Might have a problem...unexpected GAS

[mtnbkr]

I didn't set out to buy two Canon SLRs in a week, but it happened anyway.

Just before Christmas day, I found a clean AE-1, purportedly CLA'd recently, at a good price, so I bought it (will be delivered tomorrow). I wanted something lighter than my Canon FT to take on hikes. Then today, I was coming back from the Shenandoah National Park and realizing I was going to pass by one of the few photography shops in the region, I made plans to stop there. I need a film leader retriever, so I thought I'd check and see if they had any. They didn't, but they did had a nice looking Canon New F-1 AE with a 50/1.8 and 28/2.0 for $250 on consignment. I've been interested in the New F-1 for a while, but not enough to pay the prices I've been seeing (typically $300+). At $250, film tested by the shop, and with lenses, I couldn't resist. So now I have an FT, New F-1, and an AE-1 on the way.

I suppose there are worse problems to have.

Chris

 

[Sirius Glass]

Now you can set them up to take stereo photographs! Enjoy!

 

[Tel]

I don't see a problem here....perfectly rational responses to good fortune.

 

[Sirius Glass]

GAS in not a problem. It is a gift to oneself for all the work one did earning money to pay for things others wanted or needed. Now is your time, so enjoy it.

 

[mtnbkr]

Now you can set them up to take stereo photographs! Enjoy!

I don't see a problem here....perfectly rational responses to good fortune.

I suppose, but I don't normally buy these things on a spur of the moment like this.

GAS in not a problem. It is a gift to oneself for all the work one did earning money to pay for things others wanted or needed. Now is your time, so enjoy it.

Yeah, but it doesn't "feel" right at times. But, no mortgage payments were threatened, so I guess it's all good.

Chris

 

[Don_ih]

That's nothing... I have at least 3 AE-1 cameras and 20 or so other Canon slrs. And I don't even use Canon slrs. You're doing fine.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I suppose, but I don't normally buy these things on a spur of the moment like this.


Yeah, but it doesn't "feel" right at times. But, no mortgage payments were threatened, so I guess it's all good.

Chris

But it is the way it should be.

 

[gone]

There's spur of the moment, and there's knowing a good deal when you see one, and knowing an opportunity that might not last long. Especially since the camera had been film tested and you could hold it and fire it vs just seeing a pic online.

The F1 and the AE-1 are two completely different animals. An AE-1 w/ a FD 50 1.8 lens was my very first "real" camera, bought in a Savannah, Ga thrift store many years ago for $13.50 (no tax and they took an out of state ck!). It was a fun camera, but you will have much more control over your exposures w/ the F1. You will also be carrying around a somewhat heavier and bigger camera, so now you get to see which one suits you best. The FT is a great camera as well.

 

[mtnbkr]

Well, the AE-1 arrived and it gets to go back. It doesn't work. The shutter fires, but remains open no matter what setting or lens I use. I even set it to a high ISO to force faster shutter speeds, but it still remains open until I press the battery check button. Also, when I set the ISO to a high value, it will no longer go below 800. It moves freely between 800 and 3200, but that's it.

I guess this means I'm down to two Canon SLRs.

Chris

 

[MattKing]

Well, the AE-1 arrived and it gets to go back. It doesn't work. The shutter fires, but remains open no matter what setting or lens I use. I even set it to a high ISO to force faster shutter speeds, but it still remains open until I press the battery check button.

An AE-1 won't set a shutter speed for you. It uses shutter priority automation which only sets the aperture for you.
It sold like gangbusters to people who used Kodachrome 25.

 

[mtnbkr]

An AE-1 won't set a shutter speed for you. It uses shutter priority automation which only sets the aperture for you.

Right. When I said "to force faster shutter speeds", I was referring to making sure the meter was not holding the shutter open for some perceived underexposure. I set the shutter to various speeds (with the aperture ring on A and with various numerical aperture values), the results were always the same. The shutter opened and remained open as if on Bulb until I pressed the battery check button.

Basically I tried every permutation I could think of to verify the camera was truly defective before initiating a return via eBay.

Chris

 

[MattKing]

Right. When I said "to force faster shutter speeds", I was referring to making sure the meter was not holding the shutter open for some perceived underexposure. I set the shutter to various speeds (with the aperture ring on A and with various numerical aperture values), the results were always the same. The shutter opened and remained open as if on Bulb until I pressed the battery check button.

Basically I tried every permutation I could think of to verify the camera was truly defective before initiating a return via eBay.

Chris

It clearly isn't working.
But in case you get another one, the AE-1 metering simply doesn't control the shutter - just the aperture.
You would need an AE-1P to have the meter control the shutter - in program mode.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Well, the AE-1 arrived and it gets to go back. It doesn't work. The shutter fires, but remains open no matter what setting or lens I use. I even set it to a high ISO to force faster shutter speeds, but it still remains open until I press the battery check button. Also, when I set the ISO to a high value, it will no longer go below 800. It moves freely between 800 and 3200, but that's it.

I guess this means I'm down to two Canon SLRs.

Chris

Well that will cut down GAS quickly.

 

[M-88]

It clearly isn't working.
But in case you get another one, the AE-1 metering simply doesn't control the shutter - just the aperture.
You would need an AE-1P to have the meter control the shutter - in program mode.

Or A-1 with full selection of PASM modes. Still can' figure out why AE-1 is glorified more than A-1.

 

[MattKing]

Still can' figure out why AE-1 is glorified more than A-1.

There were many, many, many more of them, and the AE-1 was groundbreaking in many ways.
I sold lots of all three versions in their prime, but never warmed to the A-1. Of course, by that time, I was a dyed in the wool Olympus OM user.

 

[mshchem]

I remember the TV commercials for the AE-1. Being a Nikon man I was mildly irritated

 

[JPD]

I remember the TV commercials for the AE-1. Being a Nikon man I was mildly irritated

"A camera so advanced, so simple. Even Stevie Wonder can use it".

 

[mshchem]

"A camera so advanced, so simple. Even Stevie Wonder can use it".

Nice!

 

[cerber0s]

I fail to see the problem here…

Congratulations! My Canon F1n (not New F1) might very well be my favorite camera.

 

[mtnbkr]

Or A-1 with full selection of PASM modes. Still can' figure out why AE-1 is glorified more than A-1.

The AE-1 is about half the price. The A-1, at least the ones I've seen (all $200+), are at an uncomfortable price point between the AE-1 and F-1. Cheap folks will go for the AE-1, folks with a bit of money will stretch for the F-1. At least that's my theory...

Chris

 

[mtnbkr]

"A camera so advanced, so simple. Even Stevie Wonder can use it".

This should come with a trigger warning.

Chris

 

[cerber0s]

"A camera so advanced, so simple. Even Stevie Wonder can use it".

It even has the squeak!

 

[George Mann]

I remember the TV commercials for the AE-1. Being a Nikon man I was mildly irritated

Every time I see the cold sterile lack of saturation in these old Canon lenses, I get irritated!

 

[mshchem]

Revival!

So I picked up a couple Nikon Ai-S wide angles, almost free, mint! 28mm f2.0, and a 35mm f1.4. These lenses are killer. I use the focus assist on Digi bodies, F5 and F6. This just wetted my appetite. So I picked up a 85mm f1.4, 105mm f 1.8, 135mm f2 and a 180mm f2.8 ED. Whew! Just when I thought I was cured!

These are 80's vintage manual focus top drawer pro lenses. Completely out of my reach in the day

 

[Chuck1]

The 24/2.0 and 20/2.8 are in your future...
And the 50/1.2 and the 15/3.5