a1 shutter works on all speeds but light meter display doesnt work

guys

I put several fresh batteries in my canon a1

and the light meter display doesnt work

Any one know whats wrong with it and could i fix it myself

the camera works on aperture priority and shutter speed priority with the lens at the a setting

id like to try and fix the viewfinder display

Should i just leave it alone and use it on the priority modes only

and just be thankful it works

i have a fully working ae1 and ae1 program

regards Andrew

Edited November 26, 2018 by andrew_spence|1

There is always a chance there may be some slight tarnish on the batteries and/or battery compartment. Thy cleaning them and see if it helps.

Did you double check that the viewfinder display was not turned off unintentionally? The switch is located around the battery check button.

Cleaning up the contacts may help, but given the age of that camera, it is certainly possible that the LED display in the VF may have failed.

 

I would definitely look at that switch as described by cmuseum above. FYI, I own an A1, but it was inherited and never actually ran a roll of film through it.

Edited November 26, 2018 by Ken Katz

guys

it was the viewfinder display button thanks cmuseum for the suggestion i moved the switch back and forwards about 20 times and the display is now working

the same thing happens in classic car stereos that ive fixed that get dust in the volume dial they either crackle a lot or stop working and turning the dial back and forward fixes that too it clears the contacts

thanks for all your help

i just put the 20 year old 100 t max film back in it that i took 4 photos with 20 years ago ill finish the film and process it

regards Andrew

With lens apertures, shutters, and other moving parts, "exercising" the part will often restore function, albeit temporarily sometimes. Things just get old and set in their ways.

 

If working it doesn't do the job, the tiniest drop imaginable of naphtha may help.

 

The A-1 is a very nice film body (Canon A-1 - A-series "professional camera")

Things just get old and set in their ways.

 

 

Sounds like me!