My old boss told me to never use a metal spudger on a Canon AE-1's film advance lever mechanism, and after I ignored him and scratched the casting on a customer's unit, I had to order a whole new top plate from a donor body.

Has anyone found a good plastic tool that's stiff enough to pop those little clips without risking damage, or is it just a 'go slow with the right metal pick' situation?

3 comments

3 Comments

eric7231mo ago

Never use a metal spudger" made me a believer too.

the_nina1mo ago

My old boss gave me the same warning and I brushed it off. A scratched top plate later, and I finally get it. A nylon spudger is stiff enough if you work the angle just right.

kim81928d ago

Ugh that scratched top plate feeling is the worst. You spend so long being careful and then one stupid slip and it's ruined forever. I mean maybe it's just me but I've definitely learned that lesson the hard way too. A metal tool seems like it would be fine until it isn't and you're left staring at a permanent reminder of your mistake.