Canon EF

I have owned a Canon EF since new (1974). About ten or more years ago, I discovered that the shutter speeds from 2 seconds to 30 seconds (The ones marked in orange.) no longer worked. You often read that the long (electronic) exposure mode is one second to 30, but it is two seconds to 30. The camera would open the shutter and lock up. After fooling about with it for ten or 15 minutes, I could get it to close. The speeds from one second to 1/1000 appeared to work normally. I am unsure if the meter is working properly. I have seen on this site a large number of people who own these cameras and they have no problems. Most bought them used. I have inquired with a number of camera repair facilities, but none will touch it. I was told by a company I sent it to for evaluation, that the CPU had failed and there was no way to repair it and the CPU's were not available. It is not like I don't have other cameras. Among others, I have an FTb I bought new and an AE-1 Program I inherited. But I really like my EF and would like to have it working again. I realize I can use it manually, but that is beside the point. Any comments?

I'm now on my second one in a couple of months.

 

My first was an untested Ebay purchase, and when I arrived sure enough the slow speeds were dead.

 

The second came from the local camera shop. I was in one day and someone came in saying he had one he wanted to sell. After a little subtle nudging, the owner encouraged him to bring it back the next day. I walked through how to test one(using a non-working one the shop also had) with instructions to call me if it was good.

 

The second one that came in initially would only work at the slow speeds if the shutter button was held down. After a few releases, it returned to working normally and has been fine since then.

 

So, that's the extent of what I can offer-on EF bodies I've personally handled, I'm now 1 for 3 on working ones.

 

Something else I've noticed is that the ones that don't "work" completely also seem to eat batteries. My first one drained a set in a week just to power the meter even though I didn't even have film loaded and didn't do anything beyond playing with it for a few minutes every day(yes, I turned it off). My working one has had the same set for a month and a couple of rolls of film.

Hello tomroberts,

Sorry to hear about your misfortune.

It is very common problem with EFs, just look up canon ef on this forum.

I suspect ( but don't quote me on it!) it is caused by improper battery loading.

As you know camera technician are not very keen on repairing this fault.

Here is solution which has worked for me :

Get working ( and make sure you specifically ask seller if long times are working) from eBay and ask your camera repair specialist to swap failed part.

It should not be very complicated.

To cheer you up, your camera lightmeter should be working fine.

Dominik_m,

Yes, I have considered buying one as you suggest. and having the CPU transplanted into mine. Thanks.

you need batteries for 1 to 30 sec exposure... 1 -1000 is mechanical