Fixed a sticky shutter on a Canon AE-1 with just lighter fluid and a Q-tip

Had this AE-1 sitting in my shop for weeks with the shutter hanging up at slow speeds. Took the bottom plate off and dabbed a tiny bit of Ronsonol on the pivot points of the curtain mechanism, worked it in with a Q-tip. After three cycles it was back to normal, fired perfectly at 1/60 and all the way down. Anyone else swear by lighter fluid for old Copal shutters or am I just being lazy?

2 comments

2 Comments

paulw6328d agoTop Commenter

Had the same thing happen with an old Yashica (once I even used a drop of WD-40 in a pinch, worked okay but I don't recommend it). It's funny how the same simple fix works for all sorts of stuff, not just cameras - my grandfather used to unstick old zippers with lighter fluid too.

holly_green8228d ago

That lighter fluid trick actually changed my mind about old school fixes. I used to think you needed all these fancy camera lubes and cleaners but honestly if it works it works. My Yashica Electro had a sticky shutter that lighter fluid sorted out in like five minutes and it's been fine for over a year now.