The Canon AE-1 Program is a 35mm SLR that was first released in 1981 as the upgraded brother to the AE-1. The AE-1 Program included a fully automatic setting also known as the program setting. This is used by setting the shutter speed dial to program and the lens to A and all you’ll have to do is focus and press the button. You can still control the camera fully manually and there is a built in light meter to make sure your pictures exposed properly. The AE-1 series are highly respected as a great camera for beginners or advanced photographers alike with the Program version featuring the full auto mode and a manual mode it makes it great to learn on.