Canon AE-1 Repair (New Mexico) (Page 3): Thank you all for the recommendations, advice, and food for thought. You make the UHH forum a great resource.

ft Loc: New York, USA

Thank you all for the recommendations, advice, and food for thought.
You make the UHH forum a great resource.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

I understand the sentimental value aspect. I had one of the first AE-1s to be sold in the UK back in 1976. It got stolen in 2000 so I bought a used one. I still have it and periodically fire the shutter to keep it working.

Rarely I will run some film through it, same as with my T90. I have a very small collection of old cameras just for fun. All my old Canon lenses (FL/FD) get used on my digital bodies.

They’re like old friends and relatives, to be cherished, not abandoned.

BebuLamar

Peterff wrote:

I understand the sentimental value aspect. I had one of the first AE-1s to be sold in the UK back in 1976. It got stolen in 2000 so I bought a used one. I still have it and periodically fire the shutter to keep it working.

Rarely I will run some film through it, same as with my T90. I have a very small collection of old cameras just for fun. All my old Canon lenses (FL/FD) get used on my digital bodies.

They’re like old friends and relatives, to be cherished, not abandoned.

Glad to see your post. Haven't seen you on the UHH for a long long time.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

Thanks. I’m in the middle of selling our house and buying a new one, probably in Sebastopol CA.

Time is a rare commodity until we’re settled in a new place.

But, I plan to be back. I’m not much of a social media person, but UHH is one of the few I enjoy.

Take care, and avoid the snapping turtles!

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Peterff wrote:

I understand the sentimental value aspect. I had one of the first AE-1s to be sold in the UK back in 1976. It got stolen in 2000 so I bought a used one. I still have it and periodically fire the shutter to keep it working.

Rarely I will run some film through it, same as with my T90. I have a very small collection of old cameras just for fun. All my old Canon lenses (FL/FD) get used on my digital bodies.

They’re like old friends and relatives, to be cherished, not abandoned.

Hi, Peter! Good to see a post from you again.

I haven't loaded a film camera since 2005, but I still have all of mine from decades past. They're conversation relics and reminders of when and where I used them. Of course, no one else in my family understands... I'm not sure I do, either!

BebuLamar

burkphoto wrote:

Hi, Peter! Good to see a post from you again.

I haven't loaded a film camera since 2005, but I still have all of mine from decades past. They're conversation relics and reminders of when and where I used them. Of course, no one else in my family understands... I'm not sure I do, either!

I have the AE-1 just because I want to verify why I didn't like it back in the 70's.

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

BebuLamar wrote:

That's what I think. A gift of a Canon AE-1 isn't what they want and I don't think they would appreciated. Actually there are many other people who would deserve such a free camera who are much older and would appreciate it.

You may be correct. However, if someone offered you the skeleton of a Tyrannosaurus rex would you take it for free to assemble on your front lawn? Probably not! If you owned a Museum of Natural History, probably yes!!

BebuLamar

Scruples wrote:

You may be correct. However, if someone offered you the skeleton of a Tyrannosaurus rex would you take it for free to assemble on your front lawn? Probably not! If you owned a Museum of Natural History, probably yes!!

Well now if someone give the the skeleton of a Tyrannosaurus rex I would take it. Not to keep. I can sell it for decent money. That is why if I want to give to the school I would sell the camera and give them the money as I know I can do the better selling than them. If you want to give a $100 worth camera and claim a tax deduction of $1500 it's up to you. I don't want to do that.

brentrh Loc: Deltona, FL

Cost of film to photograph as end result expensive with step down in quality. Best to spend no money on this camera. Put it on shelf for display.

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

brentrh wrote:

Cost of film to photograph as end result expensive with step down in quality. Best to spend no money on this camera. Put it on shelf for display.

I believe that it was mentioned. To make an interesting display include a few empty boxes of film, a spare roll and for a background, a framed photograph. Perhaps a small plaque with the date purchased and where.

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

BebuLamar wrote:

My question is how many teenagers want to learn film photography and willing to pay for the cost of film and processing?

That was part of the fun and the disappointment.

I can remember yourself thinking you were the greatest photographer ever lived. After waiting a week, you only found one photo worth showing others out of 36 attempts not worth much!

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

Peterff wrote:

Thanks. I’m in the middle of selling our house and buying a new one, probably in Sebastopol CA…….

Keep in touch. Don’t be a stranger. Visit on occasion. Please explain the reference to “snapping turtles.” Take care of you and the family.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

Scruples wrote:

Keep in touch. Don’t be a stranger. Visit on occasion. Please explain the reference to “snapping turtles.” Take care of you and the family.

An alligator snapping turtle was found in a tarn in Cumbria (English Lake District). I don’t think they’re photographic ‘snappers’, but apparently they can crush bone. Google ‘snapping turtle Cumbria’ to get the story.

dbrugger25 Loc: Raleigh, NC

ft wrote:

Would anyone have a recommendation for a camera repair person or shop that could repair a Canon AE-1 film camera with a shutter problem? Asking for a friend in New Mexico.
Thanks for your help!

I sent a very old non working camera to KEH and they repaired it quickly for a fair price. Check out their website.
https://www.keh.com/repair. I believe the starting price for a film SLR is $225.00. That will increase if any new parts are required. In my case they just charged the base fee for diagnosing, cleaning, lubricating, calibrating. It came back working like new.

BebuLamar

dbrugger25 wrote:

I sent a very old non working camera to KEH and they repaired it quickly for a fair price. Check out their website.
https://www.keh.com/repair. I believe the starting price for a film SLR is $225.00. That will increase if any new parts are required. In my case they just charged the base fee for diagnosing, cleaning, lubricating, calibrating. It came back working like new.

You can buy excellent condition Canon AE-1 for much less than $225. So unless it has great sentimental value it's not worth having it repaired.