Canon AT 1 User Manual

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PICTORIAL OUTLINE FOR USING THE CAMERA
Load the battery.
Turn the main switch on.
Load the film.
Look into the viewfinder. Compose the picture and focus.
In Focus
Determine the exposure by adjusting the shutter speed dial and the aperture ring.
o
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Congratulations upon the purchase of your new Canon AT-1, a remarkably advanced camera that reflects the latest trends in SLR photography. As a flawless product of Canon technology, its vast potential as a rewarding means of expression is assured for years to come by an incomparable system of fine lenses and accessories. At an extremely reasonable price, the Canon AT-1 offers you TTL Central Emphasis Metering plus many of the superb advantages enjoyed by users of its all-electronic counterpart, the Canon AE-1. Its fabulous electronic system consisting of the Power Winder A for continuous rapid-fire shooting, the Speedlite 155A for perfectly synchro nized flash shooting and the Data Back A for automatic data imprinting give the AT-1 unsurpassably versatile per formance. Similarly, you have the entire system of superior FD inter
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changeable lenses at your disposal which enable metering at full aperture.
But perhaps most conspicuous is the absence of mechanical noise that is characteristic of conventional SLRs. The AT-1 incorporates a wonderfully silent electromagnetic release, in addition to a 10-second electronic self­timer, for perfectly vibrationless operation. Moreover, you will surely find the Canon AT-1, with its extremely compact and lightweight body to be one of the easiest to operate cameras ever.
In order to derive full benefit from the many features the AT-1 affords, please take the time to read and understand the following instructions. Canon remains always ready to lend you its support in the future with a system of lenses and accessories unequaled the world over.
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Distance Scale (in feet and meters) Focusing Ring
Aperture Ring
Canon Breech-Lock Ring
Stopped-Down Lever
Flash Terminal
Film Rewind Crank
Main Switch (Battery Check Lever)
While reading the instruction booklet, unfold this flap and the flap on the back cover to facilitate your understanding of the instructions.
Fil.m Plane Indicator
Shutter Release Button
Electronic Self-Timer Lever (Shutter Release Lock)
Accessory Shoe
Automatic Flash Contact
Synchronization Contact
Distance Index
Depth-of-Field Scale EE Lock Pin
"A" Mark
Battery Chamber Cover
Finger Grip
Film Speed Set Ring
ASA Film Speed
Shutter Speed Dial
-----
Film Advance Lever
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Press the shutter button.
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Photography with the Canon Speedlite
155 A
1. Take off the battery chamber cover and
load the batteries.
2. Set the ASA film speed of the 155A.
3. Mount the Speedlite 155A on the acces sory shoe of the camera.
4. Turn the main switch on.
5. Set the AUTO/MANU. switch.
6. Set the prescribed f/stop on the lens.
7. Focus and press the shutter button.
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Photography with the Canon Power Winder A
Remove the Battery Pack A.
1.
Load the batteries into the Battery Pack A.
2.
Attach the Battery Pack A to the Power
3. Winder A. Take off the winder coupler cover on the
4. bottom of the camera body and put it in the winder coupler's cover holder. Attach the Power Winder A to the
5. camera. Turn the main switch on.
6.
Focus and press the shutter button.
7.
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CONTENTS
SPECIFICATIONS............................................8-10
Handling the Case and Lens Cap .... 12-13
Mounting the Lens............................................ 13
Loading the Battery and Main Switch . .14-15
Checking the Battery........................................ 16
Film Advance and Shutter Release ... 17-18 Loading the Film
Frame Counter.................................................. 21
Setting the ASA............................................ 22-23
OPERATION FOR GENERAL
PHOTOGRAPHY................................................ 25
Selecting the Shutter Speed .......................27-28
Lens Aperture
Viewing and Focusing...................................... 29
Dioptric Adjustment Lenses............................ 30
Viewfinder Information..................................... 32
Determining the Exposure
Meter Coupling Range...................................... 35
Holding the Camera ......................................... 37
Releasing the Shutter and
Rewinding the Film
DETAILED OPERATION OF THE AT-1
Effects of Changing the Shutter Speed and the Aperture
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19-20
28
33
38-39
41
43-44
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Depth-of-Field Using the Self-Timer Flash Photography with the AT-1
Long Exposures................................................ 50
Stopped-Down Metering....................................52
Manual Aperture Control
Lenses.......................................................... 55-58
ACCESSORIES, CARE OF THE CAMERA, MAINTENANCE, AND MISCELLANEA
Canon Speedlite 155A...................................... 61
Canon Power Winder A
Canon Data Back A and Bellows FL . . . . 63
Other Accessories........................................64-65
Care and Storage of the Camera
...............................................
