Canon AE-1 Open Back

To open the Canon AE-1 film compartment door, first make sure there is no film inside the compartment by looking at the counter. If there is a film, then you will need to rewind it back into its canister.

Usually, you pull up the film rewind knob, as shown in the photograph, and then the back door should pop open. If the camera is extremely old, then the seals around the door edges will have turned into a gooey substance, making the door stick and difficult to open.

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