Beginner Questions

[Third Sunday]

Hiya! Am very new to RFs but very excited to start/learn something new... got a few dumb questions, hope the experts can help...

- How often does one need to CLA / overhaul / service a body or lens?
- Are there any signs to indicate that its time to CLA, or overhaul or service?
- What's the difference between the three anyway?

- Is there really a difference between a black Leica and a chrome Leica? Which is supposedly more desirable? What are the pros and cons of black vs chrome, if any? How abt lenses?

- I noticed that a lens - for eg a 50mm f1.4 - can have a huge range in price in the 2nd hand market like ebay. Why is that? Is it different models, or just different age?

- Where's a good/convenient place to send film to process and scan?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Rangefinder_fan]

Dude,
Can only address a couple of your concerns.
some CLAs are 'good to have' but may not be strictly necessary if your camera is functioning fine. By ‘fine’, I think the conventional definition is that the shutter speeds sound approximate, controls are not binding and that the lenses are clean.
Signs of an impending CLA include - gritty or binding controls, slow or fast shutter speeds not as indicated(note that for mechanical cameras, fast shutter speeds may not be as advertised, especially in the 1/1000 range), hazing of the lens, or sticky aperture blades (binding or sluggish step down). Also, if you're on aging mechanical cameras with meters like me, then some of the meters are pretty much a lost cause when they go out of whack due to the lack of replacement parts.
Beyond that, a CLA is always a nice thing to do when you get a new piece of kit, but it may not be strictly necessary. In anycase, with the glut of used cameras available, a replacement camera may be more cost effective unless you’re sentimental (I am). Dust inside of a lens is not a huge cause for concern either, contrary to what folks may think, as most of the time nothing will show up on the neg.

I develop colour negs and slides at Fotohub at Beach Road, BW is self developed. Scanning can be done at Fotohub too, but I've not used that service in a while.

Have fun

 

[waileong]

- How often does one need to CLA / overhaul / service a body or lens?

Depends on how often you use. Could be 5-10 years.

- Are there any signs to indicate that its time to CLA, or overhaul or service?

When the camera/lens is not working according to expectations. Eg. when exposure is wrong because your shutter is too slow. Or when your lens is too stiff. Or contains too much dust for your liking.

- What's the difference between the three anyway?

Probably no difference. Just marketing terms.

- Is there really a difference between a black Leica and a chrome Leica? Which is supposedly more desirable? What are the pros and cons of black vs chrome, if any? How abt lenses?

Yes. One is black and one is chrome.

Chrome lenses are heavier than black. However, black and chrome bodies are same weight, more or less.

- I noticed that a lens - for eg a 50mm f1.4 - can have a huge range in price in the 2nd hand market like ebay. Why is that? Is it different models, or just different age?

Can be differnet models, different age or different condition. Or even just luck-- sometimes furious bidding can drive prices to unreasonable levels.


- Where's a good/convenient place to send film to process and scan?

Your friendly lab is good. But scanning is expensive. Try CS-ers here.

 

[chiif]

If you are very very new and want to try out some mechanical cameras, I would suggest that you look for some good deals over here .

A pretty reliable seller based on some feedbacks and he/she has some really really interesting and very affordable stuff.

 

[Third Sunday]

If you are very very new and want to try out some mechanical cameras, I would suggest that you look for some good deals over here .

A pretty reliable seller based on some feedbacks and he/she has some really really interesting and very affordable stuff.

Thanks for the link! I've actually already bought a camera and a 50mm lens, but the camera is black and the lens is chrome... looks kinda funny to me... am thinking of either selling the camera to get a chrome one, or selling the lens to get a black one :think:

 

[gommy]

Don't sell either. It will grow on you......
When I started, I wanted all black. Then I discover 'chrome'- Leica chrome are made of brass & compare to the anodised black(aluminium alloy), the chrome are heavier & more solidly built. They feel really shiok to hold. Black-painted one are like the chrome - fully brass.
Then I started to 'convert' some of black anodised lenses to chrome one. I still have a black body.
Leica has more or less stopped chrome lenses production. However, new silver Cron28asph is not chrome(brass) but anodised silver(aluminium alloy)
If it still bothers you, change the body otherwise most old Leica lenses will look funny to you as they are mostly chrome
My 2¢ worth.....Anyway welcome to RF..I only started in May 2007

Thanks for the link! I've actually already bought a camera and a 50mm lens, but the camera is black and the lens is chrome... looks kinda funny to me... am thinking of either selling the camera to get a chrome one, or selling the lens to get a black one :think:

 

[Third Sunday]

Don't sell either. It will grow on you......
When I started, I wanted all black. Then I discover 'chrome'- Leica chrome are made of brass & compare to the anodised black(aluminium alloy), the chrome are heavier & more solidly built. They feel really shiok to hold. Black-painted one are like the chrome - fully brass.
Then I started to 'convert' some of black anodised lenses to chrome one. I still have a black body.
Leica has more or less stopped chrome lenses production. However, new silver Cron28asph is not chrome(brass) but anodised silver(aluminium alloy)
If it still bothers you, change the body otherwise most old Leica lenses will look funny to you as they are mostly chrome
My 2¢ worth.....Anyway welcome to RF..I only started in May 2007

Thanks Gommy for the explaination... you've helped me to decide. I will definitely keep the lens then. May decide to sell the body to get a chrome one but no hurry, will just enjoy and learn first.

 

[gommy]

Somehow, I think chrome lenses look better on black body rather than other way around. It's a little like white L lenses look great on black Canon bodies.

Thanks Gommy for the explaination... you've helped me to decide. I will definitely keep the lens then. May decide to sell the body to get a chrome one but no hurry, will just enjoy and learn first.

 

[chiif]

Somehow, I think chrome lenses look better on black body rather than other way around. It's a little like white L lenses look great on black Canon bodies.

I can't imagine a white 1Ds Mk III... :bsmilie:

It must be a white elephant!

 

[leej0038]

I can't imagine a white 1Ds Mk III... :bsmilie:

It must be a white elephant!

together with a white L lens it would be an albino camera.

 

[gommy]

I can't imagine a white 1Ds Mk III... :bsmilie:

It must be a white elephant!

together with a white L lens it would be an albino camera.

:bsmilie::bsmilie::bsmilie:
So keep your black body & chrome lens

 

[Third Sunday]

Another question on Leica lenses...

Can all Leica lenses be used on an M7 (or M8) with aperture priority? Or only the newer ones? How are the different generations differentiated?

 

[chiif]

Yes... Almost all M mount & Leica screw mount lenses can be used with aperture priority on the M7 & M8. Exceptions are those that really protrude into the camera body can block the meter sensor. Off hand, can't think of any, but theoretically if the sensor is not blocked, the body should meter.

 

[lokewl]

I think the 21mm SUper Angulon is one that protrude into the body too much that block the sensor.

 

[Third Sunday]

thanks for the replies... the context of my question is i bot a M6 and a 50mm summicron. Am now thinking of getting a M7 or M8. I suppose I shouldnt have a problem using this lens?

 

[Hacker]

thanks for the replies... the context of my question is i bot a M6 and a 50mm summicron. Am now thinking of getting a M7 or M8. I suppose I shouldnt have a problem using this lens?

Not at all, unless your 50 Summicron is the DR one, and it will not mount the M8.