Canon A1 - Help...

[chrism_scotland]

I've been given a Canon A1 and 50mm f1.8 FD lens to sell along with some other kit (flash,etc) but I've no idea where to start with a film camera! Not sure how to check if its working,etc any help would be great!

 

[robhooley167]

hi Chris, to check if its working you need a battery for it because it has an electronically triggered shutter, you can get the one you need from
http://www.smallbattery.company.org.uk/sbc_4sr44.htm

then fire off the shutter a few times and if it sounds a bit squeaky, you should send it to a photographic engineer because the mirror damper needs re-oiling.

ive been through this all myself as i just brought an A-1 back from the brink of the bin

It is a fantastic little camera and a good way to get in to 35mm so they sell quite well.

 

[freecom2]

Need to unscrew the little hand grip thing on the left hand side (as you look from the front). The battery compartment should then be obviously exposed. Put the 6V battery in, like one Rob has linked to. Wind the camera if it hasn't been already. Make sure the selector around the film winder is on A, not L. Push the shutter release down, and the shutter should fire.

What Rob is describing is known as the "Canon cough" or "Canon squeal"; I prefer the latter as it describes it better. It involves a lubricant drying up, a lubricant which ensures that everything works silky smooth so obviously it is an important thing if the squeal/cough is present. There are audio examples on YouTube, if you need a reference.

If the camera has been well looked after but at the same time used lightly, you might not have any squeal/cough at all - I had an AE-1 Program that was completely free of it, because of this.

 

[chrism_scotland]

Thanks guys, seems to work ok, was still a battery in it which seemed to have some charge left, feels quite a nice hunk of kit!

 

[pityacka]

Yes, the A1 is an impressive camera. Bought a T90, and started to enjoy the 'flavour' of the Canon FD system. So I went and bought an A1, followed by a second A1 - both cheap of *bay. Now got 4 lenses for them (all Canon make) and a Canon 300mm f5.6 is on its way.

 

[freecom2]

Thanks guys, seems to work ok, was still a battery in it which seemed to have some charge left, feels quite a nice hunk of kit!

Make sure that there is no corrosion or leaked battery gunk in the battery chamber, if the battery has been in there for a while.

 

[chrism_scotland]

Possible silly question, but I know nought about film! What type of film would an A1 take?

 

[s162216]

35mm or 135 to give its proper name, its the most common type of film that you'll see in shops. It usually comes in 36 or 24 exposure lengths but 36 is now much more common than 24.

 

[chrism_scotland]

35mm or 135 to give its proper name, its the most common type of film that you'll see in shops. It usually comes in 36 or 24 exposure lengths but 36 is now much more common than 24.

Ah cool, I wasn't sure it was as simple as just 35mm!