Nikon FM CLA?

[FalseDigital]

I recently got a Nikon FM from a camera flea market.
It seemed to check out perfectly fine.
HOWEVER, after I shot a roll through it I noticed that the image wasn't properly exposed past 250th of second. Like this:

So I'm wondering if anyone has seen this problem before, if so...is it an expensive fix?

Does anyone know of any good (and reasonable priced) places I could bring it to in NYC or mail it to in the CONUS? I've never had to repair a camera before but it's such a beautiful looking thing I'd hate to see it go to waste.

 

[Mister E]

A CLA will cost more than buying a new FM for under $100.

 

[jmcd]

How about Pete Smith in Florida? A quality job by someone who loves Nikons and your camera will run strong for decades more.
I think this is the current phone number: 561-433-8434

 

[Ronald_H]

A CLA will cost more than buying a new FM for under $100.

Yes. However, how sure will you be that it won't have or develop problems too? Most of my 'user' oldies (FE, Canonet QL17, Yashica Mat 124, M2) have gone the CLA route, and almost always the cost of the CLA exceeded the value of the camera. It's a choice.

My personal FM is one of the few cams that did not need a CLA, but as it is my favourite camera I wouldn't hesitate for a second. I'm confident it will outlive me.

 

[gb hill]

I had my Canon AE-1 Program CLA'd last year for $80.00. Sure I could of bought another one cheaper than the cla on ebay but why risk taking a chance? Go for the CLA if you enjoy the camera. At least you will have the satisfaction of owning a well oiled machine! I got mine serviced at Camera Works in Durham by Sebastian. I'm very pleased with the job.
http://www.cameraworks-durham.com/services.html

 

[FalseDigital]

Thanks for the suggestions guys.
However no one answered my other question.
Does a problem like this usually cost more to repair or does a CLA usually cover this type of problem? Has anyone else had this happen to their camera before?

 

[petronius]

I had a similar problem with a FM. In my case lots of exercise (hundreds of clicks) brought the shutter back to proper function; I don´t know if it was pure luck in my case, but a try doesn´t cost money.

 

[MV72]

Make sure you put new light seals in your FM. It's probably the goo of the old seals that has emigrated onto the curtains. Had this happen on a Nikkormat I bought. Had to try and clean the shutter to get it to work again, but I can't trust it over 1/250th though.
Mind you a nikkormat shutter is very tough. I wouldn't touch the one on my FM, which seems more delicate.
I'd try what Petronius said, and exercise the shutter while watching a good TV program....See how many actuations can make things better.
Good luck.

 

[gb hill]

Try operating the camera with the lens off & no film to see that the mirror is operating properly & the curtains are traveling as they should at all speeds. I had a mirror lock up problem on a Pentax Spotmatic. I took off the bottom plate & saw a arm was hanging. A drop of oil fixed the problem. I don't think your problem is from mirror lock up, but I think it is suffering from not being used in a long while & a CLA will fix it!

 

[FalseDigital]

^ It's definitely not a mirror problem, mirror is working correctly at all speeds. I'll try exercising the shutter for awhile like suggested. We'll see if that helps at all.

 

[FalseDigital]

I fired the shutter at least a few hundred times. Didn't seem to help much...1/500th worked a couple of times...but other than that..not any luck :[ So it looks like I'll have to CLA it. I'm going to be traveling for a few days so I'll have to take care of it when I get back. Thanks again for all the feedback.