How to Use the Canon AE-1 Program
- 1). Turn the main switch to "A" to turn the camera on. The main switch is located on the top right-hand side of the camera. When the camera is in the "L" position, the shutter button cannot be pressed. This is the position the switch should be kept in when the camera isn't in use. Turn the mode dial, which is right by main switch, to "A" to enable the automatic settings.
- 2). Load film into the camera. The rewind knob on the left-hand top of the camera has a small handle on it. Pull this handle up and continue pulling upward until the back of the camera opens. Place the film in the camera so that the hole is at the top and the protruding nub at the bottom. Pull the film tail across the back of the camera and insert it into a slot on the spool on the right. Make sure the teeth on the spool hook into the perforations on the film. Pull the film advance lever, which is on the back of the top of the camera, just behind the shutter button, to advance the film and make sure the spool pulls the film in. Close the back of the camera and snap several shots, advancing the film with the film advance lever until "1" appears in the frame counter window.
- 3). Set the film speed. The speed must be set to the proper position in order to get the correct exposure with your camera. The film speed dial is on the top left of the camera. To set the dial, press the small silver button next to the dial down and turn the dial until the speed of your film, such as "200," "400" or "800," is aligned with the green mark.
- 4). Take a photograph by pressing the shutter button halfway down. This will bring up a display in the viewfinder and turn on the light meter of the camera. Once the display appears, fully depress the shutter button to snap the picture. Pull the film advance lever between each photograph. You will need to do this a few times until it won't pull anymore. This will advance the film to the next frame so that the next photograph can be taken.
- 5). Rewind the film when the roll is full. Press the rewind button on the bottom of the left side camera and pull up the handle on the rewind dial. Be careful not to pull up too far on the handle or you will open the back and expose the film to light. Turn the rewind handle in the direction that the arrow indicates. The frame counter window will show the film moving backward. When it reaches the "S" mark, the film is fully rewound. Pull up on the handle to pop open the back cover. The film should be completely pulled into the canister. It can now be safely removed from the camera.
Source...