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45-46 47-48
49
53-54
59
62
67-69
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SPECIFICATIONS
Type; 35mm SLR (Single-Lens-Reflex)
Camera with focal plane shutter.
Picture Size: 24 x 36mm Interchangeable lenses: Canon FD series
lenses for full aperture metering. Canon FL series lenses for stopped-down metering.
Standard Lenses: Canon FD 55mm f/1.2
S.S.C. Canon FD 50mm f/1.4 S.S.C. Canon FD 50mm f/1.8 S.C.
Lens Mqunt: Canon Breech-Lock Mount.
Canon FD, FL, and R lenses can be mounted for use.
Viewfinder: Fixed eye-level pentaprism. Field of View: 93.5% vertical and 96.3%
horizontal coverage of the actual picture area.
Magnification: 1:0.82 at infinity with a
standard 50mm lens.
Dioptric Adjustment Lens S: Standard —1
diopter.
Interchangeable with -t3, +2, -1-1.5, -i-1,
-(■0.5, 0, —0.5, —2, —3, and —4 diopters.
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Focusing Screen: Split-image/microprism
rangefinder surrounded by matte screen
Viewfinder Information: Meter needle and
aperture needle (circular index) are seen on the right hand side of the viewfinder. On the upper right hand is an over­exposure/battery check index mark and on the lower right hand is a metering limit index mark on the underexposure side.
Viewfinder Attachments: Angle Finder A2
and B, Magnifier S, Dioptric Adjustment
Lens S (10 kinds), and Eyecup 4S.
Mirror: Instant-return, large reflector mirror
with shock absorbing mechanism.
Exposure Meter: Built-in. Using CdS photo
cell. Coupled to shutter speeds, film speeds, and f/stops. Match needle type, TTL full aperture metering mechanism.
Light Metering System: TTL (Through-The-
Lens) Central Emphasis Metering method
Exposure Meter Coupling Range: EV 3 (f/1.4
at 1/4 sec.) to EV 17 (f/16 at 1/500
sec.) at ASA 100 film with FD 50mm f/1.4 S.S.C. Lens.
Film Speed Range: ASA 25 to ASA 3200
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Shutter: Cloth focal plane shutter with four
spindles. Shock and noise damping mechanisms are incorporated. All shutter speeds are electronically controlled.
Shutter Speeds: 1/1000, 1/500, 1/250,
1/125, 1/60, 1/30, 1/15, 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, 1,
2 (seconds) and B.
X synchronization is at 1/60 seconds.
Shutter Speed Dial: The shutter speed dial is
on the same axis as the film advance lever. The number 2 for two seconds is marked in orange; other numbers as well as X synchronization are in white. There is a shutter dial guard to prevent uninten tional movement of the dial. The ASA dial is located underneath the shutter speed dial.
Self-Timer: Electronically controlled self-
timer. After the self-timer lever is pushed forward, the self-timer is activated by the shutter release button. The self-timer releases the shutter after a time lag of 10 seconds. A self-timer LED lamp blinks on and off when the self-timer is in operation. The self-timer operation can be cancelled while in operation.
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Stopping-Down the Lens: Stopping-down
the lens can be performed by pushing the stopped-down lever after setting the aperture ring.
Power Source: One 6V silver oxide battery;
Eveready No. 544, UCAR No.544, JIS 4G13, and Mallory PX28. The battery lasts the equivalent of 20,000 shutter releases, or one year under normal use.
Battery Check: Battery power level can be
checked by the meter needle inside the viewfinder -when the main switch is turned to the battery check index mark "C".
Flash Synchronization: X synchronization
is at 1/60 sec. M synchronization is at 1 /30 sec. and below.
Flash Terminal: The accessory shoe has a
direct flash contact and automatic flash control contact. On the front of the camera body is the flash terminal, JIS-B type for flash units with a cord. It has a built-in protective rim to prevent elect rical shock.
Automatic Flash: With the Canon Speedlite
1 55A, set the aperture to the prescribed
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f/stop, and the amount of light is auto matically controlled for correct flash
exposure, adjusting the shutter speed to
1/60 of a second automatically.
Back Cover: The camera's back cover has a
memo holder for your convenience. The cover can be removed for attaching the Canon Data Back A.
Film Loading: Performed by pulling up the
rewind crank to open the back cover.
Easy film loading with multi-slot take-up
spool.
Film Advance Lever: Single stroke with 120°
throw and 30°stand-off. The film can be wound with several short strokes. The Canon Power Winder A can be mounted for automatic winding of the film.
Frame Counter: Additive type. Automatical
ly resets when the back cover is opened.
While rewinding film, it counts back the frame numbers.
Film Rewinding: Performed by pressing the
rewind button on the bottom and by us ing the rewing crank on the top. The rewind button is automatically reset
when the film is advanced with the film
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advance lever.
