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)

| 901-1000 |

From Farrukh Najmi (Fri Jan 28 10:25:51 2000 ):
Hi, My AE-1 has served me faithfuly for 20 years. Recently for no apparent reason the meter in the viewfinder stopped moving and is stuck at the top. I replaced the battery and still it does not work normally or even when I press the battery test button. If I press the exposure test button in low light the red light i the bottom of viewfinder blinks normally, telling me the battery is OK. What can I do to test this further? Please send me email as I do not read this message board routinely.
From Terry Carraway (Fri Jan 28 09:44:36 2000 ):
Tom - There were not that many of them made and even less available for sale. I would love one, but not at that price. I understand that their performance does justify the price. I just wish I had picked that one up when I had the chance.
From Terry Carraway (Fri Jan 28 09:42:57 2000 ):
Eric - The squeek is not uncommon in Canon A series cameras. It may progress to be a big problem if you do not get it fixed. It can run as little as $40US range to have it fixed, or you can have it fixed as part of a CLA (Clean, Lube, Adjust) which is not a bad idea for a close to 20 year old camera. I just put my A-1 through this, also due to it developing a squeek. The problem is a rotating rod that acts to control and brake the mirror movement. It needs to be lubed. To get to it, you need to take out the mirror box, which is not that hard. What is hard is getting it back in. Not a home repair job.
From Terry Carraway (Fri Jan 28 09:39:14 2000 ):
Motor Drive Questions - The white button on the motor drive is the instant high speed button. When you push this, the motor drive goes to high speed, no matter where the dial is set. This takes dcare of those times when something happens when you need more frames NOW. As to using nicads in the pack, there is no over current protection with the MA battery pack. So if you fill it with nicads and something gets shorted out, you can melt everything nearby. Shorted nicads can generate a LOT of heat.
From Keith Baird (Fri Jan 28 02:59:34 2000 ):
Tom- The Positioning Guide 90 is a bracket that slips over the T90's battery chamber on the bottom of the camera to provide a larger flat surface for mounting the body on a copy stand.
From Tom (Fri Jan 28 01:06:01 2000 ):
Tom to Terry - thanks for all that - it will take me a couple of months to work that formula out though. Meanwhile, I'm off to the store to pick up five or six of those 150-600s (and to think that I had reckoned on an unreasonable price! ha!). Why so expensive? Did Canon only ever produce two of them? Forget it! I've just seen a picture of one in the '86 Lens Work and it's ugly anyway. So, does anyone else know what the heck a Canon Positioning Guide 90 is or does? And what does the little white button on the motordrive MA do?
From bill h. (Thu Jan 27 23:24:01 2000 ):
I just purchased a MA motor drive for my A-1, but I read on the Canon SLR site that rechargable ni-cad AA batteries cannot be used with the motor drive. Does anyone know why that is? will it cause damage?
From leofoo (Thu Jan 27 16:37:48 2000 ):
It needs a little courage to ask such a question on an open forum, thus, you deserve an answer here: It is simple, copy the URL (whole line undernealth) and paste onto the browser window and press enter: http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/canon/fdresources/SLRs/ae1/basic3.htm Listed under section "Setting the ISO Film Speed". The AT-1 is essentially an AE-1 without shutter priority automation, the film speed window is just next to the green "ASA" word.
From stupid question person (Thu Jan 27 10:38:19 2000 ):
i need to know how to set the film speed on a canon AT-1. help me.thank you.
From Curtis Browning (Thu Jan 27 03:30:05 2000 ):
I have a Canon AL-1 and the latch on the battery compartment is broken. If anyone out there knows where I can get parts for this camera, please email me. I bought it in 1982 and I hate to depart with it. Thanks in advance.
From Silent SKY (Mon Feb 7 12:52:23 2000 ):
Hey all... Im looking for a very expensive piece of material. Well not exactly that expensive, but nescessary. I need a MOTOR-DRIVE for a CONAN FD/AE-1 PROGRAM. I am also looking for a good fisheye lens. Thnx Silent SKY.
From nojoeking (Sat Feb 5 16:39:29 2000 ):
greetings to all A-1 users. does any one encounter a problem with the shutter realese button not responding. it sometimes won't let me take a shot. what gives? can anyone one enlighten me? i wonder? -nojoeking
From Terry Carraway (Thu Feb 3 23:15:36 2000 ):
PL - Check back through past messages on this board, I remember this coming up before. If it doesn't happen anymore, don't worry about it. Ron - The single place I would start would be eBay (www.ebay.com). I have seent hem for sale there. KEH (www.keh.com) also occasionally has various focusing screens. The last thing would be to go to Beattie or Bright Screen (both have web sites). They can make replacement screens for your camera with any form of focusing/framing aid you want.
