One thing to look for when buying older used film cameras . . .
Many of them are not the bargain they may seem as they might need to go to the repair shop for an overhaul.
And . . . often they need to be retro-fitted for a new battery as some of those old batteries from the 50's and 60's are no longer available.
And, for many old cameras, there are no longer parts availble for a fix! * (see below)
Older film cameras are mechanical, which means they need to be lubed, just like cars need it.
Often these cameras have been sitting around for years and the lube has dried up.
Other things that often need a fix . . .
The light seals on the film door dry up and flake off, thus creating light leaks and the foam around the mirror box also does the same thing.
This foam can get in the shutter if left unchecked and redone . . . and I've actually seen broken mirrors due to this cushioning foam not being replaced.
Same for old used lenses . . . they need to be lubed as well!
Plan on $150-$300 for an overhaul, depending on the camera model . . .
I had my Canon F1n overhauled three years ago . . . cost me $260 (even after my employee discount) because it is a 'Pro' camera!
USED CANON 'A' SERIES FILM CAMERAS:
(great cameras, but be on the lookout when buying one)
As for older Canon 'A' series cameras, like the AE-1. AE-1 Program and the A-1 (I have two A-1's) are notorious for what is known in the trade as a 'squeeky shutter'!
It really isn't the shutter, though . . . but the mirror box!
If one of these cameras has this problem . . . you'll know it.
It makes a really loud squeeky scrunchy sound when the shutter button is pressed.
And left unchecked, eventually it will ruin your photos as the mirror will start to move slowly, often raising only halfway when the photo is taken.
I've literally seen hundreds of these with this problem over the years . . .
One of my A-1's, which I've basically totally wore out (having been a photojournalist for many years) has this so bad that the mirror actually moves after the shutter has already been fired.
Perhaps I'll dig it out of my camera equipment morgue and shoot a video clip and post it here tomorrow (my day off).
All it takes to fix it is a lube job, but is generally considered an overhaul by camera repair shops at roughly $150!
However, I used to work in a camera repair facility and the Canon tech told me that on A-1's that he sometimes just removed the prism cover (the other models the prism cover is not a separate piece like on the A-1) and would lightly run a drop of lighter fluid on the mirror box springs (for those who are technically inclined to take one apart themselves).
I tried to do this on mine, but since I used mine as a newspaper photographer and got it wet countless times, the prism cover screws are rusted and stripped out easily.
If any of you try this . . . please don't blame me if it doesn't work out . . . {
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- OLDER CAMERAS THAT NO LONGER HAVE PARTS AVAILABLE:
We get people all the time (and I used to see this frequently at the repair shop I worked at) that would buy a second used camera, thinking they could use it for parts to fix the other.
The problem with this is two-fold . . .
1) Chances are, the second camera has the same problem as the other.
2) If it can be used for parts, the repair facility will charge DOUBLE the standard repair rate as they are actually disassembling two cameras to make one good camera.
--
J. D.
Colorful Colorado
Remember . . . always keep your receipt, the box, and everything that came in it!
