Great little instructional! I just bought one, and just wanted to check out the various settings without sacrificing film in doing so, and this video hit the spot.
I picked up an AL-1 while living in Tokyo (2001-06) and it quickly became my favorite user camera, even though my T70 is probably a technically more capable camera. I no longer shoot film but still have it in my display case and the battery door is still good :)
Hi Peter. Tha AL-1 is a very interesting camera and very capable. You have done well to have a working battery cover, amazing. It's not too late to get some AAA batteries, a film and relive the good old days. Cheers, Howard 📷
Love how you remedied the battery door problem! Just bought one for $5 here in Asia, and the door seems to be the only problem. Thank you for the detailed video! Well done!
Hi Dino. I'm pleased that you found the video useful. My door fix was a bit extreme but works well. There are some TH-cam videos with simpler ways of doing it. Enjoy the camera. Cheers, Howard
That battery door looks the same as those on the Canon Eos film SLR's - the later models had a door with a thin plastic hinge, that would inevitably split after use.
Hi Muse on Film. I agree, it seems that it was quite a popular method. Not good but popular. It was certainly problematic. I think the reason so many AL-1's failed was that the battery springs were too strong for the locks. Cheers, Howard 📷
Hi Howard, great camera. I picked up an AL-1 cheap with the same battery door issue. Used an old flash bracket suitably modified to fix the problem although your solution looks more elegant.
Nice fix. Another way is to put a standard winder on. It closes the battery door and you're off. The metal plate, if missing, is fixed by a little bit of tin foil between the contacts that is held in place when the winder is screwed in place
Hi bmin7133. The motor drive sounds like the perfect solution. Thanks for the info about the tinfoil. These cameras deserve to be kept going if possible. Cheers, Howard
@@howpow no probs. There's another clever solution using a picture hanger. It's trimmed and the small screw on the bottom of the grip next to the battery door is used to hold it in place. Very nice result. There's a video on how to do this on TH-cam. Take care and keep on putting these vids out!
Hi I've just got a AL1 and it's making a metallic noise when I press the shutter, is that bad? What could it be? I've checked the mirror damper and that's fine
Open the back and check that the shutter blinds are working properly. If that all looks ok take it to your local camera shop. Hopefully someone there can steer you in the right direction. Cheers, Howard
Great little instructional! I just bought one, and just wanted to check out the various settings without sacrificing film in doing so, and this video hit the spot.
Hi Danie, glad you found the video useful.
Cheers, Howard
Very interesting video. Thank you.
I'm glad you got something from it.
Cheers, Howard
I picked up an AL-1 while living in Tokyo (2001-06) and it quickly became my favorite user camera, even though my T70 is probably a technically more capable camera. I no longer shoot film but still have it in my display case and the battery door is still good :)
Hi Peter. Tha AL-1 is a very interesting camera and very capable.
You have done well to have a working battery cover, amazing.
It's not too late to get some AAA batteries, a film and relive the good old days.
Cheers, Howard 📷
Love how you remedied the battery door problem! Just bought one for $5 here in Asia, and the door seems to be the only problem. Thank you for the detailed video! Well done!
Hi Dino. I'm pleased that you found the video useful.
My door fix was a bit extreme but works well.
There are some TH-cam videos with simpler ways of doing it.
Enjoy the camera.
Cheers, Howard
Love the AL-1! The focus assisting design is incredible.
Hi flyingo. Yes they are excellent, underrated cameras.
Very useful focus system as our eyes age.
Cheers, Howard 📷
I like your improvisation on the battery door, Howard 😀
Thanks Malc. Next time you're down I'll show you the camera.
Cheers, Howard 📷
That battery door looks the same as those on the Canon Eos film SLR's - the later models had a door with a thin plastic hinge, that would inevitably split after use.
Hi Muse on Film. I agree, it seems that it was quite a popular method. Not good but popular. It was certainly problematic. I think the reason so many AL-1's failed was that the battery springs were too strong for the locks.
Cheers, Howard 📷
Hi Howard, great camera. I picked up an AL-1 cheap with the same battery door issue. Used an old flash bracket suitably modified to fix the problem although your solution looks more elegant.
Hi Andrew. Yes they are great cameras. The flash bracket is an excellent option as most have a side handle as well.
Looks professional.😀
Huge fan of these. The light meter is so much better than the AE-1. The battery door fix is fantastic.
Hi Grace. You're right to be a fan. Aside from the battery door, which is fixable, these are excellent cameras.
Cheers, Howard 📷
Nice fix. Another way is to put a standard winder on. It closes the battery door and you're off. The metal plate, if missing, is fixed by a little bit of tin foil between the contacts that is held in place when the winder is screwed in place
Hi bmin7133. The motor drive sounds like the perfect solution.
Thanks for the info about the tinfoil.
These cameras deserve to be kept going if possible.
Cheers, Howard
@@howpow no probs. There's another clever solution using a picture hanger. It's trimmed and the small screw on the bottom of the grip next to the battery door is used to hold it in place. Very nice result. There's a video on how to do this on TH-cam. Take care and keep on putting these vids out!
@@bmin7133 Hi again. I had a look at the TH-cam you referred to. Very nice solution.!!
Cheers, Howard 📷
I learned on the AL1 but I used it on manual for the most part.
That's one of the good things about these old mechanical cameras. You can use them however you want.
Cheers, Howard 📷
just got one of these ,thanks for the video,very interesting
Glad I could help.
Cheers, Howard
I just seen one in my local camera store in great condition.
Did you swoop in a grab it?
@@howpow I did. 2 days ago. Pretty cool camera. Came with the 50mm 1.8 and ordered a 28mm 2.8 on the way. Also got a Minolta AF Tele point and shoot
@@jmtphotographymedia Well done. Sounds like Gear Acquisition Syndromes is setting in.
Have fun.
Cheers, Howard 📷
Hi I've just got a AL1 and it's making a metallic noise when I press the shutter, is that bad? What could it be? I've checked the mirror damper and that's fine
Open the back and check that the shutter blinds are working properly.
If that all looks ok take it to your local camera shop.
Hopefully someone there can steer you in the right direction.
Cheers, Howard
Hello! Anyone knows where I can find that screw?
Which screw are you referring to?