To CLA or not to CLA...

[antistatic]

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That is the question.

 

I have just bought an M2 (1961, lever rewind, self timer, camera porn photos to follow) in good cosmetic condition and with no obvious mechanical issues (all shutter speed sound accurate, the shutter curtain is wrinkle and pinhole free, the rangefinder is clear and contrasty... this is sounding like an ad ).

 

The seller did not know any service history and he suspects it has sat in a cupboard for years.

 

Should I get a CLA as a precaution? If I use it until the shutter speeds go off will I be doing terrible and expensive damage to my camera?

[JBA]

I say run a couple of rolls of film through it before deciding. The results might show up any problems that are not so obvious at first.

 

Back in March, I bought a 1962 Nikon F that seemed to be working fine until I ran a couple of rolls of film through it. With film in it, the camera misfired a number of times and the low shutter speeds proved extremely unreliable, turning into something equivalent to "T" on occasion. It clearly needed a CLA. Now it works flawlessly. Also, shooting film with my Leicaflex SL2 made me aware of its problem with 1/2000, and even though I want to keep using it, I just can't put off a CLA any longer.

 

Even if the camera has no ovbious issues, a CLA will give you the peace of mind that it's working properly and you're not doing any damage to it by subjecting the soft brass gears to any grit that may have found its way into the camera over the years.

[NZDavid]

Is there a camera specialist in your area who could test the shutter speeds to check they are accurate to help you decide if it needs a CLA? It would be much cheaper.

 

Btw, Perth, Australia, or Perth, Scotland?

[waileong]

That is the question.

 

I have just bought an M2 (1961, lever rewind, self timer, camera porn photos to follow) in good cosmetic condition and with no obvious mechanical issues (all shutter speed sound accurate, the shutter curtain is wrinkle and pinhole free, the rangefinder is clear and contrasty... this is sounding like an ad ).

 

The seller did not know any service history and he suspects it has sat in a cupboard for years.

 

Should I get a CLA as a precaution? If I use it until the shutter speeds go off will I be doing terrible and expensive damage to my camera?

 

You worry too much, even before the camera is in your hands.

[JBA]

When did he say he didn't have it in his hands? How would he know so much about it if it wasn't?

[Guest maddoc2003jp]

I would run a roll of color-slide film through it, under various conditions and shutter speeds. Usually the standard shutter times (1/30s, 1/60s, 1/125s) work well but the short and long times are critical. If the film looks correctly exposed, the frame spacing is even and no light leaks visible I would not sent it in for a CLA.

[antistatic]

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You worry too much, even before the camera is in your hands.

 

Worry is way too strong a word to describe the emotion attached to my question and yes, the camera is in my hands. In fact it has hardly left my hands since it arrived. I love it.

 

I thought this was a reasonable question and a reasonable place to ask it.

 

David, I am in the sunnier Perth The people I would trust to do a CLA know how to run a business i.e. they will tell me it needs a CLA even without testing "just to be safe"

[NZDavid]

Would have to be sunnier than here at the moment! Wintry, brr.

 

You could always ask how much for a lab test as opposed to a complete going over. Came across this one, but you probably know it already: Camera Electronic Service Company Pty Ltd - Perth Western Australia

 

Have fun with your M2!

[antistatic]

Would have to be sunnier than here at the moment! Wintry, brr.

 

You could always ask how much for a lab test as opposed to a complete going over. Came across this one, but you probably know it already: Camera Electronic Service Company Pty Ltd - Perth Western Australia

 

Have fun with your M2!

 

The owner of Camera Electronic rubs his hands with glee every time I walk into his shop (which is quite often). I would trust these guys to do the work if and when it is needed.

 

Gabor, I like your idea of running a roll of slide film through the camera. I think I have a roll of Velvia hiding in the fridge.

[alifie]

You could try the old "photograph a record player" trick for determining shutter speeds. Very easy for leaf shutters just a bit more complicated for focal plane types.

[earleygallery]

A CLA shouldn't cost much assuming no repairs are needed, and then you will know it should be good for years to come.

[hunghang]

I would just run a series of controlled exposures against a roll of film (or two). Try it at all exposure speeds and if the negs come out fine, I would not worry about it.

 

I don't think that it's like a car whereby you have to do some preventative maintenance (such as a timing belt). Nothing will cause your M2 to die if something breaks - if it does, then fix it.

 

CLAs are over-rated.... maintenance/repair when needed.

[johnastovall]

I as a matter of course always have a used Leica CLA'ed. I then have a baseline on the camera. Just waiting for it break can cost me too much in time and money.

[jcraf]

A CLA shouldn't cost much assuming no repairs are needed, and then you will know it should be good for years to come.

 

For those in the UK, I had an M6 CLA'd via Red Dot recently. £140 inc VAT, plus £10 for a little spring for the frameline selector which had stopped working.