Canon AV-1
The Canon AV-1 is a 35mm SLR introduced in 1979, using the FD lens mount and offering aperture-priority automatic exposure. It was positioned as an entry-level alternative to the shutter-priority AE-1, aimed at beginners who preferred to set aperture and let the camera select the shutter speed.
At UK auction, hammer prices for the Canon AV-1 body have ranged from about £20 to £150 over the past three years, with a median around £55. Today most clean, working examples sell for roughly £40–£90 at saleroom level, with the higher results typically reflecting bodies sold with an FD kit lens; rough or untested bodies are worth less. Because these are wholesale auction figures rather than retail prices, dealer or private-sale asking prices are usually higher than what the camera fetches under the hammer.
Sales History
Prices shown are realised prices — auction results and completed eBay sales, never asking prices. Most saleroom figures are hammer prices, before commission; some houses publish a premium-inclusive figure, and we do not adjust for condition. Dealer and retail asking prices are typically higher. How this figure is calculated.
Prices updated: August 2026
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| Aug 2026 | £30 | £30 | 🇬🇧 eBay | |
Title: Canon AV-1 35mm Film SLR Camera + Canon FD 50mm f/1.8 Lens - Working (Read Desc)
Description:
Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Canon AV-1 35mm Film SLR Camera + Canon FD 50mm f/1.8 Lens - Working (Read Desc) at the best online prices at eBay UK! Free delivery for many products! Location: Lisburn, United Kingdom |
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| Aug 2026 | £52 | £52 | 🇬🇧 eBay | |
Title: Canon AV 1 SLR Vintage 35mm Camera with Canon FD 50mm 1.7 lens.
Description:
Film tested and fully working Canon AV 1 SLR Vintage 35mm Camera is a compact and classic piece of equipment for film photography. Similar to the AE1 but with aperture priority mode only. camera body is in very good condition. Lens focus ring motion not completely smooth but perfectly usable. Incl battery and lens cap. Location: Dinas Powys, United Kingdom |
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| Aug 2026 | £80 | £80 | 🇬🇧 eBay | |
Title: Canon AV-1 35mm SLR Film Camera with canon FD 50mm f1.8 lens, Canon Slr Camera
Description:
Canon AV-1 with canon FD 50mm f1.8 lens. dust, marks, debris in viewfinder. Batteries and film not supplied. Full working order. Location: Normanton, United Kingdom |
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| Aug 2026 | £13 | £13 | 🇬🇧 eBay | |
Title: Canon av1
Description:
NO FILM TO TEST. odd marks and scuffs. Location: Ilkeston, United Kingdom |
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| Aug 2026 | £16 | £16 | 🇬🇧 eBay | |
Title: T Vintage Canon AV-1 SLR Camera W/ Carl Zeiss Jena DDR 3.5 135mm Lens
Description:
They may need a light clean. Parts Only. Not Tested. Location: Shifnal, shropshire, United Kingdom |
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| Aug 2026 | £24 | £24 | 🇬🇧 eBay | |
Title: F Vintage Canon AV-1 SLR Film Camera W/ Canon FD 28mm 2.8 Lens
Description:
The item is in good condition. Has not been tested with film. Location: Shifnal, shropshire, United Kingdom |
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| Aug 2026 | £55 | £55 | 🇬🇧 eBay | |
Title: Canon AV-1 35mm Film SLR Camera with Canon FD 50mm F/1.8 Lens Film Tested
Description:
A classic 35mm film setup. The lens is clean, with no haze or fungus. Location: Edinburgh, United Kingdom |
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| Aug 2026 | £10 | £10 | 🇬🇧 eBay | |
Title: Canon AV-1 35mm SLR Film Camera Silver Body Only Japan Spares or Repairs
Description:
Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Canon AV-1 35mm SLR Film Camera Silver Body Only Japan Spares or Repairs at the best online prices at eBay UK! Free delivery for many products! Location: Carnon Downs, Cornwall, United Kingdom |
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| Aug 2026 | £48 | £48 | 🇬🇧 eBay | |
Title: Canon AV-1 35mm SLR Film Camera with 50mm Lens and case Vintage Untested
Description:
Case is well worn and degrading. Location: Midsomer Norton , United Kingdom |
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| Jan 2026 | £60 | £60 | 🇬🇧 Special Auction Services | |
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Auction: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 197) Title: A Canon AV-1 SLR Camera
Description:
