Shutter speed adjustment remedy.

[Nikon 2]

I’m wondering if my Nikon F2 needs a CLA.
I purposely shot with a 500 speed to determine if the shutter speed is correct. David at Process One said when he looked at the negatives that two or three were over exposed. Let’s assume the 500 and up speeds need to be adjusted. I’m reluctant to send the camera to Dean so can I remedy the problem by a higher f number to correct this issue? In other words if the light meter shows a speed of 500 at f/4 can it be advisable to shoot at f5.6 instead?
David said it probably was the light meter being fooled not the shutter speed that was at fault…!

 

[Chan Tran]

I’m wondering if my Nikon F2 needs a CLA.
I purposely shot with a 500 speed to determine if the shutter speed is correct. David at Process One said when he looked at the negatives that two or three were over exposed. Let’s assume the 500 and up speeds need to be adjusted. I’m reluctant to send the camera to Dean so can I remedy the problem by a higher f number to correct this issue? In other words if the light meter shows a speed of 500 at f/4 can it be advisable to shoot at f5.6 instead?
David said it probably was the light meter being fooled not the shutter speed that was at fault…!

You need to determine if the problem is with the shutter speed or the meter.

 

[BrianShaw]

Perhaps you should ask David. He has seen the negs; we’re just guessing based on incomplete hearsay. Or you could do as you propose… avoid using the highest speed. But verifying the meter really is the next logical step…

Keeping notes is a good idea too so you avoid guessing what each frame is and isn’t. There could be other causes of overexposure…

In all of your threads on this topic, though, you seem uncomfortable with the camera’s reliability. An overhaul should resolve uncertainty. For as old as it is…

 

[polka]

The most frequent issue with the highest shutter speeds is not the overall accuracy of the exposure but "banding", because at these speeds the vertical slot is rather thin and may not stay constant as it travels across the exposure window. Thus, the film may be unevenly exposed.

 

[Nikon 2]

You need to determine if the problem is with the shutter speed or the meter.

Exactly, or how I’m using the meter…!

 

[Nikon 2]

Talked to Dean again today and he convinced me to send in the F2, which he also believes is Nikon’s best SLR, since the shutter curtains can be dirty or sticky to cause bad performance…!

 

[BrianShaw]

Good decision. It will cost you some time and money but will put the camera back in shape and put your mind at ease.

 

[Chan Tran]

Exactly, or how I’m using the meter…!

While I don't really fix camera but I can test them to detemine what's wrong with them. Examining the negative isn't a very good way to determine if the camera is working correctly. You may have the developing problem too.

 

[Nikon 2]

While I don't really fix camera but I can test them to detemine what's wrong with them. Examining the negative isn't a very good way to determine if the camera is working correctly. You may have the developing problem too.

Good decision. It will cost you some time and money but will put the camera back in shape and put your mind at ease.

Thanks…!

 

[Nikon 2]

Thanks…!

Yes, it will cost me time and money that’s what a CLA does. CLeans Account…!

 

[Don_ih]

Overexposure is just as likely caused by oil on aperture blades as it is by a dirty shutter - probably more likely if it's happening more noticeably at higher shutter speeds.

 

[BrianShaw]

… and if not oil on the aperture blades it could be dried oil/ residue on other parts of the aperture stop-down assembly. There are many potential sources of overexposure.

 

[Don_ih]

… and if not oil on the aperture blades it could be dried oil/ residue on other parts of the aperture stop-down assembly.

Exactly. In other words, it could be the camera (although it is infallible) or the lens.

 

[Nikon 2]

Overexposure is just as likely caused by oil on aperture blades as it is by a dirty shutter - probably more likely if it's happening more noticeably at higher shutter speeds.

Dean mentioned it could be my lens also…!

 

[BrianShaw]

Dean mentioned it could be my lens also…!

When I had my F3 overhauled I had my lens overhauled also. A bit more money and the lens, which had really loose focus, came back as good as new. It’s only money. Right?

 

[Nikon 2]

Dean mentioned it could be my lens also…!

I’m now thinking, if I have the CLA done but my lens is causing this problem, maybe I don’t need the CLA…!

 

[Nikon 2]

But I’ve shot with 4 lenses already with good results…!

 

[Nikon 2]

I’m CLA, Confused Lately Again…!

 

[BrianShaw]

You can rule out the aperture fairly easily. With lense off camera… Set at smallest aperture ( biggest number) and flick the stop/down lever. If aperture opens and closes and opens in snappy way then it is probably okay. If sluggish… overhaul the lens.

 

[BrianShaw]

I’m CLA, Confused Lately Again…!

Apparently so.

 

[MattKing]

You can rule out the aperture fairly easily. With lense off camera… Set at smallest aperture ( biggest number) and flick the stop/down lever. If aperture opens and closes and opens in snappy way then it is probably okay. If sluggish… overhaul the lens.

In addition, if there is something wrong with the mount - either on the camera or the lens - it can affect the metering and/or whether the lens is properly closing down to the shooting aperture.

 

[Nikon 2]

So is the CLA still recommended…?

 

[MattKing]

So is the CLA still recommended…?

For an F2 - certainly. And the associated lenses too.
Like all pro-level equipment, they are designed to be maintained through regular service.
Once they have been Cleaned, Lubricated and Adjusted, the timing of the next CLA will be affected by their current condition and the use you make of them going forward.
Whether or not it makes economic sense for you to have them CLA'd turns on your economic priorities, and your intended future use of them.

 

[Nikon 2]

How often does the F2 need a CLA…?

 

[MattKing]

They were serviced annually at the big city daily newspaper that I worked at during the late 1970s. Those cameras were used hard, and used a lot!