Servicing and repairs

MrDrizz

MrDrizz

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While I don't need either at the moment I thought I'd be good to have a list of reputable companies that will service or repair old cameras here in the UK.

So what companies have you used and who would you recommend?
 
Another vote for Miles. He's serviced a copal 0 shutter in the past for me, as well as a mamiya RB67 lens. Always top notch and trustworthy. Because he's so good, I've just not bothered looking elsewhere.
 
Thanks guys.

Any ball park on the price of a service?
 
I've only put cameras in for a sensor and lens clean, generally a next day turnaround and c.£30.
 
Stuart_65 said:
I've only put cameras in for a sensor and lens clean, generally a next day turnaround and c.£30.
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I think it might prove difficult to find the sensor on the cameras we're talking about ;)
 
Miles…….Serviced/Repaired several lenses and a couple of bodies….Always top notch work at a reasonable cost and turn around time, even from France!
 
Ha, sorry, I forgot about the 'old' part of your OP. Cameratiks do film cameras as well, and are good for sales/parts, so I'd guess they are good for servicing.
 
I do have to get my car serviced annually but not aware that a camera needed servicing. What would they do other than create an invoice?

Dave
 
Andysnap said:
Yes he had his shutter replaced, didn't do him any good though he still walks with a lisp :D
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(if nil
(list "ChrisR" "runs")
(list "ChrisR" "walks"))

...sorry about that!
steveo_mcg said:
I think @ChrisR has had work done at cameratiks
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Yes indeed, had a troublesome Pentax-M 85/2 with a sticky shutter serviced there AND later by Miles... twice. Which just goes to show that no-one's perfect. I eventually sold it as faulty. BTW when I first received it and asked on here whether to end it back or ask for a partial refund for a service, I was advised to send it back, but didn't! There is good advice here, if you take it. D'oh!

I think cameratiks also did an emergency mirror fix for a MX that I'd dropped, that carried on working perfectly.
 
I have all my Pentax gear serviced, repaired and CLA'd by Robin Gowing of Harrow Technical info@harrowtechnical.co.uk who always does a great job. He's done a couple of LX's that needed faults fixing as well as servicing, several spotmatic variants too. No lenses yet but he does do them.
Highly recommended
 
Dave Canon said:
I do have to get my car serviced annually but not aware that a camera needed servicing. What would they do other than create an invoice?

Dave
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The basic camera service is a CLA ,clean, lubricate & adjust. Not dissimilar to servicing a car or classic watch.
 
Lindsay56 said:
I have all my Pentax gear serviced, repaired and CLA'd by Robin Gowing of Harrow Technical info@harrowtechnical.co.uk who always does a great job. He's done a couple of LX's that needed faults fixing as well as servicing, several spotmatic variants too. No lenses yet but he does do them.
Highly recommended
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Peter Emanuel of Asahi Photo in Brentford serviced my Pentax ME (Miles didn't have the part).
 
Dave Canon said:
I do have to get my car serviced annually but not aware that a camera needed servicing. What would they do other than create an invoice?
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Very few of the cameras we use are less than 20 years old (and I have my father's Ikonta that's around 80 years old, and by no means the oldest on here), and they are precision mechanical and optical devices. It's not surprising that they go a bit wrong from time to time. There are often a small number of parts just not quite as well specced as the bulk of the camera. It's amazing that these engineers can so often get them working again, often as new.
 
:agree:Wot Chris sed
:pentax::film:
 
ChrisR said:
Peter Emanuel of Asahi Photo in Brentford serviced my Pentax ME (Miles didn't have the part).
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+1 for Asahi Photo in Brentford, they’ve serviced my Pentax cameras, good prices and service.
 
RaglanSurf said:
The basic camera service is a CLA ,clean, lubricate & adjust. Not dissimilar to servicing a car or classic watch.
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I remain unconvinced. My watch is electronic and does not need servicing either. My DSLR is self cleaning which works. I have cleaned the old DSLR myself so would not need to pay someone to do this. If the camera actually failed then I would seek help but not until then. I also used to service my own car until more recently when age makes it more difficult. I have only recently allowed someone to service my central heating boiler and was happy to do this myself previously.

On one website the photographer/author gave his definition of CLA - "as little work as possible for as much money as possible".