From ron bloom (Thu Feb 3 21:57:36 2000 ):
I have a Canon AE-1 Program, and I am looking where I can get a replacement part - 'New Split rangefinder focusing screen' ?
From Winston (Thu Feb 3 10:33:42 2000 ):
PL It could be the release magnet that is week and causing the shutter to fire when you advance the film. Send me a E-mail if you need a price on service for your camera.
From PL (Thu Feb 3 08:21:29 2000 ):
Re: my message below: My camera is an AE1 PROGRAM, if that matters.
From PL (Thu Feb 3 08:17:51 2000 ):
I have a Canon AE1 I got at a pawn shop. Have taken some good pictures with it, but I'm sure no expert. There are no classes in my area---Is there a book anyone can recommend that would help me with my particular camera. ALSO, I had a bit of trouble with the camera a while back- the shutter would release as I pulled the film advance lever. I wound the roll of film back up, took it out, reloaded with another roll and have had no more problems. What was wrong?
From peter N. (Tue Feb 1 23:05:04 2000 ):
Im looking for a G20 Unit Sensor (connecting wire from hotshoe to speedlite 533G/ 577G). Anyone out there has one or know someone with one that wants to get rid of? thanks. Email: petermails@aol.com
From winston (Sat Jan 29 07:09:37 2000 ):
To Loon you can call Canon 1 800 828 4040 for a manual I think it cost $8.00 including shipping they only have photo copy of the older cameras.Winston
From Loon (Sat Jan 29 00:22:19 2000 ):
My mother recently started a photo. class and uses her AE-1 Program. She needs the booklet on a zoom lens that she uses with and the booklet about the camera. If you could give me a location where I coulld get one I would be grateful.
From Dale Olson (Fri Feb 18 12:00:47 2000 ):
I have a Canon AE-1. The shutter "stuck" open. The only way I could get it to close was to remove the battery. Then after fiddling with the shutter speed setting and/or the ASA setting, the shutter began to work properly. However, now the light meter doesn't read (meter drops to the bottom on preview). Think it might also be related to the shutter speed/ASA setting dial, but don't know. Any suggestions? Help! Thank you.
From Winston (Wed Feb 16 12:27:53 2000 ):
Jason The 199A has a switch on the back to select weather you want the flash to change shutter speed, or use manually set speed. Winston
From jim5618 (Tue Feb 15 22:59:02 2000 ):
Kathy, Sounds like there is a problem with the lens. Try taking the lens off the camera and moving the focus ring. There isn't a feature on the program that would cause the ring to not move. If it won't move the lens is froze up and you would likely need a new one.
From Kathy Campbell (Tue Feb 15 09:23:15 2000 ):
I am using an AE-1 P borrowed from my high school art dept. I teach science and we want to use it to take s of science fair projects. I cannot get the focus ring to turn! The art dept. has long since lost the instructions. Help!
From Jason (Sun Feb 13 06:29:45 2000 ):
Is it possible to set the shutter speed to slower than 60 when using one of the Canon speedlites (155a, 199a) with an A1? I've read that it is, but everytime I try and set my shutter speed lower for slow sync stuff, it still reads 60 in the viewfinder and the camera fires at 60. This is whether it's set on manual or not. Am I doing something wrong, is this just the way the camera operates? Can anyone shed some light on this for me? My goal is to do slow sync flash photography at rock shows, hopefully with a shutter speed of at least 1 second.
From peterN (Fri Feb 11 23:03:17 2000 ):
Greetings, Im the original owner of an A1 camera and speedlite 533G. I love both the camera and the flash. But recently the flash fell "sick" and the Unit Sensor G20 is responsible for this illness. I can't seem to be able to locate another G20. Im considering purchasing a different flash and unable to decide among the 199A, 244T, 277T, or 299T. Any input on this issue is greatly appreciated (or anyone wanting to sell a Unit Sensor G20 please let me know).
From Dr S (Thu Feb 10 08:25:59 2000 ):
Terry I know you are right, but is the reason just so. Not important, but I think that all the electronic shutters operate without springs. Does anyone know the shutter design. This was a reason older fotographers used to say that Compur shutters on Hasselblad Zeiss needed adjustment, but die Japanese, those electronic blitzkriegers, made shutters that could be kept in "cocked" (nicht "cocked,"what is the right word you know what I mean) Who is the teknician who repairs A-1 cameras. Tell us, bitte, how the shutters operate. Magnets, springs or how? Danke, danke. Dr S still in the shaft, where we FD hackers drink Slivovitz and Schweppeswasser to keep warm in winter.
