shadowfox
Darkroom printing lives
I had a Contax IIIa that needed a shutter overhaul.
Eddie Smolov ended up restoring it into the precision beauty that it is.
He called his service simply: "service" when I talk to him on the phone.
None of the "sermon," just a friendly talk about German and Russian cameras.
Eddie Smolov ended up restoring it into the precision beauty that it is.
He called his service simply: "service" when I talk to him on the phone.
None of the "sermon," just a friendly talk about German and Russian cameras.
farlymac
PF McFarland
After having worked on some of my own cameras because either I can't afford to have someone else do it, or it's just so much fun for an old repairman like myself, I've come to the conclusion that a CLA is what you do after you've torn the thing down to repair what's wrong with it.
Very few cameras in my estimate were ever designed to have regular maintenance done to them. They were either built like a Rolls, or a Volkwagen, with the resulting quality control determining the life of the unit. Why would a camera manufacturer want to have their old models still working way beyond the next model cycle? How do you sell more cameras that way? Leica dosen't sell all that many cameras per year, but because of the cache of ownership, they can charge what they damn well please for one, so who cares if it's still running after fifty years? They also are one of the few companies to take personal interest in their clientel by providing service beyond what any other company does.
That said, the matter of what can be done to any camera in a CLA is dependant on the way the camera was designed. And some camera repair persons will either be looking to maximise their profits by pointing out things that could need repair while the unit is open, or will just do what the client asks for, waiting for the camera to show up again in a short while when it finally does break. Which is even more profitable.
There are good, great, not so great, and downright thieves in the repair business, you just have to determine yourself whether the one you use fits into which category. Do some research, check the forums, and make up your mind what you are willing to settle for when sending a camera in for work. They won't all need the same thing done to them, and so it's hard to determine how much to spend for the work. Many factors go into the decision, such as the sentimental, commercial, and collectable values of your camera equipment. Spend a bit for top-notch service. And beware of the low-cost alternatives. Some are okay, but most aren't.
PF
Very few cameras in my estimate were ever designed to have regular maintenance done to them. They were either built like a Rolls, or a Volkwagen, with the resulting quality control determining the life of the unit. Why would a camera manufacturer want to have their old models still working way beyond the next model cycle? How do you sell more cameras that way? Leica dosen't sell all that many cameras per year, but because of the cache of ownership, they can charge what they damn well please for one, so who cares if it's still running after fifty years? They also are one of the few companies to take personal interest in their clientel by providing service beyond what any other company does.
That said, the matter of what can be done to any camera in a CLA is dependant on the way the camera was designed. And some camera repair persons will either be looking to maximise their profits by pointing out things that could need repair while the unit is open, or will just do what the client asks for, waiting for the camera to show up again in a short while when it finally does break. Which is even more profitable.
There are good, great, not so great, and downright thieves in the repair business, you just have to determine yourself whether the one you use fits into which category. Do some research, check the forums, and make up your mind what you are willing to settle for when sending a camera in for work. They won't all need the same thing done to them, and so it's hard to determine how much to spend for the work. Many factors go into the decision, such as the sentimental, commercial, and collectable values of your camera equipment. Spend a bit for top-notch service. And beware of the low-cost alternatives. Some are okay, but most aren't.
PF
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John Hermanson
Well-known
I knew a man who did cla/overhauls on Minolta SRTs for a little over $100. He also offered "rebuild" overhauls. Removing all gears, cleaning out all grease etc. THAT cost over $400. John
Roger Hicks
Veteran
Dear Lohn,
A superb illustration of what 'CLA' really means -- and costs!
Cheers,
R.
Vics
Veteran
Henry rebuilt my IIIa in 2003, and it's been working perfectly ever since under somewhat heavy use. By now he's become so well known that I'm too old for his waiting list. I feel confident that the camera will continue working for years to come. That camera was a doorstop when I sent it to him. Thanks, Henry!
Teuthida
Well-known
When it breaks I have it fixed. IMHo this is the best way to avoid unnecessary servicing.
MISH
Well-known
just a comment on henry's waiting list..... I sent in a deposit in Jan 2008 to have one of my IIAs overhauled..... so far only a four year wait and at least another year to go ..... i went from #113 and now at #21 but he has recently posted on his site that because of a painful hand condition he is forced to slow down a bit 
fortunately I have two other Contax bodies and a slew of other cameras to keep me busy
fortunately I have two other Contax bodies and a slew of other cameras to keep me busy
Beemermark
Veteran
Depends a lot on the camera. Leica screw mounts and non-battery M mounts are really pretty simple (relatively) to dissemble, clean, lubricate, adjust and re-assemble. Contax RF are a nightmare. Rolleiflex also. I wouldn't dream of sending them to anyone but a person that specializes in such cameras. 30 years ago I learned the hard way not to send a TLR to anyone but Fleenor.
I'm not a repairman but I think a CLA on a Leica M shouldn't take more than 4 hours. Operating on the principle of FIFO there is no reason it should take 6 months or more to get a camera back from a repair shop. Unfortunately some of the real craftsmen in the Leica repair field are, IMHO, better craftsmen then business men or time organizers.
BTW, how many people know who DAG is and who his father was? His father's business could turn around a camera in a day or so.