Size: 141 X 87X47.5mm (5-9/16"x -3-7/16"
X 1-7/8") body only.
Weight: 590g (20-13/16 ozs.) body only.
790g (27-7/8 ozs.) with the 50mm f/1.8 S.C. lens. 895g (31-9/16 ozs.) with the 50mm f/1.4 S.S.C. lens.
1,100g (38-13/16 ozs.) with the 55mm
f/1.2 S.S.C. lens.
Subject to change without notice.
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PRELIMINARY PREPARATION Neckstrap and Case
Slide the scratch prevention ring and spare battery case which houses a spare battery onto the Canon AT-1 's neckstrap, then thread the neckstrap through the rings. Adjust the neckstrap to a length most suitable for you.
Firmly attach the case to the camera by turning the screw on the bottom of the case. When you wish to take off the top cover of the soft case, turn the top cover to the
bottom then slide it straight up in the direc
tion of the arrow and pull it out as indicated
in the photo.
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Handling the Lens Cap
The lens cap can be removed from the front of the lens after pressing in the tabs on both sides of the cap. The rear dust cover can be removed by turning the Canon Breech­Lock ring in the direction of the arrow. To attach the dust cover, align its slot with the positioning pin below the red dot of the
Breech-Lock ring, and press it in. When the
dust cover is removed, the Breech-Lock ring is locked.
Mounting the Lens
Remove the body cap. Make sure that the aperture ring is not set to the "A" mark before mounting the lens. Release the aperture ring from the "A" mark by pushing the EE lock pin and turn the ring. Then, mount the lens by aligning the red dot of the body with the red dot of the bayonet ring, and then turning the Breech-Lock ring clock wise, pressing gently until it locks into position. Reverse the procedure to dismount
the lens.
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Loading the Battery
The camera will function only when the
battery is loaded and the main switch is turn ed on. Use a silver oxide battery for the power source. The battery chamber cover can be opened more easily by using the viewfinder cover that is inserted into the accessory shoe.
Be careful to load the battery correctly
with the "+" side up following the diagram on the inside of the battery chamber. If the bat tery is incorrectly loaded so the polarities are facing the wrong direction, the camera will
not function. Load the battery by inserting the " contact first while holding down the battery in the bottom of the battery chamber. When loading or removing the battery, make certain that the main switch is set at OFF.
■ Only a silver oxide battery can be used and other types cannot be used. In general use, the battery will last one year. Safety circuitry is built in the camera to keep the shutter from being released when the voltage of the battery becomes insufficient.
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Main Switch
The main switch turns on or off the elect
ric circuits of the camera. Therefore, when taking photographs, set the main switch to the "ON" position. The camera will not function unless it is set to "ON".
■ When not in use, turn the main switch to "OFF" to guard against needless consumption of the battery.
i_
I Silver Oxide
Battervi 6V)
Usable Batteries
Eveready(UCAR) No.544 JIS 4G13, Mallory PX28
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Checking the Battery
If there is not sufficient voltage, the camera will not function, so check the battery as indicated below. The main switch is also used when checking the battery. Turn the main switch/battery check lever as far to the left as possible or, in other words, to the "C" index on the outer side of the film rewind crank while looking into the viewfinder to see if the power level is sufficient. If the meter needle rests above the battery check index mark, there is sufficient voltage. If it is below the index mark, replace the battery as there is not enough voltage left in the battery for the camera to operate.
Perform a battery check in the follow
ing situations:
1. When a battery is loaded.
2. If the shutter does not function.
3. When a great number of photographs
have been taken.
4. When the camera is used after it has been
stored for a long period without use. When the camera is used in extremely
5.
cold conditions.
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Film Advance and Shutter Release
Turn the film advance lever until it stops,
so the film will advance one frame all in one motion. The shutter will cock, and the dia phragm and mirror will be ready for the next shutter release, while the frame couriter advances simultaneously to the next number. By pushing the film advance lever lightly with the tip of your thumb, it will open to its 30° stand-off position away from the camera body for easy film advance. While the film is advancing, the shutter will not be released. Film winding can also be accomplished by advancing the lever in short strokes.
Canon has developed the Power Winder A to be used with the AT-1 for automatic film winding. It greatly increases the speed and mobility of the AT-1. (See page 62.)
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Shutter Button and Shutter Lock
The magnetic release shutter button enables smoother shutter release than the mechanical release method does. There is also less chance for camera shake.
When the shutter lock lever around the shutter release button is turned to the "L" position, the shutter button will be locked to prevent unintentional shutter release. Keep the shutter release button locked while carrying the camera to prevent film waste.
When the power level of the battery is
insufficient, a safety mechanism will keep the shutter from being released.