From Terry Carraway (Mon Feb 7 23:40:19 2000 ):
EricS - Dont' worry about leaving the shutter cocked for a year. The springs are not that weak as to be troubled by this. I leave all my shutters cocked, and my A-1 has been cocked for almost 20 years except when actually being fired (I had a power winder or motor drive on it for almost its entire life). As to other service, as long as it is working fine, there is nothing that you really need. Some people have their cameras CLAd (Cleaned, Lubed, Adjusted) on a regualr basis. I recently did my A-1, but it had to go in as it developed the infamous Canon A series shutter squeek. So I figured while it was in anyway, just have them go over it and take care of things.
From Terry Carraway (Mon Feb 7 23:34:59 2000 ):
Silent SKY - Check used camera suppliers like KEH (www.keh.com) or check on eBay (www.ebay.com). They are fairly common, and run about $200 with the battery pack MA (takes 12 AA cells). The NiCd packs run more, especially with the charger. You also have to make sure that the NiCd pack is still good. They do have a limited life. As for a good fisheye, Canon made a 7.5mm fisheye and a 15mm fisheye. The 7.5 gives 180 degrees is view in a circle on the negative. The 15mm gives you 180 degrees from corner to corner. Both are fairly rare and tend to be expensive. There are some fish eye adpaters that hook on the end of a normal lens. Try Porter's (www.porters.com).
From EricS (Mon Feb 7 21:46:54 2000 ):
Hello. I have an A-1 that I bought brand new in 1983. I haven't used the camera for about a year. When I used it for the first time after a year I found out that I had left the shutter cocked for the whole time I kept it in my cabinet. Is it possible that I strained the springs and now have inaccurate shutter settings? Can I have the shutter calibrated? What type of maintenance should I give the camera after all that time? Thanks for any info.
From MarK (Tue Feb 22 22:31:36 2000 ):
Hello Everyone... Can someone please price me a secon hand FD 24-80 F3.5 Macro Lens. BTW, it's not a Canon lens, something like Tam??ka not Tamron either. It's priced 145USD... is it too expensive ? Please answer me soon
From Winston (Tue Feb 22 11:28:35 2000 ):
Ed, Looks like you had the lens cap on for the blank shots Hopfuly, If not it is the shutter circuit that is badgoing bad. do another test and see
From leofoo (Mon Feb 21 14:01:46 2000 ):
No, that is not true. Tamron has a adaptall lens adaptor designed for Canon FD lens mount. Full AE operations and (Shutter priority and Programmed AE) compatibility between Camera and lenses should retain with your current Tamron lens. Unless you have been using manual mode all these while and it's not difficult to find out at all. I am so sorry that if there are any sections mentioned in this site mislead you to think your lens cannot work in AE mode with your AE-1P. Please point them to me (and/or the maintainers of this site mentioned below at this message board) the whereabouts of such content and I will re-edit them accordingly. Thanks.
From Kevin (Mon Feb 21 12:39:38 2000 ):
I own an AE-1Program with a Tamron 28-200 lens. Now, after reading the info on this site, I found out I need a Canon FD lens to use my AE option. Now, can someone please explain what this is exactly? My flash is not a Speedlite one either. If I buy a Canon FD lens, does that mean I can take pictures like a compact auto camera? I've noticed on EBay that there are other brands of these FD lens. Are they perfectly compatible with my AE-1P, and will they have that AE functionality? Sorry to ask so many questions, but I am a beginner. Thanks all.
From Ed (Mon Feb 21 00:22:39 2000 ):
Winston, thanks for the feedback. The missing frames were 3,5-10,18,23-24. Almost like the shutter is sticking? I'm not very familar with the workings of the camera, bought it to begin learning a little more about Photography with my kids. Thanks for your help.
From winston (Sun Feb 20 23:07:43 2000 ):
Ed. Was it the high or low #s that were blank? The battery don't have any thing to do with the rewind on the canon AE-1P. How did you know you were at the end of the film, went you rewind it? Need to know the answers and I maybe able to help. Winston
From Dr S (Sun Feb 20 08:43:03 2000 ):
Dr S to Ed: Verrry interesting and exhausting. Hypothesis Number One is a weak battery. Hypothesis No 2 is that you accidentally activated the mid roll rewind function. Both lousy theories. But what can you expect from diagnostics like this. Blank is not always blank, if you know what I mean. Try a second roll with fresh battery and see and listen and watch the shutter with no film in camera too. Gut Luck. Dr S. c/o Permafrost, Montana, where a moose is a man's best friend and camera subject too.
From Ed Seplak (Sun Feb 20 04:51:08 2000 ):
I recently purchased a used Canon AE-1Program. I just ran my first roll of film through the camera (AS200-24) and only got 11 exposures. The others were blank. Any thoughts as to what could be wrong ? The camera was purchased as a working - A+ Camera.
