Canon AE-1 Repair (New Mexico) (Page 2): It was. Among high school student photojournalists, though, it was thought of as the answer to having to think about exposure! Instead of...

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

BebuLamar wrote:

The AE-1 was the best seller...

It was. Among high school student photojournalists, though, it was thought of as the answer to having to think about exposure! Instead of learning why they needed to learn about f/stops and shutter speeds and the effects of ISO on exposure, They just set them on Auto and pressed the button, with predictably stupid results. I spent a lot of time at workshops helping some of them understand WHY they needed to push film, WHY they needed faster lenses, WHY they needed to think about the f/stop's effect on depth of field, and WHY they needed a faster shutter speed with a longer lens.

Camera stores sold them on the idea that they could just load it, point it, and press the shutter. Well, you CAN, but at least 20% of the time, you won't like the result if you didn't THINK about what it was doing. Prior to about 1976, we had to actually think about exposure in a more focused way.

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

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 would feel awful if there was an AE-1 in a garbage can at the curb. However, I would repair it knowing I probably would spend more than it is worth. Once repaired I would donate it to a high school to be used for a photography club that they either have or could create. I would throw into the package additional accoutrements like lenses, a couple of rolls of different films, a flash or two, a tripod, and a bag. Perhaps I could add one or two books about photography as well.
Then I could deduct it on my taxes for far much more than it is worth.
I would then buy a sentimental working replacement. Making money with a Canon AE-1 has a new meaning. You can think about how important a new generation of photographers you have created!
To answer your original question I recently had my Canon 5D Mark IV repaired. I am not sure if Rick Riggins would repair a film camera. You could e-mail him and find out. He is extremely reliable and well worth the investment. He is located at: rjriggins11.
He is also a decent fellow to write to and speak with.

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

CHG_CANON wrote:

I've had work done by http://www.slr35.com/ in Eng... (show quote)

Why would anyone sell a beautiful piece of history? A work of art and machine should be kept in an acrylic box and sitting on a shelf to be enjoyed.

BebuLamar

Scruples wrote:

I would feel awful if there was an AE-1 in a garba... (show quote)

I have an AE-1 and it works fine. One day it may not work any more and when that happens I would try to fix it and in the process I may destroy it and I would put it in the trash. No I would not donate it to a high school. I don't want to be laughed at giving that camera to the school.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

BebuLamar wrote:

I have an AE-1 and it works fine. One day it may not work any more and when that happens I would try to fix it and in the process I may destroy it and I would put it in the trash. No I would not donate it to a high school. I don't want to be laughed at giving that camera to the school.

Kids don’t use film unless taking an art class in film photography. My daughter laughed at the thought of taking film photography back in high school in 2005! She had seen me do it and wasn’t impressed with the process.

BebuLamar

burkphoto wrote:

Kids don’t use film unless taking an art class in film photography. My daughter laughed at the thought of taking film photography back in high school in 2005! She had seen me do it and wasn’t impressed with the process.

To do good for the school it would be better for me to sell the camera on ebay and donate the money. The camera actually would sell for a decent price (more than the $10 I paid for it) but I would not want the embrarassement of giving it to the school.

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

Give Rick Riggins a call..... I've had success with him.... He's in Colorado Springs.....

https://www.discountcamerarepair.com/

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

BebuLamar wrote:

…….I don't want to be laughed at giving that camera to the school.

I didn’t think that anyone would be laughed at. The Canon AE-1 not only being a historical representation of the simplicity and the complexity of photography. I think it would be
better to start with the basics than hand a teenager a Canon AE-1 or a Canon R3 or a Leica. That is how I started and it was a great learning experience. Yes, I made a boatload of mistakes.

I don’t think you would be laughed at. It would show that you have a keen bead on the past to help that person for the future.

BebuLamar

Scruples wrote:

I didn’t think that anyone would be laughed at. The Canon AE-1 not only being a historical representation of the simplicity and the complexity of photography. I think it would be
better to start with the basics than hand a teenager a Canon AE-1 or a Canon R3 or a Leica. That is how I started and it was a great learning experience. Yes, I made a boatload of mistakes.

How many high school still teach film photography?

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

BebuLamar wrote:

How many high school still teach film photography?

I am not sure of that but you could begin with a photography club and teach to these teenagers. Yes, I have taught photography as a side gig. I didn’t want to be enrolled as a teacher in NY Board Of Ed.

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

It was a thought to create a win win situation from a win lose situation.
But if you feel that teaching digital photography is better, you could put up flyers and ask the teenagers to bring their own camera!

For What It Is Worth, when you donate the package I suggested above you could turn a few simple items into a few hundred or one thousand dollars worth of gear. The IRS will gladly accept that deduction!

BebuLamar

Scruples wrote:

It was a thought to create a win win situation from a win lose situation.
But if you feel that teaching digital photography is better, you could put up flyers and ask the teenagers to bring their own camera!

For What It Is Worth, when you donate the package I suggested above you could turn a few simple items into a few hundred or one thousand dollars worth of gear. The IRS will gladly accept that deduction!

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

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

BebuLamar wrote:

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

Not many. A 64GB SDXC card is about the same price as a single roll of film without processing...

Most teens have smartphones and can learn composition and some other basic skills by using them.

Those who want advanced skills can learn all the same stuff they did with film with a digital camera and Lightroom Classic (or other parametric editor). All adjustable digital cameras can be set to record raw files in full manual mode so one can learn about f/stops, shutter speeds, ISO, metering, focus, depth of field, motion blur/stopping, etc., and learn "Lightroom work" on a computer instead of in a smelly darkroom.

If you go to any good art school that teaches photography, they might still have film classes, but if they're worth their salt, they'll have a fully digital workflow from capture to electronic display and printing on high end pigment inkjet printers. For most use cases, the tools have matured far beyond what we had with film.

BebuLamar

burkphoto wrote:

Not many. A 64GB SDXC card is about the same price... (show quote)

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.

ft Loc: New York, USA

photonaut wrote:

I can highly recommend AP-T Camera Repair in Albuquerque. AP-T is located at 4503 Menaul Blvd NE, the phone is 505-881-6600. The owner has been in business for at least 30 years and I have used them many times for film to digital repairs. Here is what they do: "Repair and cleaning of film and digital photography equipment. Sensor cleanings. Sales of quality film and digital gear. Photography classes on how to use your camera. Studio rental space available." Give them a try.

Thank you!