How do I clean, lubricate, and adjust a camera?

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MattKing

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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 :smile:.
We do tend to throw around the CLA idea as if it was something simple and easy to do.
 

Luckless

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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 :smile:.
We do tend to throw around the CLA idea as if it was something simple and easy to do.

Depending on the camera, what needs addressing, and the mindset of the person doing the tinkering, a CLA is a pretty easy thing to do. A more complex camera or a less tinkering mindset quickly makes that less so...

At least I've yet to use a camera that required crawling around on my back under it and find the right fluid plug to open as part of servicing... A few 'camera supports' that required it sure, but not the cameras themselves. However I assume I'm in a rather unique minority for the sort of robotics I've worked with, and my experience with such things is likely a poor representation of the average user.
 

Fin

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I've never opened up either of those cameras, but generally you need some jewelers screwdrivers
I'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!
 

hartacus

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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 :smile:.
We do tend to throw around the CLA idea as if it was something simple and easy to do.

I think it's a good thing to want to learn, and indications of the complexity of the task (like this thread!) give important context to making that decision. I'm working towards it, not there yet, but I want to learn how because there are so many factors that could make seeking out a professional repair difficult or unfeasible in the future. Resources for learning this stuff are scarce these days beyond reading forums and old service manuals, where these can be found. And some of us live in parts of the world where postage costs are challengingly high, both for sending cameras out for repairs and buying parts and supplies. Threads like this are a good indicator that it's a hard job, but I'm glad to see people also giving advice on how to start learning this skill rather than just "don't try, too hard for a noob, get a pro to do it".
 

RalphLambrecht

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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.
wait 'til you have the money or you will need more to fix it afterwards.
 

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If you have any sense you don't try to C.L.A them, the Canon A series of cameras are very complex electro/mechanical devices that need servicing by a professional.
 

GRHazelton

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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....
 

BrianShaw

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... or he’s having so much fun driving his mustang that he’s not giving you a second thought. :smile:
 

benjiboy

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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....
It's a great thing in life to know you're own limitations.
 

benjiboy

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I'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!
The correct screwdrivers to work on Japanese cameras which are J.I.S. are different from Phillips which can damage the screw heads
 

choiliefan

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One doesn't really know their limitations until they try something new.
Knowledge comes through experience.
 

4season

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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.
 

MattKing

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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.
And the other side of the coin is:
Send it to a camera technician - help keep that business operating!
 

benjiboy

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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 :sad:
 
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Chan Tran

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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.
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 the question for who know how to do a CLA on cameras. How long does it take to do 1 camera? I think an independent tech who works out of his home must charge something like $30 to $50 per hour. If he has a store front that would be $100 or so per hour. One wouldn't make a living charging less than that.
 

GRHazelton

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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 :sad:
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....
 

Kino

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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....

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! :laugh:
 
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GRHazelton

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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! :laugh:
I have a Konica IIIa which would crack a skull if swung properly.... One heavy camera!
 

Theo Sulphate

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Definitely the proper tools are needed - in addition to the correct screwdrivers, an adjustable spanner is essential. Some of them have different sized pins that can be inserted.

Photograph every step. Note the orientation of parts to each other even though something seems symmetrical - it may not be or it may have a small tab or pin on it. Be aware of the position of a part when the camera is at different settings. Take notes.

IMAG9714-1.jpg IMAG9747-1.jpg IMAG9752-1.jpg

I place all related items in dedicated sealable bags, then everything goes into nice little boxes.
 

John51

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If a cla costs say £100, then flipping burgers to get that £100 will take less time than learning how to do a cla properly. Also factor in the number of cameras destroyed while learning.

If you want to learn camera servicing as a hobby, there are plenty of junk cameras available and the tools are easy to store. Don't be thinking that a good job can be done first try. Turn junk into workable first, otherwise you'll be turning workable into junk.
 

Fin

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The correct screwdrivers to work on Japanese cameras which are J.I.S. are different from Phillips which can damage the screw heads
^^^Completely this. Very, very much this!

Although TBH, I think JIS crossheads are only used on newer electronic cameras, which I try to avoid as much as possible, so I've never seen any! But I do have a set for repairing Japanese audio equipment, which I used to do a few years ago. And I still have a few 70s/80s Japanese hifi components.

You can tell that the screw drive (the head) is JIS because there is a single dot stamped in between two of the slots.
 

StigCreutz

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I guess I'm in the same position. I bougt a few cameras from ebay by now and although they all work in some way or another they all have their issues. On some the meters don't work, others only have bad light seals, a few of them have fungus inside the lenses etc. I'm slowly starting to research how to fix and CLA them myself. The way I see it it's a fun hobby, and also very useful if you intend to collect and use old vintage cameras. Just like already suggested I think it's best to start with junk, or at least cameras you didn't pay much for, or care if you brake. I just bought an old Yashica MG-1 for $5 on eBay. If I can get it CLA'd and put back together..then great. If I brake the thing or cant't get it put back together again...also great because I probably learned a lot and I only lost $5, and next time I won't make some of the mistakes I made the first time. It's fun taking stuff a part, and even more fun once you start beng able to put them back together and see them work like new again...
 

John Koehrer

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JIS drivers were in common use with AT LEAST Canon's FL series, same with Nikon when they dropped slotted screws.
 
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