canon ae-1 problem with the front battery compartment.

<p>Hello!<br>

I have some questions.<br>

1) The frontal battery compartment... is it for the light meter?<br>

2) The main problem with my camera is that when I put the battery inside, it seems the battery slot it's too big. That's what happened when I tried to replace the battery. I tried putting the old one, but it's loose for it. What can I do? Should I put a spring inside or what? What can you suggest me?<br>

I hope I explained myself clearly :)<br>

Thank you for your attention!</p>

<p>It takes a 544 battery 6 volt with plus pointing up. The equivalent may be PX28a or PX28L. They run $10 at Walgreens Drug probable less at Radio Shack.</p>

<p>Ana,</p>

<p>The AE1 is an electronically controlled camera, the battery is needed to power all camera functions, including shutter and meter (I don't even recall if it has a mechanical "limp" mode, I haven't used mine in a while). I wonder if the old battery was the correct one? My first suggestion would be to follow the advice above, if the correct battery doesn't fit then I am at a loss.</p>

<p>One more thing - I looked at my AE1, just to see if something jumps out at me - there is a metal, spring loaded prong on the bottom of the compartment which contacts the bottom of the battery.<br>

Perhaps it is stuck in the compressed position? It needs to be sticking out approx 3-4mm, and can be easily pressed down with a finger (you should feel the spring tension, firm but easily moved with a finger). I presume that if there was any kind of contamination or corrosion around the spring loaded prong, it might not be a) contacting the battery properly and b) making the battery physically loose in the compartment.</p>

<p>Hope this helps:)</p>

<p>Then spring probably broke or disappeared when I tried changing the battery. :( <br>

Yup. I went to RadioShack to buy the battery, when I bought it I put it inside but it was too loose for the battery. <br>

Just wanted to make sure if a spring was needed then. Hope there is salvation for this camera. Haven't exploited that much as I wanted (one roll only). Can't wait to play with this camera again!<br>

Thank you so much. If my dad comes up successful upon my camera's maintenance, I will let you know.<br>

<strong>I welcome any suggestions of how to elaborate a little spring for this camera.</strong></p>

<p>If the whole metal part is gone there might be a leaking battery making trouble. Is the batterycompartment clean inside or green from oxidation??</p>

<p>The way I see it there are two ways of going about this - the prong on the bottom of the batt. compartment is spring loaded, but there is no actual spring visible in the compartment, just a metal prong.<br>

Can you see any portion of this metal prong protruding from the bottom of the compartment? Even if its stuck in the down position, but visible, you could make up the thickness with tin foil, just to make sure there is contact.<br>

If its not visible at all, that means it must have somehow broken and fallen into the camera, and that would require taking the camera apart to find.<br>

I would not suggest springs, they are fiddly and hard to deal with, aluminium foil will work, either on the + or - side, which ever you find easier.</p>

<p>If i had to guess, I would say the metal prong on the bottom has become stuck in the retracted position, and with a little nudging might pop back out. This is probably due to corrosion or just dirt accumulating over the years (these cameras are old and we can't be sure how they were treated...). Try pushing the contact (if it is visible) on the bottom and see if you can get it to pop out. It should stick out at least 4mm in extended position, anything less and you have one that's stuck.</p>

<p><strong>Rob;</strong> The battery compartment is clean. No oxidation. Looks very neat.<br /> <strong>Peter; </strong>Indeed. I looked at it thoroughly and there is no spring. I see two metal pieces. One in top, and one in the bottom of the battery compartment. I guess there are called the metal prongs. (Sorry that I sound just like a novice here. Ha, ha!)<br /> By the way, is the tin foil something I can find at Home Depot or Wal Mart? Will do my best to get it.<br>

Not sure if... the tin foil is the same as aluminum foil?<br>

I am not that familiar with the names of the materials. (English is my second language)</p>

<p>p.s. Thank you once again :D This forum is awesomely useful!</p>

<p>Just in case a picture helps, here is an AE-1 battery compartment showing the spring-loaded "prong" in the bottom to which Peter referred.</p>

<p> </p><div></div>

<p>Now I can see clearly. Thank you, <strong>Gerry</strong>!<br>

But how can I pull the metal prong out?</p>

Perhaps you can use a small screwdriver to press down on and release the contact, if it is only stuck down. Yes,

aluminum foil is the same.

<p>Its ok, Ana, English is my second language too - you're doing just fine:) I actually don't know if the word "prong" is the right word, I just couldn't think of a better way to describe it.</p>

<p>The "spring" is not visible through the battery compartment, it is under the metal pieces, pushing it up into the battery compartment. </p>

<p>Tin or aluminium foil is used for food packaging and cooking, can be had from any grocery store, dollar store or indeed the Evil Empire - I mean WalMart :)</p>

<p>Perhaps a drop or two of rubbing alcohol on the tip of that pin will free it...along with working it with the screwdriver as suggested. Start with just a drop and <strong>don't </strong>use any oil.</p>

<p>Also a few light taps with a small wooden block on the base plate may work. Just be gentle. It probably isn't worth the cost of repair if parts are missing or broken.</p>

<p>I have this same problem with my A-1. Hoping to get the battery compartment and the battery drain issue it has fixed someday. I resorted to using a little ball of aluminum foil to take up the extra space between the battery and the prong as suggested above. Not attractive, but it works as a short term fix.</p>