■ At temperatures under —20 degrees C, there may be an occurrence when the shutter will not be released depending on the batteries, even if the battery power is suf ficient. In that cold condition, the battery's power is reduced so some 10 seconds should be allowed after the battery is checked before
taking a picture.
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Loading the Film
The Canon AT-1 uses color or black and
white film in standard 35mm cartridges.
Opening the Back Cover
To load a cartridge of film into the camera, first open the camera's back cover. Pull up the rewind crank and the back cover will pop open. The back cover can be securely
closed simply by pressing it until it locks.
Avoid direct sunlight when loading or un loading the film.
The Canon Data Back A, an accessory for imprinting data such as the day, month and
year, can be attached to the AT-1 in place of the back cover. (See page 63.)
How to Load the Film
Put the cartridge into the film cartridge
chamber and press down while rotating the
rewind knob until it drops securely into position. The protruding part of the cartridge
should be on the bottom. Pull the film leader across and insert the end into one slot of the multi-slot take-up spool. Turn the film ad vance lever and wind the film around the
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take-up spool making sure that the perfora tions of the film are engaged in the teeth of the film transport sprocket.
Then, make sure that there is no film
slack. In case there is, gently turn the film
rewind crank in the direction of the arrow to
obtain proper film tautness and the film ad
vance lever to ensure that the leader is wound
fully on to the take-up spool before the camera back is closed.
When loading the film into the camera,
do not touch the shutter curtain, the film rails
or the pressure plate.
Closing the Back Cover
Close the back cover until it snaps shut. Gently turn the film rewind crank clockwise in the direction of the arrow to take up the film slack. Then, advance the film a couple of times pressing the shutter button until the first exposure appears in the frame counter.
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Frame Counter
The frame counter is an additive type which counts one frame every time the film advance lever winds the film. When the camera's back cover is opened, the frame counter automatically resets itself to the "S" position.
While rewinding film, the frame counter counts back the frame numbers. The starting position "S", 0, and the even numbers 2 to 38 are displayed by the counter. Numbers 20 and 36 are marked in orange to call your attention to the end of commercially available film cartridges. The frame counter cannot count higher than 38.
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Checking Film Winding
Operate the film advance lever while watching the film rewind knob. If it rotates, the film is properly loaded. If the rewind
knob does not rotate, open the back cover
and load the film again from the start.
Setting the ASA Film Speed
After loading the film, set the ASA film speed according to the ASA speed of the film
in use. To set the ASA, first push the film
advance lever out to its 30° stand-off position
away from the camera body, then gently lift up the ASA ring around the shutter dial and rotate it in either direction until the proper number is aligned with the green index mark. ASA is a numerical rating of a film's sensitivi ty to light. A higher ASA number indicates a faster film which is more sensitive to light. On the other hand, a lower ASA number indicates a slower film which is less sensitive to light. The ASA rating recommended by the manu facturer is printed on the film box, e.g.,
ASA 100.
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The following ASA ratings can be set on
the camera. Figures in parentheses indicate intermediate film speeds.
. ^ 32 40 6^ fO , 12
ASA25 • ’50 • • 100 •
* 800'*1600'-“"3200
'60 250 320
200 • • 400
Use of the Memo Holder
The memo holder on the camera's back cover is useful for keeping data like film speed, location, shooting. For example, after tearing off the part of the film box which specifies the type of the film being used, it can be inserted into the memo holder as a constant reminder.
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Kodacolor II
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Operation for Generol Photogrophy
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Shutter and Aperture
The opening of the shutter letting light
in on the film is called an exposure. The amount of light striking the film is controlled by the lens aperture, while the length of time that light is allowed to strike the film is controlled by the shutter.
Shutter Speed Dial
The shutter dial is used to adjust the
shutter speed. It allows for speed settings in the range of 2 seconds to 1/1000 of a second. When the shutter speed is advanced to the next larger number, the exposure time is cut in half. The shutter speeds on the dial are typically the reciprocals of the true shutter speeds. For example, 125 and 250 on the dial represent shutter speeds of 1/125 and 1/250 of a second. Only in the case of the orange "2" is the shutter speed actually as indicated on the dial, i.e., 2 seconds. The "B" (Bulb) setting is used for long exposures where as long as the shutter button is pressed down, the shutter will remain open.
■ The shutter speed dial cannot be set to an intermediate position.
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1 ndoors
Brightness
Shutter Speed
(Seconds)
1/30 to 1/60
Outdoors
Mid-summer Beach or Snow-coverd Mountains
1/125 to 1/250
1/500 to 1/1000
Selecting the Shutter Speed
Shutter speed is determined in accor
dance with the brightness of the scene and the speed with which the main subject is moving.
