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Canon EOS-AE-1 35mm SLR Camera - Page 6 Questions & Answers
Takes a picture when film advance lever is moved
The magnets that control the shutter are the likely suspect. Dirt and debris can cause them not to hold properly. Hence, it fires the shutter when you advance the film. It is something you can repair yourself. I can describe the procedure if you are interested.
Canon AE1 Shutter Problem
It could be a simple issue with the shutter magnets, or something more severe with the electronics. What does the meter needle do when you push the shutter release down? With the speed dial set at 1/125 or higher and no lens, the needle should move fairly high. If it pegs to the bottom right away, that is a bad sign.
You can check the magnets from the bottom with the cover removed. (2 screws) You can release the mechanicals of the shutter by pushing the silver lever arm (located next to the plastic shield around the magnet on the rewind side of the camera) toward the front of the camera. Be mindful of the spring attached
Back Cover
did you try lifting up the winding lever all the way out of the body?
AE-1Problems... Advance lever, Shutter, and more.
This happened to me to both the Canon's I had. I found out it was a dead battery. Once I replaced those it worked fine. The battery is hidden under the hand grip which can be taken off using a coin in the screw slot.
Sincerely,
Karin
Shutter Speed
If your shutter speeds are off you can compensate by changing the film speed setting,
quicker ( than should be ) shutter speeds require you to set the film speed to slower ASA .. KC
Automatic aperture setting on canon FD lenses not working on AE-1
You have a case of AE(auto exposure) Unit faulty or getting bad. It suppose to register as it move within the AE unit according to the exposure calculation but somehow it is broken. Technician usualy replace the AE unit and takes care of the problem. It can also be rebuilt if new parts are not available. This requires complete disassembly and mirror box removal. The average cost of repair probably runs around $100. Yes, "A" mode is correct for most of the shots and it was a state of art electronic system and more computerized than you think. It has 3 IC chips in there for precessing and 1 chip for the exposure. All works together for good. -James
Just purchased from an auction. the film advance
The first to check is the battery condition. Press the battery check button on the top cover and see where the meter needle rests in the VF. If the needle is above 5.6, battery is getting weak and it will cause irratic shutter release or no release. It's time to change the battery. If needle is below 5.6, then you have magnet problem or other fault. -James. For further assistance by email, go to
www.camerarepairjapan.com
Change batteries
For the condition of the battery, press the battery check button on the top cover. If the needle in the VF pegs down below 5.6, the battery is still good and above 5.6, time to change the battery. Looking at the front of the camera, batter door is on the left of the lens. Replace with px28 type battery. Make sure contacts are cleaned with pencil eraser. Good luck. -James. For further assistance by email, go to
www.camerarepairjapan.com
Help with "B" setting
You press the shutter once and that opens the shutter (you do your light painting) then you press the shutter a second time to close the shutter.
When you press the shutter the first time and look in the view finder it will be dark . this is because the mirror has locked its self up while doing the exposure (this is normal) Once you click the shutter a second time the mirror will flop down and you will be able to see threw the viewfinder again.
Ok-- I would say it's fixed, but it's not
Ok, I'll break it down for you. Look down on top of the camera. On the right hand side, there is the shutter button. Just to the left of the shutter button is a small lever. It is between the shutter button and the camera...but it's part of the shutter button. Move the lever to turn it on and off.
Lens locked?
every time you change lenses if you are using a wide you have to lock shutter mirror back first
Canon ae1 film advance
On the very bottom inside the plate there are many cog gears with levers and retractor springs. One may had come off causing your problem
My mistake.
Ok, so now that you have rated 4 of my answers as Thanks for trying, it lowered my score. Alot. I tried to help you, the least you can do is go back in to each of your questions and rate my solutions as FixYa, so I don't lose my rating.
Rob
How do I turn this camera off ????
Hi there. The power off lever is on the shutter release button. (the button you press to take a picture).
There are 3 positions for this lever, they are:
Power off is the middle setting while Power on is the top setting and the Self-timer as the bottom setting.
Replace your battery and remember to move the lever to the middle position to turn it off when your done. Don't forget to rate my solution, and have fun with your camera!
Rob
My film advance lever will not advance
Make sure the arm that slides into top of the film canister is engaged all the way. Sometimes, if it doesn't seat properly, it won't hold the film canister tight enough.
Also, check to make sure the little film advance cogs are lined up properly with the holes in the edges of the film. This is the problem 90 percent of the time.
Rob
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