Canon A-Series SLR models- Guestbook/Message Board

Modern Classic SLRs Series :
Canon A-Series SLR models - Archived Messages/Guestbook Entries

Canon AV-1 (1979) Canon AT-1 (1978) Canon A-1 (1978)
Canon AL-1 (1982) Canon AE-1 (1976) Canon AE-1 P (1981)

| 751-800 |

From Ian Prince (Sat Apr 15 05:43:31 2000 ):
I am trying to find where i can purchase spare parts to repair the battery cover catch on my A1. ( UK based)
From Bob Mann (Sat Apr 15 02:39:16 2000 ):
Where do I purchase accessories and a users manual for my AT-1 ???
From jorge (Fri Apr 14 10:50:54 2000 ):
I have a canon A-1 and I would like to know more information on how to use my camera. if you have any info on this please give me a Email
From Tom (Thu Apr 13 23:56:40 2000 ):
Terry and Winston - yeah, I do know that the shutter controls the exposure, of course. Just wanted to make the explanation a little less complicated. But thanks for making the point. Terry - how much were those big bits of white glass going for in Japan? A lot cheaper? Is it possible to mail order from these stores?
From Amy (Thu Apr 13 23:22:11 2000 ):
I just started using my father's old Canon AV-1 camera. The camera seems fickle and sometimes will not fire when it is set on the "A" aperture priority setting. However, it always fires when it is set on the "B" bulb priority. Is there any way I can still take decent pictures setting it permanently on the "B" bulb setting, and if so, can I make use of the light meter on the inside to adjust shutter speed accordingly, rather than relying on the camera to do it for me automatically?
From Terry Carraway (Thu Apr 13 20:19:32 2000 ):
Carlos - Setting the lens to the A position sets the lens to automatic. Exactly how this interacts to get the desired exposure depends on the camera. The AE series are Shutter Speed priority only, in that you set the shutter speed, and the camera controls the aperture. The Program mode of the AE-1P only adds a mode where the camera selects both. On an A-1 you can also do Aperture Priority, where you select the aperture and the camera selects the appropriate shutter speed. The lens is still used set in the A position, you set the desired aperture with the same dial that you would use to set shutter speed.
From Terry Carraway (Thu Apr 13 20:16:33 2000 ):
Tom - The mirror does flip up, but the shutter curtains control the exposure. Next time you have the camera empty try this, with the back open, set a medium shutter speed, and trip the shutter. You will see the shutter curtains fly across the rectangular opening. Try a slow shutter speed (over 1/2 second) and you can see the first curtain open, and the second curtain close after the time set.
From Terry Carraway (Thu Apr 13 20:14:22 2000 ):
John - It sounds like a defective unit. These are not so rare as to be hard to find another one. Take it back. BTW according to Canon the A2 power winder only works on the AE-1P and the A-1, not the AE-1.
From Terry Carraway (Thu Apr 13 20:12:52 2000 ):
Bert - I have seen them for sale occasionally by KEH (www.keh.com) and they do come up for sale on eBay (www.ebay.com). I have not tried a Birght Screen myself, but have been considering one for my A-1. The viewfinder is very dark compared to my T90s.
From Silvio (Wed Apr 12 07:54:53 2000 ):
To CARLOS H. OLIVEIRA When the lens set on 'A' thats Shutter-speed Priority - you set the shutter speed and the camera sets the aperture you can see whats aperture will be set in the viewfinder. Basicly the Ae-1 doesnt have an Aperture Priority but you can press exposure preview switch an while it pressed look into the viewfinder. and turn the sutter speed dial until you get the aperture you want. hope this helps. Silvio.
From LoriKS (Sat Apr 22 04:19:07 2000 ):
Where on this site would I find the manual for A-L and other A series cameras. I have a small collection of the A series cameras which I love using but don't have all the manuals thanks
From Terry Carraway (Fri Apr 21 20:18:44 2000 ):
Matt - You have the infamous Canon A series shutter squeek, which is really due to the mirror. If you look at back messages you will find a lot of information about getting this fixed, which you should do. To just fix this problem, in the US expecct to pay about $40-$70. I would suggest a complete CLA (Clean, Lubricate, Adjust) which run about $100-$150. But then your camera will be like new for another 15-20 years.
From Matt Molyneux (Fri Apr 21 13:51:35 2000 ):
My A-1 squeeks when the shutter is relased! Why is this happening, and how can I myself fix it? I know it's the mirror thats making the noise too, not the shutter curtains or anything. Thanks for any imput you may have.
From Terry Carraway (Thu Apr 20 19:48:55 2000 ):
Castle - Currently no digital back replacements for these cameras. There is a company that has been advertising a drop in digital convertor, you just put it in like fil. They have been promising that it would be out "real soon now" for several years. If you want digital, buy a digital, for film, use your AE-1.
