There’s something special about holding a mechanical camera in your hands. That solid click. The smooth turn of the advance lever. The faint scent of metal and age. It feels alive.

But over time, even the best-built cameras slow down. Shutters hesitate, focus stiffens, light meters drift. That’s when three letters come to the rescue: CLA — Clean, Lubricate, and Adjust.

A proper CLA isn’t just maintenance; it’s a revival. It’s what keeps a fifty-year-old camera ready for its next roll of film, rather than gathering dust on a shelf. And sometimes, it’s paired with something even more cosmetic — replacing the worn leatherette that’s peeled or cracked from years of use. Together, these steps breathe life back into your camera — mechanically and aesthetically.

Let’s dive into what a CLA really involves, why it’s essential for mechanical cameras, and when it’s time to send yours in for a well-earned refresh.

1. What a CLA Really Means

A CLA sounds simple, but it’s far from a basic wipe-down. It’s a deep mechanical service, performed by a technician who knows every spring and gear like the back of their hand.

Clean: Dust, grit, and dried lubricants are removed from the inner workings — the gears, mirror box, and shutter mechanism. Old grease can harden over decades, slowing movement and stressing delicate parts.

Lubricate: Once cleaned, specific areas receive fresh, camera-safe oils. The key word is specific — too much lubrication attracts dust, too little causes friction. Precision is everything.

Adjust: This is where skill shines. Shutter speeds, focusing alignment, and exposure readings are tested and fine-tuned. It’s a balancing act between art and engineering.

A CLA doesn’t change the character of your camera — it restores it. You don’t want it to feel new; you want it to feel right.

2. Why Mechanical Cameras Depend on CLA

Digital cameras rely on electronics. Mechanical cameras rely on timing. Every function — from shutter release to mirror return — depends on parts moving in perfect harmony.

But with time, lubricants dry up. Gears begin to grind. Springs lose their snap. The result?

• Shutter speeds become inconsistent.
• Film advance feels rough.
• Aperture blades stick.
• Meters give false readings.

Ignoring it doesn’t just affect performance — it causes wear that can shorten a camera’s lifespan.

A CLA is like a health check-up for your camera. It prevents problems before they turn into costly repairs. Think of it like changing oil in a classic car — you don’t wait until smoke pours from the hood.

3. The Process: What Happens Behind the Workbench

If you’ve never seen a camera CLA done, picture this: the camera carefully disassembled on a workbench, dozens of tiny screws arranged like puzzle pieces. It’s not for the impatient.

Step 1: Assessment

The technician tests the camera first — checking shutter speeds, self-timer function, film transport, and the meter. They note irregularities, which guide what needs adjusting later.

Step 2: Disassembly

The top and bottom plates come off. Sometimes the lens mount or mirror box too. Each model is its own puzzle — an Olympus OM-1 opens differently from a Pentax Spotmatic or Leica M3.

Step 3: Cleaning and Degreasing

Old lubricants are carefully dissolved with solvents. Dust, mold, or corrosion on metal parts is removed. The viewfinder prism might be cleaned or re-silvered.

Step 4: Lubrication

Specialized oils are applied sparingly to key areas: shutter gears, mirror dampers, and winding levers. A dab too much can ruin the timing; a dab too little leads to wear.

Step 5: Calibration

This is where the magic happens. The technician tests shutter speeds with precision tools, adjusts exposure meters, and ensures focusing accuracy.

Step 6: Reassembly and Exterior Care

Once internals are perfect, the exterior gets attention. This is where many owners choose to replace the camera’s leatherette — the textured covering that wraps the body.

Over time, the leatherette cracks or shrinks. Swapping it out for fresh material (or a new color) gives your camera a second youth. Some photographers choose classic black; others go bold with navy, burgundy, or even olive green. It’s a personal touch — like reupholstering a favorite armchair.

When the technician hands back the camera, it feels tighter, smoother, younger. You can almost hear it exhale.

