Fix Old Cameras: Canon A-1 Mirror Box Removal
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 ก.ย. 2024
- Wrinkled uneven shutter of a Canon A-1. This tutorial video demonstrates how to remove the mirror box unit of a Canon A-1 so as to access and restore the functionality of the shutter curtain assemble.
classic camera repair - www.phototronic...
A few tools and books - www.amazon.com...
Wow,this is a really difficult process!!!!!
A bit more involved than some repairs featured on FOC. Thank you for your interest.
hello ! around 8:00 you replace the ring and the post
I just cannot slide the post enough for it to be seen iphone the lever, so I'm not able to place the ring...
could you give me some help, advice?
thanks
This is awesome! Thank you so very much for this tutorial. :)
I hope i dont need this on my A1 ^^ But it's impressive to see how much components are in this camera.
Greetings from the bavarian forest / Germany.
Thank you so much for the kind words and your greetings from the Bavarian Forest home of lovely Lake Rachelsee.
Thank you for your videos, they have been extremely helpful to me, is there a chance you could do a video on how to remove the Canon A1 Viewfinder Prism, I have dust in it and I don't know how to remove it?
Thank you for your excellent video! I wish I had found it before removing the mirror box (to remove fungus from the prism assembly) using the A1 repair manual . Unfortunately, when removing the box, the wires that attach to the small circuit board on the upper right hand side of the mirror box (looking toward the front of the camera) became detached (they remain attached to the flexible connector). This board, I believe, controls the auto-aperture setting. If possible, please could you advise the colours and locations of the wires that attach to this board. Your help would be very much appreciated. Thank you, Ian
With your described orientation, from left to right... blue, black, white, red.
Great camera when working properly. When broken its the worst nightmarish camera to fix due to all the electronics.
It was a ground breaking camera and proved its reputation for nearly a decade. The last A-1 rolled out in the mid eighties. (possibly 1985). Times have changed, electronics are crazy small and powerful compared to the salad days of the A-1, but yet the electronic layout and function was elegant and sturdy as proven by the many cameras still functioning perfectly. But when the electronics of the A-1 do finally fail, it often times relegates the camera to a donor status. Thank you for the comment and your interest in FOC.
You do amazing work. The cost of a camera like this seems relatively inexpensive when you can see all the intricate workings inside. Thanks for the video.
I always wondered what the guts of my A-1 looked like.. Have owned it since the mid 80's. Holy COW that is a complex machine! Glad mine is still in pristine condition and does not need repairs!
Thank you for the comments.
Awesome video. I've just followed this yesterday in order to fix a halfway stuck shutter. After the mirror box was removed, I managed to work on the shutter rollers with my fingers and eventually free it. Unfortunately, after reassembly there is no power anymore, no LEDs, shutter not working and I was really careful to not damage any flex cable. I just need to find the problem now.
Btw. the video is missing the unsoldering on the little switch board 😉
Same thing happened to me. Did you ever get it working again?
Thanks for sharing. This is a project I wanted to tackle by myself but now I have this great tutorial to work with.
Hopefully it will help a little. Good luck in the endeavor. And thank you for your continued interest in Fix Old Cameras.
I was hoping for this video to come. This is my current project but I can’t seem to find the right kind of snap ring pliers.
Doesn't help that they are some stubborn snap rings. Particularly the one under the rewind knob.
I use a Knipex 46 11 G0 pliers that works a treat
Excellent choice @@marcelh85
Thanks for this marvelous tutorial. My a1 do not release the mirror other than in Bolt mode .battery is ok and the magnet seems to work correctly.
Unfortunately it seems that this tutorial is not full. There is a least one flat part of circuit board on the right side of the prism (on the advance lever side) that prevents the mirror box from being removed. And I don't see how to get rid of it or how to unscrew it from the camera body myself yet.
Another great video, thank you! I would love to see a video explaining how to replace the take-up or torque spool, (the one with the teeth) as some are missing on my Canon A-1.
You are amazing...
This is genius!!!
Your words are too kind. Thank you for your interest in FOC,
Thank you for this video ,it help me to repair my Canon .
