As a passionate film photographer, my Canon AE-1 Program has been a trusty companion, often praised as one of the most popular film cameras of all time. Loved by many, its reputation for reliability and ease of use is well-earned. However, there’s one frustrating issue that I’ve encountered with my particular camera: I simply cannot achieve consistent results.
Despite following best practices and handling the camera with care, I find that nearly one in three rolls of film is plagued with issues—particularly light leaks. Whether it’s the dreaded foggy streaks or overexposed patches, the inconsistency is maddening. While I acknowledge that part of this may come down to user error, the unpredictable nature of these light leaks makes it difficult to pinpoint the cause.
I’ve tried troubleshooting, from inspecting the seals to adjusting my handling of the camera, but the problem persists, and I’m at a loss on how to prevent it. The unpredictable failures are becoming a source of frustration, and are turning one of my once favorite cameras into a decoration on my camera shelf.
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