I have noticed that my Canon AE-1 Program is making an unusal sqeaking noise when I press the shutter button. I have read that this is a common problem that developes over time with this particular model. Can anyone tell me what will eventually happen if not repaired and also what a reasonable price is to repair this problem. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

-- George Fries III (gfriesiii@innernet.net), October 08, 1998

Answers

George, Sounds like mirror squeak. You can probably have this taken care of with a clean, lube, and calibrate.Eventually, if you do nothing, it's likely the mirror will start showing up in your frames.A CLA is a good idea if it hasn't been done in a while, and will add years to your cameras life. It should be less than $100.00, and any competent camera repair shop should be able to do the work. Your camera is still worth a repair of this magnatude. Tom

-- Tom Kessler (T70SSRS@aol.com), October 08, 1998.

There is a fellow who seems to have a very good reputation for doing these bodies. His name is Karl Aimo, and I've heard that he will do a CLA, plus repair the squeak for around $45.00 USD (plus, of course, S & H). His e-mail address is:

ae1repair@aol.com

It's worth a shot!

John

-- John (jmllal@spacestar.net), October 30, 1998.

Buy a spray lub. Open the back of AE1p, press shutter release button in Bulb position and -continuos pressing- spray a little amount of lub in the whole on the top right corner of the mirror (seen by the back of the camera). The problem is fixed!

-- Damian Fischer (damian.fischer@rtvslo.si), May 09, 2000.

DON'T spray stuff inside your camera - it's bound to get where it's not needed and ruin it!

Get a CLA as recommended above. And soon, as the squeak can be a precursor to other problems.

-- Roger Broadbent (roger_broadbent@yaho.co.uk), May 09, 2000.

Also the mirror dampener, which is what is squeeking, should be lubed with grease, not an oil.

-- Terry Carraway (TCarraway@compuserve.com), May 10, 2000.

according to engineers at canon usa, this squeak in no way impairsn the funcioning of the camera. I called after getting all sorts of advice as listed here. since said advice is free, you get what you pay for. put up with the squeak. I have -- since 1979.

-- (cerbino@home.com), March 17, 2001.