[review] minolta cle repairman in oakdale, california

[styvone]

My Minolta CLE was in dire need of a good cleaning, lubing, and adjustment - the meter was finicky and jumping all over the place. Whatever I did, it never stayed still. Apparently the contacts underneath shutter speed dial needed to be cleaned. I did some digging online and people were recommending certain faces, most notably Dave Easterwood in Michigan. Digging more, he seemed to be somewhat MIA / hard to get a hold of, so I’ve always felt iffy sending my precious CLE to him. I mostly settled for using the camera without its meter.

I did some more digging later and came across Scott Nielsen in Oakdale, CA (http://scottnielsenphoto.com). I gave him a quick call and after a lovely conversation I learned that he used to work at Minolta as a camera technician. He specializes in Minolta gear (although, he was completely transparent by telling me that he was not formally trained in the CLE, but he has worked on many CLEs since leaving Minolta and opening up his own business). He quoted me a 3-4 week turnaround for a complete overhaul of my CLE and assured me that the meter can be fixed by cleaning the electronic strips underneath the shutter speed dial.

So, I shipped the camera off to him, and within a day of receipt he called me to let me know that the camera can be repaired. I gave him the green light, and two days later he called me saying the camera was done. I was dreading not having my camera with me during the busy holidays, but Scott managed to get the camera back to me within a week!

The camera arrived in beautiful condition. It was clean and the shutter snapped with impressive accuracy. Most of all, the light meter is no longer jumpy! In fact, it’s been a few weeks and I haven’t had any hiccups. I was so happy, I reached out to ask if I could write him a review.

Scott specializes on all Minolta analog camera models and lenses, and wants to makes sure that people know he was trained at Minolta. In regards to the CLE, he said that as long as it does not require any parts, he can perform a complete overhaul to further its longevity. Give him a call if you’re a CLE owner needing a CLA on your camera! A very personable and honest technician - I can’t recommend him enough.

*For full transparency, I spent around $250 on the overhaul (includes return shipping).

 

[KoNickon]

Thanks for this; great to know about him. For what it's worth, I've done that same repair myself and it didn't seem to last. Probably I didn't do the job right.

 

[Guth]

Thanks for sharing this information about Scott and your experience with him repairing your CLE.

I have long been fond of Minolta cameras and shot with a XD11 for 20+ years. A few years back I decided to purchase a CLE, which I enjoy very much. Upon receiving the camera I discovered that it had the jumpy meter display issue as often seems to be the case with the CLE. Rather than return the camera, I decided to have a go at cleaning the electrical contacts myself. So far so good, but it's always good to know about available resources out there that we can turn to if needed — especially those that come recommended by others.

 

[hap]

My CLE works fine. A great camera. Occasionally the meter gets squirrely...usually in the few seconds of use. It seems to calm down with use and the passage of time. thanks for the post as I might someday need a reliable camera repair technician. It's also close enough to me in California. Nice location not far from the Sierras and especially Yosemite Park.

 

[rhl-oregon]

Good to know, thanks. A CLE has been on my mind recently for shooting 28mm film, but there’s my nervousness about nice designs that depend on aging electronics. Knowing about this resource may help me reach a rational decision.

 

[scottgee1]

I did some digging online and people were recommending certain faces, most notably Dave Easterwood in Michigan. Digging more, he seemed to be somewhat MIA / hard to get a hold of, so I’ve always felt iffy sending my precious CLE to him.

Isolating this reference to Dave Easterwood to caution people about sending equipment to him.
I'm in Michigan and have done business with him off and on for over forty years.
He used to have a storefront but switched to using local shops as his agents and making weekly pick-ups from them.
In short, he can do excellent work but apparently when he encounters something he cannot handle, he puts the problem aside and ignores it rather than contacting the customer and saying, "Can't do it".
This is what seems to have happened with the Contax G2 I sent to him (through a local dealer) YEARS ago.
Multiple requests from the dealer (in person) and me (phone and email messages) have been completely ignored and the dealer recently went out of business.
My next step is small claims court. That may be the only way to get his attention.

 

[Bill Blackwell]

Don Goldberg ("DAG") will also work on the CLE. Note that he has some spare parts (obtained from the Leitz Canada factory when it shut down) as well.

 

[Radost]

Don Goldberg ("DAG") will also work on the CLE. Note that he has some spare parts (obtained from the Leitz Canada factory when it shut down) as well.

I was told Don dosnt work on CLEs.

 

[Radost]

Will try Scott Nielsen for my 2 shutter issues CLEs

 

[Bill Blackwell]

I was told Don dosnt work on CLEs.

I asked him. He does "minor work" only on the CLE.

 

[lic4]

Isolating this reference to Dave Easterwood to caution people about sending equipment to him.
I'm in Michigan and have done business with him off and on for over forty years.
He used to have a storefront but switched to using local shops as his agents and making weekly pick-ups from them.
In short, he can do excellent work but apparently when he encounters something he cannot handle, he puts the problem aside and ignores it rather than contacting the customer and saying, "Can't do it".
This is what seems to have happened with the Contax G2 I sent to him (through a local dealer) YEARS ago.
Multiple requests from the dealer (in person) and me (phone and email messages) have been completely ignored and the dealer recently went out of business.
My next step is small claims court. That may be the only way to get his attention.

