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Old, degraded light seals in the Canon AE-1 can cause light leaks, leading to ruined exposures. Use this guide to replace the light seals in your Canon AE-1 to prevent these issues and extend the life of your camera.
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Hold the camera with the back facing you, and gently pull up on the rewind knob located on the top-left side of the camera using your other hand.
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Carefully open the back of the camera to reveal the film compartment.
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Place the camera on a clean, stable surface to access the grooves more easily and work comfortably on removing the old seals.
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Inspect the edges of the camera back door, the hinge area, and the mirror damper (located near the shutter) for old or deteriorating seals.
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Take note of where the seals need replacing.
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Use a toothpick or tweezers to carefully scrape out the old, degraded light seals.
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Soak a cotton swab in isopropyl alcohol (90% or higher) and gently clean out the grooves where the old seals were located.
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Clear the work area of any remnants from the old light seal.
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If your replacement seals are not pre-cut, measure the length and width of the grooves and use scissors to cut the foam strips to size.
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Common areas to replace include:
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Back door edges: Long, thin strips.
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Hinge area: Small, thick piece.
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Use tweezers to carefully place the new light seals into the clean grooves.
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Ensure the seals fit snugly in place without sticking out or causing obstruction to the camera’s closing mechanism.
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Gently press the new foam pieces into the spaces ensuring they fit flush within the space.
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Carefully close the camera back and open it again to check for any gaps or misalignment.
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Ensure the camera back closes securely without resistance and that the mirror damper is properly installed.
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Your Canon AE-1 Program is now ready for a test roll to ensure there are no light leaks!
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Congratulations! You've successfully replaced the light seals in your Canon AE-1. Enjoy shooting with your refurbished film camera!
Congratulations! You've successfully replaced the light seals in your Canon AE-1. Enjoy shooting with your refurbished film camera!
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