From Dr S (Sun Feb 20 00:07:15 2000 ):
Dr S to John. Halo at certain focal lengths with a Sears zoom lens could be maybe that you don't have a proper hood for that old fellow. Or the lens is just a not so gemutlich lens with not so good coating. The problem is that if you like a zoom lens, which must have lots of lens elements, you are going to be happier with a Canon FD zoom lens. Now mein friend, not to get away mad. Sears I like for those nifty RoboGrip wrenches,- although Craftsman did industrial sabotage and lifted Dr S's design I work on in the mineshaft. But on Sears zoom lenses you don't get the lifetime Craftsman warranty. Wiedersehen. Buy Canon FD lens from Herr Carraway.
From John Ryder (Sat Feb 19 10:19:37 2000 ):
I have a Canon AE-1 Program. I've got a Sears model 28-70mm lense. The problem I have is sometimes when I take a picture with this lense, the picture has a halo around the outer edges of the print. What could be the problem? Any help is appreciated. Thanks
From Barefoot (Sat Feb 26 04:58:18 2000 ):
Hey Dr. S. I live out here in Hoosier Land and I purchased an Albinar zoom lens from a guy in the Land of Lincoln. Not to worry, I got it for song ( not that I sing well ). My question to you is. Who made these things? And what happened to them? Your wisdom and wit would be eagerly awaited. P.S. All of my other lenses are FDs.
From jim5618 (Sat Feb 26 04:42:35 2000 ):
Jim K., best bet is to watch for a parts camera to sell on ebay or search the closed auctions. Email the winning bidder and see if they will sell you the part. I have a couple of the spools from AE-1's if it is the same part I will let you have one cheap.
From Jim K. (Sat Feb 26 02:42:39 2000 ):
I have a very nice A-1 that I really like. The film advance drive sprocket is broken and the local shop here deemed it unrepairable. I know there are a lot of A-1's out there. I was wondering if anyone has located a place where parts may be found. Is there any way to find a A-1 graveyard or where I could purchase an old A-1 to be used for spare parts?
From jim5618 (Fri Feb 25 03:27:09 2000 ):
ODD PROBLEM - I have a camera and a few lenses that I bought that were obviously stored for a period of time and have a musty sort of smell to them that is rather strong. Any Ideas how to "deoderize" them?
From jim5618 (Fri Feb 25 03:22:24 2000 ):
Ed, Another possibility is that the light seals are bad(foam around the door). I had a camera with this problem and what would happen is that if I took shoots relatively quickly they would be ok. if I set the camera down the light leak would spoil the current frame. This may explain the problem. If you take a roll to a good photo developer they can probably tell you if the film was never exposed (stuck shutter) or over exposed.
From Dr S (Thu Feb 24 22:37:03 2000 ):
Dr S to suresh. Check the Frequently Asked Questions section of this bulletin board.(Hoops, I forgot, we don't got one of those yet, a shame.) Unless you are living in North Slope Alaska, there are at least six reliable repair and well tried technicians who will work on the A-1 and even have some parts. In fact earlier pages of this BB have the names and locations, but I let you look cause the mooses/meeses need feeding on the plains out here. Dr Strangelieb c/o Avalanche Falls, MT
From suresh (Thu Feb 24 17:21:50 2000 ):
I have a good working condition Canon A1 from 1980 and was disappointed when Canon officially discontinued support for it. Of course they do still service it, so I am told. Anyone here know where I should go for replacements or spare parts, if such a need arises in the future?
From leofoo (Thu Feb 24 12:37:04 2000 ):
"Dr Strangeluv" is a very knowledgeable Canon user. He likes to joke around and have added some much 'fun and sparks' on the few message boards of Canon in PIM. I don't think it means hostile of what he posted earlier, anyway: Personally, I agreed with him - I think the price tag with that Tokina you mentioned was too expensive and the amount could be wisely invested into an original Canon FD lens if you are patience enough to shop around, that's all. Peace to all..
From MarK (Wed Feb 23 22:18:45 2000 ):
Hey Dr. *S* why are you so much bugged about my question, I need help and just asked... Anyway It's a Tokina, anyway you say it's too expensive or what??
From Dr S (Wed Feb 23 08:23:20 2000 ):
Dr S to Mark. Don't go away mad, but just go away. 'Raus! Pricing an unidentified used lens of uncertain make, who gives ein sheist. Go look at the E-Bay sales for past auctions of third party lenses and don't bother us no more bitte. But Have a Nice Day liebschen. If you are not using Canon FD optics you are paying too much no matter what. O

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.