Hit 200 Nikon F2 CLA jobs yesterday and I'm changing my tune on one thing

I always told customers a CLA on a Nikon F2 should run about 2 hours tops. Yesterday I finished my 200th one and went back through my notes. Turns out nearly half of them needed extra work on the mirror box foam or a sticky slow speed gear that I was brushing off as 'normal' at first. Now I'm quoting 3 hours minimum and eating the cost on the fast ones instead of rushing through the tricky ones. Anyone else hit a job count that made you admit your own estimate was off?

2 comments

2 Comments

morgan_lewis1815d ago

Yeah, I gotta say your 2 hour quote sounds real tight even for a straight CLA on an F2. I'm not a pro repair guy myself, but I've done a handful of my own bodies and the mirror box foam is always the part that gets me. In my experience, that stuff degrades way more than people think and if you don't replace it right the first time you're just asking for light leaks or squeaks later. Your three hour estimate sounds a lot more realistic to me, especially with those slow speed gears that like to gum up. Keep it up, it's good you're being honest with yourself and your customers about it.

cora56215d ago

Had a F2 that needed the foam replaced twice before I got it right. Ended up spending almost 4 hours total on that one job.