Hello, just found my 35mm ae-1 camera. took some pictures and its not rewinding back up . little crank is moving but film is not going back in. am I missing a step?

Align film leader at mark, then close the camera back for prewind loading. Film rewinds as each shot is exposed. Built-in motor for automatic winding/rewinding. Film advance: Automatic. Single-frame and continuous (1 fps). Automatically rewinds film leader into cartridge when designated number of frames have been exposed (midroll rewind available).

sorce: http://www.canon.com/camera-museum/camera/film/data/1996-2000/1999_eos3000.html?p=2
Canon Camera Museum Camera Hall Film Cameras

good luck

You may have hit the end of the film. Rewind the film back to the spool until the very end gets back in the shell.
If you think you still have unexposed film do the following. Rewind about 1-2 full rotations. Cover the lens using the cap. We're doing this so that step 2.3 will not spoil your last pictures. Take 2 shots (with the lens cover). This time the button at the button should have popped out.

Okay this is completely on memory. With the button on the bottom pushed in the camera is waiting for your to rewind the film back into the canister after this is done lift the wheel (not the crank it can break) the wheel is just below the crank and the back of the camera will open so you can take the film out. Reload a fresh roll close the door and advance to the first frame you are back in business again.

Yes. I am not sure that you can do it yourself. It depends how handy you are with fiddly mechanical things. Any camera shop ought to be able to put it right.

I believe that you have simply unscrewed the crank by winding it in the wrong direction. It will screw back on, but you will need to open the camera to get hold of the internal part that it screws on to (the bit that fits into the film canister). This will need to be pushed upwards in its socket to allow you to get the crank started on the threads on the top of the shaft, and you will need to put the end of a screwdriver or something through the slot to get leverage when you come to tightening the crank the last bit.

If you heven't rewound the film yet, then open the camera in complete dark and rewind the film into the canister by hand. I usually do this in a darkened room under a bed quilt.

I think you have already ruined the film except the frames that are rewind back to the film cartridge.
You can take the film out from the camera, push in the rewind button at the bottom, pull out the film from the film take up reel.
On the film cartridge, turn on the long tube in the middle clockwise to wind all the film back into the cartridge.
If you had the back opened briefly, do manual film rewinding in the dark room.

If the crank is missing a very strong tool is needed to hook into the area inside to open the film door. Use a tiny screw driver for eye glasses for this fix. Insert the tool and apply pressure to it so it will not come out, then pull it upward as you did whe the crank was there before. These partts are on Ebay every day too for sale

That's what the rewind knob is all about: It will allow you to rewind the film back into the cassette to avoid it to be exposed to the light and therefore losing your pictures.

When loading the film you must insert the film into the receiving spool by hand while the camera back is open. Make sure to advance the start enough so that the spool will 'stick' to the film.

It sounds like you have a jam.  When you have finished taking shots and have used all the film, you must press the film-rewind button on the underside of the camera; this does not rewind the film, but allows you to commence the next step.  Once you have done this, flip up the rewind-crank on the top left hand side of the camera. It is situated on top of the film speed dial. turn this clockwise until all the film is back in its cartridge.  You should now be able to open the back of the camera.
I hope you have fun with your t50!

To open the back pull on the rewind knob ( pulling up ) until back opens. Check that your 6 volt battery is ok ( ae -1 has an electronic shutter so will not work without a battery ): battery situated on the left hand side of the camera ( if it is facing you ) underneath small flip up door ( lock is at the bottom on the left of the small door ) . Check the battery by pressing the shutter release gently and seeing if your light meter needle moves. No movement ? replace battery. You have two modes for taking pictures : auto which is actually AV ( aperture priority) or full manual : both are set by moving the shutter speed dial on the top right hand side ( underneath film winding lever ).