A Canon AV-1 SLR Camera, 1980 Winter Olympic front cap & maker's boxes, shutter working, meter responsive, self timer working, body G-VG, with FD |
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| Nov 2025 | £12 | £10 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 74) Title: A Canon AV-1 35mm SLR Camera Body
Description:
silver, serial number 390256, body G, shutter fires, mirror bumper has been replaced, meter responds, with cap. |
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| Nov 2025 | £40 | £40 | 🇬🇧 Special Auction Services | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 115) Title: A Canon AV-1 SLR Camera
Description:
A Canon AV-1 SLR Camera, black, shutter working, meter responsive, responsive in auto, self timer working, body G, missing drive plate cover, some |
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| Aug 2025 | £44 | £35 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 95) Title: A Canon AV-1 35mm SLR Camera
Description:
silver, body G, shutter working, meter responding, with f/1.8 50mm FD lens, barrel G, optics F with haze. |
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| Jul 2025 | £100 | £100 | 🇬🇧 Special Auction Services | |
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Auction: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 34) Title: A Canon AV-1 SLR Camera
Description:
A Canon AV-1 SLR Camera, black, shutter working, meter responsive, responsive in auto, self timer working, body G, with two Canon FD 50mm f/1.8 |
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| Jun 2025 | £50 | £40 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 119) Title: A Canon AV-1 35mm SLR Camera Body
Description:
black, body G-VG, shutter working, viewfinder bright & clear, SKA0183 (Qty: 1) |
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| May 2025 | £106 | £85 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 120) Title: A Canon AV-1 35mm SLR Camera
Description:
black, serial number 939731, shutter works, meter responds to light, with a Canon FD f/2.8 28mm lens, black, barrel G, optics G. |
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| May 2025 | £75 | £60 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 122) Title: A Canon AV-1 35mm SLR Camera Outfit
Description:
comprising a Canon AV-1, body VG, shutter works, meter responds to light, with a FD f/1.8 50mm lens, barrel VG, optics VG, and a FD 35-70mm zoom, |
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| Mar 2025 | £44 | £35 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 177) Title: A Canon AV-1 35mm SLR Camera
Description:
black, body VG, shutter works, metering responds to light, with a FD f/1.8 50mm lens, barrel G, optics F-G. |
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| Sep 2024 | £69 | £55 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Auction (Lot 68) Title: A Canon AV-1 35mm Camera
Description:
silver, serial number 532604, body G, light marks to prism housing, shutter works, viewfinder needle working, appears to meter accurately, with maker' |
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| Aug 2024 | £60 | £60 | 🇬🇧 Special Auction Services | |
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Auction: TWO DAY: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 334) Title: A Canon AV-1 SLR Camera
Description:
A Canon AV-1 SLR Camera, black, shutter working, meter responsive, responsive in auto, self timer working, body G-VG, with FD 50mm f/1.8 lens, barrel |
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| Jun 2024 | £62 | £50 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Auction (Lot 312) Title: A Canon AV-1 35mm SLR Camera
Description:
silver, serial number 485825, body G, shutter works, appears to meter when battery inserted, with a Canon FD f/1.8 50mm lens, barrel G, optics G with |
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| Jun 2024 | £150 | £120 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Auction (Lot 321) Title: A Canon AV-1 35mm SLR Camera Outfit
Description:
comprising a Canon AV-1, serial 445489, body G, shutter works with battery inserted, meter responds to different light levels, with a FL f/1.8 50mm |
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| Apr 2024 | £90 | £90 | 🇬🇧 Special Auction Services | |
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Auction: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 147) Title: A Canon AV-1 SLR Camera
Description:
A Canon AV-1 SLR Camera, serial no 1507268, shutter working, camera responsive in auto, self timer working, body G, with Panagor Auto 21mm f/4 FD |
