What to do w/ a free camera body

HiHoSilver · Apr 20, 2016

I was given a Canon AE-1 yesterday, w/ a Sigma zoom on it. The lens looks trashed to me - smudge, haze. I can't say I'm interested or able to appropriately test. The body looks cosmetically excellent. If it had any value unproven, I'd rather it goes for an appropriately low price w/ proceeds to APUG or If someone who can check it out knows a student that could use a 35, I'd just send for the cost of shipping. To me, I wouldn't want to keep for pay the extra ship weight for the lens.
Battery compartment is clean - no corrosion. Shutter doesn't press or release - don't know if this one needs a fresh battery to operate. Any thoughts on how it might be useful to apug or an individual are appreciated.

Alan Gales · Apr 20, 2016

My step-son recently purchased an AE-1 with Canon 50mm lens off Craigslist in Chicago for about $30.00. Just to give you an idea on price. You might list it on Craigslist. I'm sure some local hipster would want it.

HiHoSilver · Apr 20, 2016

I would expect there was some indication/assurance of working. Maybe this one is best donated for parts. S'okay.

bdial · Apr 20, 2016

You could put it up in the classifieds as free for the shipping cost. Few consumer level 35's are getting much love, for one in an unknown working condition $10.00 would be a lot from what I've seen lately.

Theo Sulphate · Apr 20, 2016

Needs a battery to work.

Lots of info here:

http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/canon/fdresources/SLRs/ae1/

HiHoSilver · Apr 20, 2016

Theo, Thank You! My first camera was an A-1 'cause my Navy buyer found Subic Bay sold out of every Nikon product. I paid a premium for the 1:1.2 glass. It was stolen. 'Good camera or at least way better than I was. If I recall, it was $137.

frank · Apr 20, 2016

There are a bunch of newbies in the vintage cameras Facebook group that would give it love.

Theo Sulphate · Apr 20, 2016

The AE-1 and AE-1 Program still command a good bit of money (I'm pleasantly surprised).

They are the gateway drugs to the nice FD lenses.

HiHoSilver · Apr 20, 2016

Gents, again. Thank You. Maybe I should scavenge a lens from craigslist, get a battery & put a short roll through it. It could still go cheap & have proceeds to apug.

MattKing · Apr 21, 2016

APUGuser19 said:
On Craigslist, this is a $250 camera, at least.

Not in my neck of the woods.

Of course the photo/video catgory in our local Craigslist is incredibly active. Today alone there has been more than 380 listings posted, and there is still time for more.

Fixcinater · Apr 21, 2016

I just sold one last week, body only, for $13 plus shipping with no assurances it worked to clear up some space. If you put film through it and it's working as it should: $40-50 could be had. That's a bulk roll of cheaper film.

I did that with a Contax 139 with a dented/cracked prism area on the top plate (could see inside through the crack) and the guy is now using it as his main film camera. I wouldn't have trusted it but it works for some people.

ransel · Apr 25, 2016

I posted this many years ago after I got my first digital camera (don't worry, the digital camera is long gone and I still use the F2 regularly - bought it used in 1983)

blockend · Apr 25, 2016

I sold a very clean AV-1 + mint 50 1.8 for less than £20 recently. I'm glad it was of use to someone, and it freed up a little drawer space, but the price was hardly worth the effort of post and packing and a drive to the PO. The buyer liked it and gave positive feedback, so all's well. Canon A-Series cameras have not retained the desirability of earlier or later models, although they're perfectly good cameras.

frank · Apr 25, 2016

For some reason I have an irrational dislike for the Canon Ae1. I feel the same towards the Nikon n2020 model.

MontanaJay · Apr 25, 2016

At a garage sale last year I picked up a camera bag containing an AE-1 Program, four lenses, an array of filters and other gadgets for $5. This was apparently the "Official Camera of the 1984 Olympics" in L.A., and looked like it hadn't been used since then, and the battery still worked.
Gave it to a friend, who was overjoyed.

Theo Sulphate · Apr 25, 2016

frank said:
For some reason I have an irrational dislike for the Canon Ae1. I feel the same towards the Nikon n2020 model.

Perhaps it's because subconsciously you know there's a higher quality alternative that can be used without batteries: the Canon EF "Black Beauty" of 1973:

It can be used in fully manual mechanical mode or in shutter priority mode. The long slow speeds are electronically timed; the fast speeds are manual.

frank · Apr 26, 2016

I have a black beauty EF, and F1n, and FTb, all which I do like.

HiHoSilver · Apr 26, 2016

'Not sure what goes into the mental soup, but I had the same reaction (to the AE1) when I had my first real camera - an A1. When I read about Canon changing the mount system to accommodate dig., it seemed to mark my parting w/ Canon - likely irrational also, but I hate when a mfr orphans a series.

MattKing · Apr 26, 2016

HiHoSilver said:
'Not sure what goes into the mental soup, but I had the same reaction (to the AE1) when I had my first real camera - an A1. When I read about Canon changing the mount system to accommodate dig., it seemed to mark my parting w/ Canon - likely irrational also, but I hate when a mfr orphans a series.

Digital wasn't even a gleam in Canon's eyes when the mount changed.

The new mount was brought in to accommodate electronic automation of cameras and, in particular, auto-focus.

The FD mount would probably be still with us (in some form) if the flange distance wasn't so short.

HiHoSilver · Apr 26, 2016

Matt, Thank You! I appreciate the correction.
I thought what they called 'breach lock bayonet' at the time was better than any I'd seen - never getting loose from wear. 'That said, I've not had other bayonets get loose yet. 'Must mean I need to shoot more.

Thanks again, Matt. Good correction is a good thing.

cooltouch · Apr 27, 2016

The AE-1 was my first 35mm camera. I tired of it rather quickly, though, first buying an A-1, which led me even further into the automation quagmire. I came up for air about a year later and bought an FTb. Best move I ever made photographically. The FTb led to an F-1 and by that point I was truly happy. Personally I think there are quite a few cameras out there that are better for students. It's an okay beginner's camera, but students need a camera that work well in manual mode, and the AE-1 is semi-crippled when used in manual mode.

What to do w/ a free camera body

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