Shop to check out, and if necessary, service a circa 1978 35 mm AE-1?

[Rusty100]

The subject says most of it.  

Can anyone recommend a shop to check out, and if necessary, service a circa 1978 35 mm AE-1in the New York City metro area?

Thanks.  

[ebiggs1]

Ask someone at B&H.

[Rusty100]

Thank you ebiggs1!. I did. They recommended Photo Tech, but when I called that shop they told me they only service digital cameras.  

[normadel]

Is there something specific wrong with the camera?

[Rusty100]

Not to my knowledge.  The battery hasn't been changed in decades, so I will do this, but then I don't know/remember enough to know how to test to see if will still function properly.  Do I just put in film and take test shots?  Or is there anything else to be done to check it first?

[normadel]

You can test/check everything on it without putting film in.

Do you have a manual for it? Here's where to download it:

https://butkus.org/chinon/canon/canon_ae-1/canon_ae-1.htm

Learn what it does and put it through its paces as if there was film inside. Check meter function, all shutter speeds, mirror function, lens stopping-down, on-and on. Don't waste film until you determine it's working fully.

[justadude]

"Don't waste film until you determine it's working fully."

I couldn't agree more!  And once you determine if it is working, then buy a roll of the cheapest film you can find for a live test.   This way if you have non-obvious problems (shutter delay for example) you can find out on a $5 roll of 24 exposure expired film, instead of a $18 roll of 36 exposure Cinestill (or anything good).

Once you determine everything is working on a live roll... if you haven't thought of it already, consider developing your own film.  It is easy (B&W is easiest, color only slightly harder), and compared to developing charges this days, it's crazy how much you can save.  Besides, it's fun and rewarding. 

[ebiggs1]

Mail order repair and I know they do film cameras is Film Camera repair  (phototronic.biz)

This is such a limited area there is not likely going to be a lot of shops. And. parts are going to be an issue if needed.

[ebiggs1]

"You can test/check everything on it without putting film in."

But you will need an AE lens to see if it stops down correctly. Replacing the battery is about all you can do yourself.

I would say if the meter works the camera is working.

[justadude]

Hey EB, thank you for the link to "Film Camera Repair".  Out of the various film cameras that I own, one recently stopped working (Russian made Zenit 12XP).  Hope they can find parts without asking Putin.  🙂