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| Dec 2023 | £35 | £35 | 🇬🇧 Special Auction Services | |
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Auction: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 388) Title: A Canon AV-1 SLR Camera
Description:
A Canon AV-1 SLR Camera, shutter working, meter responsive, responsive in auto, self timer working, body G, A4003 scratched into base plate, with FD |
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| Dec 2023 | £35 | £35 | 🇬🇧 Special Auction Services | |
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Auction: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 212) Title: A Canon AV-1 SLR Camera
Description:
A Canon AV-1 SLR Camera, shutter working, self timer working, shutter & meter not responsive in auto setting, body G, with Canon FD 50mm f/1.8 lens, |
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| Dec 2023 | £50 | £50 | 🇬🇧 Special Auction Services | |
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Auction: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 33) Title: A Canon AV-1 SLR Camera
Description:
A Canon AV-1 SLR Camera, chrome, shutter working, meter/camera responsive, self timer working, body G-VG, with 50mm f/1.8 lens, barrel G-VG, elements |
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| Aug 2023 | £38 | £30 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 168) Title: A Canon AV-1 35mm SLR Camera
Description:
IR 711921, 1979, chrome, serial no.288571, with a FDn f/1.8 50mm lens, tested as working, body G, lens F-G, mild fungus, with lens cap, neck strap |
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| Aug 2023 | £50 | £50 | 🇬🇧 Special Auction Services | |
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Auction: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 57) Title: A Canon AV-1 SLR Camera
Description:
A Canon AV-1 SLR Camera, chrome, shutter working, meter responsive, self timer working, body G, with50mm f/1.8 FD lens, barrel G, elements G, with |
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| Jun 2023 | £20 | £20 | 🇬🇧 Special Auction Services | |
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Auction: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 548) Title: A Canon AV-1 SLR Camera
Description:
A Canon AV-1 SLR Camera, shutter working, mirror occasionally sticking in auto, meter responsive, self timer working, body G, with FD 50mm f/1.8 and |
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| Jun 2023 | £30 | £30 | 🇬🇧 Special Auction Services | |
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Auction: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 157) Title: A Canon AV-1 SLR Camera
Description:
A Canon AV-1 SLR Camera, back, shutter working, meter responsive, self timer working, body G, with Canon FD 35-70mm f/4 lens, barrel G, elements G |
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| Feb 2022 | £20 | £20 | 🇬🇧 Harper Field Auctions | |
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Auction: Buying & Selling (Lot 396) Title: Canon AV-1 35mm SLR camera with FD 50mm 1:1.8 lens and soft case
Description:
Canon AV-1 35mm SLR camera with FD 50mm 1:1.8 lens and soft case |
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| Dec 2021 | £37 | £30 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: The Collectors Sale (Lot 474) Title: A Canon AV-1 35mm SLR Camera
Description:
Black, body G-VG, shutter untested, with a Canon FD 50mm f/1.8 lens, optics G, slight haze present and some dust, (Qty: 1) |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Canon AV-1 worth today?
At UK auction, Canon AV-1 bodies have sold for roughly £20 to £150 over the last three years, with a median price around £55. Condition, whether a working FD lens is included, and cosmetic wear drive most of the variation in value.
How much does a Canon AV-1 sell for at auction?
Recent UK hammer prices have clustered between about £40 and £90 for tested working bodies. Outfits with a 50mm FD lens tend to sell at the upper end of that range.
Is the Canon AV-1 worth buying?
For a beginner who wants aperture-priority shooting on a budget, the AV-1 offers good value given how cheaply clean examples change hands and the abundance of affordable FD lenses. Factor in the cost of a CLA if the shutter is sluggish or squeaks.
What battery does the Canon AV-1 use?
It uses a single 6V battery (4LR44 or A544 equivalent), and the auto-exposure system will not function correctly without a fresh cell.