Canon AE1-P Original Strap

[benjiboy]

I thought the AE1-P and possibly others had the square plastic ones that slid onto the hot shoe when not in use. (Like I have with this AE1-P)

I don't intend to use the AE1-P regularly, so not to worried about strap comfort. Just wanted original for show and also that 'could be' used when required.

The square plastic thing that were supplied to go in the hot shoe is to protect the flash contacts and open the battery compartment, it doesn't fit the the viewfinder I just tried it on my A1.

[iamSteveRoberts]

It fits the viewfinder on my AE1-P.

It is referred to in the user manual as the 'viewfinder cover'
... remove the viewfinder cover from the accessory shoe (page 11) open the battery cover using the viewfinder cover (page 12)

It only works if the little lugs on each side are still attached and have not broken off, it will just about work with one lug.

[delphine]

I have both the AE1P and the A1, the viewfinder cover is interchangeable in both models, and for both it sits in the hot shoe, and acts as the viewfinder cover and to open the battery cover as already mentioned.

The viewfinder is exactly the same in both models. Actually the bodies are very much the same.

The viewfinder cover was to be used when using the bulb function so that the metering is not affected by light coming from the back of the viewfinder.

Also, the optical corrections sold as accessories would slide in these little lugs too, like the viewfinder cover does. Much more useful accessory if one wears corrective glasses.
I would not do without it, as it allows me to focus without glasses which is more comfortable.

[benjiboy]

I have both the AE1P and the A1, the viewfinder cover is interchangeable in both models, and for both it sits in the hot shoe, and acts as the viewfinder cover and to open the battery cover as already mentioned.

The viewfinder is exactly the same in both models. Actually the bodies are very much the same.

The viewfinder cover was to be used when using the bulb function so that the metering is not affected by light coming from the back of the viewfinder.

Also, the optical corrections sold as accessories would slide in these little lugs too, like the viewfinder cover does. Much more useful accessory if one wears corrective glasses.

I would not do without it, as it allows me to focus without glasses which is more comfortable.

The Canon A1 has a built in viewfinder blind the lever is to the left of the eyepiece, the Canon flash contact cover I have will not slip into the key ways of the A1 viewfinder.