CLA “lifespan”?

[Horatio]

I’m sure the length of time varies with camera model and frequency of use. What’s your experience? I had one done on my Nikon F about 30 years ago and it still seems ok, but it’s rarely been used.

 

[guangong]

For starters, not using a camera for a long time could possibly be reason enough. A few cameras, such as Minox 8x11s by design are meant to be carried in pocket, but most cameras have little crevices where dust and dirt can enter so carrying in clean everready case will require less maintenance than a camera thrown into a litted dusty filed camera bag.. A well used camera will require less care than a shelf baby. Lubricants used can also make a difference. In general, for high end cameras any detectable resistance from any part indicates time for a CLA. If a Leica or Nikon is not silky smooth...time for a CLA. A CLA is usually cheaper than a delayed CLA plus repair. I don’t think you can set a timetable.

 

[ic-racer]

None of the owner's manuals for my cameras recommend a CLA. Where did you read that you need a CLA?

 

[Horatio]

None of the owner's manuals for my cameras recommend a CLA. Where did you read that you need a CLA?

I haven't read it any manual, but most comments I've seen recommend CLA with purchase of a used, vintage, all-mechanical camera, like my Nikon, for example. It's my understanding, perhaps mistaken, that cameras need periodic service.

 

[etn]

Nikon F are know to "never" need a CLA. So as long as it works, I'd say use it... on the other hand, it's a 50 year old camera with 50 year old lubricants, a mechanical check would probably not do any damage I guess (if performed properly!)

None of the owner's manuals for my cameras recommend a CLA. Where did you read that you need a CLA?

What product lifetime did the manufacturers expect? Not sure they foresaw usage over 50 years, which became common in the meantime...

 

[Horatio]

Nikon F are know to "never" need a CLA. So as long as it works, I'd say use it... on the other hand, it's a 50 year old camera with 50 year old lubricants, a mechanical check would probably not do any damage I guess (if performed properly!)

I'm seeing cameras for sale (and auction) which report CLAs within 10 years, or most often, never. I know older Leicas (i, ii, iii) shutters need periodic attention.

Is this just something Leicaphiles do, or something collectors obsess over?

 

[BrianShaw]

An overhaul, what many call “CLA”, is only important when a user wants a better assurance that an older camera operates properly and reliably. It’s a regular service just like you do for your car, furnace, wristwatch, etc. if a camera is a “throw-away” then don’t bother.

 

[RLangham]

I'm seeing cameras for sale (and auction) which report CLAs within 10 years, or most often, never. I know older Leicas (i, ii, iii) shutters need periodic attention.

Is this just something Leicaphiles do, or something collectors obsess over?

It's something working photographers have always had done because a CLA was historically always a lot cheaper than a new pro-grade camera. Back before Nikon et al introduced inorganic lubricant it was a fact of life that a frequently-used working camera or shutter would need a couple CLA's over the course of its life.

With consumer cameras no one is losing their livelihood if they use it till it breaks and then either have it fixed for about what the camera cost new... or chuck it. Hence the manuals for a pro camera won't usually mention a timetable for CLA's because it's obvious, and a manual for a consumer camera won't mention it because it's less relevant.

 

[Huss]

Nikon F are know to "never" need a CLA. So as long as it works, I'd say use it... on the other hand, it's a 50 year old camera with 50 year old lubricants, a mechanical check would probably not do any damage I guess (if performed properly!)


What product lifetime did the manufacturers expect? Not sure they foresaw usage over 50 years, which became common in the meantime...

A few years ago I took one of my Nikon Fs to Walters Camera Repair in LA for a CLA. They refused! They said, "why? they never need it!"

 

[Les Sarile]

Everything electro mechanical will need one or more of the CLA depending on use, non-use and environment. If a cycle is recommended then that is being honest.

 

[RLangham]

Everything electro mechanical will need one or more of the CLA depending on use, non-use and environment. If a cycle is recommended then that is being honest.

Everything will, but not everything needs to work perfectly for an indefinite amount of time. Consumer cameras were rarely CLA'd as far as I can tell. For most users they had a certain lifetime and then they broke, by which time a model with much better superficial features will be available for cheaper than repairs to their old camera would be. It's dishonest, yes, but that's planned obsolescence, basically an inevitable symptom of a certain stage in our society.