From The Castle (Thu Apr 20 19:25:32 2000 ):
I recently bought a Canon AE-1 camera at a yard sale for 25 dollars. I think I got a good deal. It takes marvelous photographs and I am very happry with it. I looked up information about it online and found this site. I was amazed it was almost 25 years old. I printed the manual and am getting the hang of this photography stuff :) My basic question is can I make the AE-1 into a digital camera? I have heard of a special back that you can put on it? Is it really possible? Thanks A lot :) Castle
From Jim5618 (Tue Apr 18 01:09:59 2000 ):
Ian, I think the A-1 has the same battery door as tha AE-1 and AE-1 program. If so these doors are still available form Canon, or were a few months ago. The AE-1 door is replaced by taking the top off the camera and sliding the hinge pin out the top. I imagine the A-1 is a similar set up. I think the number for Canon is 1-800-828-4040.
From Barefoot (Sun Apr 16 04:34:14 2000 ):
To Sivlvio ilia,, No. all of the Canon A series must have a battery to work.
From silvio ilia (Sun Apr 16 02:40:49 2000 ):
I was wondering , does the Ae-1p can be used without battery ,without metering of cource just to shoot?
From Terry Carraway (Sat Apr 15 07:10:56 2000 ):
Tom - THey were a good bit cheaper than in the US. As to mail order, it will be difficult. Japan is still a cash based culture. Credit cards are hard to deal with, especially for large amounts of money. To get approvals they have to telex the home country. Then there is the problem of trying to deal long distance with another language. If you are over there, it is worth shopping, otherwise, it is probably not worth the trouble. Of course if you know someone over there, it gets a lot easier. BTW I did see more than one BRAND NEW Canon FD camera and some lenses.
From Terry Carraway (Sat Apr 15 07:08:16 2000 ):
Ian and Bob - Start searching. Many things can be found in local shops. They tend to have boxes of odd bits around if you ask. Also try eBay (www.ebay.com), most everything seems to come up for sale every so often.
From Terry Carraway (Mon May 1 20:08:21 2000 ):
Martin - Your camera needs to be serviced. Take it to a shop and request a CLA (Clean, Lubricate and Adjust). The Canon A series does have a problem with the mirror dampening system over time. The lubricant dries out and the mirror starts making a squeeling noise, then it may lock up like yours.
From Kai Pin (Mon May 1 14:19:15 2000 ):
TO JODAT: Yes, it is possible but no one is willing to invest money and turn it into reality. Consumer digital cameras are affordable nowadays, so do many of the inkjet printers available. Furthermore, prototype digital backs for film-based cameras are designed strictly with the latest AF 35mm SLRs in mind. No one wants to bother themselves making new products for discontinued items. TO MARTIN: Send it to the nearest repair shop or Canon service center. For a mirror to jam in an A-series camera, it is something serious.
From jodat (Mon May 1 08:25:29 2000 ):
Is it possible to convert a AE-1 or a T series Canon to digital?
From Martin (Sun Apr 30 13:44:39 2000 ):
the mirror of my new acquisition (AE-1) is jammed up . how can i unjam it?
From Kai Pin (Sat Apr 29 15:34:46 2000 ):
BARBARA: If your camera is either the A-1 or the AE-1 Program, the other button is the exposure preview - to be used for activating the meter reading in the viewfinder in case the user might be worry that using the shutter button to do so will accidentally fires the shutter. FOR WES: Yes, you need to use both the 6V and 12 AA-size batteries on the Motor Drive MA to power the Canon A-1.
From barbara (Sat Apr 29 07:46:38 2000 ):
I have figured out the stopdown, I have figured out the exposure lock, but what is the other button on the side of the lens??
From WES (Sat Apr 29 05:31:59 2000 ):
will the motor drive for the canon a-1 power the camera with its own batteries? or do you need the 12 batties AND the 6v battery for the camera?
From Terry Carraway (Sat Apr 22 19:45:44 2000 ):
John - Thanks for the info. It has been a LONG time since I looked at the specs of the winders. I guess I was thinking about the lack of S mode on AE-1s. But it does sound like the one you havve is not 100%, but if it does the job for you, it is good.
From Winston (Sat Apr 22 12:21:33 2000 ):
Matt I have a friend who is a camera mechanic and he can do a canon squek service on you camera for $36.00 including return shipping.He has been repairing caneras for over 20 years.You can Email me if you need more info. Good luck
From John Laatsch (Sat Apr 22 09:04:24 2000 ):
