New hobbyist in NY starting to CLA Exakta camera bodies

peretzmatthew · Joined: 17 May 2012 Posts: 3 Location: Croton on Hudson, NY

As I explain in my post below, I'm introducing myself and in the end ask some questions about some lenses.
One guy on eBay is selling a lens that he describes as: Meyer-Optik Gorllitz Telemegor 180mm f5.5 V in Exakta mount
He says there is a little bit of oil on one blade (which you can actually see in one photograph) - I don't know how much this matters or if it could deteriorate and become a problem. The seller really doesn't know that much.

Here is my 'introduction' of myself to the group:
To make it short, I've been unemployed for 3 years and my therapist could see that my face lit up when I talked about these old German cameras like my Leica IIIf RD, my Agfa Record III, and now my three "need CLA's" Exakta bodies.
So I bought ALL of the conceivable tools, the Ultimate Exakta Repair guide by Miles Upton, and I'm ready to go as of today. I don't want to even think about repairing lenses until I get good at repairing/CLA'ing the bodies. I didn't go into this thinking I'd get good enough to sell CLA'd bodies on eBay (even though I have a 100% feedback rating on 1100 transactions). I'm doing this for myself (to begin with) to see if I remain passionate about the cameras even as I have to put a lot of time into working on each one to make it as perfect as possible. The part that makes me most nervous is the shutter replacment - but there is a guy who sells new pairs of shutters if need be.

I have one 50mm 3.5 Carl Zeiss Jena preset lens that is quite sharp and works fine - but i'd like something either around portrait length or wide angle. Fortunately even though one of my bodies does have wrinkled (slightly) shutter curtains it still works fine so I got a decent test roll with the 50mm. I know it's not the best 50mm out there I'm sure. But it will do for now.

I'd like to find one more lens for under $100 (well under if possible).

I also wanted to say hello and introduce myself here - I have been using photo.net in the past for so long I didn't even know there WERE any other active forums.

Hello from Croton on Hudson, NY 10520
Matthew Peretz

Please contact me if you are doing anything like I am doing, can offer advice, or whatever.

Thank you.

patrickh · Expire: 2011-11-18

Welcome. There are many knowledgeable people on this forum who will, I am sure. be able to offer sound advice. All I can do is say welcome, and my first real camera was an Exakta and I always have a soft spot for that incredibly advanced machine

patrickh

mo · Expire: 2016-07-30

Hi Matthew,
I will join this post up with your other one as it will get confusing.

Minolfan · Joined: 30 Dec 2008 Posts: 3439 Location: Netherlands

Welcome here Matthew. I can understand you very well.
I had no work for the last three years before my retiring in december.
I have some Exakta's that need a CLA. I have lucky found some Exakta lenses (very) cheaply: Lydith 30mm, Noflexar macro 35mm, Tessar 50mm, BM 80mm and Ennalyt 135mm.
And a stiff focusing Raynox 135mm that might be useful for training repair work Laughing

The Tessar needs some work too because of heavy focusing.
No special gear and documentation yet.
Because of serious apnea I was not really vital and so had not much time for working on it, but I have hope it will be better soon.

So I am grateful with your coming here and wish you good luck!