My Canon AF35M Sureshot Autoboy Repair

[@johnnoblitt8312]

Great video. I have an AF35ML that the film advance drags as it is advancing. The shutter fires properly, but sometimes it stops mid way through the frame and starts to beep. I can turn the power off and back on, press the shutter button, and it finishes advancing. It can't get all the way through a 36 exposure roll. The batteries are new and have a full charge. Any thoughts? Thanks.

[@uli130]

great video ! I have the same camera but it has recently started acting up but it only happens when I have film in it. any idea what it might be ? it does not happen always but sometimes it gets jammed when I shoot and the film does not advance for a couple seconds or when I set the camera down. but I can spam the shutter button when no film is inside and it does not jam once and advances fine with no issues . Only when film is loaded is when it sometimes has trouble any thoughts?

Thanks a lot Gavin. I enjoyed it a lot. You combined 2 things I enjoy: cameras and fixing things. Really well done. Oh, and your photos are great too.

[@GavinLyonsCreates]

Glad you liked it! We gotta get out and shoot some these puppies! along with all those Zorki you got recently too!

[@rhinman]

Any idea how to fix the rewind?

[@JoshBrady-n6m]

Mine automatically winds forward a frame every time i turn it on with the lens cover. Any ideas?

[@ASMRlicious]

Maybe show us how to open the camera up first? :D

[@sid0us]

Hello Gavin, great video! Mine autoboy is only focusing to infinity or landscape. Do you think that cleaning the near infrared beam or the AF window could resolve this issue? Thanks

[@GavinLyonsCreates]

It's probably out of alignment or there maybe some debris inside the autofocus

[@maryjoygarcia4261]

Hi! My canon autoboy 2 has missing parts on the battery compartment like the metal thing, i think they call it "battery contact". Is it still possible to repair it by replacing those missing parts? Hope this will get answered. Thank you!

[@christophercuevas9627]

Yes, it can be fixed by replacing the battery contact. Usually, this part got rusty due to the leak from the battery. I'm not sure where you can buy it.

[@janelleeeeeeeee222]

I just picked one of these up & everything was working properly for the first few test shots but now the shutter is stuck. I’ve tried taking apart the camera but am having trouble removing the front panel to get a better look at what the issue may be. Any advice on how to remove the front panel without damaging the plastic? Cheers, thanks!

[@kiteflewsom]

so from what you’ve said power isn’t getting to my camera, the flash doesn’t always charge. i have foil inside nd it seems to work 10-20% of the time. other than that i click away at the button nd the shutter stays open while i take batteries in nd out nd go mad trying to get power to the device. what tips do you have ?

[@bobbilderson8556]

I didn’t learn how to fix the battery door at all. All I learned is you had some cameras that were broken. Cool but can you show us how you fixed them?

[@mergaux__818]

hi! i noticed my canon af35 started heating up at the shutter button side after 1 day of new batteries and usage. noticed the battery compartment was heatinf up too, and ofcourse the batteries itself. what does this mean and what do i do bec the shutter won't click as well :(

[@Cub140]

Mine is a slightly different model but have you ever had the flash get stuck? My flash no longer pops up and wonder if there is a way to fix?

[@Cub140]

It’s the AF35ML

[@GavinLyonsCreates]

Ah, I haven't worked on that variant, I do know there's issues with the copper contact which need cleaning. That might do the trick.

[@chrisxjessphotofilm9006]

Any idea what could be wrong if the shutter is stuck? It was working, then the button just locked. :(

[@GavinLyonsCreates]

It's common with this camera as it ages unfortunately. The mechanism gets harder to move correctly over time. Out of my 6-7 Autoboy I have. it's something that happens quite often. Sometimes fresh batteries and tipping the battery cover against the batteries a couple of times can get the mechanism in place. Also try pushing in the metal pin at the bottom of the camera while doing this, can help.

[@darienstrange8406]

I’m reaching here but I’m desperate for help. My Canon Sure Shot 38mm lens has stopped opening and I can not figure out how to fix it. It has fresh batteries of course so I know that’s not the issue. If you have any advice it would be greatly appreciated! My local camera repairman said he had no clue how to help. 😭

[@GavinLyonsCreates]

Hi Darien, oh dear, is the shutter button stuck ? often pressing in the bottom button for the rewind and tipping the battery cover off the batteries can re-sync the mechanism. Otherwise you need to open it up. They are prone for getting stuck due to their age. I hope that helps Gavin

[@Cunboss]

Great video and explanations ! The fire pictures are literally lit ;)

[@GavinLyonsCreates]

Thank you so much Jlvelp! So glad you like the liths!

