I know... I know...: A-1 repair recommendations

[The_Zen_Master]

Hello, I know you are going to tell me to buy a new camera but I already have two digital cameras that are bricks because they are "too expensive to repair." Therefore, I want to get back into film, and use the excellent condition Canon A1 that I bought new in approximately 1982... (photographed yesterday)

Clearly, the camera needs to have the light seals and mirror cushion replaced and I would very much like to have the camera inspected, cleaned, lubricated and adjusted, if needed, by a Canon professional.

My question is: is there anyone that you can recommend that could do the work?

[LeeP]

Funny thing is that I was heavily invested in Pentax metal-era 35mm SLRs and equipment. When I jumped to Canon for autofocus I sold down my Pentax equipment, but kept my ME (my first camera at 17) and a K1000 I added a few years later. Fast forward to when I jumped from DSLR to mirrorless.

I bought an R100 because it reminded me of my Pentax ME i.e. small, light, go-anywhere, anytime. One day I decided to take the ME along and the floodgates of film opened. I quickly added a K2 and an MX, not to mention a Nikon F and FM. Currently, half of my shooting is on film and half is on my R100 and R8. 

I remember when the A1 came out. It was a nuclear blast that few expected. It was a blow that ultimately killed Pentax that took 5 years to respond while they staggered through the annoying-to-use-in-manual ME Super, the DOA MV, the DOA MV1, the DOA MG, and the LX boondoggle. Now Pentax is just a name on outdated Ricoh DSLRs.

When the mirrorless "AE1" comes out. I will be first in line to do the retro mirrorless thing.

[The_Zen_Master]

Wanted to post an update.

I sent my A1 to Gary and it seems like he did a great job - the price and the turn around were great. One disappointment was that the original battery door had a small crack and so I asked Gary to replace it, presuming he would replace it with a genuine Canon part, but he used a 3D printed part. Had I know this might happen I would have elected to retain the factory battery door - my mistake for not being absolutely concise. So, I purchased a factory original metal battery door from eBay and replaced the 3D printed door myself. Nevertheless the camera is working great.

After shooting a roll of film I had it developed and this is one of the shots.

However, the real treat was when I walked into Precision Camera in Austin to buy more film, and saw this resting in one of their display cases...

What a superb piece of camera engineering and in such great condition - I bought it as soon as I saw it. Almost finished with the first roll of Ektar 100 so we'll see how it turns out.

[LeeP]

Glad to hear the A1 is ship shape. That F1 looks amazing. I would love to have an F1 and an A1, but if I bought either, I'd then buy the other. Then of course I'd be adding lenses. GAS...gear acquisition syndrome. Enjoy your magnificent cameras.

[The_Zen_Master]

Thanks, Lee. I have always loved my A-1 but I have always wanted a New F-1, and it is truly a work of engineering art. I advise you to get one of each, and then start a "Vintage Canon Film Camera" thread for us old-timers, if you have any clout with the forum administrators! 😎

[LeeP]

Film hasn't died, though it looks like the Pentax 17 experiment went belly up with their designer TKO bolting from Ricoh. I always wanted a Nikon F and patience brought me one that looks and operates as new with a 50mm 1.4 lens for just over $100. Then came the lens finds. Then came an FM body that is pristine that I got for next to nothing. The A1 and the F1 are highly desirable to me. I nearly bought an A1 at the Rose Bowl Swap Meet a while back. I can see the rabbit hole that Canon would be for me. An enjoyable rabbit hole for certain.

As for a film thread, I think it could be fun even though none of the cameras are on sale anymore. I participate in a Pentax film group and a Nikon film group. If a Canon film group popped up here, I'd have a reason to buy more cameras.

Enjoy yours and show us your work from time to time.

[The_Zen_Master]

A Couple of shots from my recently acquired Canon F-1 - Canon FD 400mm F4.5 Kodak Ektar 100 1/1000 f5.6

Eastern Bluebird on a wire fence:

[The_Zen_Master]

And a Cardinal on a wire fence:

[LeeP]

Such a beautiful bird. The sharpness is commendable without reminding me of one of those over-sharpened Photoshop/Lightroom Frankenstein images. I really prefer SOOC (my bias). Excellent balance and taste in what you have accomplished here. Thank you for sharing.

[LeeP]

Another delightful shot. Here, I like not only the innate color contrast of the bird, but the sharp--VS--soft in the bird's feathers. Well done.

[The_Zen_Master]

Thank you, Lee. 2-shots out of 36-exposures isn't bad! 😄 A friend suggested I try to get the "eye in focus" and everything else would fall in place. I am old and I had to purchase a viewfinder dioptric correction attachment lens for both of my Canons, and it was still challenging - birds do not exactly sit still for photos...

But you mentioned something that got me thinking - I have been looking at lots of bird photography online and what you said about SOOC struck a chord. Almost all of the professional photos online are so hyper-sharpened that they turn me off - they look too mechanical / too perfect / fake / computer generated.

I have nothing against a little photo-correction, but I want photos to look like photos, not computer renderings.

Anyways, thanks for the encouragement!