Targeting users who had difficulty focusing through the viewfinder, the AL-1 featured an electronic focus-assist system besides aperture-priority AE.
The system searches for the peak of the subject’s image contrast obtained by three linear CCD arrays. The bottom of the viewfinder has arrows indicating the direction to turn the focusing ring to achieve focus. When focus is achieved, the in-focus mark between the two arrows lights.
The exposure is controlled by a TTL silicon photocell and aperture-priority AE with centerweighted averaging metering. All shutter speeds are electronically controlled and stepless. The camera is also compatible with all FD lenses.
| Name: | Canon AL-1 |
| Manufacturer: | Canon Japan |
| Made in: | Japan |
| N°: | |
| Production Date: | |
| Type: | 35mm focal-plane shutter SLR camera |
| Series: | A Series |
| Picture Size: | 24 x 36 mm |
| Normal Lens: | Canon FD 50mm f/1.4, FD 50mm f/1.8 |
| Lens Mount: | FD mount |
| Focus: | Manual Focus |
| Shutter: | Four-axis, horizontal-travel focal-plane shutter with cloth curtains. X, B, 2, 1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/15, 1/30, 1/60, 1/125, 1/250, 1/500, 1/1000 sec. All speeds electronically controlled. Auto shutter speeds from 2 to 1/1000 sec., and manual shutter speeds from 1/15 to 1/1000 sec. and B. Built-in self-timer (with blinking LED). |
| Dimensions & Weight: | 142 x 87 x 48 mm, 490 g |
| Production Period: | |
| N° Produced: | |
| Original Price: | 90,000 yen (w/FD 50mm f/1.4) |
| Indexed Price (Approx.): | 950 EUR |
| Avg Ebay Value: |
Source: Canon Camera Museum, Wikipedia.org, Camera-wiki.org, knippsen.blogspot.com