What'cha think? Did I get a good deal?

[schrackman]

My daughter Melanie has been talking to me lately about getting an older film camera to shoot around with. I once bought her a Canon rebel and she was taking good pictures with it, but that camera got stolen.

So, I found this near mint Canon AE-1 at a garage sale. I wanted to offer the lady $25 for it but decided to asked her how much she wanted for it, and she said, "Well, I bought it for $300 but I'll let you have it for $20." I responded, "I'll take it for $20!"

I'll probably shoot a roll of film through it before I send it to my daughter, just to make sure it's working and there are no light leaks.

Ray

[n8]

It's too bad that for no matter how good most film cameras were for their time, they are so antiquated now that you can't not get a good deal. I suppose this is actually good news for anyone looking to continue or start their use of film. Considering what you got for $300 then and what the equivalent would be now, I'm sure you got a fine deal.

[NaturalWoman]

you got a GREAT deal. that's my all time favorite camera. i used to have 2 of those, the other ae1p and shot a few weddings with them

i gave one away and sold the other. wow, i'm sure she will enjoy. sweet find!

[Old Timer]

The AE-1 was a real bench mark camera for Cannon. In my opinion it moved them into the race big time. I think you got a great deal and it will be a wonderful camera for you daughter to continue her photo education on.

[mjs1973]

Sounds like a good deal to me. You just gotta love those old camera straps. They scream 1970's when I see them.

[schrackman]

Yeah, it's almost like taking candy from a baby. Too easy to get one of these at such a cheap price. Now, where do I find an older Leica in mint condition for only $20, LOL.

My daughter is pretty excited about getting this camera, but I told her that I would be shooting a roll of film through it first. I had recently bought some Velvia 50 for my Canonet but decided to throw it in this camera instead to see how it fares. I'm hoping to finish the roll before the end of the week and then have them developed for posting on the forum.

I forgot to mention that the camera came with a Rokinon f/3.5-4.5 28-50mm manual lens. Don't know if this is good or bad, since I'm not too familiar with the older manual lenses made for Canon cameras.

Ray

[drg]

You got a good deal. This was one of Canon's early mass market success stories. After all they did build this one pretty much from the ground up as a new model once Automated Exposure settings gained acceptance.

You can get a much faster and better Canon lens for a pretty low cost these days. Since this body took the pro caliber FD lenses designed for their flagship F1, there are many fast high quality models available. When Canon introduced the EF (EOS lens) mount, the FD's started to plummet in price.

Shoot some Tri-X in that baby and show us the results!

[DGK*CRONE]

Good stuff. There is always cameras at the swapmeet that are in great shape and real cheap. People have a hard time selling cameras that aren't digital now.

good stuff. $20 is a steal!

[Kokopeli]

Great find Ray!

If it happens to need any work done, I have a great repair in Anaheim. He's done a few older bodies for me (an FM2n, my old N70 and an old Canon FT QL). If it has any problems at all, The Camera Tech can fix it.

If you need his number, give me a call. 949.338.8085. Heck, give me a call regardless. It would be good to touch base with you again.

[Greg McCary]

I would have gave $20.00 for it? Does the meter work? My dad bought me a Pentax K1000 at a yard sell for $5.00. The meter doesn't work but the camera does.

[racingpinarello]

wow...seing that camera brings back memories of photography class in Jr High School.

You got a great deal because that camera, for $20, will teach your daughter good camera skills. Whatever reason, those meters were usually spot on.

Good find...

[n8]

I saw one on sale at my local camera store yesterday for about $90 I think.

[Loupey]

Twenty bucks?! Heck yeah! Even if you use it for just parts. The batteries for it alone probably cost a third to half of that.

Reminds me of my first SLR (A-1) and all the film that went through it - I had access to unlimited Tri-X, chemicals, and paper way back then. But it also reminds me of the current inkjet printer promos - the rebates and give-aways make the printers free since the manufacturers know they will easily make it up on the consumables. A starter dSLR is probably a "better deal" in the long run.

...You got a great deal because that camera, for $20, will teach your daughter good camera skills. Whatever reason, those meters were usually spot on...

Good camera skills can also be learned with dSLRs