how often do I need a complete cleaning/servicing?

[sara eigen]

I just bought a 3.5f from KEH--in bargain condition. It works beautifully, minus a broken light meter. I

can, however, see a lot of dirt on the viewing screen. Can I presume that, coming from KEH, the camera is

good to go for a few thousand miles, or would you advise a cleaning now? And how often does a major

tune-up need to be done? Thanks for your help!

[pavelp]

KEH ratings applies to cosmetic conditions only. They do not CLA the cameras/lenses/accesories before they sell them. I believe they check everything functionality, but it's about the same check that you would do.

 

In other words, assume nothing regarding the mechanical condition. CLA is probably a good idea (once done, you will be set for several years and you will know when the camera was clean last). On the other hand, you can just keep shooting and wait until the condition of the camera becomes unbearable (however, that may be in the middle of an important shoot or trip).

[vet 57]

I would agree with Pavel it would be a good idea to have a CLA if you can afford it, but in general I think that cameras are not like cars needing a regular service, I have always beleived that if they work o.k leave them alone.

Believe it or not, I have been useing cameras for about fifty years,they were all second hand, and I have never had one repaired or serviced

[leicaglow]

The other thing about doing the CLA right away is you can be aprised of any flaws that could affect whether you keep the equipment, and try to return it if it's bad enough.

[david_henderson]

I'm not sure I've ever asked for a CLA. What I do at about 18 month intervals is take my entire Bronica kit to the UK main agent and ask them to check the functionality of each piece and carry out any repairs, lubrication, etc they find necessary. Typically they'll find something to do on maybe 25% of the kit and they'll call me with a cost.

 

I'm pretty sure that a CLA will be different according to who does it and that ( as with a car service) it does not include checking every component for wear and potential failure. In short a CLA will not provide a guarantee against future failure (and you probably wouldn't want to pay for one that did) though it will reduce the probability of certain types of fault depending on what they do in a CLA in that establishment.

 

One thing I can virtually promise however. There is sufficient downward pressure on used equipment prices these days for any dealer to find it virtually impossible to justify anything more than a very quick check on functionality. It is much cheaper for them to give a warranty than it would be to check the kit they buy in thoroughly even if they had the know-how to do it.

 

The thing I do with a new lens or body is to put a couple of rolls of slide film through right away. I focus a lens at different distances and then look at every aperture/shutter speed combination for a particular shot to see whether exposures are the same. And I'll test that against a body/lens combination I trust.

[fwstutterheim]

For a Rolleiflex I would say a full CLA once every 10-15 years. If you are going to use the

camera just for private use there is no immediate need for a CLA, now that everything is

working fine. For professional use I recommend to have it serviced now. Use a well known

Rolleiflex specialist. You can easily access the screen for cleaning if the dirt bothers you.

Below is a link to a manual. The text is German but the pictures are clear enough. See

page 34 of the PDF-file (page 32 of the original manual). Please note that you will have to

slide the screen holder back, after that it swings up. Use a VERY soft brush. <p>

 

<a href="http://www.rflex.de/rflex/28f35f.pdf">manual</a><p>

<a href="http://www.stutterheim.nl/rollei/text_pages/rolleiflex_service.htm">Some

Rolleiflex repair shops</a>

[sara eigen]

thanks, everyone. I'm going to wait a bit (save the pennies, squander them on film) and do a

CLA this fall. I'm really enjoying this camera!!