Canon's Retro EOS RE-1: What to Expect Later This Year

[Canon Rumors]

We’re pretty confident at this point that we will see a retro camera based on the Canon AE-1 some time in Q4 or early Q1 2026 for the 50th anniversary of the AE-1. We are going to call the new camera the Canon RE-1, because it just makes sense.

Read the Full Article

 

[Canon Rumors]

Love or hate the idea, just let the ones that love it, love it. Like me

 

[Maximilian]

As I grew up with my fathers AE-1 I like the view.
But knowing about the modern ergonomics I wouldn‘t buy one.

 

[neuroanatomist]

Hard pass. I can easily live without the whole 'retro' thing.

Only real comment is that if the sound they use for a simulated shutter is that of the original AE-1, it will sound like every iPhone in the world.

 

[Maximilian]

Love or hate the idea, just let the ones that love it, love it. Like me

If there‘s a big enough market why not serve it?

 

[Steve_FR]

Hard pass. I can easily live without the whole 'retro' thing.

Only real comment is that if the sound they use for a simulated shutter is that of the original AE-1, it will sound like every iPhone in the world.

I agree with you about the fake shutter sound. Ew. I have to admit I find the idea of a metal exterior somewhat enticing, although I’m not fond of the idea of entirely analog controls just for the sake of historical accuracy.

A blend of some analog and some modern digital interface might be neat, but I understand there is no making everyone happy with such a unicorn.

At least it will not be an R100 in a retro metal body…(suspenseful music) …or will it?

 

[Slappy_G]

I agree with you about the fake shutter sound. Ew.

Not sure I understand the issue - there needs to be some sort of shutter sound option for those that don't like silent shooting, so does the sound really matter? I've never really thought about the sound of my R3's "shutter" sound - it's just there as a convenient indicator. Do people really care about the sound that much? The reasonable guess is that it would sound the same as every other modern RF shutter sound option.

At least it will not be an R100 in a retro metal body…(suspenseful music) …or will it?

They said their source indicates it won't be "upmarket" which worries me that it likely will be an R8 sensor with the capabilites of the R50 or R100. Like what OM did with the OM-3 but more downmarket.

 

[neuroanatomist]

I agree with you about the fake shutter sound. Ew.

The sad part is I bet many (most?) people will think Canon copied Apple's iPhone camera sound, instead of the other way around/ For those who don't know, the original screen capture sound for the Mac (way back with System 7) was an Apple engineer's recording of his AE-1, and Apple use the same sound for the iPhone camera app.

The world’s most popular camera* is…Canon

Some of the Apple aficionados out there may be familiar with the backstory of the iconic warning sound, at least with one of the many versions of the story. The true version was shared by the developer who created that and other system sounds. Back at the end of the 80’s when System 7 was...

www.canonrumors.com

 

[Bob Howland]

I'm not interested. I owned an AE-1 (and an FTb and A-1). I much prefer the feel and grip of the R6-2.

 

[Uneternal]

It seems Canon is serious about this, I would've thought they'd test the waters with a lower-end APS-C camera (based on the R10) first.

 

[Sporgon]

I have to admit I find the idea of a metal exterior somewhat enticing,

I doubt it will be a metal body. After all, the AE-1 wasn’t, it was plastic in an era when other mid to top end cameras were copper alloy bodies.
Although quite advanced in its electronics the cameras themselves were very cheaply made compared with the likes of Nikon, Pentax, Fujica etc. However, to be fair, many have stood the test of time.
The plastic bodies of the EOS 1 and 1n cameras were interesting; they went through a process of lacquering and baking to produce a rather nice, tough finish, that didn’t feel at all “plasticky”.

 

[scyrene]

If it's such an obvious/lucrative market, why haven't they done this before? Genuine question, maybe I'm missing something.

 

[Berowne]

If it's such an obvious/lucrative market, why haven't they done this before? Genuine question, maybe I'm missing something.

Canon observes the market - dont ask me how, guess nobody realy knows - and if the market signals demand, they will deliver a digital Retro-Camera.

 

[sfericean]

If Canon creates an ISO dial that actually functions like one would think (unlike the Nikon Z F's ISO dial), then it will be a hit.

Its simple Nikon, if the dial is in "C" then you're in auto ISO with the exposure compensation dial activated. If you're in a designated ISO value on the ISO dial, then the exposure compensation dial is deactivated..is that so hard Nikon??? (Nikon Z F owners will understand what I'm getting at)

 

[scyrene]

Canon observes the market - dont ask me how, guess nobody realy knows - and if the market signals demand, they will deliver a digital Retro-Camera.

I mean, sure. But does that mean something has changed? Competitors have been doing it for a while. Why now?

 

[FISTtheVERB]

if it\'s a fixed lens camera it should be based off the Canonet rangefinder, since hipsters and the affluent absolutely adore them. Just sayin\'...

 

[sfericean]

if it\'s a fixed lens camera it should be based off the Canonet rangefinder, since hipsters and the affluent absolutely adore them. Just sayin\'...

I have to admit that not doing a Canonet QL17 GIII style or Canon P style camera is the most disappointing aspect of this retro camera. Nothing wrong with the AE-1 (necessarily) but man, can you get any more predictable?.....I'm still totally going to buy it, but I'll look at it with contempt for all of its days.

 

[rombe3jr]

If it's such an obvious/lucrative market, why haven't they done this before? Genuine question, maybe I'm missing something.

This camera segment became popular with the "young folk" after the Fuji X100V went viral on TikTok at the end of 2022 (note the camera came out in 2020). Apparently the retro aesthetic is proving it can work its way up market with the popularity of the Sony A7C and Nikon Zf too.

 

[Stig Nygaard]

I cannot stop believing this is just someone’s wishful thinking.
Hard to imagine Canon doing this. And too me seems like waste of resources. But I don't understand this retro thing in general either, so I might of course be totally wrong...

 

[LDS]

I'll buy one only if it is FF and comes with a Canon made FD adapter.