jbstitt Posted January 10, 2008 Share #1 Posted January 10, 2008 Advertisement (gone after registration) I got out my Minolta CLE after 2 years of sitting and found the meter and the electronics mechanism do not work. I cannot even fire off a shot. It acts like no power. I put in a new set of batteries and that did not do it. Just dead, even Meter check shows nothing. I cleaned the battery contacts and still nothing. It worked fine the last time I used it two years ago. I suspect perhaps there is some contact corroded. Anyone have experience with meter repair on a CLE that can recommend a repairman to me? I want to get it fixed and then sell it. It is too nice a camera to let sit, but alas, I have gone digital for all practical purposes except a little MF. John Stitt Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 10, 2008 Posted January 10, 2008 Hi jbstitt, Take a look here Minolta CLE meter repair. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
wizard Posted January 11, 2008 Share #2 Posted January 11, 2008 I apologize for mentioning this, but since it has happened to me, it might also happen to others: Have you moved the power switch at the front of the camera to "on"? If not, the camera feels completely dead despite working batteries... Best, Andy Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbstitt Posted January 11, 2008 Author Share #3 Posted January 11, 2008 Duh! Yes, I have done that many times on the CLE in years past. I had a CL before and I still move the lever out trying to turn the meter on. But alas, that is not it this time. I even slid the switch up and down to the timer, off, and on a number of times thinking it might be just some oxidation on the contacts, and maybe that is still it. Even considered, just for and instant and did not do it, squirting a little electronic tuner cleaner into the switch area. Might work, but thought fools rush in where wise men fear to tread so started this thread to find out what others have done. Searched for DAG on the web (they repaired my CL meter years ago) and could not find them, a parts DAG but not the repair facility. Wonder if he is still doing Leica/Minolta repair? Did find a place called Precision Camera that gave an on line quote of $100 for fixing the meter. Anyone used them? Any experiences good or bad? John Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted January 11, 2008 Share #4 Posted January 11, 2008 These people are meant to be good and list prices for the CL <center>( Leica ) CAMERA REPAIRS & RESTORATION - LUTON , ENGLAND <p> <center> Wish you all a Healthy & Prosperous New Year 2008 In the UK though so you'd have high postage costs. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary B Posted January 16, 2008 Share #5 Posted January 16, 2008 You might try taking the shutter dial off of the 'A' setting and turning it back and forth a few times. I have found that the contacts under the dial are the ones the need the polish of use to keep the contacts there clean. Gary B. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary B Posted January 16, 2008 Share #6 Posted January 16, 2008 More info if you are braver than me. This is a web site that shows you how to remove the top cover plate of the CLE. From there you might be able to get to the contacts to clean them. You could also take the instruction to someone you trust working on small parts and have them 'try' to clean them. Justin Low » Repair: Minolta CLE Gary B. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay66 Posted January 22, 2008 Share #7 Posted January 22, 2008 Advertisement (gone after registration) Try Don Goldberg of DAG at 608.835.3342. As far as I know, he still works on the CLE, parts permitting. He tuned mine up and adjusted a misaligned rangefinder a few years back. Good luck. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
polarapfel Posted May 22, 2012 Share #8 Posted May 22, 2012 I got out my Minolta CLE after 2 years of sitting and found the meter and the electronics mechanism do not work. I cannot even fire off a shot. It acts like no power. I put in a new set of batteries and that did not do it. Just dead, even Meter check shows nothing. I cleaned the battery contacts and still nothing. It worked fine the last time I used it two years ago. I suspect perhaps there is some contact corroded. Anyone have experience with meter repair on a CLE that can recommend a repairman to me? I want to get it fixed and then sell it. It is too nice a camera to let sit, but alas, I have gone digital for all practical purposes except a little MF. John Stitt I had my CLE repaired at Kamera Klinik GmbH - Willkommen in Hamburg, Germany. The shop is run by former Minolta service technicians. They have a good supply of spare parts for almost all Minolta cameras. I had several Minolta cameras from my collection serviced and/or repaired there. Prices are fair but not cheap: you get what you pay for. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lomo2011 Posted June 7, 2012 Share #9 Posted June 7, 2012 That's very difficult or expensive the repair. I've had a CLE and the meter doesn't work, they've said that I have to pay 250€ for repairing the camera so I've sold my CLE for parts to a collectionner and I've bought a MP since then, I don't have any problem. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
xalo Posted June 7, 2012 Share #10 Posted June 7, 2012 (edited) Thanks to polarapfel for the link. I just got an estimate from the Kameraklinik for the repair of my CLE, which randomly overexposes as soon as it should use a shutter speed below 1/60 and has an erroneous manual mode and (now diagnosed) defunct synchronisation. It also has a slightly fogged finder. The estimate for fixing all this including tax and shipment is about 280 EUR and I am going to give it a trial. Shall get back when I receive the repaired camera. Best, Alexander P.S.: Welcome to lomo2011! Edited June 7, 2012 by xalo p.s. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
xalo Posted July 29, 2012 Share #11 Posted July 29, 2012 The CLE is now back from the Kameraklinik since a week and I am going to get the first Provia back in a few days or so. The repair took longer than initially estimated (about six weeks) but I am quite happy with the result. The finder is clear and clean, better than ever since I had it, amazing change here. The camera seems to have stopped it's erratic long exposures (did a rough test series with the first roll - not seen it yet). For now I am happy Kameraklinik's communication is very succinct but clear (essentially, they send PDFs with estimate, invoice, shipping announcement etc.). To start the procedure, they ask on their website to fill in a form and ship the camera alongside for estimate - it was a bit disconcerting to do this without having any personal contact, but worked out well. Thanks again, Polarapfel! Alexander Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
xalo Posted November 10, 2012 Share #12 Posted November 10, 2012 Hum, a short update for the record... Camera still behaves great, meter exposes as it should. Hadn't mentioned this before, the repair is guaranteed 12 months. Too bad, the 90mm frame disappeared in the repair process. I just noticed this a short time ago since I am not using 90mm lenses on the CLE very often. I mounted my 90/4 C-Rokkor and other 90's - nothing. I contacted Kameraklinik by mail and phone. Friendly response by phone, asking to send the body alongside a 90mm lens and assuring that my shipping cost would be covered. They sent a confirmation when the camera arrived in their hands, where it is now since 10 days. Well, I look forward to seeing the little the black box back with me... Alexander Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
xalo Posted January 11, 2013 Share #13 Posted January 11, 2013 Update - camera and lens have yet to return and nobody answers mails or phone... Alexander Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
xalo Posted January 11, 2013 Share #14 Posted January 11, 2013 Update - camera and lens have yet to return and nobody answers mails or phone... For anyone in quest of a place to repair a CLE, I should add that the German Minolta-Forum has two threads about the repair shop in question and does not recommend it. A pity, especially since technical competence seems not to be an issue. Am sitting tight for the moment, relaunching communication. Alexander Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
xalo Posted February 23, 2013 Share #15 Posted February 23, 2013 Update for the record: CLE & 90/4 did not return from the second repair (yet?). The Kameraklinik has been burglarized end of last year and losses are unclear. No individual communication; some information passes via the German Minolta Forum. Alexander Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
polarapfel Posted June 8, 2013 Share #16 Posted June 8, 2013 Update for the record: CLE & 90/4 did not return from the second repair (yet?). The Kameraklinik has been burglarized end of last year and losses are unclear. No individual communication; some information passes via the German Minolta Forum. Alexander I'm sorry you had such bad experiences with your camera repair! This is horrible. I had them repair or maintain about four or five cameras of mine and I never had any trouble, although they do take a long time to work through a maintenance order. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
iwctoys Posted March 30, 2017 Share #17 Posted March 30, 2017 For anyone looking for a solution to fix CLE the fix is very simple. Under the battery tray is the main board. Batteries leak over time causing corrosion on the main board. Remove base plate (3 screws) clean any battery corrosion that has formed. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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