Exposure problem

Gast · 2005-03-27T16:47:40+00:00

Hallo, ich habe das Problem, dass meine Canon AE1 beim Fotografieren in zufälliger Reihenfolge, eine Art "2-Art-Belichtung" auf dem Negativ hinterlässt. Das...

Gast

Hello, I’m having a problem where my Canon AE1, when taking photos, leaves a sort of ‘two-tone exposure’ on the negative in a random order. This is what it looks like on the developed negative: 1/3 to 1/2 of the image appears to have been exposed for longer than the residue, which consequently looks brighter. The resolution is consistent across the whole image. I haven’t been able to identify any pattern to this occurrence. Sometimes two frames on the film are affected, sometimes five, and sometimes none at all. The battery is also fresh. I suspect that perhaps the mirror isn’t folding back properly?! Does anyone have any ideas or perhaps even some solutions to hand? Many thanks in advance! Stefan

uworischki

I’m not familiar with the Canon AE1, but that sounds more like a shutter that isn’t operating smoothly. If it’s a metal-blade shutter, it could be that some of the blades are sticking a bit. Perhaps the shutter is getting sticky at certain shutter speeds. As far as I know, an AE1 has been in use for quite a few years now... Why not try checking the longer exposure times with the film removed and the back cover open (from 1/8 s onwards, you should be able to see if the shutter is running smoothly). Uwe

Gast

leaves a sort of "two-tone exposure" on the negative. This is what it looks like on the developed negative: 1/3 to 1/2 of the image appears to have been exposed for longer than the residue, which...

Could it be that you’re taking photos with a flash and not paying attention to the flash sync speed? Or does it happen at all shutter speeds and without using a flash? To offer any help from a distance, I’d need a bit more detail, Regards, Joost

Gast

Could it be that you’re taking photos with a flash and not paying attention to the flash sync speed? Or does it happen at all shutter speeds, even without using a flash?

Hello, I don’t take photos with a flash. I think these irregularities occur at slower shutter speeds. The comment in the previous post seems to make sense. Can I get this fixed? Kind regards, Stefan

cfb_de

Hmm. That does sound a bit odd. As far as I know, the only part in the A-series that’s lubricated is the mirror brake (which is responsible for the ‘wheezing’ sound). The rest should run without any lubricant at all and therefore can’t become gummed up. It must be dust or grime, or an electronic fault in the form of a blown capacitor for the timing. In my opinion, the camera is a clear case for a repair shop. Geissler springs to mind, but I’ve no experience with them. Both my A-series cameras (AE1p / AV1) are still working fine since I cured them of the cough. Buying a second-hand body might well be considerably cheaper. Best regards, Franz

poxatl

Hello, My Minolta had the same problem a few weeks ago. I let it run continuously for a minute or two without a film roll in it. It’s been working perfectly ever since. Before that, it had just been lying around for ages because it’s my spare camera. But you’ve probably already tried that, haven’t you? Peter

Gast

If the light seals are very old – which is certainly the case with an AE-1 – they become very greasy. The seal then takes on a consistency similar to tar. I have a Pentax MX with this problem. Fortunately, the substance hasn’t affected the shutters yet. I reckon I can completely forget about the silk-screen shutter. You can easily check whether this is the case by taking a closer look at the seal on the mirror stop. If you touch it very carefully and lightly with your finger, you’ll immediately notice whether the material is still elastic or has become rather tough to the point of being runny ;-) Hope this helps! Phil