Question: A-1 shutter "squeal" sound

[Chinasaur]

Hola all,

Was given an A-1 today w/ 50mm 1.4. When released, the shutter mechanism makes a high pitched "krick..kroww" sound.. Sorry for the anthropomorhpizing of the sound..can't think of any other way to put it. Battery "seems" good as I'm getting red LED numbers in the lower part of the viewfinder...but what do I know..

I'm assuming the camera needs an overhaul, but was wondering if anyone knows if this sound is indicative of a greater problem than a CLA would address.

Thanks. Now off to find an A-1 manual because this thing has some odd buttons on it I can't decipher 🙂

TIA.

 

[Peter_wrote:]

i assume, that's the well known canon a1 squeak. a common problem from the canon a-series.

when the camera is for a longer period not in use, the lubricant of the mirror damper gets sticky.
just open the cam. the shutter itself should work as usual then, but the mirror may flip up and down significantly slower than it's used to be.

it's not so difficult to repair that by yourself. just google canon squeak.

an instruction can be found e.g. here http://www.aldo-net.com/Canon/ (scroll down a bit)


a manual for the a-1 can be found for free here: http://www.butkus.org/chinon/canon/canon_a-1/canon_a-1.htm (3 pdfs)

 

[gb hill]

My AE1 program developed the Canon Squeal. I tried to fix it myself but it didn't work for me so I took it in for a CLA. Cost me $80.00 but well worth it. Now it is such a joy to use.

 

[Chinasaur]

Ya'll rock for such fast responses. Much obliged and have good shooting weekends!