That's why when we say professional cameras, we don't mean a certain brand or feature set... we mean freedom from planned obsolescence. They made them to be much more rugged and much more fixable, as well as much easier for trained technicians to maintain. Nikon F's and F2's when used normally have ten times the lifespan of contemporary consumer cameras, CLA's or no. To be sure many of them faced far tougher duty cycles than consumer cameras, but to their credit, many of them survived it.

 

[4season]

Much depends on the camera and how it's been stored, but visible condition of foam light traps and mirror cushion might give you an idea as to whether your camera could benefit from maintenance. Would expect Nikon F to require less and cheaper maintenance than a Leica rangefinder camera of similar age.

 

[Huss]

I recently picked up a Nikon N2000. Made in 1985. So it is now 35 years old. No maintenance, works perfectly.

 

[RLangham]

Much depends on the camera and how it's been stored, but visible condition of foam light traps and mirror cushion might give you an idea as to whether your camera could benefit from maintenance. Would expect Nikon F to require less and cheaper maintenance than a Leica rangefinder camera of similar age.

Of course. I don't know when Leitz went to inorganic lube but it was well after Nikon did.

 

[Les Sarile]

Everything will, but not everything needs to work perfectly for an indefinite amount of time.

But if you did they will most definitely last much longer and work more reliably.

 

[RLangham]

But if you did they will most definitely last much longer and work more reliably.

Of course. But do you think most consumers in the 60's and 70's knew that?

 

[btaylor]

Of course. But do you think most consumers in the 60's and 70's knew that?

Absolutely not! I don’t think any of us thought we would still be using these cameras- the latest and greatest was always just around the corner. Weren’t we all programmed to want the next generation? I do remember a shop I passed almost every day when I was in high school- an authorized Contax (rangefinder) and Rolleiflex Service Center. What that meant to me was that they were professional tools, meant to be serviced, not tossed, when they needed service. Little did I realize that the lowly Pentax I was using at the time was extremely well made and deserving of proper service as well. Now that I have repurchased one I happily send it off for it's service.

 

[RLangham]

Absolutely not! I don’t think any of us thought we would still be using these cameras- the latest and greatest was always just around the corner. Weren’t we all programmed to want the next generation? I do remember a shop I passed almost every day when I was in high school- an authorized Contax (rangefinder) and Rolleiflex Service Center. What that meant to me was that they were professional tools, meant to be serviced, not tossed, when they needed service. Little did I realize that the lowly Pentax I was using at the time was extremely well made and deserving of proper service as well. Now that I have repurchased one I happily send it off for it's service.

Yes, I have yet to see a Pentax SLR that wasn't a resilient and usable machine. I imagine that the manual Spotmatics are a fairly trivial one to maintain, and the same for the K mount derivatives

 

[benjiboy]

I have always worked on the principle of "leave well alone", I don't believe that cameras like cars need regular servicing.

 

[removed account4]

people love CLAs, lenses love CLAs repair people love CLAs..

I typically get a CLA on lenses or cameras if I notice them acting wonky
I have a shutter speed tester ( calumet ) to test speeds if things seem off

best reason to get a CLA on a camera &c is if you get something USED, that way
you know if there is actually anything wrong with the gear ( like taking a car to a mechanic for a pre-purchase inspection )
and so you have a baseline. You know. " looks great, runs great, never used, daily driver". turns out to be a ruined jalopy.
I don't own a Nikon F, but I am not sure if it was Click or Clack ( one of the Tappett Brothers )
who had a car and never changed the oil in it, he just topped it off. I think he had over 100,000 miles on the engine and it was still
working fine. he was a mechanic though so he would know if there was something wrong, all us serfs have to rely on the CLA and
car mechanic overlords to tell us what is wrong. YMMV

 

[RLangham]

I have always worked on the principle of "leave well alone", I don't believe that cameras like cars need regular servicing.

Well, that's a shame because lots of cameras really will last longer with CLA's, a fact which is based on an empirical understanding of how machines work over tine. It's your investment that you're getting less return on than you could, so it's up to you, but I think a lot of seasoned photographers are going to find your opinion laughable.

 

[removed account4]

I think a lot of seasoned photographers

benjiboy IS a seasoned photographer

 

[RLangham]

benjiboy IS a seasoned photographer

And I'm not one... still, I did say a lot and not all. I think being a man who operates a certain machine regularly and insists that it never needs lubrication or cleaning is a little funny.

 

[Horatio]

I tend to follow the old maxim, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Honestly I can’t recall why I had the Nikon serviced.

 

[MattKing]

benjiboy IS a seasoned photographer

Some might say heavily seasoned - maybe even spicy!