film camera question

i didnt see a sub-forum for film. i might have "deleted" it but i couldnt find one...

my AE-1 which hasnt been used in years (decades?) has the imfamous "shutter" squeak..

i know that its actually the mirror damper mechanism and after watching about 10 videos on oiling it (what seems as a pretty straight forward and simple task) i cant tell if the oil goes on a pin/pivot, where the springs are, or if its on a gear (in the mechanism)...

i actually saw ONE video where a short blast of WD-40 was sprayed through a screw hole in the lens mount! i dont plan on doing that, thats for sure...

Really should send in the camera to get a CLA(clean lube adjust), it will fix that issue and have it looking like new. The camera is highly desirable so it's worth it to have it serviced.

It would be cheaper to just pick up another from ebay or CL. Even Keh has one for just over $100 and I found several on our local CL for $45 to $65. Going to be cheaper than

gjl711 wrote in post #17834228
It would be cheaper to just pick up another from ebay or CL. Even Keh has one for just over $100 and I found several on our local CL for $45 to $65. Going to be cheaper than

95% or better that they have the mirror return (shutter) squeak in need of lubrication...

two methods of lubing either through the front or from the bottom, just cant get super clarification on where exactly to put the ONE DROP of oil...

not going to send the camera in for that. theres not any major component wear or dirt on it to justify spending the money for CLA...

Ltdave wrote in post #17834248
95% or better that they have the mirror return (shutter) squeak in need of lubrication...

two methods of lubing either through the front or from the bottom, just cant get super clarification on where exactly to put the ONE DROP of oil...

not going to send the camera in for that. theres not any major component wear or dirt on it to justify spending the money for CLA...

I've never been inside an AE-1, so this may not apply - but the couple of SLRs I've dug into used the gears to open the shutter and a spring to close it.

If that's the case and your squeak is on closing, doesn't that eliminate the gear train? Anyway, from a general mechanical perspective my first guess would be the pivot pin.

number six wrote in post #17835265
I've never been inside an AE-1, so this may not apply - but the couple of SLRs I've dug into used the gears to open the shutter and a spring to close it.

If that's the case and your squeak is on closing, doesn't that eliminate the gear train? Anyway, from a general mechanical perspective my first guess would be the pivot pin.

its really not the shutter. its the mirror return system that unfortunately affects all of the A series canons along with some of the T series film cameras too...

ill have to look at the vids again...

Mine doesn't squeak - yet - but I have replaced the foam seal on the back twice. The foam deteriorates with age causing the back to leak light. You might check that before you use it on something irreplaceable. And, if you live in a large enough city, you might find a repairman to work on it rather than send it in to Canon. Old film cameras are basically mechanical devices and any good repairman can fix them. I replaced the foam seals myself.

Joe Careta does a complete AE-1 overhaul for ninety or a hundred dollars. A few years ago he turned my sad AE-1 into one as good or better than brand new.
http://www.slr35.com/c​amera_repair.htm

After thinking about it for a few weeks and digging out my old AE-1 and finding out it still works, batteries are a bit rare locally though, I've decided to scratch the film itch.
I think the last time I used it was about 13 years ago.
Anyway I'll likely be sending it off to Joe Careta per AZGeorge's reference.
Next I'll have to channel my inner Indian Jones and excavate the closet where my darkroom kit has been stored for almost 20 years.

While my AE-1 is off for overhaul I was browsing the local Craigslist and found this.

Very clean inside and out and appears to function perfectly. Even the leather case is in excellent condition barring a few minor exterior scuffs and a little creasing at the "hinge" section. I'll run a roll or two through it and see how it does.

IMAGE LINK: http://s23.photobucket​.com …hicamat1242-6294.jpg.html

IMAGE LINK: http://s23.photobucket​.com …hicamat1241-6287.jpg.html

Pretty good camera and the IQ will be MUCH better than the AE-1. You will be spoiled and never want to see 35mm film again - which is a good thing

I'm looking forward to getting some film to run through it and seeing what it will do. It's been a little over 20 years since I've developed any film. I'm thinking that bag of D-76 powder in the back of the closet is probably out of date.

Ive got a yashicamat somewhere.

Sailor Larry wrote in post #17867738
I'm looking forward to getting some film to run through it and seeing what it will do. It's been a little over 20 years since I've developed any film. I'm thinking that bag of D-76 powder in the back of the closet is probably out of date.

The D-76 is OK but try HC-110. Or better yet, if it's still available, Agfa Rodinal. Rodinal is the most beautiful developer of all.

I'll have to see what they have in stock in Tulsa tomorrow just for starters, re-starting with what I knew and used 20 years ago seems to be a reasonable re-entry into the darkroom. But, I'll be putting in an order for film and chemistry to probably B&H over the weekend. I've been reading up on the differences but haven't made any decisions