Dave
 
Well you have every right to your opinion in spite of the overwhelming evidence from those who actually know what they are talking about.:D
A 70 year old watch, even a classic Swiss movement, top quality one, after 40 years in a cupboard will almost certainly need a CLA and many of the cameras we use are in just that condition, all the engineers we have listed on here are professional camera repairers most with many years of training and experience and they do an excellent job on very old precision instruments whose parts are hard to come by. If your DSLR needs a service or repair you'll probably just buy a new one so there's nothing to see here.;)
 
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Andysnap said:
Well you have every right to your opinion in spite of the overwhelming evidence from those who actually know what they are talking about.
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I've bought, used and later sold more than 150 cameras over the years. Not one of them has ever required a CLA. I therefor feel that your phrase "those who actually know what they are talking about" is not entirely accurate.
 
AndrewFlannigan said:
I've bought, used and later sold more than 150 cameras over the years. Not one of them has ever required a CLA. I therefor feel that your phrase "those who actually know what they are talking about" is not entirely accurate.
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Aye but how many of those had remotely accurate shutter speeds.
 
AndrewFlannigan said:
I've bought, used and later sold more than 150 cameras over the years. Not one of them has ever required a CLA. I therefor feel that your phrase "those who actually know what they are talking about" is not entirely accurate.
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Not bovvered, I was just being sarcastic :)
 
Dave Canon said:
I remain unconvinced. My watch is electronic and does not need servicing either. My DSLR is self cleaning which works. I have cleaned the old DSLR myself so would not need to pay someone to do this. If the camera actually failed then I would seek help but not until then. I also used to service my own car until more recently when age makes it more difficult. I have only recently allowed someone to service my central heating boiler and was happy to do this myself previously.

On one website the photographer/author gave his definition of CLA - "as little work as possible for as much money as possible".

Dave
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Andysnap said:
Well you have every right to your opinion in spite of the overwhelming evidence from those who actually know what they are talking about.:D
Click to expand...


AndrewFlannigan said:
I've bought, used and later sold more than 150 cameras over the years. Not one of them has ever required a CLA. I therefor feel that your phrase "those who actually know what they are talking about" is not entirely accurate.
Click to expand...



@MrDrizz .....Perhaps best if you ignore all the advice and suggestions of specialist technicians mentioned in this thread, seeing as it has clearly been offered from folk who haven't a clue what they are talking about and the idea to try keep our old kits functioning in the way that they were designed for is obviously foolish.:rolleyes:

I cant beleive that I've spent money on CLAs that instead could have gone on film , film that could have been stored in the fridge for the past xxxx years waiting for an opportunity to be used in a fully functional and accurate ( as accurate as aging kit can be made to be) piece of kit:banghead:
 
steveo_mcg said:
Aye but how many of those had remotely accurate shutter speeds.
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I have no idea. On the other hand, they all produced images that I enjoyed and several produced images that I sold, which was enough for me.

I accept that other people have different opinions on what they want from their cameras, so long as they apply equal acceptance to other opinions,
 
Look, all Mickey taking aside, an exemplum. Last year I bought a Ross Ensign 16-20 for £4.99 plus postage, it was made in the mid 1950's and although it was cosmetically lovely all the shutter speeds were slow. I sent it to Miles for a service, £45 + postage and now all the shutter speeds, including the really slow ones, are spot on, it opens and closes perfectly, it winds on smoothly and most importantly it produces images that are more than acceptable. I have a three shot Pano printed out at 40" x 12" and it looks incredible even close up. Money well spent in my opinion.
I apologise if I seemed rude earlier (no seemed about it actually, I was rude) but I think that this bloody quarantine malarkey is driving me around the twist.
 
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This seems an odd subject to argue about. I have a 70 year old Leica that worked well when I bought it, but now certainly needs a CLA (the shutter sticks and the rangefinder could do with an internal clean). At some point I will send it off to be serviced, where it can be brought back to factory spec and probably work for decades without further attention. What's not to like?
 
