My Canon AE-1 35mm SLR, purchased in the 70’s, has stopped working. By which I mean, the shutter doesn’t open and close when I push the shutter button. I’ve never had a camera repaired so I don’t have a clue about repair costs or if it is worth it to have a camera repaired. What’s the straight dope?
You can buy a replacement film SLR for less then it cost to have a repair tech even look at your old one. The bottom has dropped out of the film SLR market and used cameras are ridiculously cheap as people sell off old gear to switch to digital.
If you really want to stay with film (and I think that argument is getting harder and harder to sustain) then just buy a used AE-1 or other model that will support that lens mount. If you don’t have a big chunk of change invested in lenses you can get whole outfits right now for very little cash; especially if the lens mount is not one that is used by the current crop of digital SLRs.
I concur; If you’re in love with the AE-1 get a used one. They’re dirt cheap.
Check the battery. This camera is entirely dependent on battery power for operation. Other than that, it’s not really worth it to repair it. You can pick up another AE-1on eBay for less than $50.
Isn’t there a 1/60 sec manual shutter mode?
Nope. Dead battery, dead camera. All of the A and T series FD SLRs are the same way, too.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/800552972-USE/Canon__AE_1_35mm_SLR_Manual.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/800553290-USE/Canon__AE_1_35mm_SLR_Manual.html
Here are two bodies at B&H Photo Video, an extremely reputable online and IRL seller. You can probably do considerably better on Craigslist or eBay with some legwork on your part.
B&H is great for modern stuff, but KEH is IMO better for used and older equipment. They have several equipment grades to pick from, and you have a 14 day return and 60 day warranty for all used equipment.
If you don’t have a lot of FD lenses, though, I wouldn’t get another FD body. A used EOS or Nikon body will serve you much better especially if you later buy or already have a digital SLR based on one of those systems, because you can share lenses.
I haven’t shot with a Canon since the '80s. (I have an AE-1 Program.) My other 35mm cameras (Nikon FM3, Olympus OM-1, Pentax K-1000) have manual modes. (Not sure about the Nikon EM or the Nikonos IV or V.) So I assumed the Canon did too. I’ll have to dig mine out.
The OM-1 & K-1000 are completely mechanical anyway - the battery only powers the light meter - and the FM3 is unusual in being 100% mechanical in manual mode but electronic in auto mode. I am pretty sure the EM is electronic only. No idea about Nikonos.
Cleophus beat me to it-I have an A-1 and an AF-1, and if Mr. Battery is dead, you have a nice paperweight.
Thanks. I had no idea the camera’s shutter was dependent on the battery. It takes a 6V Micro Alkaline Cell #4LR44, which Radio Shack seems to have. I’ll check that out. This old camera may have some life in it yet.