Canon A-1 won't fire with lens on A setting

<p>I recently bought a Canon A-1 along with a 50mm kit FD lens on eBay and it was said to be in fully working condition however whenever I try to operate the camera with the lens set on the A setting, I am unable to take a picture. For example, if I set the lens aperture ring to A and attempt to set a shutter speed in Tv mode, I will get an error message in the viewfinder displaying "EEEE EE". I have tried solving this issue by pushing in the double exposure lever and while cocking the film advance lever halfway will display the correct information on the viewfinder, I am still unable to fully press down on the shutter and take a picture. If I continue to cock the film advance lever all the way, I once again get the error message. The same thing happens in Av mode and the Program mode. The only way I am able to actually fire the shutter is by taking the lens off the A setting and manually adjusting the aperture ring while setting the shutter speed using the AT dial however I would like to be able to use the automatic program mode as well as aperture and shutter priority modes. I hope someone can help me with this issue since I am completely new to this camera.</p>

<p>Jacek</p>

<p>The Canon A-1 can be a tricky camera at times. I've never had the experience you are describing, but I would recommend getting a copy of the instruction manual and reading it carefully, making sure you do all the steps they show you. You can see a PDF of the instruction manual here:</p>

<p>http://www.cameramanuals.org/canon_pdf/canon_a1.pdf</p>

<p>Best,<br>

-Tim</p>

<p>Hey Tim,<br>

I've already read the manual and unfortunately all that is stated in it is to use the double exposure lever which doesn't fix the problem for me. I have read about other people having this problem online but can't find a solution. Some say it's related to the camera's circuit and that a repair is needed in which case I'd choose to return the camera to the seller which would be a shame because I was hoping to get it working.</p>

<p>Always try a few different batteries, preferably from different sources. The Canon A-Series cameras are totally dependent on batteries for all functions.<br>

If that fails to resolve your problem, the either return it for refund or have it evaluated/serviced by a qualified camera repairman.<br>

<br />Hope this helps.</p>

<p>Ed</p>

<p>Can you check whether the aperture-check lever is engaged? It's the lever to the left of the lens if you have got the cam in your hand with the lens pointing away from you. It should not pe pushed towards the lens.</p>

<p>I'll try new batteries when I get the chance, thanks Ed.<br>

@Thomas, if you're referring to the stop-down lever then it is not pushed into the lens. As a matter of fact I am unable to engage it with the lens on, it won't go all the way in. If I take the lens off I can engage it and see the red dot. I am not sure why it does not engage all the way, could this be related to the problem? Another thing I've noticed is that it takes a good amount of force to twist the lens off while pressing the lens release button if that's relevant. </p>

<p>Try fiddling with the cams on the back of the lens a bit. I know some models of lens let you lock the lens in stop-down mode by actuating the cam past a stop. if you've taken it off and on several times then it's probably not a bad mounting, but here are a lot of moving parts back there (3 cams/levers and 2 pins?).</p>

<p>Just curious -- do you have another FD lens? If so, do you have the same problem with it?</p>

<p>I just joined and I have the exact same question/situation. And I've tried many FD lenses and mine is also harder to twist on that my other FD cameras/lenses. And I've also tried all the other "tricks" suggested elsewhere. The A-1 will work--with the meter--if I manually set the lens to a certain f-stop and then tell the camera which aperture I'm using while in Av (aperture priority) mode. There is obviously something interfering with communication between the lens and body.</p>

<p>Stephen, I'm not clear about your problem. Are you having the problem with all of your FD lenses on your A-1, or just some of them? Do you have any breechlock FD lenses? If so, do they have the same tightening problem?</p>

<p>Just another shot in the dark: sounds like an issue with the ASA dial and/or you are trying to meter outside of the metering range of the camera?</p>

<p>Thanks for you response, Michael McBroom. I've tried breech-lock FD lenses also. The lenses fit properly but they don't have the same click feeling when they're locked into place. It seems to be an electronics problem.</p>