Canon AE-1 problem!

<p>So I purchased this canon AE-1 camera a few days ago and as an Art student I was really really excited about my new film camera! I bought film, put it in, and I took some pictures, everything worked fine. A couple of shots later, I tried to take a picture but it just stopped working. All I can see from the viewfinder is black, and I can't pull the lever all the way back. What happened?? :( I'm frustrated and I don't know what to do.. I bought new batteries but nothing. <br />Should I take it to a camera shop or sth to fix it? But how much is this gonna cost me? As a student in a foreign country I can't afford paying too much.<br /><br />Here are a few photos of my camera, hope this will make it easier understand what the problem is. <br />http://imgur.com/a/PHhYO<br /><br />I think there is something wrong with the mirror right? Isn't is supposed to be down? <br /><br /><br />Thanks in advance!<br />Sorry for my english! x)<br /><br /><br /></p>

<p>Any A-series camera is 100% electronic, so it’s anybody’s guess as to what happened. Yes it most likely can be fixed, but the cost of the repair may be more than the cost of the camera. </p>

<p>As a suggestion, press in the film rewind button and see if you can rewind the film. If you can, then maybe the camera will unjam itself. If you can’t rewind the film, then the camera is truly jammed and will need to be repaired. </p>

<p>As for the cost of a repair, hard to say. Depends on what’s wrong with it. As a guess, a repair will probably cost more than a $100.00 USD. </p>

<p>Maybe somebody else will chime in with a few suggestions.</p>

 

Was it squealing after you took a

shot? The A series has a mirror

return bearing that dries out and

needs to be re lubed relatively deep

inside the camera. Sometimes you can

apply some oil to it with the right

kind of needle without a full

disassembly if you're lucky.

 

They're are of course much simpler

causes for problems, like a weak

battery. Or decomposed mirror bumper

acting as glue. Honestly there is

probably no cameras this age that

doesn't need 3 times it's market value

in maintenance from dusty shelf to

use.

<p>An AE-1 is a fine camera, but it is totally dependent on the battery for function. The original packing included in addition to the neck strap, a handy spare battery holder that went on the strap. Canon did that to make sure you had spare.</p>

<p>That being said, I would check the battery again, with a volt meter. The PX-28 is a 6 volt battery, but depending which PX-28 you bought, it could have been on the shelf too long. Th original PX-28 was a silver oxide battery (It actually consisted of 4 - 1.5volt MS-76 in a wrapper with + and - terminals). The silver oxide batteries have a pretty good shelf life (>5 years I believe) and had a good amount useful life in a camera.</p>

<p>The other kinds are PX-28A Alkaline(same chemistry as AAA, AA,C and you see the bunny beating his drum) and Lithium PX-28L.</p>

<p>Not to add to the confusion, but they are also call 544 batteries, depending on the manufacturer.</p>

<p>If you buy batteries from some stores, you can pay 8 or 9 bucks for one. However, if you live near a Home Depot you can buy them in the Pet radio fence area for about $2.50. Also you can check online for deals.</p>

<p>Why am I talking soooooooo much about batteries, because the AE-1 will not work without one. Your problem maybe as simple as a batch of bad batteries.</p>

<p>I have bought many (50+) cameras from the70s and 80s in the last few years and rarely have I had to have them serviced just o use them (especially the Canons, most still have light meters that still work and are accurate!).</p>

<p>As an Art Student, may I suggest that you look for a Canon FTb, it is a sturdy mechanical camera that will use the same lens(es) as your AE-1. The battery in an FTb is only needed for the light meter. They can be had for $25 - $50 in good condition.<br>

Ed.</p>

<blockquote>

<p>"a weak battery. Or decomposed mirror bumper acting as glue" <strong><em>Steven C.</em></strong></p>

</blockquote>

<p>Unless the battery is dead <strong>AND</strong> the mirror foam is sticky both<strong> at the same time</strong>, none of these cause the dual symptom of a blacked out VF and a jammed body. Now a mention of a mirrorbox issue may actually be correct in the cause of the jamming. But until a tech can inspect it who knows, we're all just guessing.</p>

<p>Finally, a professional repair is no longer considered economical. One can obtain a functioning replacement for about 1/4 of the repair charges...</p>

<p>I'll differ on that. Replacement with another works for newly manufactured things, but when most cameras have the same wear and tear it should probably just be factored in. Ebay is too much of a lemon market to assume it's even possible to find a camera in perfect repair.</p>

<p>From: http://collectiblend.com/Cameras/Canon/Canon-AE-1.html</p>

<p>the value of an average condition AE-1 is about $80.<br>

(That is with lens, there is no body-only price given.)</p>

 

<blockquote>

<p>Replacement with another works for newly manufactured things, but when most cameras have the same wear and tear it should probably just be factored in.<br>

</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Seems to me that there is enough variation in storage and usage conditions, and maybe just variations in the original, that it is often cheaper to just buy more of them. <br>

<br>

I second the suggestion above about the FTb. I bought one for $11, and it seems to work just fine. I have a few rolls through it by now. I could buy many of them at $11 each, for the cost to CLA just one of them. Each will have seen different usage, and some will work better than others.<br>

</p>

<blockquote>

<p>Ebay is too much of a lemon market to assume it's even possible to find a camera in perfect repair.</p>

</blockquote>

<p> <br>

Yes, but average is good enough for most of us. I bought mine FTb from Goodwill, which avoids the shipping charge. (Which might be close to $11.) I only expect the shutter speeds to be close enough for black and white work. I can time the 1s speed by hand, and then judge that they get progressively faster as the speed goes up. Then make sure that the shutter actually does open at the highest speed. (For electronically times shutters, you pretty much only have to be sure that it does open and close. It will be either very close, or not work at all.)<br>

<br>

The OP didn't say which country he/she is in. Some might be easier or harder to find in some countries. </p>

<p>Right, possibly a weak battery. The camera needs a full 6 volts to work properly, and any way you can get those 6 volts to the camera will make it happy. I usually use those 1.5V button batteries because they're so cheap they're almost free. Just tape 4 of them together, place a small piece of folded up tinfoil in the top or bottom for a spacer, and there you go.</p>

<blockquote>

<p>"get those 6 volts to the camera will make it happy" <strong><em>steve m.</em></strong></p>

</blockquote>

<p>Not true.<br /> "<em>none of these cause the dual symptom of a blacked out VF <strong>and</strong> a jammed body</em>" This includes <strong>a weak battery</strong>.<br /> A jammed up mirrorbox on one of these is rather rare; so confidence is high that getting a "cheap" replacement will yield a proper working camera. <br /> Plus, Ebay isn't a crap shoot. With just a little hassle to re-package the item, you can return most anything within 45 days (Very little risk).</p>

<p>Short of a noisy mirrorbox dampening escapement and bought in excellent condition, these AE-1 units have held up well with aging.<br>

They're actually still very reliable (Little lubricant used in these models).</p>