- Joined
- Aug 29, 2020
- Messages
- 1,394
I am able to do some basic maintenance and repair of my stable of film cameras and lenses. More complex repair and adjustment go to a qualified repair person.
And there's the rub. There simply are not many of them left. The two I use most here in the US (CameraWiz and Easterwood) are both quite good and reasonably priced, However, both are semi-retired and turnaround time can be expected to be 1-2 months, even just for a CLA. Youxin Ye, a highly reputed Leica repairman, is quoting 5-6 month waiting time right now, though he does offer 3 day turnaround for a 30% premium.
In view of this, I saved my sheckels this year and put nearly every camera & lens I have that I knew needed work out to one of these vendors for maintenance. It's sad to realize that they will not be doing this for all that much longer, and there really isn't a pipeline of younger, trained photoghraphic folk on the way.
I also bought a "beater" Nikon F to see if I could learn to take these apart and tune the shutters. Unfortunately mine is so clean, I hate to take it apart and inflict the inevitable damage a beginner brings.
What is the state of things in the UK and continental Europe, I wonder?
I do maintain a rather large body of service manuals that can be found here, should you have an interest in this topic:
https://photoarchive.tundraware.com/Camera-Lighting-Equipment
Finally, here is video of Ye at work:
And there's the rub. There simply are not many of them left. The two I use most here in the US (CameraWiz and Easterwood) are both quite good and reasonably priced, However, both are semi-retired and turnaround time can be expected to be 1-2 months, even just for a CLA. Youxin Ye, a highly reputed Leica repairman, is quoting 5-6 month waiting time right now, though he does offer 3 day turnaround for a 30% premium.
In view of this, I saved my sheckels this year and put nearly every camera & lens I have that I knew needed work out to one of these vendors for maintenance. It's sad to realize that they will not be doing this for all that much longer, and there really isn't a pipeline of younger, trained photoghraphic folk on the way.
I also bought a "beater" Nikon F to see if I could learn to take these apart and tune the shutters. Unfortunately mine is so clean, I hate to take it apart and inflict the inevitable damage a beginner brings.
What is the state of things in the UK and continental Europe, I wonder?
I do maintain a rather large body of service manuals that can be found here, should you have an interest in this topic:
https://photoarchive.tundraware.com/Camera-Lighting-Equipment
Finally, here is video of Ye at work:
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