Service/CLA for a Minolta Zoom 8? Annnd...Canon Eight

Post by **schnozzle** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 8:03 pm

Hi folks:

A while back I got a Minolta Zoom 8 reflex camera for something like 5 bucks and slung it in the back of the closet. I'd like to start using it now--it does run, but I the foam seals look like they need to be redone and the reflex focusing is hard to use (there's a center-spot/ring, with a grid design, but it's very dim). So I guess it needs servicing, and I'm not sure who I should send it to. Any suggestions?

Also--I wonder if anyone happens to have one of these:

It was my first camera and I was very fond of it. I tried looking for it when I visited my folks' house, but no luck. I'm thinking about getting another one. I seem to recall that, despite being non-reflex, it had some sort of TTL focusing feature that was pretty neat. Anyone remember this?

Post by **super8man** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 5:41 pm

No chance on either having an old movie camera serviced or in the case of that Canon, having TTL - aint possible.

So, the foam missing will be of little concern...I have shot too many cameras in super 8 and regular 8 with virtually no foam and never had issues with light leaks.

As long as the wind up mechanism works and the transport actually moves the film, you should get some sort of decent image.

Have a read of my website for more help on this subject...you have about 40 pages of reading to become an expert!

Cheers,
Mike

Post by **schnozzle** » Sun Feb 18, 2007 12:36 am

The Minolta Zoom 8 isn't a windup, it's battery powered. The mechanism works fine--I'm just looking for someone to do a CLA on it. As there are people who do this for old still cameras I assume someone out there has had this done for a cine camera.

Good to know about the foam, though.

Post by **super8man** » Sun Feb 18, 2007 2:20 am

Sorry, I should have in included battery powered cams...the ONLY camera being serviced is the Beaulieu 4008 and its variations.

There is no CLA service on any old super 8 camera...While I admit I spent $350 for a CLA on my Leica IIIf (well worth it by the way), movie cameras are basically considered disposable.

Again, have a read of my website...it'll put you in the right frame of mind.

Cheers,
Mike

Post by **Actor** » Sun Feb 18, 2007 8:52 pm

What exactly is done to the camera during a CLA? And what does CLA stand for? :?

Post by **Actor** » Sun Feb 18, 2007 8:57 pm

schnozzle wrote:The Minolta Zoom 8 isn't a windup, it's battery powered.

Interesting! Is it something like this?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Minolta-Zoom-8-Grea ... otohosting

Post by **bakanosaru** » Sun Feb 18, 2007 9:23 pm

Actor wrote:What exactly is done to the camera during a CLA?

Clean, Lube and Adjust.

And what does CLA stand for? :?

Clean, Lube and Adjust.

Post by **Actor** » Sun Feb 18, 2007 9:25 pm

Very good!!

Post by **David M. Leugers** » Sun Feb 18, 2007 10:23 pm

I hope you can find your Canon 8. One of the greatest pocket R-8mm cameras ever made. Yes, it has an incredible lens system that once you focus the lens with the side focusing tube, when the lens is swung into the taking position the viewfinder is automatically set to correct parralax. Truely ingenious and the viewfinder is wonderfully bright like any good optical viewfinder. The body looks to be a dead knock-off of the great Bolex B-8 but with a few differences. I like the Bolex's gate better and I think the Bolex wins on critical image steadiness, but the Canon is a pure pleasure to use. The Canon lenses for this camera are some of the best ever made for R-8mm. A real gem... I own a few after looking years for one.

David M. Leugers

YouTube · Post by **Andreas Wideroe** » Sun Feb 18, 2007 11:27 pm

super8man wrote:Sorry, I should have in included battery powered cams...the ONLY camera being serviced is the Beaulieu 4008 and its variations.

Not quite true. Nizo, Bauer and some of the Eumig cameras are still supported by several German repair shops. They have plenty of spareparts also allthough R8 cameras are usually harder to get fixed than S8.

I'm sure there are some camera tech who can help you with this camera. Find someone who works with mechanical movie cameras and ask them to take a look. As long as you don't need spareparts you will get a long way with cleaning and lubing.

Ie. in the UK, I think Les Bosher might be able to help (Google him).

/Andreas

Post by **super8man** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 5:56 pm

I was waiting until someone called me on that...well, for all PRACTICAL purposes, in any part of the world OTHER than Europe, it is just not feasible in an economic sense to have those cameras serviced. The cost for shipping both ways, along with the incredible exchange values on the Euro and the Pound Sterling for that matter are simply too great to make it worth while. By the wime you are done, you may as well gone to 16mm. Especially for the lower models of the Nizo and Bauer's, etc. And then, many of the high end cameras have features that are no longer usable without sound film.

So, yes yes yes, you CAN have these other models serviced but in reality, would be better served spending a few bucks on ebay buying another camera or asking someone on this board if they had a usable camera for sale.

Same too with the Nautica - no sense having it serviced when you can buy a brand new one from Austria (some seller who's always on ebay) for about $350 US plus shipping. Like I said, I spent $350 for a CLA on my Leica IIIf but that's a camera bult for generations of usage. The same cannot be said for many super 8 cameras.

I think you see my point.

CHeers,
Mike