Canon AE1-P(roblem)

[Top-Cat]

So I've shot a few rolls of BW film on an old AE1-P, but there's a little problem that keeps getting more and more of a hassle. Sometimes I just don't want a cumbersome camera with decent resolution and glass and a manual focus SLR with a 50mm 1.8 seems the best choice, and since I can't afford an FM2 because I just invested in Mamiya 645 I'm stuck with an old AE1-P.

The problem is what I already read about being a problem - loading the film, I try and put the film with the sprocket holes onto the sprocket trying to keep it tight enough (a bit difficult considering I at some point have to let go of the film to close the lid). And when I try and push the lever a few times, it seems to unhook itself or something and it just won't advance.

Any suggestions? I mean, I chose try out manual focus for reliability, but it kind of goes against its purpose if it's not reliable enough for something as simple as loading a reel of film - and going back to a plastic F65 just doesn't seem that fun even though it's a helluva (doesn't seem that vulgar when misspelled) lot easier with an electric winder.

 

[AgX]

My second camera was the AE-1 and I can't remember ever to have encountered loose film.

However, in contrast to some other cameras the film end would not be grasped by the take-up spool automatically.
You have to insert the end into the slotted spindle. See here:
http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/canon/fdresources/SLRs/ae1pgrm/html/basic2.htm

 

[Top-Cat]

Oh, so it's more like you do with 120mm film then, should have thought as much.

 

[Laurent]

With my AE1-P, I'm used to wind at least a turn around the receiving reel before closing the back. Never had any issue that way.

 

[Francis in VT]

When I load the AE1-P or almost any camera where the film is rolled emulsion out I follow the info provided by Agx above, with the exception that I hold the canister in my hand with the leading edge of the film between my thumb and fingers. I then insert it in a slot and wind the advance lever one time. Then the canister is pulled back and dropped into the feed side and the rewind is pushed in and the film is tightened with the back of the camera opened. Close the back and advance to #1.

Francis in VT

 

[darinwc]

+1 what Francis said

 

[JBrunner]

You don't have to close the back to get it started.

 

[Greg Campbell]

You ARE pushing the film tab into one of the slots on the takeup reel??

 

[Top-Cat]

Already fixed it after the first reply.

 

[2F/2F]

Do you mean that you were just setting the film's end tab on top of the take up spool and closing the door? If so, there are slots on the take up spool for a reason.....I wonder what it could be.......

This works with the Canon QL system, but the AE-1 P does not have it. I wish the F-1 did, however. It is the only truly useful feature that the camera lacks, IMO. I'd gladly lose the light meter to have the QL system on that camera.

 

[DWThomas]

I heartily recommend that after loading, you check that the rewind knob is moving as the film is wound. It may not move right away, but after slack is taken up with a couple of frames, it should. Once after a hurried load, I took a dozen utterly magnificent shots out of a train window in Italy that will never be seen by anyone. (Or worse yet, the classic "hey, I got 39 shots on this roll and it's still going!" Doing that once is usually sufficient education.)

 

[darinwc]

yeah ive done that a couple of times.
The you get to frame 40 and your like wha!?

 

[Dennis S]

I always was wondering why they did not continue the QL system on the newer Canons (A1,F1). Probably just the extra parts that would fail. The old make as much $$ as posible.......... piss on what customers like.

 

[Top-Cat]

I never thought of the take up spool because I was used to using the Nikon F65 and F50 and they just needed
you to put the film in and put it in with the sprockets, I've put it in the take up spool on MF cameras, but never thought of the AE1-P that way.
I just did the same at a party once, got to 40 exposures, and went on trying to put the film in in a dark room for about half an hour.

 

[Dennis S]

I never thought of the take up spool because I was used to using the Nikon F65 and F50 and they just needed
you to put the film in and put it in with the sprockets, I've put it in the take up spool on MF cameras, but never thought of the AE1-P that way.
I just did the same at a party once, got to 40 exposures, and went on trying to put the film in in a dark room for about half an hour.

I'll bet you never make that mistake AGAIN

 

[MolBasser]

I've never had this problem. Just stick the film end in and wind. If it is locked, just release the shutter, no need for the back to be closed.

ETA I just shot 10 rolls with a new to me AE-1p and never had an issue.

MolBasser