It occurs to me that the OP might have started this thread assuming that doing a CLA on a camera was of similar complexity as some of the maintenance tasks that are easily within the capability of anyone reasonably handy with tools - something akin to the complexity of changing the oil and filter on an older car.
If so, I expect the OP has learned a bit.
We do tend to throw around the CLA idea as if it was something simple and easy to do.
I'll snip jim10219s post there, although the rest of it gives some great advice. Mine is as follows:I've never opened up either of those cameras, but generally you need some jewelers screwdrivers
It occurs to me that the OP might have started this thread assuming that doing a CLA on a camera was of similar complexity as some of the maintenance tasks that are easily within the capability of anyone reasonably handy with tools - something akin to the complexity of changing the oil and filter on an older car.
If so, I expect the OP has learned a bit.
We do tend to throw around the CLA idea as if it was something simple and easy to do.
wait 'til you have the money or you will need more to fix it afterwards.I have a Canon A-1 and an AE-1 Program that I want to CLA, because I don’t have the money to send them to a camera shop. I was wondering how hard it is to do it, what materials/tools I would need, and how I would actually go about doing it.
It's a great thing in life to know you're own limitations.Reminds me of my Wife's new son in law. He proposed to rebuild the transmission on a scabrous Mustang he'd just bought. I asked him what sort of experience he'd had with working on cars? He blithely said, "None. But I have a friend who's really good." I've had some 50 plus years working on my cars, rebuilding carbs (remember them?) brake work, clutch and trans R and R, etc. Even so, I wouldn't tackle a trans rebuild, not having the gauges, etc, to assure that the finished job would last any time at all. But he went forth.... I never heard the outcome. I presume it was bad....
The correct screwdrivers to work on Japanese cameras which are J.I.S. are different from Phillips which can damage the screw headsI'll snip jim10219s post there, although the rest of it gives some great advice. Mine is as follows:
Beware of cheap tools! Cheap screwdrivers can easily break and damage tiny screw heads. For instance, look for good quality screwdrivers such as Bergeon, although my set of 9 student quality ones set me back over £100! Most watchmakers tools are properly pricey, but are very well made and will last if they are looked after. A good set of tweezers is also a must, you want a set that can grip the tiniest screws without pinging them off into the unknown! I do have a few cheap tools which are good such as my Neewer lens tool. This is 2 blades and 2 points which makes an adjustable frame. Good for unscrewing lenses and some wind on levers on certain cameras.
For a work space, I use an old white coated chipboard desk with raised legs so it's at almost shoulder height when I'm sat down. I've attached sides on it too. Googlise watchmakers work area for some more ideas.
35mm film pots and plastic takeaway trays with lids are so very useful for keeping various parts and screws.
Get a good magnifying lamp. And a couple of Ikea clip on lights too. The more light and magnification you can use, the better!
Start by rebuilding a lens or 3. Then up your game by finding a few old faulty Russian cameras. Zenit 11, Zorki, Kiev, or an old Praktica. Solid old cameras that are made using quite basic engineering, plus there is a wealth of info on repairing these online, and they are worth next to nothing if it all goes wrong!
I occasionally repair clocks. I occasionally rebuild engines. I also used to restore vintage tube amps, which is electronics not mechanical devices, but still, it can be learnt!
And the other side of the coin is:I"ll say this to anyone who suggested "Don't do it!": When you find that there are no good camera repair techs anymore, you'll have only yourself to blame. Everyone begins as a noob.
If your cameras don't have any problems then you shouldn't try to CLA yourself. If they don't work then you have 2 options. Send it to the technician and the cost may be more than buying a working one of same. Do it yourself and it may end up as a pile of crap but that may be not too bad.I have a Canon A-1 and an AE-1 Program that I want to CLA, because I don’t have the money to send them to a camera shop. I was wondering how hard it is to do it, what materials/tools I would need, and how I would actually go about doing it.
I had a summer job at a camera store while I was in college, over fifty years ago. One day a young woman came in with one of the classic Japanese leaf shutter rangefinders in bad condition. The lens/shutter assembly was crooked on the body, the viewfinder window was cracked, and the top cover was badly dented. She asked about repair and we told her that the cost would be far more than the value of the camera, if repair was even possible. Then one of us asked what we'd all been wondering: "How did this happen?" She said, rather sheepishly, that she'd thrown it at her husband, missed him but hit the wall....I worked in camera stores for about twenty years and almost every day we used to have men come into the shop carrying plastic carrier bags full of camera parts with pathetic expressions on their faces who said "I was trying to fix my camera and I took it apart and I can't put it back together" ., unfortunately, we had to tell them that the camera repair company we used wouldn't repair them in that state because it was so time-consuming that they would have to charge in time and labour more than a new camera would cost
I had a summer job at a camera store while I was in college, over fifty years ago. One day a young woman came in with one of the classic Japanese leaf shutter rangefinders in bad condition. The lens/shutter assembly was crooked on the body, the viewfinder window was cracked, and the top cover was badly dented. She asked about repair and we told her that the cost would be far more than the value of the camera, if repair was even possible. Then one of us asked what we'd all been wondering: "How did this happen?" She said, rather sheepishly, that she'd thrown it at her husband, missed him but hit the wall....
But in that case the camera may survive.Knowing how they are built, it could have been a murder rap if the man handn't been fast enough to get out of the way!
I have a Konica IIIa which would crack a skull if swung properly.... One heavy camera!Knowing how they are built, it could have been a murder rap if the man handn't been fast enough to get out of the way!
^^^Completely this. Very, very much this!The correct screwdrivers to work on Japanese cameras which are J.I.S. are different from Phillips which can damage the screw heads
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