I had a similar experience with Dave Easterwood, and it was very difficult getting my camera back from him. I ended up having to pay quite a lot in postage to have him send the camera back to me, in worse condition than I sent it in.

 

[stuart_115]

Isolating this reference to Dave Easterwood to caution people about sending equipment to him.
I'm in Michigan and have done business with him off and on for over forty years.
He used to have a storefront but switched to using local shops as his agents and making weekly pick-ups from them.
In short, he can do excellent work but apparently when he encounters something he cannot handle, he puts the problem aside and ignores it rather than contacting the customer and saying, "Can't do it".
This is what seems to have happened with the Contax G2 I sent to him (through a local dealer) YEARS ago.
Multiple requests from the dealer (in person) and me (phone and email messages) have been completely ignored and the dealer recently went out of business.
My next step is small claims court. That may be the only way to get his attention.

Wow that is really bad. I saw that his webpage includes yelp reviews, which are all 5 stars. Perhaps you can provide your review there and lower the rating. Maybe it will trigger him to send back your camera.

 

[raydm6]

Isolating this reference to Dave Easterwood to caution people about sending equipment to him.
I'm in Michigan and have done business with him off and on for over forty years.
He used to have a storefront but switched to using local shops as his agents and making weekly pick-ups from them.
In short, he can do excellent work but apparently when he encounters something he cannot handle, he puts the problem aside and ignores it rather than contacting the customer and saying, "Can't do it".
This is what seems to have happened with the Contax G2 I sent to him (through a local dealer) YEARS ago.
Multiple requests from the dealer (in person) and me (phone and email messages) have been completely ignored and the dealer recently went out of business.
My next step is small claims court. That may be the only way to get his attention.

Wow! Just read the comments on his Facebook page. All six people requesting their cameras back - some messages are fairly recent, and some sending in multiple cameras (one also sent in a full repair payment and still no camera). Seems to be a pattern... Not to make light of this, I don't think it would be unreasonable to contact the local police for a wellness check and also reporting your equipment situation. Hope it works out for you.

 

[ChrisS]

Hello everyone,
I came across this thread in an internet search and wanted to share my experience. I did hear a horror story about Dave Easterwood years ago, but more recently I came across positive comments and decided to send him a Canonet QL17. He said it was done about a week after he received it, and I paid him $135. plus shipping (this was in the first week of February). I received it back in apparently much the same condition as I had sent it, despite an accompanying receipt detailing the work that was claimed to have been done. I emailed him back as politely as possible, stating that the camera seemed to still have outstanding issues, and he agreed to look at it again. It has now been about three and a half months with no word from him. I suppose I should email him and ask what is going on, I don't know if it will do any good.

 

[hap]

I should have been more careful with my very recent choice to send my F3 to Dave Easterwood...... If i'd known about this thread I probably would not have sent to him. I spoke several times with him and he responded with texts. i'll follow up with this thread when /if I get it back.

c'est la vie.

Hap

 

[hap]

My Minolta CLE was in dire need of a good cleaning, lubing, and adjustment - the meter was finicky and jumping all over the place. Whatever I did, it never stayed still. Apparently the contacts underneath shutter speed dial needed to be cleaned. I did some digging online and people were recommending certain faces, most notably Dave Easterwood in Michigan. Digging more, he seemed to be somewhat MIA / hard to get a hold of, so I’ve always felt iffy sending my precious CLE to him. I mostly settled for using the camera without its meter.

I did some more digging later and came across Scott Nielsen in Oakdale, CA (Digital and film Camera Repair serving the Central Valley). I gave him a quick call and after a lovely conversation I learned that he used to work at Minolta as a camera technician. He specializes in Minolta gear (although, he was completely transparent by telling me that he was not formally trained in the CLE, but he has worked on many CLEs since leaving Minolta and opening up his own business). He quoted me a 3-4 week turnaround for a complete overhaul of my CLE and assured me that the meter can be fixed by cleaning the electronic strips underneath the shutter speed dial.

So, I shipped the camera off to him, and within a day of receipt he called me to let me know that the camera can be repaired. I gave him the green light, and two days later he called me saying the camera was done. I was dreading not having my camera with me during the busy holidays, but Scott managed to get the camera back to me within a week!

The camera arrived in beautiful condition. It was clean and the shutter snapped with impressive accuracy. Most of all, the light meter is no longer jumpy! In fact, it’s been a few weeks and I haven’t had any hiccups. I was so happy, I reached out to ask if I could write him a review.

Scott specializes on all Minolta analog camera models and lenses, and wants to makes sure that people know he was trained at Minolta. In regards to the CLE, he said that as long as it does not require any parts, he can perform a complete overhaul to further its longevity. Give him a call if you’re a CLE owner needing a CLA on your camera! A very personable and honest technician - I can’t recommend him enough.

*For full transparency, I spent around $250 on the overhaul (includes return shipping).

I sent my CLE which is only a 5 hr drive to Scott Nielsen. 5 days later it still hadn't arrived via UPS. Scott a nice guy. I hope UPS is going to carry through here.