Canon AE1 Aperture

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I haven't use this camera for about 10 years or more, I recently took it out of storage and started using it again, I remember using it with a 2X converter and other assorted lenses which I no longer have, now, my question is about the aperture ring, I used to turn it and it would close or open and the viewfinder screen would get lighter or darker, but now it doesn't do it anymore, I also tried this with different size lenses but still doen't work as before, What gives???.

Any help will be greatly appreciatted, Thanks.

-- Nick Salazar (ntopcats@aol.com), March 06, 2002

Answers

You may have been using it in "stop-down mode." There is a lever on the front, left side of the camera (where your left hand would be). If you push that in towards the camera lens, it probably will work in this stop-down mode.

The best bet would be to get the manual out, or get a used Canon book on the "A" series cameras, and learn about your camera again.

Good l

-- John Ratliff (cratliff@easystreet.com), March 07, 2002.


The camera keeps the lens at its widest aperature opening so that you have the brightest view finder possible, until the instance that the picture is taken. At this point the mirrow flips up the aperature closes to the predetermined setting. If you push the lever like above poster states, you can see the aperature change as you turn the ring.

-- David Presson (davpress@hotmail.com), March 07, 2002.

Many Thanks for the information, it was very helpful, along with other tips I found in other messages in this board, everyone was very kind to contribute with some usefull info.

Thanks Again.

-- Nick Salazar (ntopcats@aol.com), March 11, 2002.


Nick, something that I forgot about. It will not step down unless the film is advanced, ie., the camera is cocked and ready to shoot. Also when you have it cleaned make sure that they calibrate the light meter. Best of luck, David

-- David Presson (davpress@hotmail.com), March 12, 2002.

When you look thru the viewfinder its the lightest it can get, and turning the focus ring will not change it. But if you say set the f/stop to f/11 and on the left side of the camera next to the lense there are two bottons push the bottom one and you will be looking thru the lense at f/11 which will be dimmer and that changes with the f/stop setting.

let me know if that helped!!

-- Lyle Mann (res0k38l@verizon.net), March 12, 2002.



Thanks guys, it worked, "f stopping down" it's explained in the manual, but it's not very clear, it looks like it only works after you advance the film, now I can see how the aperture changes the light when you see thru the viewfinder.

Thanks Again.

-- Nick Salazar (ntopcats@aol.com), March 13, 2002.


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