Steve's Camera CLA - Any Experiences?

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Terence T

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Hi, I'm thinking of sending my M4-2 for a long overdue CLA. Other than the usual choices like DAG and Sherry Krauter, I was looking to send it to Steve's Camera in Culver City, CA. I did remember reading some review of his work a few years ago but was wondering if anyone has any recent CLA experiences with the store. He's pretty close to where I am so that's an added advantage.

Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks!
 
My very first CLA with Steve, a Summicron 35/2 v1, is currently on its way back to me, so as yet too early to tell about the work. So far good communication from Steve's Camera, initial estimate was held to, I was told when work started on the lens, and total turnaround on the CLA will be under three weeks. I have only ever used DAG, so a 3 week CLA is something of a miracle. I did a fair amount of research before sending the lens and Steve's Camera has received very good reviews, so I am hopeful. This particular lens was not in good shape, the glass is perfect but the lens was sold as "battered" and that was an accurate description. So we'll see...
 
I've sent a few lenses to Steve, and he does excellent work, very responsive to emails, and accurate estimate of turnaround, which is usually very fast.
 
I sent my IIIf to him. When I got it back the slow speed didn't work correctly, but I sent it back and I have had zero problems since.
 
Update: I got an email from Steve yesterday along with a UPS tracking number. He ships by UPS ground and the lens will arrive early next week. He also sent me a pic of the lens in pieces! :eek: (See attachment.)

So far communication is very good and I'm really looking forward to seeing what he's done with this lens.
 

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i had my m2 cla'd there. i wasn't too enthused with the results...it came back with dust in the framelines, and the advance lever was still rough and skipped a notch or jammed once in a while.
 
My battered Summicron 35/2 v1 came back earlier this week and is now back on it's body as shown in the attachment. Glass is cleaner, aperture ring doesn't blow around in the wind any more, the lens focus is now smooooth (it was very stiff before). The lens vertically aligns correctly on a vertical (tried it on a steeple about a mile a way and the moon). So from a mechanical perspective, I can actually now use the lens, which is a big improvement. So far the CLA seems to have been good but pictures will tell the full story.
 

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Over the past few yrs I have heard nothing but positive reviews about Steve, his fast turnaround, and competitve pricing. I would not hesitate to send my gear to him.
 
Was on the phone with Sherry K. yesterday and she's only running 2-3 weeks on CLA's. I use her for all my work and am more than happy.
 
Can someone tell me approximately how much Steve's charges to do a CLA on a Summicron?

Thanks in advance!
David
 
It depends on the condition of the Summicron. I paid a lot more than $80 to have a 35mm v.1 Summicron CLA'd by Steve's recently. Glass was perfect on this lens but the mechanics were decidedly not, the lens was sold to me as "battered" and that was an accurate description. When it came back from Steve's it was perfect, they really did an unbelievable job, but it was more than $80.
 
thanks for that too!

thanks for that too!

Thanks Peter,

Mine has an aperture ring that has more play than I like. And it feels a bit dry but the focusing feels really smooth and tight (good tight :). I will likely give them a shot when I can let the lens go.

For my shooting the aperture ring sits pretty much at f2.5 :) so not critical but I do want to attend to it.

David
 
2 years ago, I paid $150 each for my 35/2 Summicron V1 cla'd by Steve's camera of Culver city.
 
Terence T said:
Hi, I'm thinking of sending my M4-2 for a long overdue CLA. Other than the usual choices like DAG and Sherry Krauter, I was looking to send it to Steve's Camera in Culver City, CA. I did remember reading some review of his work a few years ago but was wondering if anyone has any recent CLA experiences with the store. He's pretty close to where I am so that's an added advantage.

Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks!
Click to expand...

I sent my stuff out to him a couple weeks ago and I'm expecting him to be finished within this week. I'll let you know how it goes. It would be nicer if he accepted paypal, but he says he takes Visa/MC

DwF said:
Can someone tell me approximately how much Steve's charges to do a CLA on a Summicron?

Thanks in advance!
David
Click to expand...

I got my 40mm 'cron quoted for $145
 
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