CLA and refurb

adefreitas · Apr 23, 2018

Hello,

I'm hoping someone can help me find a place to send or drop off my Nikon F3HP for a full CLA and refurb. Where it comes back almost looking and feeling as new as possible.

Recently was given one and it is very dirty outside and inside and I just want to make sure all is in order.

Any one have experience with a top notch technician in Toronto? Ontario? Canada? North America?

I know Japan Camera Hunter can have it serviced in Japan by Nikon, but that just seems a bit extreme if not expensive. Any ideas?

While I am at it might as well ask also have an Olympus OM-4Ti and OM-2N that could use a could clean and overhaul, any help for those?

Thank you!

Paul Manuell · Apr 23, 2018

Ok, I've seen the CLA term on here loads of times and always wondered what it actually stands for. So...? I'm guessing the C means clean, but L and A?

BradS · Apr 23, 2018

Paul Manuell said:
Ok, I've seen the CLA term on here loads of times and always wondered what it actually stands for. So...? I'm guessing the C means clean, but L and A?

Clean Lube and Adjust.

btaylor · Apr 23, 2018

Sover Wong seems to be the go to guy for Nikon, located in the UK.
Zuiko.com for Olympus. These guys are both specialists.
I had work done by Gus Lazzari on my Contax IIa, it came back looking and working like new— he put a lot into the appearance which I appreciated.

BradS · Apr 23, 2018

btaylor said:
Sover Wong seems to be the go to guy for Nikon, located in the UK.
Zuiko.com for Olympus. These guys are both specialists.
I had work done by Gus Lazzari on my Contax IIa, it came back looking and working like new— he put a lot into the appearance which I appreciated.

I'm pretty sure that Sover Wong only works on the Nikon F2

E. von Hoegh · Apr 23, 2018

adefreitas said:
Hello,

I'm hoping someone can help me find a place to send or drop off my Nikon F3HP for a full CLA and refurb. Where it comes back almost looking and feeling as new as possible.

Recently was given one and it is very dirty outside and inside and I just want to make sure all is in order.

Any one have experience with a top notch technician in Toronto? Ontario? Canada? North America?

I know Japan Camera Hunter can have it serviced in Japan by Nikon, but that just seems a bit extreme if not expensive. Any ideas?

While I am at it might as well ask also have an Olympus OM-4Ti and OM-2N that could use a could clean and overhaul, any help for those?

Thank you!

So, do you want your cameras CLA'd (tuneup) or overhauled (complete cleaning, relubrication, anything worn or damaged replaced/repaired)? The difference is similar to that between beer and grain alcohol...

Paul Manuell · Apr 23, 2018

BradS said:
Clean Lube and Adjust.

Ah, thanks for that, Brad

adefreitas · Apr 23, 2018

E. von Hoegh said:
So, do you want your cameras CLA'd (tuneup) or overhauled (complete cleaning, relubrication, anything worn or damaged replaced/repaired)? The difference is similar to that between beer and grain alcohol...

I would say a complete overhaul, it has been ina closet for over a decade. I want it, so it is usable again.

benjiboy · Apr 23, 2018

It would probably be cheaper than having extensive work it sounds like it requires your current F3 to replace it with an F3 that's in better condition and keep the current body as a spare parts donor for any future repair requirements because Nikon no longer supplies spare parts for their products to independent repairers.
https://ifixit.org/blog/1349/how-nikon-is-killing-camera-repair/

BradS · Apr 23, 2018

benjiboy said:
It would probably be cheaper than having extensive work it sounds like it requires your current F3 to replace it with an F3 that's in better condition and keep the current body as a spare parts donor for any future repair requirements because Nikon no longer supplies spare parts for their products to independent repairers.
https://ifixit.org/blog/1349/how-nikon-is-killing-camera-repair/

Despite its title, the linked article makes it quite clear that Nikon is supplying part to Authorized repairers. Following the link in the article to the NikonUSA.com website, I found no fewer than 9 Authorized Nikon repair facilities here in the US....further, there are still numerous repair shops here that are still doing basic CLA on just about any film camera you bring in.

There is no need to spread panic.

adefreitas · Apr 23, 2018

Well I just contacted an authorized repair centre here, Sun Camera Service and told me that I now need to go directly to Nikon Canada to have my F3HP overhauled. Does this make sense? I thought they didn’t touch them anymore.

I’m so confused.

