Canon A-1 always sets shutter to 1 second

lrochfort

Well-known
Local time
12:41 AM
Joined
Feb 21, 2011
Messages
239
Hello all,

I got a Canon A-1 for Christmas with a 50mm f/1.2 and 24mm something or other!

Unfortunately, when in aperture priority and program mode the camera always sets the shutter speed to 1 second. When in shutter priority the aperture is set to the fastest available for the attached lens.

This happens with both lenses. I checked that the lenses are set to A and the stop down lever is not pushed in. I'm using a new battery and have tried different ASA and exposure compensation settings.

Does this indicate a dead camera?

If so, what's the most economical FD mount replacement body? I don't need automatic modes necessarily, but would like a built in meter.

All I really care about is trying out the 50mm 1.2 you see.

Thanks!
 
A quick look on Wikipedia and it seems to me that the FTb, AT-1 and F-1 look good.

Any pros cons to those? Is the F-1 much bigger and heavier than the other two?

How do the FTb and AT-1 compare?

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk
 
Canon A-1 (...)
Unfortunately, when in aperture priority and program mode the camera always sets the shutter speed to 1 second.

At what aperture setting? Check the aperture blades. The lens should open fully when mounted to the camera.

Does this indicate a dead camera?

In my experience dead should be all dead, not "acting weird". But I´m no expert. You may want to read this: http://www.apug.org/forums/viewpost.php?p=1389712

If so, what's the most economical FD mount replacement body? I don't need automatic modes necessarily, but would like a built in meter.

All I really care about is trying out the 50mm 1.2 you see.

Thanks!

Canon AE-1, before the "Program". Canon AV-1.
 
A quick look on Wikipedia and it seems to me that the FTb, AT-1 and F-1 look good.

Any pros cons to those? Is the F-1 much bigger and heavier than the other two?

The FTb would need a full CLA and a meter calibration to modern 1.5v batteries.

The AT-1 should be all right.

Is the F-1 much bigger and heavier than the other two?

There are three types of F1 cameras and a variety of finders. The last one ("New") takes current batteries for the meter, the first two don`t.
 
There are three types of F1 cameras and a variety of finders. The last one ("New") takes current batteries for the meter, the first two don`t.

But only the New F-1 is battery dependent, on the others, it merely powers the meter - which will still work if you use a hearing aid battery and adapter.
 
At what aperture setting? Check the aperture blades. The lens should open fully when mounted to the camera.



In my experience dead should be all dead, not "acting weird". But I´m no expert. You may want to read this: http://www.apug.org/forums/viewpost.php?p=1389712



Canon AE-1, before the "Program". Canon AV-1.
Both lenses show fully open when taking a reading.

I'll take a look at the site, thanks.

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk
 
Back
Top Bottom