Exposure Trouble with my Canon A-1

pentaxpete · Feb 8, 2019

I have cured the infamous 'Canon Squeak' after many tries but now I find on using my Canon A-1 after a period of non-use that I got horrendously Dense Negatives even on outdated film --- I ended up setting 1200 ASA for my 03/2009 dated Ilford HP5+ which I processed in my 'Home-Made Crawley Formula FX4' and found 10 minutes @ 20oC was best time.Daylight taken negs at this setting were good BUT 'Low Light' negs getting 1/8th second were 'Thin -- under-exposed' . It seems there is a Fault in the A-1 exposure circuit somewhere. I took off base-plate with the proper JLS Screwdriver today and had a look -- al seemed to be working... when I fired Shutter at 1 second it WAS 1 second but I could not acertain if the 1/1000 and 1/500th were accurate. Any advice ?

Daylight Test -- 1200 ASA set neg is GOOD

Canon A-1 daylight test by Peter Elgar, on Flickr

Low Light Test -- 1200 ASA neg is 'Thin'

Canon A-1 low light test by Peter Elgar, on Flickr

MattKing · Feb 8, 2019

pentaxpete said:
I find on using my Canon A-1 after a period of non-use that I got horrendously Dense Negatives even on outdated film --- I ended up setting 1200 ASA for my 03/2009 dated Ilford HP5+ which I processed in my 'Home-Made Crawley Formula FX4' and found 10 minutes @ 20oC was best time.Daylight taken negs at this setting were good BUT 'Low Light' negs getting 1/8th second were 'Thin -- under-exposed' .

I am confused.
Are the problem negatives "horrendously Dense Negatives" - which would indicate over-exposure - or are they "'Thin -- under-exposed'" negatives?
At 1200 ASA and 1/8 second you might be working outside the sensitivity range for the meter in the camera - I'll let those who are regular A1 users speak on that subject.

DWThomas · Feb 8, 2019

Hmmm -- I own an A-1, but may no longer qualify as a "regular user." The A-1 displays its exposure settings in the viewfinder, so a first step might be to check that under carefully set up conditions and see whether or not the exposure it thinks it wants makes sense. That could provide some input as to metering vs mechanics. I'm also thinking there could be potential issues with the aperture control being hung up too; i.e., the aperture doesn't stop down quickly enough at the higher shutter speeds -- try a different lens? The last time I used mine it worked, but I've had it a long time, so I never feel 100% confident.

Just thinking out loud here .... Good luck with it.

pentaxpete · Feb 9, 2019

Thanks Folks -- the 'Problem ' was getting Horrendously Dense negatives, 'Solved' by setting 1200 ASA on the camera and cutting back developing time from initial short film strips at 11.5 mins to 10 mins @ 20oC -- SO I could not believe the 1200ASA with 03/2009 dated HP5 + film -- now I have run a test with a black AE-1 and guessed the ASA set to 640 as the FX-4 does seem to 'increase the film speed' (even on Outdated Film ) and FINALLY got GREAT negs at 10 mins dev time and 640 ASA which scan with no 'Adjustment' and willprint well. I show results of today's test with the AE-1 , FX-4 1+1 and short length of the 24 exp 03/2009 dated HP5+
all CANON FD SSC 50mm f1.4 + Yellow Filter at various apertures

AE-1 FX-4 03 by Peter Elgar, on Flickr

AE-1 FX-4 02 by Peter Elgar, on Flickr

AE-1 FX-4 01 by Peter Elgar, on Flickr

AgX · Feb 9, 2019

pentaxpete said:
... when I fired Shutter at 1 second it WAS 1 second but I could not acertain if the 1/1000 and 1/500th were accurate. Any advice ?

As you got quite some cameras and more seem to find a new home at your place, you might consider buying a shutter tester, two fellows at Apug offer such.

CMoore · Feb 9, 2019

pentaxpete said:
I have cured the infamous 'Canon Squeak' after many tries.....

Just an aside -
What did you do exactly.?

pentaxpete · Feb 10, 2019

CMoore said:
Just an aside -
What did you do exactly.?

I watched many YouTube Videos on lubricating the A Series Canons-- most need a Syringe and Needle to pick up a small amount of Oil -- Americans said to use 'Gun 'Oil' but I could imagine me going into a shop in Brentwood asking about 'GUN Stuff!' so I hit on the idea of sticking a small piece of Vaseline on the end of a piece of electrical Fuse Wire and dropping British Sewing Machine Oil down through the indicated slot, onto the fuse wire, having taken off the camera base-plate with my proper JLS Screwdriver bought from Japan through British Amazon. After a couple of attempts I 'Hit the Spot' now shutter no longer 'squeaks' BUT I have a black AE-1 to do next !

Chan Tran · Feb 10, 2019

I can just test the shutter speed.

AgX · Feb 10, 2019

pentaxpete said:
I hit on the idea of sticking a small piece of Vaseline on the end of a piece of electrical Fuse Wire and dropping British Sewing Machine Oil down...

What do you mean by "piece of Vaseline"?
Vaseline is a petrol based grease.

mshchem · Feb 10, 2019

Your images look great. Love the ladies walking. I Would get your camera checked out, AFTER you try a new roll of film and a standard packaged developer.
Or since you are making lovely images, just keep going as is.

Chan Tran · Feb 10, 2019

I suspect the shutter curtain travel time is incorrect. Either the first curtain is too fast or the second curtain is too slow. This doesn't effect the slow speed but affect the higher speed greatly.

pentaxpete · Feb 11, 2019

i used a very small amount of 'Vaseline' to help keep a spot of oil on the wire as i poked it down the slot. My AE-1 'squeak' seems to have been cured -- there is just a faulty battery circuit where the camera does not switch off , keeping needle at f22 at top as it should --- needle in viewfinder ;jiggles' up and down. Years ago a Camera repair Technician had it to bits for months trying to get a circuit for it but No more available.
Chan Tran -- YES I agree it may be shutter curtain travel problem on my A-1

Exposure Trouble with my Canon A-1

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