BradS · Apr 23, 2018

I would try contacting one or more of the Nikon Authorized service centers...in fact, I'm going to send one of my Nikkormats out to one of these places as a result of this thread...

https://www.nikonusa.com/en/service-and-support/nikon-authorized-repair-list.page
https://www.nikonusa.com/en/service-and-support/nikon-authorized-repair-list.page

EDIT:

Ah, I see that you already have tried...I'd try another....or send it to Nikon! They will do a fantastic job (if, in fact they still work on the F3).

BradS · Apr 23, 2018

adefreitas said:
Well I just contacted an authorized repair centre here, Sun Camera Service and told me that I now need to go directly to Nikon Canada to have my F3HP overhauled. Does this make sense? I thought they didn’t touch them anymore.

I’m so confused.

so, call Nikon and ask.

pthornto · Apr 23, 2018

I doubt Nikon Canada keeps parts or services the F3 anymore.

Is the camera truly unusable? If it really doesn't work at all, I concur with the suggestion to find a replacement in better condition. If it just looks grimy and needs a cleaning, needs replacement foam, and perhaps an adjustment of the shutter speeds then a CLA or overhaul is probably worth it.

I don't know people in Toronto. There is Camera Repair Centre in Halifax- I haven't used him, but he gets good reviews and posts lots of Instagram/FB posts of repairs done to older equipment (pentax and nikon). Would be worth asking if you didn't mind shipping.

benjiboy · Apr 23, 2018

I suggest you send the camera to a repairer and get a quote for rhe work required,, and compare it with the price you can buy a good condition one for.

BradS · Apr 23, 2018

...and then send the one that you just bought "in good condition" to get a quote for a CLA....

E. von Hoegh · Apr 23, 2018

BradS said:
...and then send that one that you just bought "in good condition" to get a quote for a CLA....

I've never found accurate shutter speeds on an old camera, quite a few are useable but the high speeds are usually not closer than 1/2 stop, the F3 with an electronic shutter might be better in this respect - but don't count on it.
A CLA was once regular preventative maintenance, most pros would send a body out once a year.

StanMac · Apr 23, 2018

I’ll suggest my usual “go to” for film cameras, Zacks Camera Repair, http://zackscamerarepair.com/ . My experience with them has not been with Nikons, but it’s worth an email to them to see what they can do for you.

Stan

adelorenzo · Apr 24, 2018

FWIW, I tried taking an F3 with a bad shutter to Sunflower camera repair in Toronto. He wasn't able to do anything with it. I still haven't gotten it repaired I just bought another body.

LeftCoastKid · Apr 24, 2018

pthornto said:
I doubt Nikon Canada keeps parts or services the F3 anymore.

Is the camera truly unusable? If it really doesn't work at all, I concur with the suggestion to find a replacement in better condition. If it just looks grimy and needs a cleaning, needs replacement foam, and perhaps an adjustment of the shutter speeds then a CLA or overhaul is probably worth it.

I don't know people in Toronto. There is Camera Repair Centre in Halifax- I haven't used him, but he gets good reviews and posts lots of Instagram/FB posts of repairs done to older equipment (pentax and nikon). Would be worth asking if you didn't mind shipping.

I'm not sure Nikon Canada services any film cameras, period. Both my F5 and F6 bodies (command dial malfunctions) had to be forwarded to Nikon USA in Los Angeles. As others here have suggested, check out some of our sponsors to see what they offer, service-wise. Failing that, there is the Japan Camera Hunter route; there you would have the advantage of Nikon factory servicing. Cost-wise, time-wise...?

naeroscatu · May 1, 2018

Mr Keno CLA'd my Olympus OM1 few years back and he did a great job. I see his website is still up. Call him and see if he can help:
Camera Repair Canada
254 Lakeshore Road East
Mississauga, Ontario
L5G 1G9
Canada
Tel/Fax: (905) 891-6960
Email:keno@camerarepaircanada.com
Website:www.camerarepaircanada.com

PGillin · Mar 21, 2019

Sorry to zombify the thread but I just stumbled on it and wanted to mention that there is a rather well equipped store in Windsor dtill doing CLA/repair on all manner of film csmeras. Erll dstocke on parts & donor bodies as well.

Photo Outfitters,
Tecumseh Road,
Windsor, Ontario.

BradS said:
...and then send the one that you just bought "in good condition" to get a quote for a CLA....

Seconded. I'd rethra put money into getting a known quantity body back into good working order than gamble on another 20+ year old second had body with an unknown service/repair/breakdown history. You never know how the last owner shot it or why it's for sale.

CLA and refurb

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