Needing help regarding my Canon A-1

[clxrrr]

Hey!

So recently I've acquired a second-hand Canon A-1! I'm really excited to try it out, BUT this body has changed hands quite a few times, and I'm afraid that if it's damaged somewhere I might only aggravate it with my inexperienced handling. Can someone give some tips on how I may check the condition of the body? I'd really, really appreciate it Thank you!

 

[one eye jack]

Hey!

So recently I've acquired a second-hand Canon A-1! I'm really excited to try it out, BUT this body has changed hands quite a few times, and I'm afraid that if it's damaged somewhere I might only aggravate it with my inexperienced handling. Can someone give some tips on how I may check the condition of the body? I'd really, really appreciate it Thank you!

Hello,
Other people may slam you for lack of initiative since the internet has most of the info you are looking for
but since this is your first post some spoon feeding is necessary.

How to check?

http://www.wikihow.com/Use-a-Canon-A-1-35mm-Camera

Canon A1 user manual: http://www.butkus.org/chinon/canon/canon_a-1/canon_a-1.htm

If you still find it confusing or catch no ball then a video is handy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZ6qZmcpUXY

But seriously shooting film is not cheap nowadays. Learning curve is steep. Get some books or tutorial
online if you can. Hope this helps.

 

[maxilite]

check:
1. functions (e.g. aperture, shutter speed, attaching and taking off lens, loading film + ****, unloading film + winder)
2. cosmetic + fungus
3. detailed check on shutter. this has to be done with a roll of film to ensure the shutter speed timings are correct. load an unused roll of film, shoot your 36 exposures with various shutter speeds (at correct exposures via compensating by adjusting aperture), develop film and see if any of them are overly/under exposed. if so, you might need to send the camera for CLA.

 

[one eye jack]

check:
1. functions (e.g. aperture, shutter speed, attaching and taking off lens, loading film + ****, unloading film + winder)
2. cosmetic + fungus
3. detailed check on shutter. this has to be done with a roll of film to ensure the shutter speed timings are correct. load an unused roll of film, shoot your 36 exposures with various shutter speeds (at correct exposures via compensating by adjusting aperture), develop film and see if any of them are overly/under exposed. if so, you might need to send the camera for CLA.

Don't mean to nit pick here but above comments assume that A1 is in "good working order".For:

1- Battery compartment electrical contacts are clean and not corroded including the wiring.

2- If TS is local definitely got fungus unless it is in dry cabinet 100% of the time.

3. Better to use b/w (black and white) film and make a contact sheet if TS has access to darkroom facility. It's much cheaper than colour film development and printing plus lab printer will auto
compensate during printing which defeats the purpose intended.As you know film is forgiving of
over and under exposure because of it's inherent exposure latitude.

4- You forget to mention the condition of light seals straddling the film guides on the camera body.
Can DIY so search for online tutorial.

Good luck.

 

[ricohflex]

Notice that nothing heard from TS so far.

 

[one eye jack]

Notice that nothing heard from TS so far.

Yes, isn't it? Could be a troll or too embarrassed for being clueless but we are not judging and it's only human.But at least the info is here for people with similar queries.Give it some time who knows.

 

[Blakewolf]

check :
1. all shutter speeds make sure they're working.
especially the slower shutter speeds and bulb mode, they dont tend to be working.
2. viewfinder is clear
3. check for light seals
4. check counter is working.
and of course, comestic conditions,
check if battery compartment corroded

 

[one eye jack]

As you can see

TROLL

It's a link back to clubsnap.

 

[ricohflex]

Anyway, question is too open ended.

 

[one eye jack]

Anyway, question is too open ended.

Let's be patient and wait for TS to respond.

 

[clxrrr]

Hello again! Sorry for the MIA-ing.... 'one eye jack' is right&#8211; I am kind of embarrassed here >_<

From what I've checked:
the shutter speeds and the counter is working, and the battery compartment is perfectly fine :-D!
as for the cosmetic condition.... well it IS kind of old :X a little worn off here and there but it still looks pretty neat and has that cool worn look so I'm okay with it... and I'm gonna need to familiarize myself with checking the light seals but other than that everything looks to be pretty fine and dandy!

thanks everyone for the help offered I really appreciate it!

 

[li_gangyi]

Pickup a roll of film and go shoot, light leaks will show then &#128513;. The only other thing I'd check s the mirror dampening foam, these seem to go as well. Fellow A1 user here.

 

[cadadblog]

Hello TS! (fellow A1 shooter here)

I would add that shoot a cheap roll first and see how it turns out, in case something goes wrong, it won't hurt as bad as wasting a roll of portra/400H haha. (bad experience for me)

You might wanna read up on and check if your A1 has the infamous 'canon squeak'.

Till then, go out and have fun!

 

[ricohflex]

Hello again! Sorry for the MIA-ing.... 'one eye jack' is right– I am kind of embarrassed here >_<

From what I've checked:
the shutter speeds and the counter is working, and the battery compartment is perfectly fine :-D!
as for the cosmetic condition.... well it IS kind of old :X a little worn off here and there but it still looks pretty neat and has that cool worn look so I'm okay with it... and I'm gonna need to familiarize myself with checking the light seals but other than that everything looks to be pretty fine and dandy!

thanks everyone for the help offered I really appreciate it!

You need to check the red LED readout in the viewfinder. If there is a serious problem, it will read out EEEE-EE when you press shutter release.
This problem is difficult to fix.