Canon A-1 / FD Lens Issue

Hi all - not sure where else to turn so I figure that I will start here. I have a Canon A-1 with a 28mm f/2.8 lens. For some reason or other, the camera won't allow the lens to go under f/9.5. However, when I test the lens manually to determine if the aperture blades are stuck, I can move through the full range of f/2.8 to f/22. I do not have issues with a 50mm f/1.8 lens that I own so while I believe the issue is the lens, I am a bit lost given the aperture blades manually work fine. The 28mm lens has worked before and it isn't a "new" lens per say.

Any thoughts or ideas from others who have this camera or lens or know a thing about the mechanics of them?

Thanks

when you say "when I test the lens manually" you mean moving the aperture lever on the lens itself (while the lens is off) or are you using the depth-of-field preview lever thingy on the camera?

Moving the aperture lever with the lens off of the camera. I rotated it and simulated it being attached to the camera and I was able to verify that the aperture blades function through the full range of settings.

hmmmm... suspect it's the camera body with the problem then.

Can't say I've seen anything for A-1 specifically, but have a service manual for AE-1 that is probably similar, and some AE-1P info that can be downloaded here: linky

The thing is, my other two FD lenses work perfectly fine on it. There's something between the 28mm and the body that just isn't working. It mounts very, very tight in comparison to the other lenses. It's just weird.

adivineeternity wrote in post #17693535
The thing is, my other two FD lenses work perfectly fine on it. There's something between the 28mm and the body that just isn't working. It mounts very, very tight in comparison to the other lenses. It's just weird.

Has this lens ever worked properly? The fact that it mounts very tight could possibly indicate a damaged mount.

Have you done some special circumventing of the mount? I grew up with a AE-1/FD lenses, and have both the bayonet and breech mount FD lenses. Normally, if the lens is unmounted, with no cap on, the aperture blades won't move if you rotate the aperture ring. If that is happening, then that does indicate mechanical failure. Today, I don't know how servicing an old camera works. Back when I needed a FD lens repaired, there was a local camera shop that did camera repairs. Guess you'll have to find one online.

It used to work fine. I have shot two rolls of film since getting the A-1 and the first one had no issues when I introduced the 28mm to my line-up. Early on in my most recent roll it was fine, as well.

Bleh. Why do I have a feeling my best bet is to hunt through eBay for another? Even if I can find a repair place in NYC willing to work on an older lens, it'll probably be about the same cost to just buy a new (to me) lens, or less if I can score well again. I got this particular one for $40 and, as I said, it worked perfectly for months. I got some nice shots with it in Bermuda last year and then at some point after is when things seem to have gone sour.

My boyfriend has been trying to help me figure it out (he's a photography nerd, too, but all-Nikon) and found a video that talked us through the simulating the lens being mounted thing I mentioned earlier.