Canon AL-1 mirror stays up?

natesate · Jul 24, 2022

I found a hardly-functional Canon AL-1 at a thrift store with the intention of trying to fix it myself. I've hit a roadblock that I can't find any help for online at all. When the shutter fires, the lens moves out of the way as it is intended to but stays up. It's very easy to get it to come down with just a gentle nudge, making me think that it's just catching on something out of place. Has anyone experienced something like this before?

I've done minor repairs to cameras and typewriters before but I'd still consider myself of novice. I can attach a video to a comment if needed.

cmacd123 · Jul 25, 2022

Almost all SLR cameras move the mirror up and stop the lens down, when the mirror hits the top, that releases the first curtain. so timer then releases the second curtain. completion of the second curtain travel then allows the mirror to return to the rest position.

Now I have seen a few cameras where the foam damper at the top of the mirror box traps the mirror like sticky tape.

the general advice would be to have a technician do a complete Clean and overhaul, including all new light seals and foam.
if you are feeling very handy, you can download the AL-1 service manual here. https://learncamerarepair.com/product.php?product=164&category=2&secondary=0 although of course it would be nice to pay a donation at the home page of that site. Like most of the Camera manuals, it will mostly just show you how everything goes together.

gone · Jul 25, 2022

Try this, it worked on his AL-1.

BobD · Jul 26, 2022

The above video does not address the OP's issue of a stuck mirror.

I have fixed the stuck mirror issue in A-series Canons by following directions (available online) for curing the A-series shutter squeak.

flavio81 · Jul 26, 2022

natesate said:
I found a hardly-functional Canon AL-1 at a thrift store with the intention of trying to fix it myself. I've hit a roadblock that I can't find any help for online at all. When the shutter fires, the lens moves out of the way as it is intended to but stays up. It's very easy to get it to come down with just a gentle nudge, making me think that it's just catching on something out of place. Has anyone experienced something like this before?

I've done minor repairs to cameras and typewriters before but I'd still consider myself of novice. I can attach a video to a comment if needed.

You mean the mirror, right?

All these A-series Canons suffer from lack of lubrication and cleaning to the mirror mechanism due to years of neglect. A full stripdown is the best way to clean and relube that mechanism.

flavio81 · Jul 26, 2022

momus said:
Try this, it worked on his AL-1.

This video will free a stuck camera but the conditions that caused it to get stuck will stilll be there, so it will eventually happen again.

cmacd123 · Jul 26, 2022

BobD said:
The above video does not address the OP's issue of a stuck mirror.

I have fixed the stuck mirror issue in A-series Canons by following directions (available online) for curing the A-series shutter squeak.

THeir are many videos which sugest spraying some sort of oil into the mirror mechanism. that is a great way to make a 100 dollar overhaul into a 300 dollar overhaul. The squeak is caused by ONE gear being dry or dirty, and unless you know where it is adding some oil to the mirror box runs the risk of making the problem worse after a month. If any oil gets on the shutter curtains for example, they will likly need replacement.

yes, the camera does need cleaning and adjustments, which requires access to the mirror box. if the problem is not just stuck foam. You tube videos are great, but many of them are produced by folks who are not knowledgeable.

BobD · Jul 26, 2022

cmacd123 said:
THeir are many videos which sugest spraying some sort of oil into the mirror mechanism. that is a great way to make a 100 dollar overhaul into a 300 dollar overhaul. The squeak is caused by ONE gear being dry or dirty, and unless you know where it is adding some oil to the mirror box runs the risk of making the problem worse after a month. If any oil gets on the shutter curtains for example, they will likly need replacement.

I didn't suggest doing any of those things, especially "adding oil to the mirror box" and I resent your quoting my post in your inference that I did.

I merely pointed out that correcting the well known Canon shutter squeak may well fix the OP's issue. Of course, one should seek out the correct way to do this as one would with any repair. There are always right ways and wrong ways to do things.

cmacd123 · Jul 26, 2022

BobD said:
I didn't suggest doing any of those things, especially "adding oil to the mirror box" and I resent your quoting my post in your inference that I did.

Sorry Bob, I have just seen too many of those videos, and they often come up if one just searches for the "Canon Squeak". If you can recomend a good video showing the correct way to get it that part, Please give the URL so that the original poster can find out if they want to trackle the repair, or send it to an experienced technician.

BobD · Jul 26, 2022

This video shows how to apply one drop of oil to the part that needs it:

Canon AL-1 mirror stays up?

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency