What do they mean when they say the shutter squeaks? I've seen it mentioned in some ebay auctions. Is this a big deal? Does it affect how the camera works?
It means that something is rubbing against something else, which overall is not a good thing. Are you refering to Canon AE model cameras? They are notorious for developing shutter squeal, and many have it, but still function correctly.
I worked in a lab/camera store for 3.5 years and saw a lot of Canon AE models. I've only run across two that didn't have the squeal, but they all worked fine.
Matt's right. Most all the Canon A-series cameras have shutter squeal. It doesn't seem to affect performance, tho, at least it hasn't in mine. Mine squeals about 60% of the shots I take, so I don't use it in quiet situations. They're still really nice cameras if you want a completely manual SLR. The other advantage is that really good lenses for the A- series can be had for a fraction of the price of their AF counterparts. I got a 135mm f/2.8 for my AV-1 for $25. The 135mm for my EOS system was over $250.
This is a lubricant problem that can and should be fixed if you intend to use your camera fairly often. It can do some serious damage if you leave it.
