5 Frames with my Canon A1 and a roll of Ilford Pan F

The Canon A1, released in 1978 was way ahead of it competition and further adding to the “prosumer” camera market. The following is from camera-wiki.org

“It was notable for its programmed automatic exposure setting, whereby both aperture and shutter speed are automated. While not labeled as such, it was a pioneer in offering the full “PASM” set of exposure options, standard in many later cameras through the present day. Canon’s competitors were considerably slower in introducing programmed SLRs: Minolta in 1982 with the X-700, Nikon with the FA and Pentax with the Super A in 1983, and Olympus with the OM-2S Program in 1984.”

Canon A1 offers the following shooting options:

Shutter priority AE
Aperture priority AE
Program AE “Full automatic”
Stopped down AE
AE flash
Manual Overide “Full manual”
Plus exposure compensation, with 2 stops plus/minus in 1/3 increments

I’ve had this camera for over 8 years now and I’m still finding new ways of shooting with it. I purchased it at a photography store that had a large stock of used film cameras, and this one was in fantastic shape, and the price was right too. $120.00 Canadian. It came with a stock 50mm f1.8 FDn lens and I picked up 28mm f2.8 FD lens as well. Both of these lenses cover most of my shooting needs.

The film is Ilford Pan F, 50ASA, but I shot it at 25ASA, because more light is a good thing in black and white. I did develope it myself at home, Patterson tank with AP reels (the easy load ones with the guide tabs). So changing bag, and into the tank, I prepared Rodinal 1 to 100 in distilled water at 17°C. I did one time tank fill with tap water, sloshing it around to rinse and wet the film. Emptied the tap water and put in my Rodinal solution. 60 second initial agitation and 10 seconds every 10 minutes for one hour. Development done, next 3 tank fulls of tap water to rinse rather than a stop bath, then to the fixer 1 to 9 Ilford fixer for 5 minutes with 60 seconds initial agitation and 10 seconds every minute. Then rinse under a steady but low flowing tap water for 8 minutes, and 1 minute for Kodak Photo Flo. Squeegee and hang to dry.

Next, when the negatives are dry, I cut them into 6 frame strips, and launch my Epson V600 Perfection and scan the negatives.

Always be careful handling the negatives and placing them into the negative carriers emulsion side up. Preview, then scan. I like my resolution set at 2400 or 3600 DPI, if a shot turns out well, I sometimes will up it to 4800.

I don’t consider myself to be artist, I am a hobbiest photographer that enjoys the process. Film photography is relaxing for me. I hope everyone enjoys these snaps as much as I did taking them.

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