Canon EF w/ non-functioning meter

agphotography · Apr 5, 2011

Hey guys,

some of you may have seen the Canon EF I just snagged, it's very clean cosmetically and the shutter speeds all seem to work (except the slower speeds which are controlled electronically.) but even with two brand new batteries I'm unable to get the camera to respond. The battery check light does nothing.

Is it possible the internals are fried? Will the camera still work mechanically?

Anything specific I can try out?

Thanks!

agphotography · Apr 5, 2011

I partially confirmed an answer myself, I can use shutter speeds from 1/1000 - 1sec, and manual aperture control works as well as flash sync. So I'm only losing really slow speeds, metering, and Shutter priority mode. I guess that's no so bad though I would like to have a working meter.

kramynot2000 · Apr 6, 2011

Not sure what type of batteries you are using, but I tried using 1.5 button batteries with a rubber washer around them and got the same results. Then I noticed that the contacts for the battery were on the bottom and the side, not on the bottom and the battery cap. So, I wrapped some foil around a little portion of the rubber washer to complete the contact between the battery and the side and it fired right up. Hopefully this is the case with yours.

benjiboy · Apr 6, 2011

I have an EF and it should work fine and give accurate exposures with ordinary PX625 1.5V Alkaline batteries because it has a self adjusting voltage regulator circuit, if it doesn't it needs servicing, the EF is a great SLR and is worth spending a little money on.

holmburgers · Apr 6, 2011

That's too bad.. but luckily it's still a great camera w/o batteries. No trickery with batteries needed, do as Benji says.

Dont' forget you've also got mirror-lockup, and the mechanical self-timer should work just fine. One thing that I love about EF's is that once you load a roll, you don't have to fire the shutter -> advance -> fire the shutter -> advance.... you can just advance until you reach 1. Ahh, the simple pleasures...

If you want to get it repaired for probably less than $100 (just a guess), Ken Oikawa is the best and he's in CA. Just a thought, good luck!

agphotography · Apr 6, 2011

benjiboy said:
I have an EF and it should work fine and give accurate exposures with ordinary PX625 1.5V Alkaline batteries because it has a self adjusting voltage regulator circuit, if it doesn't it needs servicing, the EF is a great SLR and is worth spending a little money on.

I'm using PX625A 1.5V batteries, same thing I presume? That was one neat thing I liked about the EF with it's self-adjusting voltage ability.

Is it possible they're not making contact? I looked in the battery chambers and there's no evidence of corrosion.

On a side note, I ordered a seal replacement kit from Jon (Interslice) which will be here any day, I couldn't help but notice the shutter has a very distinct "metallic" sound. Is this just the shutter material they used in the Copal Square? I think after I replace the seals, I'll run a test roll through it and just use my external meter and see how it turns out. If not I'll have to bench it for a little while until I can afford to have it repaired (which I surely will, I already like a lot of things about this camera.) I'm still waiting on my T90 to come back from repair as well....

holmburgers · Apr 6, 2011

Yeah, that's how the shutter is supposed sound. Great right?

Stupid question, but I assume you're installing the batteries in the right direction and you're indeed turning on the power switch? (of course you are...)

agphotography · Apr 6, 2011

holmburgers said:
Yeah, that's how the shutter is supposed sound. Great right?

Stupid question, but I assume you're installing the batteries in the right direction and you're indeed turning on the power switch? (of course you are...)

HAHA I would've laughed at myself if that were the case. As a good measure I tried the batteries in both directions, but I noticed in the cap that it has the small positive sign so I figured that was the indicator

And yes of course I remembered to turn it on haha. I'll just run it without batteries in it for a test and then get it repaired when I can.

benjiboy · Apr 6, 2011

The EF is IMO the smoothest FD camera Canon made and I own most of them, it's a hidden jewel and is worth a CLA of anybody's money, it's my favourite SLR and has the same build quality as my F1.

agphotography · Apr 28, 2011

Is it possible the batteries I bought (despite being new) just won't work and that the electronics are ok? Is there something I can do to test them? I have run film through the camera after replacing the seals myself and the film turned out great (I used that iPhone light meter app! Haha much easier than having my Sekonic L-558 hanging off my shoulder)

I don't mind using it mechanically, but I would like to make it work completely if possible. (W/O having to spend $200 for a repair.. At least that's what I've been quoted at various places)

holmburgers · Apr 28, 2011

Hey Abram,

I sent my EF to Ken Oikawa, who has no internet presence, but he is great and he charged me $95 for everything, including shipping. Apparently he was Canon trained. He has a strong Japanese accent so be prepared to listen carefully..

Other than that, can you take the batteries to a Batteries Plus or something and have them check? Or you could take the plunge and buy a new pair, but honestly, I'd say the odds of a brand new pair of batteries being totally bupkis is slim.. unless there is some unusual circumstance regarding them.

__________
Ken Oikawa
28288 West Worcester Rd.
Sun City, CA 92586
951-246-9136

agphotography · Apr 28, 2011

I had heard of Ken and ironically Sun City is maybe an hour from me. I hadn't asked for a quote from him though. I'll keep that in mind. Thanks for the tip!

holmburgers · Apr 29, 2011

My pleasure, I wondered how close you were to Sun City, and I guess I should've just Googled it!

The EF is a great camera; it's probably the most feature-filled Canon of its era, having a host of mechanical & electronic features. The old F-1 has a mechanical shutter, but doesn't have speeds from 2" to 30", and the F-1n has speeds to 8" and only minimal battery-less shutter function. In that respect, it's an incredibly versatile camera.

Canon EF w/ non-functioning meter

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency