Depth-of-Field Preview Not Working on AE-1

[jordangoulder]

The depth-of-field preview has stopped working on my AE-1. I have

tried it with all the FD lenses I own (50mm nFD, 50mm and 28mm chrome

nose) and it doesn't work on any of them. Up until now it has worked

fine. When I press the button in without a lens attached I can see

the lever moving. Has anyone run into this problem before?

[trw]

I haven't had this problem, but have you tried putting a little pressure on the lever while pushing in the DOFP slider? Maybe it's broken, but just resting in place enough to work with no pressure.

[steven_clark]

That's especially disturbing since if it really is broken you've lost aperture control as well.

[brian hanson]

Does your lens stop down when you release the shutter?

[jordangoulder]

OK, so I think I got it working again. With the lens on, I set the shutter speed on Bulb and held down the shutter. The diaphram stopped down properly. Now the DOF preview is working fine. I am at a loss as to what was going on. Thanks for all the help.

[jack_fisher1]

My AE-1 was on the shelf for a year, and had the same problem until I turned the power switch on (?) Since then it works fine with the switch in any position.

 

Before returning the diaphragm setting ring to "A" position, be sure to turn the diaphragm setting ring to the largest (open) aperture; and then to "A". Otherwise the camera will not program the aperture automatically. This is not a fault. It is just the way the AE-1 works. Many users are confused, when all you have to do is twist the ring to the lens's maximum, before locking it on the "A".

 

Hope this helps.

 

JF

[steven_clark]

I think you may have the FD mount confused with the Nikon F. On FD cameras the aperture is indexed through a solid pin on the back of the lens, not through anything connected to the aperture itself.

[john_markanich]

Try Putting on a lens cap in a dark room, click the shutter, activate the multiple exposure lever and recock the shutter.