Should i waste time having my ae-1 cleaned and serviced: I have learned alot since beng on here. I have an old canon AE-1 that i used for a long time. Wasnt great with it but enjoyed...

Racin17 Loc: Western Pa

I have learned alot since beng on here. I have an old canon AE-1 that i used for a long time. Wasnt great with it but enjoyed it. Didnt know anything about it, just set it on program and fired away. My question is this, is it worth while to send it out for cleaning ( never done) and have it looked over? To use in limited use, since i have a better ( although limited ) understanding of some of the settings. Or should i leave it as it is ( retired) and stay with my digital camera and continuing to learn and improve with it? Thanks. Oh one last thing, i have no local camera shop here, where would i send it?

Bob Yankle Loc: Burlington, NC

Racin, I too used to shoot with a Canon AE-1, but back in the day when I didn't know a flip about good photography practices. I have since sold that camera and several nice lens at a horribly discounted price. I would recommend you save your money, and embrace digital. I have risen through the ranks of Canon cameras, starting with the Digital Elph series, a Canon SX1IS, a Canon G-15, and finally the Canon 7D (via the 20D, 30D, 40D, and 50D) and Canon 5D MK III (via the 5D MK II). Everytime I think I'm going to settle down and just keep what I have, they come out with something that catches my and triggers that "gotta have it!" urge.

No man, apply your resouces to get a better digital.

tradio Loc: Oxford, Ohio

I have the A1 and was told at the "photo swap" to donate it, too good to throw away, worth nothing and maybe somebody could learn with it.
It's back in the dresser drawer.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

Racin17 wrote:

I have learned alot since beng on here. I have an ... (show quote)

Set in on a shelf and admire it. Learn to use your digital.

cthahn

Racin17 wrote:

I have learned alot since beng on here. I have an ... (show quote)

It is up to you. Probably not worth it.

dead2fred Loc: Da Bronx

All my film cameras now reside on top of the hutch. I have my AE-1 with a Canon Bellows and a 50mm 1.4 lens on the front parked next to my EOS-1n with a 17-24 Tokina. If I get in the mood to shoot film, I'll use the EOS. The AE-1 just sits there looking cute. The AE-1 is shutter priority and will need film door seals. If you still have some good lenses for it, go for it. If not, a better option would be go for something on e-bay that would work for you.

Racin17 Loc: Western Pa

Thank you all for the advice. I wasnt totally sure but i am now, will learn more about what i have then someday upgrade. Thanks again much appreciated.

gbh46 Loc: St Ives Cambridge UK

I have a Canon A1 too, bought it around 1983 a superb classic camera in it's time. I just cant bear to part with it even though I've never had a film through it for many years.

tradio wrote:

I have the A1 and was told at the "photo swap" to donate it, too good to throw away, worth nothing and maybe somebody could learn with it.
It's back in the dresser drawer.

frjack Loc: Boston, MA

It was a wonderful camera. I bought one in 1977 as my first camera. Some time in the late 90's I loaned it to a friend who wanted to learn photography (he never did, nor did he return the camera). Recently one crossed my desk. I held it, caressed it, and enjoyed the flashbacks to the years that I used it. And then, I gave it to a guy in the community who has a collection of old cameras. Buff up the outside the best you can and display it attractively.

mrbell Loc: New Hampshire

I too have an AE with a 70 - 210 lens I purchased back in the early 70's. Can not bear to part with it even though it is not used.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Racin17 wrote:

I have learned alot since beng on here. I have an ... (show quote)

Maybe it doesn't need cleaning and adjusting. Put some film in it and see how it turns out.

I have old film cameras I haven't used in years - and probably never will - but I want to keep them,.

pithydoug Loc: Catskill Mountains, NY

Almost the same path Bob. I had Ae-1 also and used it manually for years. Kids, job, etc and the camera when on the shelf. Enter Digital and I bought a 3 Mpix Elph just to see what it was all about. Floored by the quality. Moved quickly to Entry level Xti and my photography spirits were rejuvenated. When the 5DIII came out I said to hell with inching up and jumped on. Got some L glass and now that I'm retired, life is good. If I could only teach that camera composition. :) About 95% is shot manual from day one. I can only shake my head about the quality and I'm;m sure in a few years it will be considered and Instamatic.

Alashisan Loc: Arizona

Bob Yankle wrote:

Racin, I too used to shoot with a Canon AE-1, but ... (show quote)

Good thoughts Bob. I too have many film SLR's with all the trimmings. I mean, a lot of them! But, in looking around, they aren't worth hardly a penny on the dollar, and it's getting worse.

I have collected them in a very large pile, and will either donate or sell for a pittance. It's hard to let go of these old, dear friends (like my first SLR, Minolta SRT-101 and first RF Konica Auto-S2), but alas I will never roll film through them again. They steal my precious room, and are not worth moving from home to home. I told old filmers in the past that digital would consume the film camera market; I was brushed off with laughter, but I could see the writing. Like when I said CD's would crush vinyl. Never said Tower Records.

Don't throw good money away on what you won't use. Let someone else do that. Get better digitals and lenses. Have fun!

gbh46 Loc: St Ives Cambridge UK

good idea or I could wear it round my neck when I'm out taking pictures with my DSLR...might give the impression I know what I'm doing....

frjack wrote:

It was a wonderful camera. I bought one in 1977 as my first camera. Some time in the late 90's I loaned it to a friend who wanted to learn photography (he never did, nor did he return the camera). Recently one crossed my desk. I held it, caressed it, and enjoyed the flashbacks to the years that I used it. And then, I gave it to a guy in the community who has a collection of old cameras. Buff up the outside the best you can and display it attractively.

Racin17 Loc: Western Pa

jerryc41 wrote:

Maybe it doesn't need cleaning and adjusting. Put some film in it and see how it turns out.

I have old film cameras I haven't used in years - and probably never will - but I want to keep them,.

Im going to retire it, but it does need cleaning. The last time i had it out on our alaska cruise the ahots werent as clear as they should be. I could see spots in pics.