Apologies. That was a total click-bait title.

Here is the correct title: Update on the state of my film camera for anyone interested.

I recently posted about the new (old) Canon AE-1 that I acquired. I have been on the hunt for a film camera for quite some time now, and this one ticked all my boxes for a scoping expedition into the wild world of analogue photography.

She is in excellent condition, except for the light seals (the foam/felt strips that run around the film door of the camera to stop light from leaking in when it is shut) which have degraded over time to the point of being…well, gone. So it was worst than I thought.

There is also a small strip of foam (bumper foam) that prevents the mirror from getting damaged as it flips up out of the way when you take a photo. Gone.

I made some inquiries, but alas and alack there does not seem to be anyone here in Canberra that does film camera servicing/repairs. The recommended folks in Sydney have a waiting list, and getting the camera up and back might be problematic.

So, I found a DIY light seal kit on Amazon, and with a little YouTube instruction (watch one… assume instant expert level), I will have a crack at it myself.

What could possibly go wrong, right?