david_felix1 Posted December 19, 2013 Share Posted December 19, 2013 <p>My A-1 is having a problem, and I have searched the web and not found this problem posted anywhere. When I have it set in program mode, or shutter priority mode, the meter shows 'bulb'. When I push the shutter release button, it ignores the shutter setting on the dial and leave the shutter open until I turn the camera off. If I put it in aperture priority mode, it selects the lens's maximum aperture and chooses the shutter speed. If I try full manual mode, it ignores the shutter setting and uses bulb, just like shutter priority. Has anyone else heard of this problem? Any Ideas on what it might be and the cost to fix it? This was my high school graduation gift so I am interested in getting it fixed if the cost is reasonable. Thanks in advance.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark_stephan2 Posted December 20, 2013 Share Posted December 20, 2013 <p>Have you tried a new battery, sometimes a low battery causes problems? If you decide to send it off for repair I can recommend KEH Repair. I sent them my A-1 when it developed the squeaky shutter. They repaired the cause of the squeal and performed a CLA for $125.00 including shipping. I had the work done Spring 2011. When I got my camera back it was like holding and using a new camera, unbelievably clean. Like you I have a sentimental attachment to the A-1, it was given to my by my father-in-law and that started my photographic adventures using Canon FD gear.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david_felix1 Posted December 21, 2013 Author Share Posted December 21, 2013 <p>Thanks for the recommendation Mark. Replacing the battery was the first thing I tried. The only brand I could find in that size to replace the Duracell that I have always used was a Ray-O-Vac A544. Anyone have problems with that brand of battery? </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_waller Posted December 21, 2013 Share Posted December 21, 2013 <p>I had an A-1 many moons ago and this problem you report is, if I remember rightly, due to a conflict between the settings you have chosen on the camera. It would help to get a copy of the manual. This might help: <a href="http://www.butkus.org/chinon/canon/canon_a-1/canon_a-1.htm">http://www.butkus.org/chinon/canon/canon_a-1/canon_a-1.htm</a><br> When you set program or shutter-speed priority, I think you have to set the lens to the green 'A' on the aperture ring - but check that out first.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charles_wass Posted December 21, 2013 Share Posted December 21, 2013 <blockquote> <p>When you set program or shutter-speed priority, I think you have to set the lens to the green 'A' on the aperture ring - but check that out first.</p> </blockquote> <p>That is correct and it is also true for aperture priority. However, apart from not making that setting, I do not see how there can be any conflict between the various options for settings.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david_felix1 Posted December 21, 2013 Author Share Posted December 21, 2013 <p>When shooting in shutter or aperture priority, the lens was set on 'A'. This problem occurs with both my 28 f2.8 and 50 1.8 lenses. I find it strange that even in full manual, with the shutter speed set by the shutter speed knob and the aperture set by the lens, it ignores the manual settings and overrides it with its own bulb setting. My first thought was the battery because it was over five years old. I could not find a Duracell 28L, so I used a Ray-O-Vac A544 which looked to be the same size.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member69643 Posted December 21, 2013 Share Posted December 21, 2013 <p>One note - even new natteries can be weak. I have bought brand new batteries and then checked them, and discovered them to be faulty. A meter is the only way to know for sure. In your case the battery may be fine. If so a trip to Ken Oikawa would fix it up. You can certainly get a replacement on eBay for less than repair costs, but if it means something to you, getting it fixed will bring you much comfort. Here's the last info I found (here on photo.net) for Ken:</p> <p>Ken Oikawa<br />28288 West Worcester Rd.<br />Sun City CA 92586<br> 951-246-9136</p> <p>He doesn't have email. He may not be able to do electronic repairs, but others may be able to help there.</p> 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thomas_goehler Posted December 22, 2013 Share Posted December 22, 2013 <p>This is obviously a more serious electronic problem/defect. Remember, the camera is at least 27 years old! Have it repaired by a good camera mechanic but be prepared that the repair costs will exceed the costs for a "new" secondhand item.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al_fairclough1 Posted December 25, 2013 Share Posted December 25, 2013 <p>Depth of field/Stopdown lever engaged when mounting the lenses?</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david_felix1 Posted January 2, 2014 Author Share Posted January 2, 2014 <p>I double checked the stop down lever and that was not engaged. Found a Duracell 28L battery and tried that. No luck. Hopefully it can be repaired for a reasonable cost.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob_beatty Posted January 18, 2015 Share Posted January 18, 2015 <p>I'm experiencing the same issue with my Canon A-1. My son is taking a photography class... which, of course, requires a film camera capable of manual operation. How did this experience end for you?</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterbevan Posted January 31, 2020 Share Posted January 31, 2020 After leaving my A1 in storage for a few years I discovered it displayed exactly the same very specific main dial problem: bulb flashing 32 in Tv and widest aperture on Av. Dismantled it and discovered the cause. The metal brush underneath the A/T dial has become detached. It looks like it was attached with a couple of plastic “welds” which have failed. I’m going to attempt to re-bond it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeBu Lamar Posted January 31, 2020 Share Posted January 31, 2020 Looks like it's a 5 bit gray code encoder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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