 BetterPhoto Member |
Fix the old one or buy new? I have an old Canon AE1. I have used it for some 20 years and have collected a few accessories for it, ie... lenses, flash, auto wind etc. Unfortunately I dropped it. I have an estimate to repair it. I am torn. Should I fix the old one or buy a new one? The cost for the body to be repaired is comparable to the price of a new Canon Rebel G body. I do not think the old lenses will work on the new camera. There for I will be starting all over again. Any feedback would be appreciated. Anne
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doug Nelson |
It seems you have an investment in lenses. A-series Canons are not aging all that well, anyway. They develop shutter problems, but, after 20 years, that's not so bad. Used F-1's are going for around $150 on ebay. They are nearly indestructible, but they, too, need a cleaning and adjustment after 20+ years. If you want to continue using the fine FD lenses you have, and add other FD's at bargain prices, get an F-1. The Rebel does NOT use the older lenses. The newest version of the F-1 gives you automated exposure, if you add the right finder. I think a used F-1 and additional money for a CLA (clean/lube/adjust) might be money better spent. That said, I am NOT dissing the EOS line. If you want to go EOS, though, spring for the Elan.
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Jon Close |
Besides the New F-1 (circa 1981, original F-1 was introduced 1971), you should look at Canon's last generation of FD-mount bodies, the T-90 (their most advanced manual focus body): see http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/canont90/index.htm and the quite capable T-70: see http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/canon/fdresources/SLRs/t70/index.htm . Steer clear of the auto-only T-50 and dead-end 1st gen autofocus T-80, unless you're a collector ;).
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Andy |
Of course you can get another AE-1 or AT-1 from eBay at a reasonable price to replace yours. I have an AT-1 and I dropped it twice and it still works. But after twenty something years, it needed to replace the light shield, lube and clean. I also have my lens (50 and 135 mm FD) fixed and cleaned. The place I sent to have my camera and lenses fixed is very reasonable. If you still want to repair your camera, try to contact Steven at this URL: http://www.cameraclinic-usa.com/index001.htm Hope this helps.
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Jeff S. Kennedy |
A used F1 for $150? How used? Where do I sign up? ;-))) Yes, if you upgrade to a new Canon you will have to replace all your lenses. If manual focus is not important to you then I'd say stay with another used camera.
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doug Nelson |
I saw two go for around that on (dare I mention?) ebay. From that source, I'd consider sending the camera off for a CLA immediately. I would not hesitate to buy a camera KEH calls "Bargain". You can expect it to work, and you have return rights. No F-1 for 150, though. Forgot to mention, the F-1 is heavy. It may survive a drop, but the floor won't.
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