Bring back the Canon AE-1 as a digital camera

[mlwheelerpops]

Canon Product Development Team,

I have a product suggestion that I suspect would appeal to more photographers than you might think: bring back the Canon AE-1 as a digital camera.

I owned and loved the Canon AE-1 because it was simple, dependable, and put the photographer in control. I knew how to set the shutter speed, aperture, and focus. I understood exposure. The camera gave me what I needed to make the photograph without getting between me and the picture.

What I would like today is essentially that same camera with a modern digital sensor.

Keep the familiar AE-1 size, shape, viewfinder, and physical controls. Give us a shutter-speed dial, aperture control, ISO adjustment, a good exposure meter, and a quality digital sensor. Some basic autofocus would certainly be welcome, especially as many of us who grew up with the AE-1 are getting older, but it does not need dozens of autofocus modes or complicated automation.

I don't need a camera that tries to make every photographic decision for me. I don't need endless menus, scene modes, video-production features, artificial-intelligence settings, or dozens of programmable buttons. I know how to make the adjustments myself. That's part of what I enjoy about photography.

What I want is a camera that says: Here are the basic controls. Here is an excellent sensor and lens. Now go take pictures.

There seems to be renewed interest in cameras with traditional controls and the experience of actually operating a camera rather than navigating a computer menu. Canon already has one of the most recognizable cameras ever made in the AE-1. I would love to see Canon take advantage of that heritage.

Call it the Canon AE-1 Digital, AE-1D, or whatever you like. Give it the character of the original AE-1, a modern sensor, straightforward autofocus, and keep everything else as simple as possible.

I would buy one.

And I have a feeling I wouldn't be the only one.

Sincerely,

Marc Wheeler
Texas

[kvbarkley]

If you want the proper folks to see this, you will need to use the tiny (+)Feedback link on the Canon USA homepage.

We are just users like you.

[mlwheelerpops]

Will do.  But I'd also like to know if others would like this also.

[March411]

@mlwheelerpops, hows it going?

You may want to google R8 Mk II as I think you may be pleased with what you find. It is a retro body rumored to look like the AE-1.

Retro R8 Mk II 

[shadowsports]

Yes sir. The two biggest things we still don't know is what sensor is going to be in the camera and if it's going to have IBIS.

Purely speculation on my part, but if it happens...  I hope it's going have the same sensor as a R6 mkIII and IBIS.  It's sure to be a hit with plenty of nostalgia behind it.  Latest word is that the announcement could come next month.  🤞

Keep your fingers crossed 🙂

[March411]

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@shadowsports wrote:

I hope it's going have the same sensor as a R6 mkIII and IBIS.  It's sure to be a hit with plenty of nostalgia behind it.  Latest word is that the announcement could come next month.  🤞

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If that were to happen Rick I may have to consider picking one up. The first body I every bought was the AE-1 with the 2 FPS drive which back then was high tech. If the spec comes close to what you mentioned it would be a cool little camera that I would consider adding to my current stable.

[shadowsports]

As of this morning, (8/13) rumour mill, it looks like the R8 mkII is going to have a 24 megapixel sensor.  It's not known whether it will be the same sensor in the R6 Mark II or a new sensor.  In some ways, this makes sense to maintain market segmentation between the R8 Mark II and R6 Mark III. The official announcement is expected mid to end of September. ‌🤔