Broken Canon AE-1 Program for 40$

[robonfilm]

I could almost blindly buy a Canon AE-1 Program for around 40$ shipped without the lens (see pics) that seems to be in good aesthetic condition but does not work. The advance lever does not travel as if the shutter was already loaded. Do you think it makes sense to buy it, maybe try to fix it and sell it, or is better to leave it be?

I have some (limited) experience with servicing this model and I know of a very common problem with shutter magnets that has a pretty easy fix.

Comments other than vote much appreciated.

 

[Don_ih]

Was it tried with a battery? It needs a battery to fire the shutter.

 

[Chan Tran]

The camera may be OK because it needs the battery to release the shutter. If the shutter is already cocked you can't advance the film any more until the shutter is released. It's black which is rare. I paid $17 for a chrome one with the 50mm f/1.4 at an estate sales.

 

[MartinCrabtree]

I'd take that risk.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

I could almost blindly buy a Canon AE-1 Program for around 40$ shipped without the lens (see pics) that seems to be in good aesthetic condition but does not work. The advance lever does not travel as if the shutter was already loaded. Do you think it makes sense to buy it, maybe try to fix it and sell it, or is better to leave it be?

I have some (limited) experience with servicing this model and I know of a very common problem with shutter magnets that has a pretty easy fix.

Comments other than vote much appreciated.

View attachment 373924 View attachment 373925 View attachment 373923

if you've got money to burn, go for it.

 

[1957ExaktaVarexIIa]

I think I would not buy it.
Last year I helped an old friend to auction off her A-1 (not AE-1 P) which looked pretty "road worn" but it worked. We weren't absolutely sure if there might not have been a very little bit of canon asthma. But we might have been wrong and actually everything was fine.
She earned about 50 € (55 US$).

Sure, without lens, but you might always obtain a good FD 50mm f/1.8 at a low price.

 

[robonfilm]

Was it tried with a battery? It needs a battery to fire the shutter.

Yes, could be, but the sellers seemed knowledgeable enough so I doubt he didn’t try that

 

[robonfilm]

The camera may be OK because it needs the battery to release the shutter. If the shutter is already cocked you can't advance the film any more until the shutter is released. It's black which is rare. I paid $17 for a chrome one with the 50mm f/1.4 at an estate sales.

Wow great deal, especially if the lens is in good condition. I payed 50$ for my nFD 50mm f1.4 in literally immaculate condition, so I’m happy with what I payed!

 

[robonfilm]

I think I would not buy it.
Last year I helped an old friend to auction off her A-1 (not AE-1 P) which looked pretty "road worn" but it worked. We weren't absolutely sure if there might not have been a very little bit of canon asthma. But we might have been wrong and actually everything was fine.
She earned about 50 € (55 US$).

Sure, without lens, but you might always obtain a good FD 50mm f/1.8 at a low price.

Yes, I see. I should have mentioned that I already have a 50mm 1.4 lens along with other FD glass.

I wanted to buy it out of curiosity because I primarily shoot an A-1, AT-1 (greatly underrated camera), and a Nikkormat FT2 and I want to know what the AE-1 P hype is about.

So it’s meant to be sold soon anyway, at a profit if I can repair it or without a loss if I can’t.

 

[robonfilm]

Anyway I’m leaning toward buying because based on what I see online I think I could be able to at least recoup the money even if it’s not a viable repair if not making a slight profit out of it

 

[MFstooges]

Depends on where you live. In my area one person meal in a non fast food restaurant could cost you $45 in average. This money will be flushed down the toilet the next morning.
You can asses the feasibility without opening the camera too much I think. If you can't fix it then sell it again for half the price.

 

[robonfilm]

Depends on where you live. In my area one person meal in a non fast food restaurant could cost you $45 in average. This money will be flushed down the toilet the next morning.
You can asses the feasibility without opening the camera too much I think. If you can't fix it then sell it again for half the price.

Same here. The camera would cost just about the average non fast food meal. I just wanted to make sure that even if the repair is not feasible I could make some money back (preferably all)

 

[88E30M50]

I've found that about 80% of broken cameras that I've bought can be brought back into service with very little work. The AE-1P that I restored had gotten wet, then stored that way, so the top cover was badly messed up with corrosion and pealing plating. The underside didn't look good either. Even with all of that, the camera only needed a new top cover and the bottom outer edges carefully cleaned with a soft wire brush on a dremel. I paid $40 for it with a junk lens attached and after the new top cover ($15) and light seals ($3), I have a very nice working camera for under $60.

Most other cameras have just needed cleaned, lubed and fresh light seals to bring them back into service. Of the 9 A-1s in the collection, 3 have become parts cameras. Two were bought as basket cases with missing parts, so those really don't count as they never were intended to be restored. Only 1 A-1 has been a problem child with an electrical gremlin that I just cannot fix. That's one of the only failures I've had in restoration in about 50 cameras to date.

I'd say, go for it. If it does not work out, you've still spend a relatively small sum that delivered a fun couple of evenings of exploration.