[@kishupharasi7957]

Great Video! How did you access the front panel? I can't get it to sit correctly so that the spool holder (internal) screws back in. Thank you!

[@coach_yo]

Just picked one up, I missing a battery contact on the negative side, and the back door won’t open at all. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[@GavinLyonsCreates]

That doesn't sound good. Probably the batteries have corroded inside the camera. Quite difficult to repair that. You could try some WD40 spray to loosen it up

[@coach_yo]

@@GavinLyonsCreates Wondering if I should just ask for my money back, at this point the camera will be a parts camera.

[@returnovthemac]

Hello Gavin! Just got one of these in the mail yesterday. Everything seems to be in good shape and working order. However, my focus zone indicator never makes it past the portrait symbol regardless of what I focus on. Is it safe to assume my autofocus isn’t working?

[@GavinLyonsCreates]

Can be the sensor is blocked or dirty. There are two of them at the top of the camera. You'll need to open it up and have a look. Hope that helps.

[@returnovthemac]

@@GavinLyonsCreatesthey look pretty clean. I have not opened the camera up yet. So I guess that’s the next step!

[@WillLomas-nq4lr]

Seems like a good place to ask: When i put battieries in i get what sounds like a rewind noise instantly and otherwise nothing. Any tips or encounters with this issue?

[@GavinLyonsCreates]

Check that there's no corrosion on the battery connections inside the camera and ensure to use fresh alkaline batteries, that might help

[@gantz1782]

Hey, good video! It's really complete but I don't think I found what I'm looking for so I'll just ask in the comment section. The rewind release button on the bottom is stuck, I pressed it and now it won't come back out.. Any idea what I should do?

[@GavinLyonsCreates]

Hi Gantz, Thanks for your comment, first try fresh batteries. You can then try tapping the battery door off the batteries a couple of times, often this pulse of power help the mechanism to reset.

[@theoldcameraguy]

Impressive repair work and those lith prints look great Gavin!

[@GavinLyonsCreates]

Thank you that so kind! I started wanting to repair my existing Autoboy and got carried away with myself but I think it proved well. I've now for working ones, it's one of my favourite cameras to anywhere without much thinking:-)

[@RayTitoVlogs]

Great video ! I recently got one but everytime i turn it on the shutter won’t open and the shutter button gear seams to be stuco

[@GavinLyonsCreates]

Hi Izzy, Thanks for your comments. This is a common problem with the Autoboy. You can try with fresh batteries, tapping the lid of the battery box against the batteries, if you hear a noise of movement there's a good chance to realign the mechanism. Try that with a combination of pushing in the rewind button on the bottom plate. Sometimes playing with these two things can bring the camera back to life - before having to open it. Hope that helps! Gavin

[@RayTitoVlogs]

@@GavinLyonsCreates Alr for sure i will try that ! When i put batteries the mechanism for the shutter moves but the shutter won’t open I will try to diagnose it !

[@khayrinsyahira6653]

Hey Izzy & Gavin, I might be late but I experienced the same problem, my shutter gear was stuck while I was taking a photo & still wont open after I try to fix the battery box. Have u figure it out? 😅 fyi, there was a noise of movement when I click the shutter button.

[@jusbeazy28]

Is there a fix for the battery door? The autoboy from my childhood that has now been passed down to my daughter has broken. I’m sure I can figure it out by watching this entire video. But this is awesome

[@GavinLyonsCreates]

Hi Justbeaty28, First off ensure the connection is clean and use fresh batteries, these cameras need plenty of power to move the mechanism inside. If the battery door does close you can always use some tape to hold in place. I think, I photographed for about a year like that! It looked ugly but work fine. Hope that helps, Gavin

[@jusbeazy28]

@@GavinLyonsCreates awesome! The issue part of the battery door broke. I am looking for a donor camera now to replace it.

[@vedrand965]

I recently bought an Autoboy and it worked perfectly. After I pressed the shutter button on about the 20th shot, the film started advancing and wouldn't stop doing that. This happens consistently now, you can hear motor running and running without stopping . Do you know what the problem could be? Maybe a stuck button? Thanks!

[@GavinLyonsCreates]

That's tricky. I haven't come across that one. All I can say is to use fresh Alkaline batteries and not rechargeable ones. This especially important on these old cameras.

[@songcries]

How to fix a loose pressure plate on these?

[@GavinLyonsCreates]

Hi Song Vo, I would just buy a second hand and use it as a donor. As it's really easy just replace the entire door from another camera, you must make sure the door latch is still intact.

