Has any had an SLR body CLA'd recently?

[Flotsam]

I have Contax RTS II that is dirty, hasn't been used in a while, but seems to work fine. I'd just like to get a general reality check on what people are paying for this type of thing these days so that I watch out for rip-offs.

 

[noblebeast]

Hi Neal,

I've had a Minolta SRT and an old Contaflex II (I guess there's no young ones anymore) Completely CLA'd locally for $80 each within the past year. That seems to be the going rate around here at least.

Joe

 

[resummerfield]

I sent a Nikon F3 to ESSEX CAMERA SERIVICE in Carlstadt, NJ for a CLA and to check shutter speeds (everything worked, but it hadn't seen any service in years). They said it needed "parts" and charged $180. But that's not all-- I sent it Monday 2nd day air, and received it Thursday 2nd day air. After checking tracking info with UPS, the camera was only in their shop about 4 hours! Now, does that mean Essex was exceptionally fast with the checkup and repair? or that something must have been skipped?

Next time I'll send it to Nikon.

It would be nice to hear any members' suggestions for any honest and competent shops.

 

[Flotsam]

This place is in Carlstadt too, http://www.camerarepair.com/
I haven't tried them.
As with any repair, auto, computer, refrigerator, in the end you just have to make that leap of faith. Is that Phlemson Joint on your SUV really worn out and need to be replaced immediately at great expense or else risk the lives of your family? I don't know. Do you tell them to put the thing back together, pay for the estimate and take to the next place down the road?

It would be nice to hear any members' suggestions for any honest and competent shops.

Since trust is really the bottom line when dealing with repair shops, word-of-mouth recommendations and positive experiences are probably the most valuable. I think that you have a good idea here.

 

[Lee L]

Had an R3 in for replacement light seals a few months ago. Shutter speeds, meter, and everything else were within original spec, so no other work was done except a little lube on the mirror mechanism. This was the first service since I bought it new in '79. (It doesn't sit on a shelf, it's been working the whole time and had many hundreds of rolls of film through it.) This was $45 at DAG, including parts. He'll CLA a prime lens for about $80. Don't have a price on a full CLA.

I had a complete CLA on an Agfa Isolette I, including a shutter upgrade, gluing a corner of the leatherette, lens cleaning, focus clean and lube, and bellows replacement two weeks ago. That was $100 from Jurgen Kreckel, but then it was 50 years old, and the R3 was only 26.

Just did some really nice APX-400 in PC-TEA with the Isolette.

Lee

 

[Daniel Lawton]

I'm currently waiting on an OM-1 thats being serviced by Camtech out on Long Island. The guy who does the work is an ex Olympus tech and has an excellent reputation. Cost for the CLA for the body is $100 and I also paid 60$ to have a motor winder overhauled. He only works on Olympus gear but maybe that gives you an idea of what to expect for prices.

 

[Flotsam]

Had an R3 in for replacement light seals a few months ago. Shutter speeds, meter, and everything else were within original spec, so no other work was done except a little lube on the mirror mechanism. This was the first service since I bought it new in '79. (It doesn't sit on a shelf, it's been working the whole time and had many hundreds of rolls of film through it.) This was $45 at DAG, including parts. He'll CLA a prime lens for about $80. Don't have a price on a full CLA.

Holy Smokes! Forty Five Bucks for CLA and repairs on a Leica?! Sure you didn't leave a zero off that?

 

[Lee L]

Holy Smokes! Forty Five Bucks for CLA and repairs on a Leica?! Sure you didn't leave a zero off that?

No, not a full CLA, it was still to spec in all regards. Only light seal replacement and lubing the mirror mechanism, plus checking shutter speeds and metering, which were fine. This was DAG, not Leica repair. No slight to Don, he'll just do what's necessary rather than automatically do everything, and does excellent work at reasonable prices.

However, if you ever do see a full CLA on a Leica for $45, please let me know.

Lee

 

[colrehogan]

No, but I've sent a few things to Vermont Camera Works in the last few years. Their website is: http://www.vermontcamera.com/

 

[glbeas]

I've sent a few cameras in to Peachtree Camera and Video and they seem to be pretty decent folks and did a good job on my gear. The prices seem in line with most other shops. They claim to have a lot of older parts stocked and can repair cameras from the 1800's on up.

http://www.peachtreecamerarepair.com/

 

[gchpaco]

I got my Bronica S2 cleaned last year, think I spent about $150 on it. I don't know if that's directly comparable, though. That was from Frank Marshman.

 

[benjiboy]

I don't get my cameras serviced unless they go wrong, and have never had to have one done in more than fifty years of photography, I know I have been very lucky, but I don't believe that cameras are like cars and need regular servicing I think it's better to leave well alone, and more problems can be caused by ham fisted sevicing that was probably not necessasery in the first place.

 

[Claire Senft]

I believe that many cameras will do better given frequent use that they will if left sitting on the shelf for long periods of time.

I too go along with the pholosophy "if it aint broke don't fix it". I would be very reluctant to have a camera serviced if I had no problem with it.

I might change my tune if I were going to go someplace where I am unlikely to go again and I was concerned about the possibility of camera failure. Even in this circumstance I would want my camera back a month before departure to make certain that the CLA did not transform a working camera into a non working camera.

 

[Bighead]

One end, to the next.......

CLA a Canon AE1 Program, $100
CLA a Mamiya C330, with other adjustments, $150ish
both local shop

As we speak (type) I am having a Pentax 645 totally rebuilt, @ Pentax. Basically it will be a refurbished camera. If its not replaced, it will be CLA'd. With a 6 month warrenty, $250....

 

[mtnbkr]

I had an Olympus OM-1 CLA'd by a local shop 4 years ago. New lightseals and a general cleaning cost $50 or so. He said the shutter, etc were fine. Just recently, I sent the same OM-1 to Camtech because the film advance would occasionally slip. He's charging $100.

Chris

 

[removed account4]

http://www.midstatecamerarepair.com here in warwick ri.
about 15 years ago my k1000 jumped out of a backpack when i was chasing a bus, and the base slammed against the pavement. until about 3 weeks ago, the top of the camera ( where it separated from the rest of the body ) was held down with duct tape (so wind lever returned). --- a gear + shaft was bent ... those replaced & a cla cost me 52$.
i am picking up my me super from the same place. the "shutter speed circut" went bad, and was replaced together with a cla it will cost me about 90$.

they have also done cla lenses ( sticky blades) + large format shutters for me. can't say enough good things about them

-john

 

[Gerald Koch]

I had a Minolta SRT repaired and CLA'd by Garry's Camera Repair. They charge a fixed price of $45 to $65 for "Eliminating original problem or defect, complete overhaul maintenance (meter calibration, light seal replacement, external and internal cleaning)." It was $45 + $8 shipping for my camera. They even fixed the mercury battery problem. The camera was back in my hands in less than a week. I was very satisfied.

http://www22.brinkster.com/garryscamera/

 

[BradS]

I recently paid $65 to have a Pentax Spotmatic CLA'd and $120 to have a Pentax KX completely overhauled....YMMV

 

[John Koehrer]

One of the local service shops(TC Camera) charges around $25 for a clean & check. That's an external cleaning, checks meter, speeds, flash synch etc. If the camera needs to be serviced, he lets you know & applies the $25 to the cost of a more thorough service. He's located in Lisle, Il. has a small shop & most repairs are done on site.