shutter Button This unique shutter button activates a
complex of electronically controlled functions, a technological feat since such a design has
never been realized previously by the other manufacturers. As opposed to the conventional
mechanical systems, it serves as a switch to turn the electronic circuitry on or off, and