Canon A-1 doesn't like cold weather?

[TattyJJ]

I just got back from a short holiday in Budapest (which is AMAZING by the way!), the temperatures were pretty low, hovering around freezing or below most of the time, and i found it really didn't agree with my Canon A-1.
When warm it works perfectly, not even a hint of shutter squeak after i sorted it, but after being out in the cold i found the aperture would get stuck at whatever the picture was taken at and sometimes the mirror would get stuck up too. I have 3 different lenses and they all did the same so i know the issue isn't with them.
When you advance the film it all resets to how it should be.

Was wondering if this is normal or anyone else had experienced similar?

 

[wiltw]

Long ago, cameras used to be sent in for 'climatization'...thinner lubricants applied if camera expected to be used in freezing conditions. Some folks never sent their camera in for that...living in SF Bay area and not taking camera into freezing conditions for long periods, I did not need to (I would run for the fire and hot alcoholic drink long before my camera would get gummy in the cold!

The A-1 has been around for a very long time, its lubricants are probably the original ones that have gotten permanently gummy on their own (even when not in the cold) Camera is in need of a CLA...send the lens in at the same time.

 

[TattyJJ]

Long ago, cameras used to be sent in for 'climatization'...thinner lubricants applied if camera expected to be used in freezing conditions. Some folks never sent their camera in for that...living in SF Bay area and not taking camera into freezing conditions for long periods, I did not need to (I would run for the fire and hot alcoholic drink long before my camera would get gummy in the cold!

The A-1 has been around for a very long time, its lubricants are probably the original ones that have gotten permanently gummy on their own (even when not in the cold) Camera is in need of a CLA...send the lens in at the same time.

I did wonder if it could be something like this, was considering sending it for a service anyway.
Any suggestions for somewhere in the UK that won't cost me the earth?

 

[wiltw]

Do a Google search, talk to them on the phone to inquire about CLA with attention to get a camera functioning in the cold.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Long ago, cameras used to be sent in for 'climatization'...thinner lubricants applied if camera expected to be used in freezing conditions. Some folks never sent their camera in for that...living in SF Bay area and not taking camera into freezing conditions for long periods, I did not need to (I would run for the fire and hot alcoholic drink long before my camera would get gummy in the cold!

The A-1 has been around for a very long time, its lubricants are probably the original ones that have gotten permanently gummy on their own (even when not in the cold) Camera is in need of a CLA...send the lens in at the same time.

What he said. Time for a CLA.

 

[benjiboy]

At low temperatures batteries won't give out any current, the A1 is totally battery dependant if you want a camera that works at below zero get a Canon F1 or a Nikon F, if you keep them warm under your clothing they will both work down to minus30 .

 

[tdunn81]

Both my A1 and F1N are notoriously bad in cold weather (0 degrees C or colder). The A1 is way more sensitive to cold weather and the battery gets too cold. Canon has an accessory that lets you use AAs and connect to the A1 via a cable so you can keep the AA battery pack in your pocket. The F1N is supposed to work down to -30 degrees C thanks to its "Astro Oil"...but it doesn't anymore. Shutter release stops working, but meter functions normally.

 

[benjiboy]

The F1-N will work at extreme low temperatures fitted with the Motor Drive FN fitted with the Ni Cd High Power Battery Pack FN and Battery Connecting Cord FN (that replaces the camera battery and powers the camera off the motor drive High power NiCd battery. The camera were tested by Canon with this set up during the manufacturing process down to a temperature of - 60°

Both my A1 and F1N are notoriously bad in cold weather (0 degrees C or colder). The A1 is way more sensitive to cold weather and the battery gets too cold. Canon has an accessory that lets you use AAs and connect to the A1 via a cable so you can keep the AA battery pack in your pocket. The F1N is supposed to work down to -30 degrees C thanks to its "Astro Oil"...but it doesn't anymore. Shutter release stops working, but meter functions normally.

 

[TattyJJ]

I didn't have any issues at all with the battery getting too cold, just the mirror getting stuck up and occasionally the aperture getting stuck at whatever the picture was taken at rather than returning to fully open. Happened with all my lenses so pretty sure it was the camera...

Might send it off for a CLS, though i don't plan to go on many holidays to cold places. Still, a good service won't do any harm.