You can use the above table as a general guide
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to help you select an appropriate shutter speed when using a standard 50mm lens. For indoor photography, with no special illumi nation, choose 1/30 of a second and 1/60 of a second in a brightly lit room.
For outdoor photography, select 1/125 second when cloudy and 1/250 second in sunshine. To take pictures in particularly bright sunshine such as at a beach in mid summer or in snow-covered mountains, use shutter speeds of 1/500 sec. or 1/1000 sec.
The above mentioned shutter speeds apply when using a standard 50mm lens, but it is necessary to choose faster shutter speeds when using lenses of longer focal lengths because they are more difficult to hold steady. It is generally said that the shutter speed figure should be greater than 1 divided by the focal length of the lens in order to ob tain sharp images.
For example, when using a 200mm tele
photo lens, shutter speed should be faster than 1/200 second. Therefore, the shutter speed in this particular case should be set at
1/250 sec. Image blur can also arise if the
camera is not properly held. See page 37.
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Lens Aperture
The adjustment of the aperture is used
with the shutter speed to get the correct ex
posure. The amount of light reaching the film is controlled by the aperture's size.
On the aperture ring are a series of mark
ings which indicate the proportion of the light allowed to pass through the lens, which are known as f/numbers. When the aperture ring is set to the next larger f/number on the scale of the ring, the amount of light passing through the lens is decreased by 1/2. The lens's brightness is based on the smallest numerical aperture value for the lens. With a f/2 serving as the standard, the com parative brightness at each f/stop will be as indicated below.
Biighiness
(f/stop) 1.2
Ratio 3
The aperture ring can be set at positions
between the settings on the scale.
2.8 4 5.6 8 11 16
J1/2 1/4 1/8 1/16
2 1
1/22
1/64
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Viewing and Focusing
Focusing is performed in the small round area in the center of the viewfinder. The smaller central circle is a split-image focusing screen and around it is the microprism ring. The split-image rangefinder ascertains that the image is "in focus" when the image divided horizontally in half merges and becomes one complete image.
The microprism rangefinder presents a clear and steady image when in focus. The microprism conveys a broken, shimmering image when not accurately in focus. It is also possible to focus with the matte screen outside the smaller central area. You can focus with any of these focusing aids as you like, depending on the subject and your pre ference.
Accessories such as an eyecup, dioptric adjustment lenses, angle finders, and magnifier can be attached to the viewfinder eyepiece.
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In Focus
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Dioptric Adjustment Lens S
Dioptric adjustment lenses can be attached by inserting them from above into' the grooves in the viewfinder eyepiece to compensate for the individual eyesight. With them, near-sighted or far-sighted persons can perform photography without glasses.
The built-in eyepiece lens of the AT-1 has
—1 diopter. The following 10 kinds of dioptric adjustment lenses are optional acces sories: -1-3, + 2, -M.5, -1-1, -1-0.5, 0, —0.5, —2, —3 and —4 (diopters).
One way of selecting the correct dioptric adjustment lens for you is to select the one that is the closest to your glasses in regard to
number of diopters. But, we propose that,
to select the most appropriate dioptric ad justment lens, you actually look through the viewfinder after placing it over the eye
piece.
Because the camera itself has —1 diopter, the diopters of the lenses are recorded as the real power when attached to the camera, thus reflecting the power of the camera's viewfin
der.
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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. This is
very helpful in copying, close-ups, macro
photography, and photomicrography. There are two types, the A2 whose image is reversed as in a mirror, and the more advanced Angle Finder B which gives a correct image.
Magnifier S
The Canon Magnifier S gives 2.5X magni
fication of the viewfinder center for precision focusing in close-up work. The strength can be adjusted to your eyesight within the range of
-f4 to —4 diopters.
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.
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Viewfinder Information
The Canon AT-1 is a camera offering full aperture metering with FD lenses where the aperture needle is coupled to the shutter speed, aperture and film's sensitivity when FD lenses are used. Furthermore, when using Canon FL lenses on the AT-1, the exposure reading is performed with stopped-down metering.
The Central Emphasis Metering method of exposure measurement is used in the AT-1 to deliver the optimum exposure to the main
subject without being affected by the bright sky in the upper part of the picture area.
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Matte
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In the center of the viewfinder is a range
finder while the meter needle and the aperture
needle (circular) are found to the right. The exposure metering range index marks are in the upper and lower right. The exposure
metering range index mark in the upper right
is also used as the battery check index mark. The exposure metering range extends from
EV 3 (f/1.4, 1/4 of a second) to EV 17 (f/16,
1/500 of a second) at ASA 100 film with FD
50mm f/1.4 S.S.C. lens.
