Intro to the AT-1
The Canon AT-1 is an FD mount manual focus SLR from the same generation as the massively popular AE-1, and shares many similarities with its shutter-priority enabled sister in addition to the lens mount. In fact, the two cameras are so alike that aside from the model number emblazoned on the front the only outward difference apparent between the two is the hot shoe - instead of the replaceable plastic number on the AE-1, the AT-1 bears a simpler, utilitarian shoe built into the pentaprism housing.
Match-Needle Meter for Easier Manual Exposure
Looking through the viewfinder (which is ENORMOUS even for a manual SLR - noticeably larger than on my OM10), though, the difference becomes apparent. Where the AE-1 has a single light meter needle set against an aperture scale which displays the correct aperture for the selected shutter speed when the shutter release is half-pressed, the AT-1 is much better suited for its manual-exposure-only operation with a match-needle meter. A pair of needles extend from the right of the viewfinder frame, one coupled to the center-weighted TTL light sensor and showing the current exposure level based on the selected film speed, and the other to the shutter and aperture controls showing the correct exposure level for the current settings. Taking a correctly exposed (according to the built-in meter) photo is simply a matter of adjusting shutter and aperture until the meter-coupled needle is centered within the circle on the end of the target needle.
My AT-1
My AT-1 is technically my wife's, purchased for her for high school photography classes by her mother a decade and a half ago, and had spent the past 10 years tucked away unused until I dusted it off in the spring of 2015. Along with it were a 50mm f/1.4 "New FD" lens (the "New FD" series use a bayonet style mounting operation rather than the breechlock style of most FD lenses, but all are fully compatible with eachother), a Tamron Adaptall-2 80-210mm f/3.8-4, which I enjoy so much I bought another in Olympus OM mount, and a Focal brand 2x teleconverter. The 50mm f/1.4 is simply incredible, and most of my photography with this camera has been with this lens.
In using the camera I've found it to be free of light leaks and other gremlins, and the meter and shutter speeds have proved to be quite accurate, although I most often use the Sunny 16 rule or an incident meter, or simply intuition (i.e. EV 5 for a well lit indoor room at night, or f/2 and 1/60 at 800 ISO). The accuracy of the shutter after all these years can likely be explained by its electronic control, although this means the camera will not function without batteries, like my OM10, but unlike the OM10 the camera also will not function unless the switch is turned to the On position, which on the OM10 is needed only to see the lights in the viewfinder for the recommended shutter speed. The battery specified is a 6v silver oxide cell now known as a 28S. You might find the lithium 28L more easily, and it will also work just fine, although the accuracy of the meter might change slightly as the battery discharges. Silver oxide batteries have a much flatter discharge curve, and stay right around their rated voltage until they are dead, while lithium and alkaline batteries decrease in voltage more steadily as they discharge.
Operation
Operation of the AT-1 is pretty simple. Film is loaded by pulling the rewind crank up to release the back, inserting a 135 cassette, and feeding the leader into a slot on the takeup spool. If you ensure that 3 perforations are inside the slot and the tooth is engaged in a perforation, you can close the back without winding any film on with confidence that it will wind correctly.
Once film is loaded, the film speed is set for correct metering by moving the film advance lever slightly outward from the body to the point where it would begin to wind, lifting up on the ring around the shutter dial to the right of the pentaprism hump, and rotating until the correct setting is indicated.
The meter and electronic shutter release are turned on by turning a switch around the rewind crank, and the shutter can be locked using a lever at the base of the shutter release button. Turning this lever the other way engages the 10-12 second self timer.
With the camera on, the meter needle will move in the viewfinder. Simply adjust the shutter speed (1/1000 to 2 seconds + bulb) and aperture (on the lens) to place the target needle's circle around the meter needle and press the shutter release to take a picture. The shutter speed dial is easily turned with the right thumb while looking through the meter and the target needle gives instant feedback- just be sure to keep track in your head how fast it is set to avoid a blurred photo from a shutter speed too slow for your lens when hand holding.
The only other control to be found on the AT-1 is a depth of field preview button to the left of the lens mount on the front. Pushing it towards the lens stops it down to the selected aperture to see what will be in focus in the final image.
To rewind, depress the button on the bottom plate and turn the rewind crank.
Finally, the AT-1 has both a hot shoe and a PC sync port to trigger a flash, and with my Toshiba thyristor flash it works great at 1/60 shutter.
Final Thoughts
If you are considering a Canon AE-1, or looking for any camera to take advantage of Canon's great FD lenses, and find the manual exposure of the AT-1 unnecessary, or the prices that they command these days to be a bit too dear, the AT-1 might be a better choice. At the end of the day, it's nearly the exact same camera as the AE-1, minus the shutter-priority function, but with a light meter in the viewfinder much better suited to easy and intuitive manual exposure control.
Specs
Single Lens Reflex Camera - Interchangeable Lens (FD Mount)
Cloth Focal Plane Shutter - 1/1000 to 2 sec + bulb
Self Timer
Pentaprism Viewfinder w/split image & prismatic focusing aids & match needle meter (center weighted)
Meter adjustable for 25 to 3200 ISO
28S 6v battery type
Sample Images
Fuji Superia 800, 50mm f/1.4
Kentmere 400 Pushed +1, 50mm f/1.4
Fuji Superia 400, Tamron 80-210mm f/3.8-4 on 2x TC
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