To Terry Carraway: Please refer to my message(Mon Apr 10 07:18:40 2000) and your reply (Thu Apr 13 20:14:22 2000). According to the manual, which I now have, for the Canon Winder A2, it states that it will work on all A series cameras. On the AE-1, it will be continuous in either the S or the C mode as long as the shutter button is held down. On the A-1 and the AE-1P, it will work each time the shutter button is depressed in the S mode and continuous in the C mode. As I stated, the winder that I purchased does not work in the S mode on either my A-1 or AE-1. I agree that it may be defective. It however works just like the Winder A on the AE-1 when it is in the C mode. I did pay less for the Winder A2 than what other dealers were asking for the Winder A. In that perspective, I am still money ahead.
From Dr S (Thu May 4 05:25:50 2000 ):
Hi Herr Don. Welcome to the world of A series Canon. You have bought a nice 17 year old camera used only by grandma on Sunday picnics. In that time, stuff happens. Dirt and fungus get into the viewfinders. Every finder. Shutter lubrication which is grease and the dampening shafts and stuff need attention eventually. And the lubricant in some lenses, particularly lenses with lots of cams and levers. For the zoom push pull, maybe working it a lot will loosen it up. For the viewfinder if it bothers you, it will need disassembly and cleaning. That usually means overhaul and I think the going rate is over 150 bucks, unless you got a friend in the business. Anyway, what is called a CLA actually may mean a lot of disassembly and if you have to know how to put it together again. Dr S always winds up with extra spacers and pieces, himmel. From what I hear the squeak in the mirror damper is going to get worse and eventually lock the mirror mechanism. If the price was a superbargain, be philosophical, and send the body and the lens to a Canon Fixer for complete tuneup estimate. Or just use the stuff until it locks up and buy some more. Think of it as equal to 20 medium size pizzas to fix. A fair investment...You know I wonder if those auction peoples said " Nice looking camera,clean, intermittent squeak." Auctions are what we call the crapshoot, but you can unload it if you need on someone else. But you got maybe a good price I think. Dr S. c/o Wattatush, MT.
From Don (Thu May 4 00:04:33 2000 ):
Hello....I just picked up a very nice appearing AE-1 Program off an online auction. While everything seems to operate well, I have three specific questions/observations. 1. Yup, got one with the shutter squeek...I understand that means I have to take it in for lubrication...until I can do that, will it affect the actual taking of pictures (shutter speed)? 2. I see spots in the viewfinder. The Mirror looks pretty clean. Could they be stuck in the viewfinder? 3. One of the included zoom lenses has a lot of resistence manipulating the "zoom tube" back and forth. Is their oil for such things?? Thanks much. Any tips would be appreciated.
From ben meihack (Wed May 3 10:41:05 2000 ):
hi all i have just purchased an ae-1 which is just awesome, but i need some lenses, mainly a phish eye between 8mm and 17 and then a wide angle betweed 18-35 i guess any lenses between those are good can anyone ehlp me out? thanks ben meihack, i dont get to read this mesage board alot so if you can help me or have any ideas please email as well as posting on this baords.
From Winston (Wed May 3 10:14:14 2000 ):
Brian You can get a battery door for the AE-1 from Canon, you have to remove the camera top cover plate to replace it, or we can do it for you. Labor and material $36.00 including return shipping,
From Brian Richards (Wed May 3 07:13:26 2000 ):
I have a Canon AE-1. The battery cover on the front is cracked. Is a replacement available?
From barbara (Wed May 3 06:19:31 2000 ):
I know I have read about this some pages back, but now I can't find the answer: Will a linear polarising filter work on my ae1-p? I don't really understand the difference between cirular and linear filters. Are all filters linear/circular or only polarising?
From steven (Tue May 2 10:29:28 2000 ):
I have received a 135mm Sears lens for my AE-1 P and would like to know more about this lens. It is a model 202 made in Korea. What company made this lens for Sears?
From Richard (Tue May 2 05:03:44 2000 ):
I am a newcomer to photography and have just purchased a good condition A1. With the standard 50mm, lens photographs are slightly offset to one side. Even when I,ve taken great care to centre the subject it is still offset. Otherwise the pictures are pin sharp and perfect. Any ideas ?
From Scott (Tue May 2 05:02:35 2000 ):
I have an AE-1P and am looking for a replacement leather case. Any suggestions on where to find one?
From jim (Tue May 2 00:40:40 2000 ):
I've received an A-1 and power winder A as a gift. When the winder is attached and powered on I loose all exposure readings, they are replaced with an 'error' message display. The camera apparently is operational as photos taken with it are fine. I am assuming that they were taken at the settings shown in the display when the winder is turned off. I don't think that this is "normal", any explaination? Thank you