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Determining the Exposure
Turn the camera toward the subject and look into the viewfinder to insure that the meter needle swings and rests still somewhere between the upper and lower exposure metering index marks. Then, turn the shutter speed dial and/or the aperture ring until the circular aperture needle bisects the meter needle. These are the steps for getting the correct exposure. On most occasions, it is more convenient to predetermine the shutter
speed then turn the aperture ring.
The upper and lower halves each express half an f/stop gradation; the full width of the
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aperture needle is equivalent to one f/stop. Thus, the setting of the meter needle and aperture needle can be precisely controlled inside the viewfinder enabling finer adjust ment of the exposure.
Exposure determination (matching needles) should not be performed while the shutter button is depressed. It will cause a slight, variable error depending on the
condition of the battery.
0.5 f/stops
0.5 f/stops
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Operation of Shutter Priority
1. Turn the main switch on.
2. Set the shutter speed.
3. Look into the viewfinder and focus.
4. Turn the aperture ring and align the
meter needle with the aperture needle.
5. Depress the shutter button.
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Exposure Metering With FL Lenses
When Canon FL lenses are used on the AT-1, it is necessary to take a stopped-down meter reading. After pressing in the stopped­down lever until it locks, adjust the aperture ring and/or shutter speed dial until the meter needle inside the viewfinder is aligned with the aperture needle to obtain the correct
exposure. After determining the correct
exposure, release the stopped-down lever and
compose and focus at maximum aperture.
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Meter Coupling Range
If the circular aperture needle does not align with the meter needle by turning the aperture ring, it means that the shutter speed is not properly set. If this is the case, reset shutter speed dial so that two needles can be aligned with each other. And when these two needles cannot be aligned with each other by turning the shutter speed dial, change the aperture. When the shutter speed is set at a
slow speed outside the meter coupling range, metering cannot be performed even if the aperture is changed.
The built-in exposure meter couples to the range of the aperture and shutter speed with respect to the film speed. For example, when using the FD 50mm f/1.4 S.S.C. lens and ASA 100 film, the exposure meter couples within the range of from EV 3 (f/1.4 at 1/4 sec.) to EV 17 (f/16 at 1/500 sec.).
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I
Film
I Speed
ASA 25 1 ASA 50 ASA 100 ASA 2001/8 1/15 1/30 ASA 4001/15 1/30 1/60 ASA 800
1/2
1/2
1/4
1/4 1/8 1/15
1/60
1/30
I/I251/2501/500
m 1600 1/60 1/1251/250
1/250
1/125
ASA 3200
Minimum
f/stop
1/500
f/^2 |{/22 f/22 f/22 f/2?
__L a
1/4
1/8 1/15 1/30
1/8 1/15
1/30 1/60 1/125
1/500 l/lOOi
1/30 1/60 1/1Z5 1/60 1/125 1/250 1/125
1/500 I/IOOO
1/250
1/2501/50Q
1/1000
1/1000
1/1000
f/22
f/22
1/60
...
1/125
1/250 1/500I/IOOO
1/250 1/5001/1000
... ...
f/I6
f/11 f/8
1/500
1/1000
f/5,6
35
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Holding the Camera
The electromagnetic shutter release button has a short, soft touch. The shutter can be released by lightly depressing the
.shutter button to help prevent camera shake.
But, unsteady holding of the camera will
cause camera shake in spite of the electro magnetic shutter 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 fore finger 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.
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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. The
above describes the fundamentals of how to hold the camera. You may find yourself the most appropriate grip for you and get ac
customed to it through constant practice.
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Releasing the Shutter
When you press the shutter button, try to squeeze the shutter button gently with your finger. Avoid hitting or pressing the shutter button suddenly particularly when using slow shutter speeds, otherwise blur may result.
At the moment of shooting, you should exhale slowly while the shutter button is
being pressed.
Rewinding the Film
When the film advance lever cannot travel all the way to the end of its stroke, the frame counter tells you that you have reached the end of the film. You have to rewind the film in its protective cartridge, before you can remove it from the camera. Since it is not protected, any exposure to light will "fog" the film and cause a drastic color shift and loss of picture image.
To rewind the film, press in the small
rewind button on the bottom of the camera,
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unfold the rewind crank and turn it in the direction of the arrow on the rewind crank.
When the frame counter has reached the "S"
mark, you should stop rewinding. Then pull up the rewind knob to open the camera back
and lift the cartridge out.
If you stop rewinding the moment the frame counter has reached the "S" mark, the film will not be completely rewound into the
cartridge and the film leader will still be
outside the cartridge.
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зэ
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D«iQiled Operation of the AM
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“Ж
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Concerning the Exposure (Shutter Speed and Aperture Coupling)
In order to obtain the correct exposure, it is necessary to correctly match the shutter speed with the aperture. The shutter speed and the aperture are the main factors in controlling the amount of light which is
allowed to strike the film, and when they change, the quality of the image upon the film also changes.
