Canon AE-1 Manual page 6

operates magnetically, in order to make the shutter release extremely fast and smooth.
The design of the shutter release button also uses the sequential electric supply ON and OFF.
Power is sequentially switched on-off only when the shutter button is depressed and this
minimized power consumption. Furthermore, it decreased harmful electric noises.
Immediate Response Metering From light metering to exposure setting, all the functions are
electronically controlled. With this astounding, revolutionary system, the very instant the
shutter button is pressed, the electronic brain (CPU) immediately computes the photographic
information and produces the- operating command. Light metering takes place at a speed
impossible to attain with other cameras. In EV 1 lighting conditions, light metering takes but
only 0.04 sec. With other features like exposure compensation button for an even more
precise control of AE photography, there were plenty of ways that can be used to handle
automatic exposures without the need to worry about inaccuracies in metering and exposure
timing. The shutter button activates light metering and shutter release in succession and
practically simultaneously.
Instantaneous response.
An Electronic Brain for Instantaneous Control For the first time in the world, this camera
adopts a system based on
electronic development applicable to photography during that time. The electronic brain
(CPU) controls all functions something no other similar class of camera offered during that
period.
Silicon Photocell and Logarithmic Amplifier In A Single IC The SPC (silicon photocell) is well known for its
outstanding photo-sensitive characteristics which yields greater responsiveness with greater linearity (straight
line characteristic) and a wider metering range.
Power-Saving Circuit The main parts were designed so as to require the minimum of energy
while a sequential command controls energy cut-off and supply. Thus, there is no unnecessary
battery consumption. A battery lasts the equivalent of 20,000 shutter releases (almost 556
rolls of 36-exposure film) in continuous photography, or one year under normal use.
Compact, Light weight Design for Great Handling Ease Although still consider bulkier
when compared with compact SLR cameras such as the Olympus OM-1, but within the Canon
line, the body dimensions have been reduced as compared with other models such as Canon
F-1, and the lightweight structure, with a special finger grip and rounded back contours,
provides great handling ease.
Automatic Film Winding with the Canon Power winder A
0.001 sec. at EV 12 (1/125 sec., f/5.6)
0.04 sec. at EV 1 (1 sec., f/1.4)
(Integrated Injection Logic) technology, the most advanced
The SPC cell, housed near the eyepiece, has a logarithmic amplifier and a special,
immediate response circuit, integrated into a single IC in order to obtain the speediest
responsiveness while at the same time ensuring remarkable overall durability.