From Lyn P. (Sat May 6 08:53:51 2000 ):
Hi there! I was just wondering if anyone was selling an AE-1 or knew where I could buy one. If you could please email me that would be great! Thanks!
From Winston (Sat May 6 07:11:59 2000 ):
Chris, You can NOT lockup the mirror on the A-1 you can on the F-1 and FTb but not on the A's.
From Terry Carraway (Sat May 6 07:00:33 2000 ):
Chris - The main part of this site has the complete A-1 manual available online. WRT tightening the mount ring, I have never had to do this. I would probably take it to a shop.
From Terry Carraway (Sat May 6 06:59:21 2000 ):
Barbara - Yes, your AE-1P uses a circular polarizer. Either the AT or AV are the only A series Canons that can use linear polarizers.
From chris watts (Sat May 6 06:23:53 2000 ):
Two questions: (1) How do I lock the mirror on a Canon A1? It's not immediately apparent. (2) Is there an easy way to tighten a loose (and loosening) lens mounting ring on the A1. It is very slightly loose. (3) Great Site! Thanks, Chris
From barbara (Fri May 5 09:38:39 2000 ):
not wanting to sound stupid, should I assume my ae1-p is "beam-splitting" and buy a circular filter? I have used my camera for many years with no filters, but am interested in trying something new. How does this filter work?
From Terry Carraway (Thu May 4 20:37:24 2000 ):
Don - My A-1 recently developed the squeek. A complete CLA (Clean, Lube, Adjust) cost me $140. The thing works like new. You can find people who will just fix the squeek for about $40-$50. The shutter speed is not affected by the squeek, the noise comes from the mirror system. When it gets bad enough the mirror may jam up, or you might start seeing some artifacts in the pictures of the mirror not being fully out of the way. If you like the camera, a CLA is a good idea. WRT the spots, Dr S. gave you good advice. With a CLA many of those could go away.
From Terry Carraway (Thu May 4 20:33:40 2000 ):
Ben - If you can afford it, the best way to go is with Canon brand lenses. A few lenses are still available new, but most are only available on the used market. Canon made a 7.5mm and a 15mm fish eye lenses. They also made 14mm, 17mm, 20mm, 24mm, 28mm, and 35mm wide anlge lenses. The 24mm through 35 mm are available in various models with different maximum aperture. There are also 20-35 and 24-35 zooms. Take your pick.
From Terry Carraway (Thu May 4 20:31:12 2000 ):
Barbara - For most A and T series Canons use circular polarizers. Only polarizers have linear and circular types. Both have a piece of polarizing material in the front (rotatable) part. The Circular Polarizer has a randomizer in the back part, so the light that enters the lens is no longer polarized. The reason is the some cameras (most Canon F, A and T series) use a beam splitter in the metering system. A beam splitter also polarizes. And if you have two polarizers, and rotate one, the light transmission changes. So as you rotate the polarizer on the lens (linear) the beam splitter would pass more or less light to the meter, leading to wrong exposures. There is NOTHING wrong with using a circular polarizer on any camera, just in using a linear polarizer for cameras with beam splitter metering systems. BTW you will hear about it having to do with auto focus versus manual focus, not so, it is just that alomst every autofocus camera has a beam splitter metering system.
From Terry Carraway (Thu May 4 20:26:43 2000 ):
Jim - I would not use the winder. Even though the camera seems to be working fine, it may be causing damage. Either have the winder fixed, or get another one. They are fairly available used. Scott - The cases show up on eBay fairly often. I don't use them, in fact I hate them. Richard - I would take the camera in to be checked out. The mirror or the focusing screen may be out of alignment. If so, it should be a quick and cheap fix.

Messages : 001-050 | 051-100 | 101-150 | 151-200 | 201-250 | 251-300 | 301-350 | 351-400 | 401-450 | 451-500 | 501-550 | 551-600 | 601-650 | 651-700 | 701-750 | 751-800 | 801-850 | 851-900 | 901-950 | 951-1000 | 1001-1050 | 1051-1100 | 1101-1150 | 1151-1200 |

| Back | to Main Index Page of Canon A & T Series SLR Camera(s)
| Back | to A-Series Message Board OR explore the original Canon F-1(n), New Canon F-1, Canon T-90 site, A-Series that featured here and Other Canon T-Series Models

* The Eyes of Canon ...

Home - Photography in Malaysia

Copyright © 1999. leofoo ®. MIR Web Development Team. Credit: Richard Yeow, Simon of Canon Marketing, Message Maintainer: Terry Carraway, Irwin, Kaipin, Philip Chong, Dr StrangeLuv, Tom, Gerry, etc. Made with a PowerMac, broadcast with a Redhat Linux powered server.