Effects of Changing the Shutter Speed
The explanations below are pertinent to photography with fast moving subjects or when it is intended to produce impressionistic pictures of movement. Depending on the selection of the shutter speed, you can freely control the expression of movement.
If, as in example A, the photo is taken at a shutter speed of 1/1000 sec., the movement will be frozen. If, as in example B, with the same subject, the photo is taken at a shutter speed of 1/60 sec. with a panning technique, the movement is well expressed.
Panning is really quite a simple technique.
Hold the camera firmly and continue twisting
the upper part of your body while following
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the moving main subject in the viewfinder. You then release the shutter while still twist ing. When you use this technique, the main subject should be sharp even at slow shutter speeds and the image of the background is blurred according to the speed of the panning movement. This hightens the feeling of motion in the picture.
Effects of Changing the Aperture
The lens aperture does not only control
exposure but it also has an effect on the photograph as follows:
In example C, the aperture was set at f/5.6 with the shutter speed dial adjusted before shooting. In example D, a f/16 setting was used to clearly demonstrate the diffe rence. In C, the miniature cars in the back and front are blurred and only the miniature cars
in the central area are in focus. In D, most of the miniature cars are sharp and clear. Thus, the lens aperture has a marked effect on how much of the picture is reproduced sharply.
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Depth-of-Field
When a certain subject is brought into
focus, there is only a limited range in the foreground and background of the subject which can be kept clearly in focus. This zone
of sharpness is the depth-of-field.
There are two methods of confirming the extent of the depth of the field: by stopping down the lens diaphragm or by reading the depth-of-field scale on the lens.
Confirming the Depth-of-Field by Stopping-Down the Lens Diaphragm
Press the stopped-down lever until it locks. Once locked, the depth-of-field can be checked by looking into the viewfinder. Thus, the extent of the depth-of-field can be seen as the zone of sharpness in the subject field observed on the screen. When the stopped­down lever's release button is pressed, full aperture metering will be restored.
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Generally, the depth-of-field will become deeper as the aperture becomes smaller, and shallower as the aperture becomes larger. A shorter focal length as well as a greater camera-to-subject distance will also deepen the depth-of-field.
Comparing a 28mm lens with a standard 50mm lens set at the same f/stop, the 28mm lens's depth-of-field will be greater. And when the photographic distance changes, the depth­of-field changes, too. For example, if the same subject is photographed from three and then from seven meters away, the sharp foreground
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and background of the subject will be deeper at the greater distance.
Depth-of-Field Scale on the Lens
A depth-of-field scale is engraved on the
lens barrel, shown as a series of f/numbers on each side of the distance index mark opposite the distance scale. Focusing and depth-of-field
are so closely interrelated that the depth-of-
field scale is engraved together with the
distance scale.
You can tell the extent of depth-of-field from the distance scale. For example, if you use the camera with a standard 50mm lens that is focused on a subject at medium distance, say 3m with the aperture set at f/8, the depth-of-field extends from 2.4m to 4.5m. This tells you that with the 50mm lens focused at 3m and the subject between 2.4m and 4.5m the film image will be reasonably sharp.
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Using the Self-Timer
Obvious uses for the self-timer are self-
portraits and the inclusion of the photo
grapher in a souvenir picture. The self-timer can also be used in place of a cable release to release the shutter gently and smoothly in close range work like photomicrography or copying.
Push the electronic self-timer lever forward, then press the shutter button, and the shutter will be released 10 seconds later. While the self-timer is in operation, the self-
timer lamp flashes on and off. After you
finish taking a picture, the self-timer lever should be reset to its original position. Other wise, it will function again the next time you press the shutter button.
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Cancelling the Self-Timer Operation
If you should want to cancel the self­timer operation after having pressed the shutter button, set the main switch to OFF on the top side of the camera. Then, the self­timer lamp stops blinking and the self-timer operation will be cancelled. If the main switch
is not set to OFF and the self-timer lever
is returned to its original position, the shutter will be released.
Adapter A for Tripod
When using a lens of considerable overall length, depending on the tripod being used, it may be difficult to hold the adjustment in the
case of accidental bumping of the lens. In such cases, the rubber Adapter A for Tripod
may be placed between the tripod head and the camera.
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Flash Photography with the AT-1
The Canon AT-1 can be used with two different type of flash units; a directly coupled contact type and a synchronization cord type. Use the Canon Speedlite 155A of a directly coupled contact type to perform
exceptional flash photography. (See page 61
concerning the 155A.)
When using an electronic flash or a flash
bulb, you can select the appropriate shutter
speed in reference to the table of "Flash Synchronization Range" indicated below.