What tool do you use for the “speed dial spanner nut” looks like it need something specific and isn’t shown in the video
Did you ever figure this out? I'm stuck here too
I used a pair of right angle tweezers, just be very very careful not to slip and scratch
@@ben9412 Thanks! I've been trying with tweezers but there just doesn't seem to be any movement in it whatsoever
@@jyraphos sorry I realise we are talking about different bits (was a while since my comment and forgot what I was referring to!)
I actually used a “security screwdriver” bit set
You there’s a two pin one in most generic sets from Amazon or the like that fits perfectly
There’s a video on my “Bengineer” channel of me taking my A1 apart, you can just see me using the tool at the very start in a generic L shaped holder. It isn’t very clear though due to the speed there
Hello again, I was fortunate to find a photo of the AE unit with leads attached, so please ignore the request in my earlier message. Again, thank you so much for posting your video, it is very helpful. Best wishes from Gold Coast Australia! Ian
Good to hear of your successful repair. Keep'em going.
Thanks for making this tutorial, i watched it to repair my A-1, BTW you missed to show the removal of the frame counter plate to take out the mirror box.
Oops... hopefully the video is somewhat helpful and interesting in spite of the omission. And thank you for your interest in FOC.
I'm stuck trying to remove the shutter speed dial nut at 03:41 - any advise would be greatly appreciated!
Hey, was stuck on this too
You can use a lens spanner wrench or a screwdriver head in the shape of a H kinda, worked for me, even after the screwdriver head broke
Does the mirror box need to be removed to access the aperture signal coupling lever on Canon FD mount cameras? I have a Canon EF that has a damaged coupling lever; when it was supposed to couple with the aperture signal lever on my Canon FD 50mm f/1.4 SSC lens, it was scraping against the back of the lens and not allowing me to stop down all the way. I noticed it was bent and tried to bend it back, but that metal is not strong and sheared very easily. Would like to try repairing or replacing it as a project.
You will need to remove the mirror box.
Yikes!
Pentax ME, MG, ME Super (less advanced contemporaries of A-1) are a walk in the park to fix comparing with Canon A-1, AE-1 Program, etc.
Hello!
Great video, thank you!
I have canon A1 with broken Sprocket.
I was hoping in this video to see how you remove it, but it is missed.
Maybe you have video how to replace it?
Thank you so much for your videos!
Thank you for this tutorial! The aperture signal coupling lever on my A1 moves too slow or not far enough, so apertures starting at 5.6 barely work. How would I fix this problem after removing the mirror box? Or do I even need to remove it at all? I hope that you can help me :)
wow .. what a bitch of a repair .. lol.. you da man !
Your comment brings a Mona Lisa smile...
Where should I operate for this malfunction?
👏👏👏👏👏👏👍
👍👍👌👌👏
My film advance is stuck and only works when i activate the multi exposure, when i fire, he goes automatically for selftimer 10s, and after i fired the mirror stay locked until i activate the multiexposure again. Any toughts?
Might start with an investigation of the functionality of the stack of contacts and switch cams under the advance lever. However, with such a malfunction in the A-1 it could ultimately be caused by a failure of a circuit.
Thanks for your great Videos!! Can you please make a Video how to do exactly this job with a Canon AE1? I have a problem with one shutter curtain hangig and not coming to its place anymore...
Thank you for the suggestion and thank you for your interest in Fix Old Cameras.
Hey Fix Old Cameras,
I’ve been having an issue with my A1. I finished up a roll of film & was loading a new one. After I loaded the film, I was winding the roll to set the first frame into place & I realized that whenever I winded, the shutter would go off. Now ever since, every time I wind to the next frame, the camera’s shutter automatically goes off as if I pressed the shutter button.
Hopefully this makes sense, if not I’d be glad to rephrase.
Any idea/advice on what to do, or what it could be, would be appreciated.
Thank you in advance!
Check the holding surface of the shutter release magnet. This FOC video shows the release magnet in some of the A series cameras.
