What Tools Do You Need To Take The Top Off An AE-1P?

I have the repair manual which shows the correct way to take the top off my AE-

1P, but since I've never done it, (even though I tried the other and had to

stop), I want to know if there is something I need other than the tiny phillips

head screwdriver?

I see on the diagrams that there are some washers or rings that need to get

removed from the advance level and the rewind side.

Can those be taken off by hand?

 

Any help is greatly appreicated.

My shutter won't fire.

When I depress the shutton button, the light meter works fine, but any further,

the numbers disappear and nothing happens.

Before you do anything to the camera, have you tried changing the battery? My AE-1 Program does that exact same thing when its battery is running low.

I'll say this as a warning and leave it at that.

 

If you do not know how to remove the top of your AE-1P you have NO business trying to do so. The chances of you ending up with a door stop are MUCH MUCH greater then you stumbling onto the problem and figuring out how to fix it.

You need a pin wrench, a pair of snap ring pliers, patience and dexterity.

 

Cameras are not difficult to dismantle - once you know what you are doing. First attempts often lead to disaster, and reassembly can be tricky if you haven't taken notes.

 

There are several reasons why the shutter won't fire. They can lie under the top plate, under the bottom plate, or behind the front covers.

 

Your problem sounds like a bad battery or connection.

 

Given the price of used film cameras nowadays, you might just as well buy another one.

 

Henry

Craig after you get the camera disassembled and realize that you have a better chance of solving the Mid East crisis than getting the AE-1 back together....go to www.lucitetombstones.com. They have kits of imbedding all those parts into a nice lucite brick to display for family and friends to admire your artistic skill.

Sounds like some people have had some pretty bad personal experiences with "Do It Yourself AE-1P Repair".

Well, this camera means a lot to me. I've had it since my office purchased it new back in 82. It was a gift to me when I retired.

 

I've put a brand new battery in the thing and it didn' help.

I notice that it does this after I've used up a roll and try to start a new one. It seems like once I can get the shutter fired after I initially load the film, then it will continue to work fine for the entire roll.

 

Why couldn't someone have said, "The AE-1P is the easiest camera to work on. Taking the top off is not harder than taking the lens cap off."

Why didn't I get THAT response???

Craig why don't you just send the camera to a repair person and have it fixed if it mean enough to you. Most problems with these cameras can be fixed for under $100.00 which will include a complete clean lube and adjust.

 

Let us know what part of the world your in and possibly we can recomend a repair person close by.

 

You can also open your phone book and see if there is a listing for Photographi equipment repair and give the shops listed a call.

I'm just trying to save a few bucks, and learn something new about my camera. Thats all.

I probably WILL end up taking it to a repair guy who is in the area, but I'm a curious type and was hoping that taking the top off would be something educational rather than disasterous.

 

We'll see what happens.

I remember reading somewhere that this type of problem may be the result of a magnet in the bottom of the camera needing to be cleaned. I am no repairman, but my memory is that this type of problem may be fixed if you unscrew the bottom plate and give the magnet a gentle wipe with the edge of a credit card. I believe that Tomassey (sp?) has some advice in his books about this type of problem and again, if memory serves, cleaning the magnet may be the first thing to try. I suspect it's less dangerous a repair to try than taking the top off.

 

If I'm way off base here, I hope someone corrects me.

 

Best of luck with this.

Craig....since this camera has more meaning to you than just another piece of photo gear, you might also look for the same model on ebay being sold for parts. You can probably get it for a song, and use it to practice on. Then decide if DIY is for you.

Jeffrey CT...

I opened the bottom up and was poking my screwdriver all around and wasn't really sure what I was looking at, so I closed it up.

Then, I opened it up later determined to find this magnet that you and others mentioned.

Well, to make a long story short, I moved the little arm that pops the rewind button back up and low and behold...the shutter fires now!

It appears that the button gets stuck in the down position and that tells the camera not to release the shutter (for some reason).

Anyhow, thanks to you, I fixed it.

My A-1 would power up but not take a picture even with a fresh battery. The repair shop replaced a capacitor inside the bottom cover. Been fine since.

Craig, I am just delighted that you got it fixed. Just delighted. I've learned something from your experience as well. I have an AE1-P that I am very attached to, and I now know what to do if mine acts like yours did.

 

All the best to you.