Flash Synchronization Range
(A make indicates po$^jble unevenness In ihe picture depending on the fJesh bulb.)
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Long Exposures and "B" (Bulb) Setting
When you need shutter speeds slower than two seconds such as for shooting night scenes or fireworks, set the shutter speed dial at “B". Then, the shutter will remain open as long as the shutter button is pressed. In long exposures, it becomes essential to mount the camera on a tripod and use a cable release preferably with a lock to prevent camera shake and attain best results.
A cable release with a locking device can keep the shutter open even though the operator leaves the cable release unattended. Unlock the cable release to close the shutter.
Photography using the "B" setting will accelerate battery consumption since it requires continuous battery power. When necessary, the battery should be replaced with a new one having a full charge.
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Film Plane Indicator
This mark is engraved on the top of the camera beside the film rewind crank, just to the left of the pentaprism, to indicate the exact position of the film plane. The distance scale on the lens shows subject distances measured from the film plane indicator. This mark is not used in general photography, but
in close-ups and macrophotography it can be used to obtain the exact film-to-subject
distance.
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Stopped-Down Metering
When the AT-1 is used with Canon FD
lenses, photography can be performed with match needle type full aperture metering.
Even when the lens automatic aperture lever
is locked in the manual position, FD lenses should not be used on the AT-1 with stopped­down metering. This will cause improper meter readings. However, with the Canon FL lenses and most accessories such as bellows, extension tubes, or a microscope adapter, it is
necessary to take a stopped-down meter reading. Stopped-down metering is performed by pushing the stopped-down lever until it locks with the main switch at ON, and adjusting the shutter dial and/or the aperture
ring until the meter needle is aligned with the aperture needle. Press the shutter button and the photograph will be prefectly exposed.
If the lens should be mounted on the camera with the stopped-down lever locked, correct exposure will not be obtained. In this case, a red warning mark by the stopped-down coupling lever inside the camera body is visible. After removing the lens, on the lower part of the camera body, just below the
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mirror, this stopped-down coupling lever
becomes visible, as does the red mark in the
case described above.
The Extension Tube FD 25 and FD 50
especially designed each for the FD 50mm
and FD 100mm macro lenses should be used with full aperture metering. In this case, depth of the field can be assured in the viewfinder
by pressing in the stopped-down lever.
Manual Aperture Control
When accessories requiring manual
aperture control are used between the camera
body and a lens, lock the lens automatic
aperture lever in the manual position before
mounting the lens.
Lock for Manual Aperture Control (1)
For manual aperture control, push the automatic aperture lever counterclockwise until it stops and locks. When accessories such as extension tubes are attached to a lens that has been set for manual control, the dia phragm blades of the lens open or close as the aperture ring is turned. To revert from manual control, reset the automatic aperture lever to
its original position.
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(1)
53
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54
(2)
(3) c«
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Lock for Manual Aperture Control (2)
There are some FD lenses with the manual lock lever requiring a different procedure for manual control setting. With these particular
lenses, the automatic aperture lever must be turned fully counterclockwise while the manual lock lever is brought to the "L" position. Once this has been done, when the
lens is mounted on the camera, the diaphragm blades will open or close by turning the aperture ring. To revert from manual aperture control, reset the manual lock lever at the position of the white dot.
Lock for Manual Aperture Control When Using the Macrophoto Coupler (3)
In close-up photography of high mag
nification with a lens reversed on the Macro
photo Coupler, the automatic diaphragm
mechanism is not coupled, you must, therefore, remember to close down the diaphragm manually after having locked the automatic aperture lever in the manual position as explained above in (1) and (2). Then, fix the Macrophoto Hood on the lens mount by turning the bayonet ring.
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Changing the Lens
FD lenses incorporate a safety mechanism
to prevent the Breech-Lock ring and the dia
phragm blades from moving when the lens is not mounted on the camera. To bypass this safety mechanism, press the lock pin in the top recess of the breech-Lock mount while turning the Breech-Lock ring. Once this safety mechanism has thus been cancelled, you can see the diaphragm blades move when activated.
Since FD lenses have signal pins and levers which couple with the camera body, special care must be taken not to damage them. One basic precaution is to always put
the lens down facing down whenever you must
change lenses.
Take notice that the following lenses
cannot be used on the AT-1 due to inter ference with the body signal pins. Using these lenses will cause improper meter readings and may cause damage to the camera.
FL
19mm
FL
50mm
FL
58mm
R
35mm f/2.5 R 100mm f/3.5
f/3.5 f/1.8 f/1.2
R
50mm R 58mm f/1.2 R
100mm f/2
f/1.8
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Lock Pin Positioning Pin
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EE Switch Pin Aperture Lever
Automatic
111!*’
Full Aperture Signal Pin
Aperture Signal
Lever
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