Probably your most intricate video yet. Yikes, as informative as it is I think I'd buy an A1 on Ebay cheap, LOL. It's been awhile since the last video, missed them. Recovering from Florence here in N.C. I did pretty well, just roof damage and a few trees. Great Video. Thanks
Agreed. At least one video every three to four weeks is the goal. Do not always make it. Your continued support and patience is greatly appreciated. Also... Good to hear you place was not blown or washed away.
Can u make a video on how to fix high speed shutter problem (the shutter curtain won't open at speed 1/500 - 1/1000 and only half open at 1/250) or u can give me some tips maybe :') I have Ricoh A-100
Try slightly adjusting the shutter curtain tension as shown in...
th-cam.com/video/UNsYbk4RE9A/w-d-xo.html
th-cam.com/video/UNsYbk4RE9A/w-d-xo.html
th-cam.com/video/SkRJlYJBh84/w-d-xo.html
Hi I have a problem, two months ago, my dad gave me a canon A-1. But when I flipped the AE Mode selector towards Tv mode to test the speeds the mirror get stuck up. Then i move the main switch form A to L the mirror go back down. I look through the view finder i see a Bulb flashing 32, I go through all the speeds and that is the only thin i see in the view finder sometimes change but if i put Tv mode to P still the problem. I just want to ask is you can make a vidio about this problem. I don't know to much about slr because this one is my first one.
Although without more details there it is uncertain as to the exact cause of the issue.Because the mirror release cycles complete when the camera is shut off it is probably indicating an electronic failure. When experiencing electronic issues on an A-1 always begin by checking flexible circuit connectors for proper alignment, tightness and cleanliness. Check wipers on all switches for positive contact. Finally check for flexible circuit damage. A mechanical issue with the mirror release would generally correct reset when the camera's wind interlock override and a completed wind sequence. It is possible that the INPUT-IC and or the OPT-IC are causing the malfunction. Trouble shooting and subsequent replacement there of might not be considered practical.
Thanks for this wonderful tutorial. For some reason after the reassembly, my shutter won't trip. I can hear the 'tick' of the magnet releasing but nothing else happens. :(
Might have a mechanical issue that is preventing the camera from being complete wound. A lever in the mirror mechanism might possibly be out of place.
could you make a video on how to reset the aperture linkage arm inside of the FD mount? I have TWO A-1's, one with a faulty aperture arm and one with a totally stuck one and I have found no useful help on the internet for remedying this problem, which I initially thought would be more common
for now this might help... th-cam.com/video/r3-_aZztQzY/w-d-xo.html otherwise be patient for fruition of your request. Hard to say when it might appear as there have been so many great suggestions for FOC videos.
Thank you for this! Can you please do the full reassembly. My A1 is disassembled and I would love to see it assembled properly!🙏
You are welcome. Possibly at some point in time a detailed reassembly and installation of the mirror box of the A1 could be featured.
I have a Minolta XG 1 that needs inside the viewfinder dust removal as well as new light seal. What would be a rough estimate on this? Thanks in advance.
If you are interested in the possibility of repair
www.phototronic.biz/services.html
I couldn't focus on following this demo because the only thought in my mind while watching is you should be among those whom we want to live in the world forever.
Your words are too kind... even with or especially because of the slightest suspicion of whimsical irony.
I watch your movies and I am impressed with how you deal with the repair of these photographic cameras.
Thank you for your comment and your interest in Fix Old Cameras.
Quite a difficult task.but very interested in how you go about trying to get to the shutter
Thank you for your comment and your interest in FOC.
TH-cam needs to monetize these videos.
Thank you for your continued interest in FOC and for your great comments.
Great
Thank you.
Holy Cow - that’s the most involved repair I’ve ever seen
Too much fun! Keep'em going.
Thanks a lot
Impressing! Once again! 😊👍🏻
Thank you.
can you fix light meter?
Yes. If you are interested in sending a camera in for repair... www.phototronic.biz/services.html
Can you make a Video about the Canon EF?
