My primary camera is the Canon EOS-1n, along with the auto wind battery pack (PB-E1), which was first released in 1994. The camera originally cost about $2000 at the time, but I was able to get one for about $300 on Ebay. The camera is quite heavy, and a lot of that weight is primarily caused by the eight batteries in the battery pack, but the battery pack allows for far more operation time than just the onboard battery would allow, especially when I am using automatic focus lenses. It didn’t take long to figure out how to use the camera, as there is not a lot going on electronically or buttons wise. It has a full auto-focus, which is using five points of focus to get the job done. There is also a full manual setting, if I want to take control of the camera, which I like to use quite often. Then there are various functions in between, such as just controlling aperture or focus. It accepts Canon EF lenses, and there are even adapters for those who would like to use the old school FD style mounts. Overall, it has been a great camera, and I have enjoyed using it.
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My primary lens is the Canon 28-70mm f2.8/L. I chose it because of its being a great general purpose lens. It is rated very high on its ability to focus both automatically and manually, as well as having great focal length and wide focal range for scenic photos. I found this one on Ebay as well, and because of their popularity and performance, they are not a cheap lens. Like other older Canon lenses, this one is quite heavy, and weighs in at a little over two pounds. Using it will significantly add to the weight of your camera rig, so make sure you have a good neck strap when using. With this lens, one can get pretty sweet close ups, and a wide focal range photos, with out a lot of loss on the edges of the image. The lens has a full auto focus, and an auto aperture setting, which makes it nice, especially for more action like shots. But it also can be turned into a completely manual lens with the simple flick of a switch located on the side of the lens.
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My secondary camera is the Canon AE-1 programmable, first released in 1981. I love this camera, simply because it was one of the most successful consumer cameras made, and the reason being, it worked. It takes the older style Canon FD lens mount, and there are tons of the lenses out there, and they are cheap. I put all the lenses I was able to get for this camera below. At first I really struggled with having to focus myself, and getting it right, but I was able to get better at it pretty quickly. The real challenge was getting the right amount of light into the image. The camera does have a light meter, when you look inside the viewfinder, and it would suggest the appropriate aperture setting for the lens, but after taking the photo, I noticed quickly, that it was not always right. To help users who would prefer not to mess with doing things themselves, this camera did have a program setting, which allowed the camera to do all the work, in regards to exposure time and aperture setting. The camera is rugged, and can take quite a beating, but it is definitely not quite as water proof / resistant as cameras of today, so do not get this one too close to water. One of the biggest issues this camera has, and it is a really over time issue, is the felt around the light seal portion of the shutter area. The felt breaks apart over time, and allows light to leak in. The little chucks can get into the viewfinder area or on the mirror, and even find their way exposed onto your negatives. Kind of a bummer. It is possible to replace the felt, but it is not an easy task, and getting all the old chucks out of the camera is definitely a tough task. So, if looking to buy one of these, make sure you take a good look at the felt around the shutter box.
My Lenses for the Canon AE-1P
