FD 135mm lens repair needed

[SW-1966]

Hello everyone.

 I have a Canon AE-1 that is still in beautiful working condition that I would like to pass down to my son who has decided to go to college to become a photographer. The one thing that I need repaired is the 135mm lens. Can anyone tell me if Canon or anyone else can fix this for me?

[shadowsports]

Greetings,

This is a really nice gesture.  In all honesty, you may be hard pressed to find someone or a shop that can perform or complete the repair.  Not for a lack of expertise, but instead due to getting parts.  The AE-1 was my first camera.  1976 or 78 if I remember. 

If you are resigned to using film, I'd look for a used replacement lens.  However, buying a mirrorless body and lens would be a better investment.  

[jrhoffman75]

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@SW-1966 wrote:

Hello everyone.

 I have a Canon AE-1 that is still in beautiful working condition that I would like to pass down to my son who has decided to go to college to become a photographer. The one thing that I need repaired is the 135mm lens. Can anyone tell me if Canon or anyone else can fix this for me?

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Keh camera has a "Bargain" graded copy of that lens for ~$500. (I am amazed at that price).

[John_SD]

"I have a Canon AE-1 that is still in beautiful working condition that I would like to pass down to my son who has decided to go to college to become a photographer."

An AE-1? Maybe you could pass along your Motorola Dynatac along with it LOL. Seriously, if the boy is ready to go to college to study photography, he will need a proper camera and lens. One from this century. Look into a good mirrorless rig to get him started off right. 

[AndyMc]

There is nothing stopping one from learning photography with a semi-automatic film camera. I would argue, in fact, that film can cause a student to slow down and be more thoughtful and considerate about what they are doing. Nothing slowed me down and forced me to think about what I was doing during my photographic education (yes, I have a degree in photography) than when I was out lugging a large format camera around and each time I exposed a sheet of it cost me ~$2.00, plus processing time. Having a limited number of exposures, limited by the number of rolls of film you have with you, can certainly have the same effect.

[ebiggs1]

I have the FD 135mm f2 lens and it is a beautiful lens with that huge objective and like JRH, I too was shocked at the asking price for it used. There were other versions of the 135mm and you didn't say which one you have. I suspect repair isn't possible at least finding a shop that can do it won't be easy.

You can give phototronic.biz  in Topeka, KS a try. He is an older one man shop and has repaired older stuff before. If your 135mm isn't the f2 model (f2.8 or f3.5) a good, known working, lens is probably going to be the better way forward.

I have to agree with John above unless the course requires a film camera you need to get him a new R series camera and lenses.

[Stephen]

In case anyone was wondering, posting links to third-party sites, especially those that sell competing products, is usually against our rules. The link EB posted above is an exception because the shop offers a service that Canon doesn't, and it's helpful to #TeamCanon. 

Thank you for all you do, EB. We truly appreciate you!

[ebiggs1]

Well it is getting ever more difficult to find a shop that can or will service our older gear. I still have all my FD stuff and I still use it occasionally. I had my F1n cleaned a little while back by an older fellow who has since passed away.  But I found this shop again an older fellow in Topeka.that is able to do some repairs.

Thanx for the kind words Stephen.

[ebiggs1]

I know this is off topic but still in the realm of older gear, that F1n traveled all over this USA with me. We went through some terrific and some difficult times together. There is no way it will ever leave my side even though it doesn't get used like it once did. I know an inanimate object but sometimes they mean a lot.

[SW-1966]

Thank you everyone for the responses. In passing on the Canon AE-1 I know that he would not be able to use it in college. It was more sentimental than anything. I have known many photographers who love to take out an old film camera to play with once and a while. It is simply amazing. I have instamatics, an old reel camera, etc. Thank you all again for the great responses.