How do you take close up pictures with AE-1?

Answer 1

Any good 35MM SLR like the Canon AE-1 can be used for great closeup Photography. With the normal 50mm lens they can focus to around 18 inches. For closer work you need either closeup filters (they are not really filters) which work like a magnifying glass that screw in like filters onto the front of the lens. Another way is using extension tubes. These are hollow tubes that come in different lengths and mount between camera body and lens. For manual tubes, the lens must be "stopped down" to the shooting aperature prior to releasing the shutter. Automatic tubes will do this automatically when the shutter is released. A third option is an automatic bellows, which will provide an infinite range of extension between the minimum and maximum provided, as opposed to tubes which are fixed but can be used in various combinations to provide some flexibility of choice.

The close up filters have the advantage regarding low cost and do not cause a reduction in light transmission. However, they can reduce image quality if they are dirty or cheaply made. The tubes (and especially the bellows) are more expensive but have the advantage that they will not degrade the image quality by introducing more glass. However, spacing the lens farther away from the camera causes a reduction in light strength and is quite noticeable when the distance is maximized. Regardless of the method chosen, you will find depth of field will be reduced as the magnification increases.

If using a bellows or automatic tubes, ensure the lens aperature is properly working.