Canon AE-1 trouble shoot

Anthony Boettcher · Jun 13, 2017

Good day everybody!

I am new here in the forum and am also planning to stay! I've recently dabbled more into analog film photography after finding an old Canon AE-1 and Contax RTS II with a 1.4 lens in my basement.

I digress. After having shot 2 rolls of film with my AE-1, I noticed that there seems to be a light leak or something like that. Sorry for not being very specific but I've attached a picture for reference. Weird enough, usually the last image turns out to be fine. I've also removed a small lump of dampening material that I found stuck behind the mirror.

So far I can rule out X-ray or heat exposure for these artifacts if you can call them that. I also taped off the back and the seams of the camera on the second roll but that didn't help.

naeroscatu · Jun 13, 2017

Hi Anthony, welcome to APUG. I'm sure more people will jump in. IMO this looks more of a shutter problem than a light leak. If that is the case then your AE-1 needs a CLA (clean lube adjust). You should test the RTS II too - you will probably have better luck with the Contax. Cheers

Anthony Boettcher · Jun 13, 2017

naeroscatu said:
Hi Anthony, welcome to APUG. I'm sure more people will jump in. IMO this looks more of a shutter problem than a light leak. If that is the case then your AE-1 needs a CLA (clean lube adjust). You should test the RTS II too - you will probably have better luck with the Contax. Cheers

Thank you! What a shame. Gotta see what I can do about that... I know how to work on cars but not cameras. A clean service here in Germany is at around $70.

Regarding the Contax, it seems that the advance lever is stuck. Battery and everything else was replaced. My father pointed out he paid a lot of money or the Zeiss lense.

Thanks for your kind welcoming!

naeroscatu · Jun 13, 2017

I understand, don't get discouraged though; there are good functional cameras to be found for $20-$40 or so just be patient and look on line. KEH.com is a good source and their prices are reasonable plus offering a return policy.

Anthony Boettcher · Jun 13, 2017

naeroscatu said:
I understand, don't get discouraged though; there are good functional cameras to be found for $20-$40 or so just be patient and look on line. KEH.com is a good source and their prices are reasonable plus offering a return policy.

Thanks for the head up! Currently experimenting with my Smena M8. Also found a serviced AE-1 for 45 Euros. However, could you elaborate on what precisely doesn't seem to be working with my shutter? Maybe I can upload a youtube video to demonstrate it's condition as well.

Chan Tran · Jun 13, 2017

Your shutter seems to stick that is the 2 curtains didn't travel at the same speed and across the frame. Actually if I were you I would try to shoot a lot of blank shots like a few hundreds and then try with film again. Open the back shooting blank and look at the shutter you may or may not see the problem.

AgX · Jun 13, 2017

A shutter failure would not produce such a bent edge-line. Nor would it produce a reddish hue.

That artefact of alternating short pieces of white and red exposures can be explained by a leaky hinge-seal.

Anthony Boettcher · Jun 14, 2017

AgX said:
A shutter failure would not produce such a bent edge-line. Nor would it produce a reddish hue.

That artifact of alternating short pieces of white and red exposures can be explained by a leaky hinge-seal.

That seems to be quite reasonable since I checked the condition of mine and it seems quite deteriorated. It would also explain why the last picture is fine since I rewind the film right after I'm done.

Anthony Boettcher · Jun 14, 2017

Chan Tran said:
Your shutter seems to stick that is the 2 curtains didn't travel at the same speed and across the frame. Actually if I were you I would try to shoot a lot of blank shots like a few hundreds and then try with film again. Open the back shooting blank and look at the shutter you may or may not see the problem.

Have been doing many blank shots. Curtain moves just fine and so does the mirror, but I noticed that the padding for the mirror is gone.

naeroscatu · Jun 14, 2017

As mentioned by AGX check the seals all around the back of the camera. You may need to change all of them including the one for the mirror. This is something you can do yourself, there are lots of tutorials and Youtube videos.

Mako John · Jun 14, 2017

A-1 cameras have been around a long time and light seals go bad. So a re seal and the mentioned CLA is in order.

I just received a mint AE-1 Program camera that I purchased from a shop in California. In addition to the mint condition the full service shop installed new seals, cleaned, lubricated and adjusted. The thing works like a charm! It looks like I stepped back in time and bought the camera new.

John Koehrer · Jul 1, 2017

RE: the Contax, I've seen several cameras that seem to be jammed but the spool
isn't fully advanced. Open the back & roll the sprocket. it may roll freely then stop. Can't hurt to try.

Anthony Boettcher · Jul 1, 2017

Thanks for the assistance on this thread. My local camera shop wanted 130 euros for a full service so I resorted to buying a fully serviced one for $50. What can I say it's in mint condition and I'm in love. The camera just feels so smooth compared to my old unserviced one.

Anthony Boettcher · Jul 1, 2017

John Koehrer said:
RE: the Contax, I've seen several cameras that seem to be jammed but the spool
isn't fully advanced. Open the back & roll the sprocket. it may roll freely then stop. Can't hurt to try.

I tried that. as well as pushing the film advance with force since none of the camera shops want to touch that camera, to begin with. Sadly no luck thanks a lot though! I might publish a youtube video demonstrating the condition of the camera since it's a magnificent paperweight.

Canon AE-1 trouble shoot

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