I recently acquired my second Canon AE-1 for the meager price of $5. During the inspection, I found that the shutter curtain does not open for 50% of the releases, and I dont know why.

At 1/60th sec setting (flash sync) it is almost exactly 50%. At higher speeds, such as 1/1000th, it does not seem to open at all. At 1/8th and slower it seems to always open. I have never seen such a strange problem, as the curtain itself moves but does not open.

Is there something I can do short of a CLA? I dont think the camera is worth $100.

In addition, my flash (confirmed 100% working) only fires half the time, I assume the two are connected.

Thanks in advance

-- Kevin Fulton (kfulton@timetrav.net), January 09, 2001