Canon AV-1 35mm

[TankBuster]

Hi all,

I've just acquired a vintage Canon 35mm AV-1 SLR camera. Its a lovely bit of kit so I've decided to get some 35mm film, turn back the clock and take some pics with it.

I was just wondering if anyone remembers these cameras and could maybe offer some advice of how to get the best out of it. I haven't turned my back on the digital age, I just felt that this camera deserves to be used, if only just to try it out.

Cheers,
TankBuster

[Sparts99]

If I remember rightly they are pretty simple and only shutter priority ? or is it aperture ? If so no manual control, so to stop up or down to accomdate back light etc you'll have to move the ASA dial for each shot to frig it, be a good exercise in learning to 'read' the light. I had an AE-1 then an A-1, really miss the A-1 now, wish I'd kept it and the lenses but sold the lot to fund my first DSLR. Good luck.

[sploosher]

one of the first slr`s that I bought was the AV1, put 2 rolls through it and got rid.............................

I did not like it at all, as it was very limited, ( only had aperture priority Bulb and 1/60 speeds only.)now, if I had gone for the F1 which was on the shelf next to, then my camera history would have been totally different.........

[Cornish-guy]

Give this a try -

http://mir.com.my/rb/photography/compan ... /index.htm

I used to own a AT-1 as one of my first peddegree cameras - a move up for me from a Zenith EM.


C.

[TankBuster]

Thanks for the info guys, very much appreciated!

TankBuster

[TankBuster]

Hi again,

Before I go out snapping I need to purchase some film for my AV-1.
In this digital age I've lost touch with the latest film manufacturers, so I'm not sure of what the best brands are nowadays, or even what the preferred iso would be? I've got two good lenses with it, the 50mm 1:1.8 & a 70-210mm 1:4.

Any advice regarding purchasing 35mm film would be very much appreciated.

Cheers,
TankBuster

[Cornish-guy]

When i was shooting film i used to use these two -

Kodak Ektar 100 great rich colours and super fine grain.
Fujicolor Pro 400 great for days when the light is not bright sunshine.

Hope this helps.

C.

[p6025]

In this digital age I've lost touch with the latest film manufacturers

I think you'll find its more a case of... the last film manufacturers. Make sure you are sat down when looking at the prices of the now very niche hobby.

Must admit I was aware when Kodak pulled the plug on Kodachrome, didn't realise they dropped all slide film in 2012(?). Pleasantly surprised to see Ilford film still available. Looks like Fuji are the major player these days.


Paul.

[TankBuster]

I've had a look at the various films which are available, and yes there are only a few nowadays, but the prices aren't as bad as I feared. The films are expensive when compared to the huge amount of storage you get on an SD card, but they are affordable.

Its not a camera I'll use all the time, I just want to use it now and again as I think it would be nice to spend a bit of time taking photos the old way like we used to, plus the anticipation of waiting for the prints to return from the developer is something you don't get with digital. Yes, the prints could all come back crap, but they could equally be good and worth the effort.

After all, the camera has had one previous owner and its mint! Resistance is futile, the AV-1 is screaming at me to use it, I cant help myself .

TankBuster

[Cornish-guy]

It will be nice to see any scans that you can do from it

C.

[chrisov]

Seem to recall that you shouldn't change the iso/asa within one film as it all has to be processed for one speed and you cant pick and mix in one film.
Others may know more/better though
Good luck.
Cheers

Chris

[TankBuster]

Seem to recall that you shouldn't change the iso/asa within one film as it all has to be processed for one speed and you cant pick and mix in one film.
Others may know more/better though
Good luck.
Cheers

Chris

Spot on with that, I just had a look at the manual and the iso setting on the camera has to match that of the film.

Cheers,
TankBuster

[Cornish-guy]

Seem to recall that you shouldn't change the iso/asa within one film as it all has to be processed for one speed and you cant pick and mix in one film.
Others may know more/better though
Good luck.
Cheers

Chris

Spot on with that, I just had a look at the manual and the iso setting on the camera has to match that of the film.

Cheers,
TankBuster

When i used to shoot film in a EOS 650 AF SLR at RIAT i would keep a few different speeds to hand - 400 ASA for the action shots, 100 ASA for general stuff and 64 ASA when the light was really good for close up statics, if i was flush i would have about 4 rolls of each, and spend the next 4 months paying to send them off to Trueprint (remember them) to get the negs done, happ days back in the days of very patient waiting


C.

[chrisov]

You could shoot an asa 100 with camera set for say 400 however you then needed to get the film processed as a 400 by a specalist. Not one for Boots or Truprint i think. Or do it yourself?
Film certainly made you more careful with your shots non of this point and hold the button down unless rich and plenty of film on you.
Happy days
Cheers

Chris

[airfixpilot]

Nice to see someone has gone back to film SLR. Wouldn't mind going back to it myself, but how much is it to develop film nowadays? . Guess you can find a bargain SLR camera with a good lens on ebay.

[Cornish-guy]

Nice to see someone has gone back to film SLR. Wouldn't mind going back to it myself, but how much is it to develop film nowadays? . Guess you can find a bargain SLR camera with a good lens on ebay.

There are some Absolute bargains on film cameras on ebay - i was so close to picking up a Canon EOS 650 AF SLR in mint condition for £8 - yep just £8 and for about another £60 you could get the excellent Sigma lens combo 28-210mm in two lenses, i can vouch for these two lenses - oh and the cam as i owned that set up and it was Superb.
None AF lenses can be found even cheaper on ebay if you have a good nose on there

C.

[paddyboy]

Hi Peeps

This making me so sad/mad

Why did I sell my OM4Ti, OM2n, OM2SP and OM10, not to mention all those Zuiko and Sigma lenses

I used to use Ilford FP4, Fujichrome 100, Kodachrome 25, Kodachrome 64, Kodachrome 100, Agfachrome 100

Always used Max Speiling( ) for processing

Like has been said: you never knew what was coming back

Use it and put some pics up so old gits like me can enjoy

Paddyboy

[TankBuster]

There's some good SLR kit on ebay, with some real bargains to be had, especially SLR bodies. The lenses seem to vary on price depending on what you want.

Surprisingly it appears that there is a steady market and demand for 35mm photographic equipment. I'm quite looking forward to having a step back in time when I've got some film to put in my camera.

TankBuster

[TankBuster]

Hi Peeps

This making me so sad/mad

Why did I sell my OM4Ti, OM2n, OM2SP and OM10, not to mention all those Zuiko and Sigma lenses

I used to use Ilford FP4, Fujichrome 100, Kodachrome 25, Kodachrome 64, Kodachrome 100, Agfachrome 100

Always used Max Speiling( ) for processing

Like has been said: you never knew what was coming back

Use it and put some pics up so old gits like me can enjoy

Paddyboy

Is that Max Spielmann for processing? Just looked that up and its the company used by Tesco, they still do 35mm on a 7 day turnaround.

TankBuster.

[John flightpath]

Truprint still exist and will do 35mm and digital processing for you in many sizes and quantities. They will even do it online should you so desire, how times have changed lol.

Cheers
John 'flightpath'.