[@clintonandrews1538]

I have a Sure Shot AF35M and one of the battery terminals was completely corroded by a leaking battery. Are replacement battery contacts still available for purchase? I would appreciate your advice. Thank you!

[@GavinLyonsCreates]

Hi Clinton, Sadly this is a common problem and there no practical way to fix it either. Sorry Gavin

[@green71998]

Is it possible to get a detailed disassembly? I can’t figure out how to get the front plate off

[@GavinLyonsCreates]

Hi!, I guess you need to remove the screw where the battery flap is, that's probably the one you are missing. I know I should do another video on dissembling the auto boy at some point. Gavin

[@green71998]

It was two tiny screws behind the film spool! Still can’t seem to make flash work and the shutter doesn’t open when I press the button hoping I can poke around at the cogs and get it to work without taking it apart any further

[@GavinLyonsCreates]

@@green71998 yep try moving the clogs with fresh batteries, hopefully it will reset the mechanism for you.

[@MitchellHang]

How does the Taiwanese AF35M/Autoboy compared to the Japanese model? The manufacturing country can be identified by some text on the film door. I assume their performances are identical, but I'm not 100% sure.

[@GavinLyonsCreates]

Never really notice a difference to be honest. They both perform equally.

[@richardrossington1576]

Hi! I definitely need help fixing my auto boy 😅 The flash won’t load 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@GavinLyonsCreates]

Probably the big capacitor at the bottom of camera needs replacing, also check if the cable are still good to the flash unit. It's a mess job to replace the cap though. Good luck

[@julijanjug4011]

I have a problem with my Autoboy, maybe someone can help me out. When i half press the shutter button the red light comes on only sometimes, even if I cover up the sensors. And when pressing the shutter button completely it also works randomly like every 10th press. While the flash powers on normally and the flash light comes on.

[@julijanjug4011]

I think it may be the shutter button issue

[@GavinLyonsCreates]

First thing to do, is use fresh batteries. Next try pushing in the metal pin at the bottom of the camera that sometimes resets it.

[@richardt1792]

I have a couple of mint looking Canon AF35ML , It is quite clear that the batteries leaked and now, even cleaning the contacts, the cameras won't work with new alkaline batteries. Any idea what the next step would be to get power to the camera? I am assuming there is corrosion somewhere deeper in the camera.

[@GavinLyonsCreates]

Have you look into the battery box with a torch/flashlight, to see if the copper contact is still ? There often they break off at least on the Mk I Autoboy. I have similiar problem with Mk II which has different innards to the original Autoboy. Unfortunately haven't worked on the ML version at all yet. Gavin

[@joshuaburton7752]

The cable leading from the corroded terminal is most likely needing to be replaced.

[@Katemarie913]

I have a canon autoboy, it is in great condition. However, the battery chamber was completely corroded. I have tried to clean it out the best I can. When I put fresh batteries in, the camera does not turn on... everything inside the camera seems to be fully functional. What should I do?

[@GavinLyonsCreates]

Hi Katie, thank you for your question. Have a look inside the battery box with a flash light to see if the two copper contacts are there ( - ) and ( + ). They do have a habit of breaking off. If the contacts are gone green, use a some alcohol and cotton bud to clean them. I hope that helps. Gavin

[@Katemarie913]

@@GavinLyonsCreates Hi Gavin! Thanks for the response! I took a look and one of the copper pieces I think has chipped off. I gotten all of the green corrosion cleaned up. Any idea on how to replace/fix it coming from a person that has never repaired camera parts. 🥴

[@GavinLyonsCreates]

​@@Katemarie913 That's not good, if the pin is missing it's very difficult to fix. Sadly it's not too easy to access the battery from the inside either.

[@christianmejia9947]

My af35m is stuck on the pre-focus mode. Any idea how I can resolve this issue?

[@GavinLyonsCreates]

Hi Christian, Thank you for your question, You could check the two autofocus windows that they are not damaged or dirty. Then the sensors in these windows are not block but you'll need to open the camera to do that.Otherwise there's not much aftere that, well you could try moving the white clogs with a tiny screwdriver to re-sync the mechanism. Good luck! Gavin

[@drivelaughing7905]

Excellent video. I have now subscribed. I've got an af35m I got for a garden sale for £3. Had it ages but only just putting a film through it. It seemed to be working ok, apart from the flash ,which charged but didn't fire. I'm guessing the bulb. But I am now having to double press the shutter button. It's as if is in pre focus mode. Do you have any idea how to resolve this. Also, is it possible to change the flash bulb? Cheers, keep up the good work. Mark

[@daisybukowski9759]

Hi Gavin, great tips. I just recently bought a Sure Shot Canon 35mm and it was all working fine with film in, everything in tact, but now it’s just suddenly stopped working. I’ve changed the batteries and still nothing. It’s not even turning on. Any suggestions as to what this might be? TIA

[@aus5041]

Hi Gavin! Great video and a great camera. I recently got my hands on one and I got it all working except the flash doesn't charge and when I push it back into the body it doesn't always latch in properly. Any tips for either of these issues?

