Canon AE 1 Program L/M LED not working

mwelsh · Mar 18, 2011

I'm not sure if anyone can help me. I've searched for an answer online and I've already searched this forum as well and have come up empty handed.

My problem is I can't get an LED reading from the light meter on my AE1P. I just got this camera and I don't know when the last time was that it worked. I didn't have a clue what I was looking for when I bought it.
I'm sure the meter actually works because it will pick different shutter speeds according to the availlable light.
It just won't light up in the viewfinder.
Let me know what you think.
Thanks.

Mark

Diapositivo · Mar 19, 2011

I don't have a specific experience with that camera, but I would try to change the battery. The case may be that the battery is low and cannot light the LEDs, while the rest of the camera functions seem to work correctly. In some cameras there is no battery check routine: if the LEDs do not emit light, the battery is too low.

Hope it is nothing worse than that
Fabrizio

Jeff Kubach · Mar 19, 2011

I don't know about the AE-1P but on the A-1 there is a switch on top where you can turn the meter on/off.

Jeff

benjiboy · Mar 19, 2011

Jeff Kubach said:
I don't know about the AE-1P but on the A-1 there is a switch on top where you can turn the meter on/off.

Jeff

I know it's splitting hairs Jeff, but it doesn't actually turn the A1 meter off only the red LED display in the viewfinder, the camera is still metering.

Jeff Kubach · Mar 19, 2011

benjiboy said:
I know it's splitting hairs Jeff, but it doesn't actually turn the A1 meter off only the red LED display in the viewfinder, the camera is still metering.

You're right!

Jeff

mwelsh · Mar 19, 2011

Thanks you guys. I did switch the battery. The battery chamber is clean. The terminals are clean. I even cleaned them some more. I tried adding some tinfoil to increase the pressure on the negative terminal to see if it would connect. Then I realized that the meter is working it just doesn't light up. I didn't read anywhere about a switch to turn off the LED's in the manual. It's like something is not connecting. I've scoured the net and have found nothing similar so far. I might have to bite the bullet and have it tested at our local repair shop and see what he says.

hpulley · Mar 19, 2011

I don't have the Program model, I have the original AE-1 but it doesn't have an LED for metering, it has a needle. It has an LED warning M for when you're in manual mode and also an underexposure warning LED, both flash. But for normal metering there is no LED, just a needle which indicates the aperture it will choose since it is a shutter speed priority only camera.

Tony-S · Mar 19, 2011

Have you looked at the manual to see if there's a setting for it?

http://www.butkus.org/chinon/canon/canon_ae-1_program/canon_ae-1_program.htm

CD55 · Mar 19, 2011

I have an AE-1P and there is no switch for turning the LED on/off. So is the whole right side of the viewfinder not lighting under any circumstance? Have you put it on manual mode to see if the "M" lights up? How about setting the camera for over/under exposure to see if the "1" or "32" lights blink? If there is nothing then you'll probably have to bring it in for service.

mwelsh · Mar 19, 2011

Ya. I've checked everything I can think of or that has been suggested. I'm considering a service. I'm just not affording it yet.

CD55 · Mar 19, 2011

Since you say just the LED doesn't work but still meters correctly, you can of course still use the camera. I can see though how not being able to see the settings can be kind of irritating even though the exposure will be correct.

CanonShot · Mar 19, 2011

mwelsh said:
My problem is I can't get an LED reading from the light meter on my AE1P.
Mark

http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/canon/fdresources/SLRs/ae1pgrm/html/basic1.htm

Scroll down to "Checking the Battery"

1) Turn the main dial to "A".
2) Then, press the battery check button. Shooting is possible if you
hear about six or more "beeps" per second. If the camera beeps slowly
(about three or fewer "beeps" per second), there is not enough power.
In this case, replace the battery.

The shutter release button must be pressed halfway down to activate
the meter and LED displays.

mwelsh · Mar 19, 2011

I appreciate all of the responses. I will probably attempt to clean up the shutter squeal and use a handheld light meter for exposure. I think I will just buy another one someday. I had an AE 1 with a vivitar 135 f2.8 and I sold it on the bay in an attempt to make some money on it. That was a more foolish mistake than buying this camera without the light meter working.
Its too bad. I wanted to let my brother use it with a Tamron 200mm that I have. Not happening now. >__< Chow!

benjiboy · Mar 22, 2011

mwelsh said:
I appreciate all of the responses. I will probably attempt to clean up the shutter squeal and use a handheld light meter for exposure. I think I will just buy another one someday. I had an AE 1 with a vivitar 135 f2.8 and I sold it on the bay in an attempt to make some money on it. That was a more foolish mistake than buying this camera without the light meter working.
Its too bad. I wanted to let my brother use it with a Tamron 200mm that I have. Not happening now. >__< Chow!

The "shutter squeal" isn't the shutter at all ,so don't mess with it , it's a dry bearing in the mirror braking mechanism.[/B]

mwelsh · Mar 24, 2011

Thanks for the heads up on the shutter squeal. I've already looked into that and understand the problem. I haven't tackled it and because I don't know what I'm going to do with the camera yet. I think I might try to resell it and attempt to recoup something or keep it for a spare in case I get another one. I guess I'm saying I'm over it. LOL

elekm · Mar 25, 2011

It sounds to me like there is a fault in the electronics. And it could be anything from a disconnected wire to a small break in the circuit.

My own feeling is that it's not worth trying to track down and correct. You could find it right away, or you could spend the rest of the year trying to trace the problem.

This isn't a rare camera. It's a Canon, and those are "dime a dozen," so to speak.

Your choice is either to use the camera "as is," or replace it. I probably would replace it. Canons are plentiful and cheap.

benjiboy · Mar 25, 2011

All the Canon A series cameras are at least twenty three years old the vast majority of them have never had any any maintenance, to expect to buy one off ebay that's a reliable working tool without spending any money on it is unrealistic, and there's no guarantee that if you buy another one it won't have the same or another fault that's worse, I would suggest when thinking about buying elderly cameras and you aren't a collector who just wants to look at them you factor into the equation the cost of a CLA.

Canon AE 1 Program L/M LED not working

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