I am a beginner with a Canon AE-1 which, until recently, has sat in a drawer while we used a point & shoot with a zoom lens. I'd like to start to use the AE-1 more, as I know it is a fantastic camera. Can anyone recommend a flash and a versatile zoom lens for the camera, just for general indoor and outdoor (and some action--we have kids who play sports) picture taking?

Many thanks in advance.

-- Tricia Schuster (pschuste@cravath.com), February 10, 2001

Answers

For flash, most would probably recommend a Vivitar 283 (or 285). Good power and very reasonable even when bought new. Used prices are really low.

For a zoom lens, you should really stay away from a "versatile" lens. Your quality will greatly improve if you don't use a zoom with more than a 2-4x range. For example, a 80mm-200mm f/4 FD mount. Try to stay away from a 28mm-200mm model. IMO, you're better off buying a short range (28mm-80mm f/4 new model FD mount) zoom and a long range (80mm-200mm f/4 FD mount) zoom. Also look for a 50mm f/1.8 or f/1.4. They are really reasonable and of very high quality.

When I bought my first camera (an AE-1 Program), I bought a 35mm-105mm and a 50mm f/1.4 to work in lower light conditions (indoors). When I bought my second camera I started buying single focal length lenses only. 24mm, 50mm and 85mm. Something to think about.

-- Colin Miller (ckmiller@pond.net), February 10, 2001.

Forget a FD zoom. I never took a good sharp picture with my FD zoom and eventually stopped using it. Granted it wasn't manufactured by Canon, but just about every Canon FD zoom lens has bad comments about it in survey reports. The only FD zoom I've read a good report about is the 80- 200/f4 "L" version which is rare to find and expensive on the used market. It seems Canon was simply incapable of building a quality zoom back then - except for this rare one.

Buy a used 28mm/2.8, 50mm/1.4, and 135/2.5 or 135/2.8 The 50mm/1.8 is a sharp lens according to phototo.com, but 50mm/1.4 is supposed to be even better. This should cover everything you need for vacations, family events, and portraits.

If you want good quality zooms, then buy the cheapest EOS camera that suits your needs along with $1000+ "L" zoom lenses like the 28-70/2.8 and 70-200/2.8 which will also autofocus for you.

If you are on a budget, a FD system with prime lenses is just as good, but you need to take the time to change lenses and focus. This is usually not a big deal when the subjects are willing to pose and wait a little.

If you want the sharpest pictures, use f4 or f8 when possible. I'd rather use the flash rather than use a 1.4 or 2.0 fstop. Don't use Kodak Gold films - I've used them for years and discovered there are much sharper films out there. Try to use a tripod and remote shutter release whenever possible because it helps improve sharpness. Please stare at the tripod thinking I'm a professional - which I am not. I ask plenty of stupid questions from time to time. It's the only way to learn anything.

I've been using FD system for over a decade. I use the Speedlite 188A and a off-camera bracket, though there are better models around that can bounce light off the ceiling. I think about dump $3000 into a EOS system some day, because sometimes I just don't focus well enough and those marvelous autofocus L zooms are available.

Oh, and don't forget to drink 8 cups of water a day and help little old ladies cross the street.

-- Howard Z (howard@howardz.com), February 10, 2001.

correction: People stare at the tripod thinking I'm a professional

I can't even edit my posts here. I wish this place would upgrade to some quality forum software as is used at Newbeetle.org

-- Howard Z (Howard@howardz.com), February 10, 2001.

While prime lenses are the best, Canon did make some good FD zooms. The 35-105 f3.5 (not the f3.5-4.5) is a superb mid range zoom lens. The 28-85 f4 was also very nice (but rare and somewhat pricey nowdays).

For the longer end, any of the 80-200s are good, with the L series being the best. But the two versions of the non-L are still good lenses. The 100-300 L and the late model non-L are also good. The early 100-300 is not quite as good as the later ones.

The 20-35 f3.5 L is about as good as it gets for a wide angle zoom. Prime lenses in this range are definately better, but zoom does reasonable job, but at a pretty stiff price.

For sports you tend to need longer pretty fast lenses, which are available, but not cheap. ALthough they are cheaper than the new lenses for autofocus cameras.

For flashes, any of the Canon A or T series flashes will work (except for the 300TL) fine with your camera. The higher the number the more features and more power the flash has. The 199A was the top of the line A series, but the 188A is not bad. The 299T was the top of the T series, but again the next model down, the 277T is also very nice. There are also third party flashes with dedicated modules for Canon A series cameras. A dedicated flash just makes it easier to use in that it makes sure that the camera is set right for the flash settings.

There are several sources for Canon FD specific informantion. Here are two very good ones.

http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a.tcl?topic=Canon%20FD

http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/messageboard/canonaseri esmsg/aseries.msql

-- Terry Carraway (TCarraway@compuserve.com), February 17, 2001.