4. How Often Should You Get a CLA?

There’s no strict schedule, but most mechanical cameras benefit from a CLA every five to ten years, depending on usage and storage.

If you shoot often — or live in humid conditions — you might need it sooner. Humidity encourages rust and mold, which can creep into viewfinders or between lens elements.

A few telltale signs your camera needs attention:

• Shutter speeds sound uneven (especially the slow ones).
• The film advance feels gritty or sluggish.
• The self-timer stalls or doesn’t fire.
• The viewfinder looks hazy.
• The focusing screen seems misaligned.

And if you just bought a used camera? Assume it’s due. Even if it looks clean, unseen mechanisms may be clogged with old lubricant.

5. The Beauty of Changing Leatherette

While a CLA restores how your camera works, changing the leatherette restores how it feels.

Vintage cameras were often wrapped in synthetic leather for grip and protection. Over time, that material hardens, curls, or even melts slightly, leaving sticky residue behind.

Replacing it isn’t purely aesthetic — it improves handling and protects the metal body underneath. A fresh leatherette also prevents moisture from seeping into seams.

It’s a small detail that makes a big difference. You might be surprised how much more confident a camera feels once it’s re-covered — as if it’s wearing a new suit.

And if you’re sentimental, you can even keep a small square of the old leatherette as a keepsake — a nod to your camera’s history.

6. Why a Professional CLA Is Worth It

Can you do it yourself? Technically, yes — with patience, the right tools, and years of practice. But here’s the truth: most of us shouldn’t.

Professional technicians know each camera’s quirks — how a Canon AE-1’s mirror brake differs from a Nikon FM2’s shutter release, or how to reseal a Minolta SRT without light leaks.

They have calibrated machines to measure shutter speeds down to fractions of a second. They know how to avoid damaging delicate prisms or stripping screws that have held fast since the 1970s.

A professional CLA isn’t cheap, but it’s far less costly than replacing a jammed shutter or broken advance gear. And it buys peace of mind — the kind you can feel with every click.

7. The Emotional Side of a CLA

A freshly serviced camera feels different. The advance lever glides. The shutter snaps cleanly. The frame counter resets like it cares again.

It’s more than mechanics — it’s connection.

That camera might have been your grandfather’s. Or maybe you found it at a flea market and wondered about the stories it’s seen. A CLA connects you to that lineage.

When the technician finishes their work, it’s not just a camera returning to you — it’s a piece of history, ready for another round of memories.

And when you add that new leatherette, it’s like closing the loop — honoring the past while preparing it for the future.

8. How It Feels After a Proper CLA

If you’ve never used a freshly serviced camera, here’s what to expect:

• The film advance feels smoother, almost luxurious.
• Shutter speeds sound crisp and consistent.
• The mirror doesn’t slap; it whispers.
• Focus feels precise, predictable.

And best of all, when you load your next roll, you know each frame will count. There’s confidence in that — a sense that your camera isn’t just surviving but thriving.

9. The Real Value: Longevity and Legacy

A CLA extends your camera’s life by decades. It’s not about keeping old things running just for nostalgia’s sake — it’s about sustainability and craftsmanship.

Every time you service instead of replace, you keep a piece of history alive and out of a landfill. You also continue a culture of care — a quiet rebellion against disposable everything.

Because these cameras were built to last. They just need someone willing to keep them going.

10. Final Thoughts

A CLA is more than technical maintenance; it’s an act of respect. It tells your camera, You still matter.

When you hand your old companion to a trusted technician, you’re giving it another chance to make art — to capture light the way it once did decades ago.

And when you get it back — gleaming, smooth, with fresh leatherette hugging its frame — it feels like holding history that’s ready for the next chapter.

So don’t wait for the shutter to stick or the foam to crumble. Give your camera that care now.

Because behind every timeless image is a tool that deserves to be kept alive, clean, and beautifully adjusted.