A very sturdy camera with a shutter that would make for a good FOC feature. An electronically controlled Copal shutter from speeds 1 second to 30 seconds... and mechanically controlled shutter speeds from 1/2 to 1/1000. If the batteries die you are still in business! And on the subject of batteries... the Copal shutter in the EF has a stepping circuit in it so that the use of the 1.5 volt batteries can be used to replace the original 1.35 volt batteries without any need modification. Can not say when such a video might appear... but it is on the list. Thank you for the suggestion.
Since you seem to reply to almost any comment made on one of your videos, i hope you read this:
Is it possible to replace the A1 focus screen with those made for the AE1-P? Some people claim it works, some claim it doesn't and i don't want to order some just to try it.
Never made that swap. The A1 screen is thicker than the AE-1P. The AE-1P screen has tabs that would need to be filed off. It could probably be made to fit and then you would need to check for accuracy of focus at infinity at the very least.
@@FixOldCameras Thanks for your answer. I have some residue from old mirror cushion turned to a greasy, sticky mess i couldn't remove with isopropanyl. It's in the bottom right corner, so i'll stick with it until i can find a cheap replacement.
Hello, would you happen to know how to repair a Canon A1 that drains batteries ? I believe it has to do with the replacement of a condenser, but I don't know enough about electronics and would have to have a video done on the matter. Regards
Connect a DVM micro ammeter in series with the battery. Should be no current. If not check for moisture damage. Turn on the main switch should be less than 2 micro amps. If it is more than 2 micro amps, check voltage at release magnet terminals, if it is more than a few millivolts desolder the black wire from the shutter holding magnet where it connects if current leaks stops, probably a bad IC (OSC/INT). Recheck current leak with top cover removed as there might be top cover caused short. (pinched wire) If the output from the original test is less than a few millivolts, desolder the connections to the preview switch (blue wire) and battery check switch (orange wire); if the current stops check the switch insulators.
@@FixOldCameras Wow, thanks for your reply. I'll get into it as soon as I have the time. Cheers
Hello! I have a question about the AE1 Program. I’ve been given one to play around with, but I’m trying to judge whether it’s worth fixing or is just a parts camera at best.
The shutter was jammed, so I watched your other video about manually moving the magnet. Shorting the ground screw on the contacts didn’t work so it seems like I need a magnet replacement.
Before I buy one though, I have a question. When I manually move the magnet and the shutter releases, should the shutter screen and mirror release at the same time at the designated shutter speed, as if I were completing a regular exposure?
Currently when I separate the magnet, the mirror just flaps idly upwards and bounces down again, and with the camera back open, the shutter screen just seems to shift across and not actually open.
Could this be indicative of some larger problems with the timing circuitry and the electronics? If so, I think it would be cheaper just to abandon the project and buy a used working AE1 body.
If not, what else should I try? The only way I’ve managed to make the mirror stay open at the moment is by manipulating another smaller magnet in the bottom of the camera. The shutter doesn’t seem to be doing anything normal at the moment.
Thanks for your help! Love your videos, I’d love to take this up as a hobby.
Tripping the camera via the release magnet does not involve the shutter timing circuit so you will not have any speed control. The smaller magnet holds the second shutter curtain open to time out the shutter speeds. When the second curtain completes its travel it in turns trips the mirror to drop.
Fix Old Cameras thankyou!! I’m going to go ahead and buy a replacement magnet and see if I can get it working. Thanks for the succinct advice, as usual. Love from the UK.
Right on... or maybe find an inexpensive donor that you can salvage parts from.
Great video's, use them a lot when tinkering with old camera's
Your interest in Fix Old Cameras is appreciated. If all your tools are the quality of the Knipex 46 11 G0 pliers you suggest than you are well on your way. Keep'em going.
Thank you, i have a lot of good tools, but for the camera repairs I'm still collecting tools (or make my own, just found out that the rubber stoppers used in lab glassware are cheaper than the same thing sold as camera repair item)
Right on. Great tip.
Hello @FixOldCameras your video really helped me by undoing the mirror box. But after putting everything back together I noticed that I have one piece left. Now I can’t figure out where it has to go. Can you maybe help me with that?