Cannon A-1 Overall shooting issues

Hey guys. I've got my girlfriend into film photography so far, we had been enjoying taking pics all good it was perfectly working camera, but one day I suddenly dropped bag where the camera was from like 40cm height and since then we have hard time functioning of his camera. The issue is that shutter release button is unresponsive 90% of the time, it just won't take picture and only 1 out of 10 press on it would take a picture. Also sometimes when it does the mirror stuck (only sometimes) and it only release when some time goes or I just have to restart the camera. It's not a battery issue for sure, cause we tried few new batteries and no luck. Also in addition the red display in viewfinder is also messy and shows wrong information and it almost can't be read. Also that display sometimes shows up sometimes not . I am pretty confused and not sure what to do. Please help.

 

Thank you

I think it would be cheaper to buy another camera body from a reputable dealer than to have your camera repaired. Just my opinion.

Sounds like the battery is not always making contact. What happens when you press the battery check button ten times ? Does the light consistently blink fast every time you press the button ?

I would say buy another.

Canon A-1 cameras are selling now on eBay from US$42 to $100 with a 50mm lens.

 

I hate to say it, but if the camera is not working, then the cost of repair will almost certainly be more than replacement.

 

The A-1 is a very fine camera, but there are other FD-mount alternatives like the Canon AE-1 P that are also good.

I agree about replacement. It sounds like your A-1 has multiple issues that may not be easily repaired. I'm thinking that one or more of the flex circuits that are crammed under the top cover have probably been damaged. There are no new replacements for these -- another A-1 would have to be cannibalized for it/them. So, if you like the A-1 -- and what's not to like? -- I'd just buy another clean working copy.

shutter release button is unresponsive 90% of the time, it just won't take picture and only 1 out of 10 press on it would take a picture.

I am not familiar with the A1. I have a Pentax Super A that got it's shutter button replaced within the 1st 4 years since the contacts inside were faulty. Does using a cable release make the shutter button you have work again?

 

I agree with anybody else in this thread that fetching a working replacement body is the best thing you can do. (Unless you are able to take that camera apart, and fix any issue it might have, which could end in needing a bigger cover to house the homebrew wiring you might produce). Keep what you have as spare parts for the next one.

Thanks for all the advices. I think getting a new one is the option .