Canon A1 Problem?

[daveco]

Hello all,

I just received a Canon A1 in very good condition having purchased it from KEH.com. Cosmetically it is very good, but I suspect that there is one glitch.

The AE-Lock button, left of the lens mount (as camera is held up to eye) does not actually lock the exposure unless pressed REALLY hard. A very slight touch will light up the exposure information in the viewfinder, but if the framing is changed, so too will the exposure information. Only if this button is pressed REALLY hard will the exposure information stay constant when the scene is changed. This seems strange, because the button itself fine works as evidenced by the fact that the exposure information is displayed with the slightest touch.

I was wondering if anyone else had a Canon A1, and if this is somehow designed to be this way, or if mine is somehow faulty.

I contacted KEH, and as this is an international order, they suggested that I get a free quote for repair from a repair shop in Singapore rather than ship it all the way back to USA for about $75+. Any recommendations of places that have experience with such models?

Many thanks in advance.

 

[mamypoko]

If I remember correctly you must hold the button down to lock the exposure? Are you holding it down currently?

 

[daveco]

Ah yes, I should have made that clear. I am holding it down. Its just that when held down with a normal amount of strength, it does not lock the exposure, it simply lights up the exposure information in a similar way to holding down the shutter button halfway. It is only that when held down VERY HARD that it actually serves to lock the exposure. Any ideas?

 

[mamypoko]

Hmm probably a problem with the button, will KEH reimburse the repair costs here in Singapore?

Ah yes, I should have made that clear. I am holding it down. Its just that when held down with a normal amount of strength, it does not lock the exposure, it simply lights up the exposure information in a similar way to holding down the shutter button halfway. It is only that when held down VERY HARD that it actually serves to lock the exposure. Any ideas?

 

[ricohflex]

No need to push button very hard in a good A1.

 

[daveco]

Yes, KEH will reimburse reasonable repair costs in Singapore, hence my question, any recommendations of places that have experience with such models? I called up some I could find on Google but they were reluctant. Ideas?

Failing this, KEH offered to pay for all shipping back to them, but I would rather not be without my new baby

So any ideas of a friendly place to get a 34 year old camera repaired in SG?

 

[daveco]

Thanks for confirming this, I thought that it was somehow a feature... like that it would let you meter before locking... but that wouldn't make sense because there is a meter button right below it anyway. Thanks again.

 

[mamypoko]

Normally I look for Nick at CamX or P&G, both are at Peninsula SC. Repair charges are reasonable and turnaround normally takes around 1-2 weeks.

 

[daveco]

Right, just got back from P&G at Adelphi. He could not replicate the problem. I then took the camera and same problem. He was pressing it with a lot of force, I think he just wanted me out of his shop... So probably will send back to KEH for repair/replacement.

 

[mamypoko]

Ah, I never go to the Adelphi outlet, many of my friends have problems with the guy there unfortunately. :dunno:

Right, just got back from P&G at Adelphi. He could not replicate the problem. I then took the camera and same problem. He was pressing it with a lot of force, I think he just wanted me out of his shop... So probably will send back to KEH for repair/replacement.

 

[daveco]

Yeah... he was like "There is no problem"... I had a go, still problem. This went back and forth, then he told me he didn't have any parts anyway. :angry:

You mention there is another P&G at Peninsula SC, same owner or how? Chain?

Also is Peninsula SC the one on the Funan side of street or opposite?

Thanks for your help by the way.

 

[ricohflex]

Don't bother. Who cares that the exposure memory button is not functioning?
I almost never use the so called exposure memory button on the A1 and my other cameras even when they are not spoiled.

Simply go to manual mode when you need to "memorise" the exposure of a particular scene.
The manual mode being manual, will not change the exposure setting when you shift the view.
The exposure compensation dial is another way to adjust your exposure even when you are on auto exposure mode.

 

[daveco]

While I agree that this may otherwise be a small, seemingly insignificant feature, it is the main reason I bought it over the significantly cheaper AE-1. Call me crazy, but I want to try shooting theater with the A1, where there are brightly lit faces against black backgrounds, a lighting situation which I think would be most aptly handled with the Exposure Lock, especially in something as fast changing as theater.

Since you own an A1, would you be able to confirm that the Exposure lock button does indeed lock as soon as it is pressed? Thanks in advance, and Merry Christmas by the way.

 

[ricohflex]

Short story:
Tested on my Canon A1.
No need to press very hard. Softly will do.
Need to press and hold while you recompose and then press shutter release.
Once you let go, the memory lock is released.

Long story for Canon A1 exposure memory lock (credit - Canon manual):

For instance, suppose you want to take a portrait of a subject against the sun. First
move in closer to your subject until it is centered in and taking up about one-third of
the total viewing area. Push and hold in the exposure memory switch to lock the ex-
posure value metered for your subject. Now step back and compose the picture as you
like. Change the aperture or shutter speed, depending upon which priority you are in,
if necessary. Continuing to hold in the exposure memory switch, press the shutter
button. Your subject will be correctly exposed.

Of course, you have a problem if you cannot approach your subject to meter it directly.
Then try to find an approachable subject which you think would give the same ex-
posure value as your subject. Meter it, push in and hold the exposure memory switch.
Compose your subject and shoot for correct exposure.

Please note that you must hold in the exposure memory switch until after you
press the shutter button. It does not lock.

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If you use the Canon AE1-Program which is a later model that is of lower specification than
the A1, procedure is different.

Short story:
You need not keep pressing the exposure memory button. But you have to keep shutter button halfway pressed.

Long story (credit - Canon manual):

I. AE Lock Switch
For example, when shooting a backlit subject:
1) Approach your subject and. looking in the viewfinder, center your subject so that it
takes up about one-third of the viewing area.
2) While pressing the shutter button halfway, press the AE lock switch.
3) Keeping the shutter button pressed halfway, step back, compose the picture as you like,
and shoot. Your subject will be correctly exposed.

You do not have to continue pressing the AE lock switch; the exposure value is retained as
long as you press the shutter button halfway.

 

[daveco]

Thank you very much for confirming this operation. It seems mine is somehow defective, as such a hard press is necessary. I will try P&G at Peninsula, then return to KEH. Thanks again for taking the time to try yours.

 

[mamypoko]

The other P&G is the brother, otherwise you can try CamX, also at Peninsula, OPP Ruby. That's where I normally go.

Thank you very much for confirming this operation. It seems mine is somehow defective, as such a hard press is necessary. I will try P&G at Peninsula, then return to KEH. Thanks again for taking the time to try yours.