Introduced in April 1976 the AE-1 was a very successful camera worldwide. When the AE-1 came out TTL manual-metering models (including the Canon FTb and FTb-N) were still the mainstream in the 35mm SLR market. Auto-exposure models were still at the very top end of the SLR market. They were expensive and produced in small numbers. The AE-1 however was designed from the ground up with five major units and twenty-five minor units. They were centrally controlled by a microcomputer. By incorporating electronics the parts count could be reduced by 300. The manufacturing of the camera was also highly automated. This made it possible to produce a low-cost camera having high-end features. Shutter Four-axis horizontal-travel focal-plane shutter with cloth curtains. X B 2 1 1/2 1/4 1/8 1/15 1/30 1/60 1/125 1/250 1/500 1/1000 sec. All speeds controlled electronically. Built-in self-timer (with blinking LED). Viewfinder Fixed eye-level pentaprism. 0.86x magnification (EX 50mm) 93.5% vertical coverage 96% horizontal coverage. Split-image rangefinder encircled by microprism rangefinder at center with a fresnel matte screen. Exposure meter needle aperture scale overexposure warning stopped-down aperture metering needle and battery check indicator and underexposure warning LED provided. Exposure Control SPC for TTL full-aperture metering with shutter speed-priority AE or TTL stopped-down match needle manual metering (center-weighted averaging). Exposure compensation range of +1.5 EV. Metering range at ISO 100 and f/1.4: EV 1 – 18. Film speed range from ISO 25 to 3200.