recommendations on low cost mail order CLA for canon SLR

kingbuzzie · Nov 17, 2015

My canon A1 seems to be overexposing slide film, by at least a stop if not more. It's a pain because I shoot a lot of slide film. Any recommendations for budge CLA for the light meter. I know everyone wants a deal, but I really do need something low cost. I can't justify anything over $100 when I'm unemployed. (I've already had to cut back on shooting slides because that shiznits be expensive!) I'm located in Texas.

uniondale · Nov 17, 2015

I got into the habit of using a hand held light meter and it's really a lot of fun. Get a Gossen Sixtomat.

Sirius Glass · Nov 17, 2015

See what is available at www.keh.com. They guarantee their items and they have a great return policy. I just bought two things from them recently and I have used them for years.

Wallendo · Nov 17, 2015

If the exposure is consistent, why not simply adjust the ISO rating. If it overexposing by 1 stop, simple set the ISO one stop higher; i.e. set 100 ISO film at 200.

Obviously, you want your camera in top condition, but this would be an easy fix while waiting for your economic situation to improve.

Luis-F-S · Nov 17, 2015

San Antonio has Havel Camera Service. You might check with them, but I can't imagine any kind of service running much less than $100!

L

trythis · Nov 18, 2015

The way the switches and knobs work and I can in A1 it could just be that the contacts are worn out and electronics just can't read where they used to.
It could also be that it just needs lubricated and the shutters are sticky.

One problem is unfixable, the other is not so having someone look at it is your best option. A replacement may have other issues.

I had mine worked on for about $60 with shipping. I had to repair something else just after but now its all good.

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kingbuzzie · Nov 18, 2015

Do you remember the place that only charged $60?

trythis said:
The way the switches and knobs work and I can in A1 it could just be that the contacts are worn out and electronics just can't read where they used to.
It could also be that it just needs lubricated and the shutters are sticky.

One problem is unfixable, the other is not so having someone look at it is your best option. A replacement may have other issues.

I had mine worked on for about $60 with shipping. I had to repair something else just after but now its all good.

Sent with typotalk

Richard S. (rich815) · Nov 18, 2015

Cheap "budget" CLAs.....you get what you pay for. Cheap CLA usually in my experience equals expensive placing of oil in a few places, that's all. Then later you pay for the CLA that was truly needed in the first place and now pay for both. Just saying...

bo eder · Nov 18, 2015

I think I agree with getting a handheld meter. I got one of those Gossen Scout 3 meters years ago and it works great when I need an ambient reading (I also have a Sekonic L-358 I use when I'm strobing). Only reason I say that is because I think adjusting a 40-year-old light meter in a camera might be close to impossible (?). I have a nice Nikon F2A with the Photomic finder and it's in good shape, but the meter is a little off. I've seen other mechanical camera meters age and be off by a few stops sometimes. So I'm not sure fixing it would do anything.

Also, for under $100, you could probably find another Canon A1 on eBay where the meter is in better shape too.

trythis · Nov 18, 2015

kingbuzzie said:
Do you remember the place that only charged $60?

I didnt provide the name of the guy because it wasn't a good deal for me. I had to repair it a week after I got it back. He didn't replace the light seals cause they seemed ok to him. $60 is so close to a functional A1 that I'd just buy another from Keh or a camera store on ebay that accepts returns.

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John Koehrer · Nov 19, 2015

KEH also has a repair service.
As above, there could be faulty switches and variable resistors. I've seen cases
where just making an adjustment on a VR was enough to clean it. It's really
not likely that any switch is actually "worn out" though.

Roger Cole · Nov 20, 2015

Wallendo said:
If the exposure is consistent, why not simply adjust the ISO rating. If it overexposing by 1 stop, simple set the ISO one stop higher; i.e. set 100 ISO film at 200.

Obviously, you want your camera in top condition, but this would be an easy fix while waiting for your economic situation to improve.

This. I wouldn't spend money to have a meter adjusted as long as it's consistent. Just compare to some known-good meters and set the speed accordingly.

Roger Cole · Nov 20, 2015

trythis said:
I didnt provide the name of the guy because it wasn't a good deal for me. I had to repair it a week after I got it back. He didn't replace the light seals cause they seemed ok to him. $60 is so close to a functional A1 that I'd just buy another from Keh or a camera store on ebay that accepts returns.

Sent with typotalk

Yahbut, it might need one in six months or whatever. Starting with one (any camera) that's known good except for needing a CLA then getting the CLA is one way to have a camera that is likely to last a long, long time without further service. Of course this is more true of well built all or mostly mechanical cameras.

trythis · Nov 20, 2015

Roger Cole said:
Yahbut, it might need one in six months or whatever. Starting with one (any camera) that's known good except for needing a CLA then getting the CLA is one way to have a camera that is likely to last a long, long time without further service. Of course this is more true of well built all or mostly mechanical cameras.

The electronics of the A1 are really the gambling part of using it and shooting manually doesnt work if the electronics are off.

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kingbuzzie · Nov 21, 2015

urns out the lens I bought from KEH was broken, that's all. This is why I'm no pro. I should have checked that first...

recommendations on low cost mail order CLA for canon SLR

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