Chose a CLA over a full rebuild on my Pentax Spotmatic - mixed feelings

My Spotmatic had a shutter that was dragging below 1/60th, so I took it to a local guy in Portland. He gave me two quotes: $90 for a basic CLA or $250 for a full rebuild with new curtains. I went with the CLA because the camera is beat up and I figured it wasn't worth the full investment. Got it back and the shutter speeds are better, but now the film advance feels rough and the self-timer still sticks at 4 seconds. Kinda wondering if I should have just saved up for the full rebuild or if this is just normal for a 50 year old camera. Anyone else cheap out on a repair and regret it later?

2 comments

2 Comments

lindaw294h ago

Asked a buddy of mine the same question about his Canon F1. He did the cheap route too and spent the next year jiggling the advance lever every time he shot a roll. Ended up buying a beat up body for parts and putting those curtains in himself. You probably made the right call for a beater camera but don't expect miracles from a $90 fix.

scott.grace2h ago

What kind of jiggling are we talking, like a specific spot or just the whole lever assembly?