[@GavinLyonsCreates]

Does the orange neon light works ? Sometimes the light is broken but the flash still fires. Is it the original Autoboy AF35M or the AF35M II ? As the contacts on the Mk II are known to get dirty and some alcohol will sort it out. If it's the Mk I then maybe the large capacitor at the bottom of the camera is faulty. hope that helps, Gavin

[@chrisjollylikestofilm]

I just got my hands on one of these, all seems to be working, however the auto focus. When i press the shutter half way down the only thing that happens is a red light indicator inside the screen, the autofocus zone only moves once i actually press the shutter. Is this how it works?

[@GavinLyonsCreates]

Hi Chris, Thanks for your question. There's no half way button press on the Autoboy it's pretty basic. When the red light appears it usually means there's not enough light coming into the lens. Of course you could pop up the flash and it will most likely fire. I hope that helps

[@chrisjollylikestofilm]

@@GavinLyonsCreates Thanks man!

[@FosterMedia]

Hey man, thanks for a great video. I was hoping you would cover how to fix the AF issue that it always goes to infinity. Any ideas? it just jumps straight to the right and focusus to infinity.

[@GavinLyonsCreates]

AF is a tricky one, if the mechanism is moving you got some chance. You could check two glass windows opposite of the viewing windows. Sometimes the sensors are dusty or not sitting correctly. Try using a small size paintbrush to clear them out. Hope that helps, Gavin

[@willspective]

Hi Gavin! Do you fix these on behalf of other people? My mother passed away and left me an Autoboy but I don’t know where to begin with fixing it. I’m afraid of messing it up. :(

[@GavinLyonsCreates]

Hi William, I'm sorry to hear about about your mother. Sadly I wouldn't have enough time to fix the Camera at the moment. Have you an idea what working on the camera and have isn't ?

[@willspective]

@@GavinLyonsCreates I appreciate the reply so much! Thank you. The door latch doesn't seem to close (which I learned from your video is a very easy fix) but it also seems to have corrosion on one of the battery contacts and I'm unsure how to go about that.

[@konnorcarrie751]

Really great video, one of the most in depth I've been able to find on this camera. I have an Autoboy that works well with the flash but always underexposes with natural light even on bright days (ISO is set to the proper setting on the lens). Could this be a problem with the light sensor? If so, how do you gain access to the front assembly like you show in the video?

[@yupinaa]

Currently watching this as I just found one in my dad’s storage so I’m hoping I can use it 😖

[@sarinakrell4724]

All my parts work except my flash :( any tips on how to fix that!? Also enjoyed the video! ❤️

[@GavinLyonsCreates]

Hi Sarina, Thank you for dropping by. Is it Autoboy II or I ? The Autoboy MkII is known to have flash issues, the copper strip just need cleaning with some alcohol. If the original Autoboy possibly the capacitor needs replacing at the bottom of the camera. Does the neon light illuminate by the way ?

[@sarinakrell4724]

@@GavinLyonsCreates I believe it’s the 1 and no light comes on and I believe that the self timed does not work either but it takes the photos the shutter is good and it rolls the film fine.

[@GavinLyonsCreates]

@@sarinakrell4724 Odd, the two faults aren't mechanically link, at least not inside the camera. No idea about the self timer, sadly. The flash charging unit is most likely at fault, the large grey capacitor at the bottom of the cameras might need replacing. Might not be worth replace it unless you have some spare parts.

[@jaredguillen8748]

I have the same problem. But a while back I got the flash to work just fine, but still no red light is shown during those times. Now it won’t flash, it’s almost like your hoping for it to work.

[@kayleyhadley373]

ｐｒｏｍｏｓｍ 😻

[@ОлександрЗайцев-у5х]

Hi! In my Canon AF35M, the lens shutters close completely when focusing at infinity and partially close when focusing at a medium distance. What could be causing this?

[@adamharber5590]

I am having an issue with the autofocus from medium to infinity distance, can you help?