Canon A-1 issues

[specLegacy]

Hi all,

I've pulled my dad's old A-1 out of storage, but it seems to have a few issues. First is that it shows the 'EEEE EE' error when the lens is set to A. I've tried doing the reset with pressing the multi-exposure switch and turning the film advance lever, but no luck. I've gotten around this so far by just setting the aperture on the lens to match the aperture on the body, but that's quite fiddly.

The other issue is that it tries to overexpose by about 2 stops (compared the metering with my digital cameras).

Any thoughts on what's causing this, and whether there's a fix I can do myself?

Thanks in advance! Really love how the camera feels. Hope there's a way to get it working more reliably

Paul

 

[pentaxpete]

The problem with most cameras using 'electronics' is that if an 'Electric Current; has not been sent through the circuits for years some components die off -- for example I had a MINT MINOLTA X300 to test out for a Club member who had not used it for years and found the shutter would not work, even with fresh batteries and found on-line there is a 'condenser' in the base that fails if no electric current has passed for years.

 

[benjiboy]

I suggest you take it to a camera repairer and ask him to check it out and give you a quote for repairing it. A1's are all at least 27 years old and would benefit from a service. I had mine service about three years ago and although it cost about as much as the camera was worth it's like new now and I can look forward to many more years use. Certainly if the camera was your dad's and is of sentimental value to you I would personally have it repaired.

 

[specLegacy]

Thanks for the replies. I'll definitely take it to a repair shop to have it checked out. I got a little overexcited when I first found it and loaded the roll of film before making sure everything still functioned. Hopefully the shots turn out alright. I think I've at least been able to adjust for the quirks and gotten it to work well enough, but we'll see. It definitely also has the shutter squeak. Thought maybe it was just a funny sounding camera until I checked on youtube.