Canon AE-1 Program
The Canon AE-Program was introduced in 1981. It replaced the AE-1. The “Program” in the name signified the inclusion of the full AE mode like the A-1. In Program mode the camera set the shutter speed and the aperture.
The AE-1 allowed for manual and shutter priority. With the AE-1 Program they added full auto exposure. The program capability of the A-1 with super simple controls. You want full control, you have full manual, but if you just want to focus and shoot. Program mode has you covered.
My Take:
This feels like near the peak for the kind of film SLR. All the control when you want it but also able to take the wheel on exposure if you want. I shot with a zoom lens that is not normally my preference, but it just worked for this camera.
I would have no problem telling anyone of any skill level to try the AE-1 Program as an introduction to film. And for experienced film shooters, there is plenty of camera here. It is not my top SLR pick of all time but if the AE-1 Program were the only film SLR I owned, I would have no reason to feel deprived.
Lens: Canon Zoom FD 35-70 mm f 3.5-4.5
Film: Fomopan 200