Would you buy a Canon AE-1M?

I'm interested in the M-mount but I definitely would like a real, "darn good," view-finder and have better access to controls. I enjoy photography as a hobby and I appreciate being able to not fully rely on AI to make all of my decisions. I'm not looking for a glorified smart-phone -- especially after a camera is no longer fits in my pocket -- I want to be able to make mistakes and participate. I like taking pictures, not just getting them.

The M reminds me of my pleasant experience of using the Olympus PEN EP-1 in 2009. Everyone was saying "m43 is the future" and the "IQ would soon catch up to FF." However, after the honeymoon wore off, I found myself using DSLR once again (for the shooting experience and ergonomics), only taking the PEN for travel in poorer countries.

I would be happy if Canon decided to modernize the AE-1, similar to the beautiful (to me) retro approach taken by Fuji and the Olympus OM-D. If Canon felt like designing a camera with the control of the AE-1 (which was pretty automatic at it's time) AND it not being too much larger than the current M, would you buy it and at what price?

I'd be willing to pay close to $1299 on one -- but those lenses are far too modern looking :-( Heck, if there was an AE-1M, I may need to start using Leica M glass.


My quick mockup of something that will never be made.

Looks and sounds like you want an EM-5 ...smaller sensor but otherwise really close.

i'd pay top dollar for a 60s style rangefinder.

happypoppeye said:

Looks and sounds like you want an EM-5 ...smaller sensor but otherwise really close.

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True, I haven't gone that route because I do have EF glass I'm not ready to sell just yet. An "AE-1M" with adapter would definitely help my own personal adoption of mirrorless bodies.

Yes I will in a heart beat buy it.

I'm someone who began photography with a manual focus film camera (Minolta XG-M) I was never pleased with the bulk of AF camera, my dream will be a small digital back for older film camera I have

Dedcakes said:

I'd be willing to pay close to $1299 on one -- but those lenses are far too modern looking :-( Heck, if there was an AE-1M, I may need to start using Leica M glass.

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If I can get real physical dials and knobs for all photographic controls, I will be very happy even at $1299. I have no problem composing with the current M. Oh, maybe an addition of weather sealing would be great. Had to put the M and 11-22 away the other day when the rain started to drop. The 5D3 with 70-200 just hung out there until I made it slowly to the car.

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Yes I would. I have the M but I do want a Viewfinder.

Not to impressed with the M43 systems because of image quality , I have the EOS M but really would like a viewfinder.

I would love to see someone take the Fuji-X "retro" approach but bump it up to the 35mm SLR form factor and make it full-frame, of course. With EVF! I'm not sure when or why full-frame lost its compact way but I think it's time to bring it back. (If I used to be able to deal with rewinding and re-spooling a roll of film after only 38 shots, I think I could now manage to swap out a battery every 200 frames.)

to be honest, i always thought that canon should do a rangefinder styled M but i would seriously love to see a T90 styled digital camera as well. Probably still one of my all time favorite canon bodies.

Member said:

rrccad wrote:

to be honest, i always thought that canon should do a rangefinder styled M but i would seriously love to see a T90 styled digital camera as well. Probably still one of my all time favorite canon bodies.

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I personally think Canon would've been able to sell the M at it's $899+ price with retro styling. However, if they went this route, many of us would've never been able to buy at the $299 prices of a couple of weeks ago.

Btw, I never noticed the T90 before. Wow, what an interesting design.