Problem with a Canon AE-1

[jesusfloresc]

Hello people, I hope you are all good.

I need your advice. I bought this camera (Canon AE-1) a week ago to get into the world of analog cameras and learn how to use them, as I'm young, I'm 25 years old. However, I'm having a problem: the meter needle is always at the bottom and the red light comes on. I've tried everything: cleaning the camera, playing with the shutter speed and aperture settings, but the needle still stays at the bottom. Do you know how I can fix this?

Thank you!

 

[FrancoD]

Do you have the lens on A ?



You select the shutter speed, the camera sets the aperture. To select a paricular aperture, change the shutter sprre till the light meter needle is over the aperture you want.

BTW, in this photo it is on Self Timer mode (see the red light exposed)

 

[jesusfloresc]

Yes, I tried with different configuration and playing with the aperture and speed and always mark the red light and the needle to the bottom.

 

[Tomm111]

What is the camera's ISO set at?

Take it off any automatic settings.

Take it out on a sunny day ISO to 100 shutter speed to 1/250, fstop to f8 or f11, see if that moves the needle. If it is overcast lower the f stops, or shutter speed. If the needle still isn't moving replace the battery, they are available #28 Alkaline or Lithium.

Also check all shutter speeds, slow at 1 sec fast click at 1/1000, if they all sound the same, again it is the battery.

If replacing the battery doesn't work, contact the seller.

 

[FrancoD]

What is the camera's ISO set at?

Take it off any automatic settings.

Take it out on a sunny day ISO to 100 shutter speed to 1/250, fstop to f8 or f11, see if that moves the needle. If it is overcast lower the f stops, or shutter speed. If the needle still isn't moving replace the battery, they are available #28 Alkaline or Lithium.

Also check all shutter speeds, slow at 1 sec fast click at 1/1000, if they all sound the same, again it is the battery.

If replacing the battery doesn't work, contact the seller.

If the battery does not have enough power , the AE1 cannot take a photo. It does not slow down or something like that, it does not fire.

 

[Tomm111]

I am just saying to check shutter speeds. Doesn't thecamera have a 1/90 manual setting? If the battery is dead it can still fire at 1/90 so if all shutter speeds seem the same, itis probably the battery. I may be wrong but it is how my F1 works and way back when I was evaluating the AE-1 for a job I was told it beaved the same way.

 

[FrancoD]

I am just saying to check shutter speeds. Doesn't thecamera have a 1/90 manual setting? If the battery is dead it can still fire at 1/90 so if all shutter speeds seem the same, itis probably the battery. I may be wrong but it is how my F1 works and way back when I was evaluating the AE-1 for a job I was told it beaved the same way.

No, it is a fully electronic shutter, no mechanical back up.

The New F1 had a 1/90th flash sync as a mechanical shutter speed but all speeds from 1/125 to 1/2000 could be used on mechanical without batteries.

The original F1 only had mechanical shutter speeds.

 

[Tomm111]

I am just saying to check shutter speeds. Doesn't thecamera have a 1/90 manual setting? If the battery is dead it can still fire at 1/90 so if all shutter speeds seem the same, itis probably the battery. I may be wrong but it is how my F1 works and way back when I was evaluating the AE-1 for a job I was told it beaved the same way.

No, it is a fully electronic shutter, no mechanical back up.

The New F1 had a 1/90th flash sync as a mechanical shutter speed but all speeds from 1/125 to 1/2000 could be used on mechanical without batteries.

The original F1 only had mechanical shutter speeds.

Interesting, I was buying 4 of them to go on the back of old Zeiss retina camera. The dealer told my that they had the 1/90 mechanical override. Anyway another piece of information to have. I didn't buy the AE-1s I ended up with Pentax K1000s. I used motorized New F1s for a test we did with the cameras. I am more familiar with the new F1s than the AE-1.

I have a new F1 and once had an original F1, gave it to my son for a college photo class and it has since disappeared.

 

[FrancoD]

I am just saying to check shutter speeds. Doesn't thecamera have a 1/90 manual setting? If the battery is dead it can still fire at 1/90 so if all shutter speeds seem the same, itis probably the battery. I may be wrong but it is how my F1 works and way back when I was evaluating the AE-1 for a job I was told it beaved the same way.

No, it is a fully electronic shutter, no mechanical back up.

The New F1 had a 1/90th flash sync as a mechanical shutter speed but all speeds from 1/125 to 1/2000 could be used on mechanical without batteries.

The original F1 only had mechanical shutter speeds.

Interesting, I was buying 4 of them to go on the back of old Zeiss retina camera. The dealer told my that they had the 1/90 mechanical override. Anyway another piece of information to have. I didn't buy the AE-1s I ended up with Pentax K1000s. I used motorized New F1s for a test we did with the cameras. I am more familiar with the new F1s than the AE-1.

I have a new F1 and once had an original F1, gave it to my son for a college photo class and it has since disappeared.

The full series of the A cameras (AE1,AE1+P, AT1, AV1,AL1 and A1) were fully electronic and based on the same chassis, but they look a bit different from each other because of the external cosmetic. (the A1 in particular) .

You were correct that in the photo I posted the shutter dial is on LOCK, not Self Timer. When the self timer is on that lever is sticking out of the body , so it is obvious you have it on . (it's only been 30 years since I sold them used and much longer new....)

The F1 had a rather peculiar named series , F1, New F1 and F1 n. They thought of the Mark II/II/IV designation later on....

 

[KCK14]

Most likely one of the IC's on the flex circuit is fried. The AE-1 had 4 IC's that were actually replaceable by a serviceman. We always kept a few in stock. As Canon introduced additional A series, the frequency of chip failure decreased. My memory is foggy but I think the Photocell/amp IC is the one with this symptom.