Cla...?

[c.poulton]

A couple of days ago I sent my M2 in to the local camera repair shop (Sendean Cameras - Hatton Garden, London) to have the rangefinder adjusted and at the same time, a CLA, which got me thinking.....

The rangefinder on the M2 was slightly out at infinity, and I noticed this on a recent trip to Italy. I had the same thing happen with my old Bessa R3A, again after travelling abroad and I suspect that it had something to do with flying - has anyone had experience of a rangefinder going out due to vibrations encountered on a flight?

CLA - Seemed like a good time to have one done, however what is the common concensus on how often to have one undertaken. I obviously isn't cheap but if it keeps my M2 in tip top condition......

Thanks in advance.....🙂

 

[Doug]

Has it been a while since the M2 last had a CLA? I think fine machinery needs periodic clean/lube.

I have not had a visible problem arise from aircraft vibration. I've taken a CLE on a couple trips, once with a Fuji GS645S, a pair of Bronica RF645 (one with slightly-off RF patch both before and after the trip), and a couple trips with a pair of M8. Typically I have my camera bag as a small carry-on and place it on the floor under the seat ahead. I've heard recently this is not a good practice, as the floor transmits vibrations pretty directly to the gear in the bag, but it hasn't been a problem for me. The blanket and pillow usually provided might make for good padding under the bag... 🙂

 

[PMCC]

http://dantestella.com/technical/cla.html

Above is one man's take on the CLA question. I'm not aware of any common consensus, but there are plenty of users around here who have other strongly-held views. The gamut runs from those who are religious about preventive service to those who are skeptics about the value of periodic maintenance and thus submit to service only when a camera is damaged, malfunctioning or demonstrably out of adjustment. On rare occasions I've had a camera returned from service in worse operating condition than before. There's always some element of risk involved in opening up a vintage mechanical camera, regardless of who performs the service.

 

[shimokita]

after having read what Tom A. said about airplanes and cameras I take a little extra care with handling. I did have a problem once with a dslr when I packed the lens and body separate and put it on the floor under the seat. Now I wrap it in a down coat (winter...) and put it in the overhead. Better yet to hold that baby in your lap for the duration ;-)...

I take the same care in trains and automobiles... wait... I think that was a movie ;-)

Casey

 

[c.poulton]

http://dantestella.com/technical/cla.html

Thanks PMCC, very interesting point of view. I must admit that I am a little anal when it comes to my cameras and want them to be in perfect working order. I do agree that in all likelihood my M2 probably didn't need a CLA as all the speeds seemed to be OK and wind on is buttery smooth, it's just that having bought it second (third, fourth.....) hand I didn't really know the history and I have (hopefully) a heavy shooting year ahead of me so want everything to be spot on.

 

[c.poulton]

after having read what Tom A. said about airplanes and cameras I take a little extra care with handling.....

Oops - that's the problem - I like to keep my camera gear in sight when I fly so I take it with me as carry on and end up putting it on the floor between my feet! :bang:
Overhead storage from now on I think......

 

[c.poulton]

...........as the floor transmits vibrations pretty directly to the gear in the bag....

Spot on Doug! 🙂

 

[oftheherd]

I have not had a problem. My Fujica ST and my Super Press 23 and related lenses, have both been on numerous plane and road trips over the last 30 years. So far so good.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Never a problem in 40 years flying, Land-Rovering, motorcycling... And I'm in the 'don't CLA' camp.

Cheers,

R.

 

[Livesteamer]

I'll second Roger's opinion. If it's not broken, don't fix it. If you go to an unskilled repair person, they might make it worse. If you go to the best repair folks you increase their backlog needlessly. Joe

 

[John Lawrence]

I've never had the rangefinder go out on any of my Leicas - even my dropped M2.

I too don't worship at the temple of CLA.

John