On the original subject of this thread, three I know about that have often been recommended:

Ed Trzoska (various, especially classic Zeiss):
http://europhotoservices.co.uk/

Alan and James Starkie (Leica):
https://www.cameraworks-uk.com/

Peter Grisaffi / CRR Luton (Leica):
http://www.angelfire.com/biz/Leica/
Not sure of current status - website isn't maintained, best to contact by SMS using the mobile number on this page, which I've successfully used before:
http://www.angelfire.com/biz/Leica/copy_of_index.html
 
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Dave Canon said:
I remain unconvinced. My watch is electronic and does not need servicing either. My DSLR is self cleaning which works. I have cleaned the old DSLR myself so would not need to pay someone to do this. If the camera actually failed then I would seek help but not until then. I also used to service my own car until more recently when age makes it more difficult. I have only recently allowed someone to service my central heating boiler and was happy to do this myself previously.

On one website the photographer/author gave his definition of CLA - "as little work as possible for as much money as possible".

Dave
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You may see it as money for nothing, I prefer to see it as a craftsman keeping beautiful examples of engineering from landfill.
I’m more than happy to keep my camera collection in working order and they do work. I have cameras to use not for display.
If you’re happy with your dslr then that’s fine but you’ll find few in this part of the forum that agree with you particularly when it comes to keeping film cameras alive or even designing new models.
 
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Andysnap said:
Well you have every right to your opinion in spite of the overwhelming evidence from those who actually know what they are talking about.:D
A 70 year old watch, even a classic Swiss movement, top quality one, after 40 years in a cupboard will almost certainly need a CLA and many of the cameras we use are in just that condition, all the engineers we have listed on here are professional camera repairers most with many years of training and experience and they do an excellent job on very old precision instruments whose parts are hard to come by. If your DSLR needs a service or repair you'll probably just buy a new one so there's nothing to see here.;)
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I am sure that a camera (or watch) which relies on mechanical movement are more critical and thus CLA may be relevant but all my cameras are now digital as I sold all my film cameras last year. I also believe that I do not treat my camera and lenses as harshly as some so they have less wear an tear which may be why Calumet gave me top price for my last trade in; they did check it thoroughly. My background is science and professional engineering so I do have a good basis for my judgement.

Dave
 
Dave Canon said:
I am sure that a camera (or watch) which relies on mechanical movement are more critical and thus CLA may be relevant but all my cameras are now digital as I sold all my film cameras last year. I also believe that I do not treat my camera and lenses as harshly as some so they have less wear an tear which may be why Calumet gave me top price for my last trade in; they did check it thoroughly. My background is science and professional engineering so I do have a good basis for my judgement.
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My emphasis in the quote... Phew, it's ok guys, we were not completely off our rockers it appears!

It's not just mechanical movement, but precision mechanical movement, coupled with ancient lubricants, coupled with precision optics, to be kept away from different lubricants, often coupled with ancient electronics that might need to adapted for modern day use (mercury cells, anyone), coupled with simple wear and tear (pinholes in your bellows, melted gunk instead of light trap seals), coupled as I said before with a few parts in some cases not quite as robustly built, coupled with usage many times past the design specs... all these and more issues can cause a camera to malfunction to a lesser or greater extent. The term CLA covers a multitude of services. Most of us on here hate to see our cameras die, and are prepared to spend a little money helping them survive. And on the way, we help support the decreasing numbers of technicians who in their turn support us.

If there were a technician out there who did, as you quote above "as little work as possible for as much money as possible", I doubt their names would appear in this thread!

Chris
 
ChrisR said:
My emphasis in the quote... Phew, it's ok guys, we were not completely off our rockers it appears!

It's not just mechanical movement, but precision mechanical movement, coupled with ancient lubricants, coupled with precision optics, to be kept away from different lubricants, often coupled with ancient electronics that might need to adapted for modern day use (mercury cells, anyone), coupled with simple wear and tear (pinholes in your bellows, melted gunk instead of light trap seals), coupled as I said before with a few parts in some cases not quite as robustly built, coupled with usage many times past the design specs... all these and more issues can cause a camera to malfunction to a lesser or greater extent. The term CLA covers a multitude of services. Most of us on here hate to see our cameras die, and are prepared to spend a little money helping them survive. And on the way, we help support the decreasing numbers of technicians who in their turn support us.

If there were a technician out there who did, as you quote above "as little work as possible for as much money as possible", I doubt their names would appear in this thread!

Chris
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:clap::clap::clap:
 
AndrewFlannigan said:
I've bought, used and later sold more than 150 cameras over the years. Not one of them has ever required a CLA. I therefor feel that your phrase "those who actually know what they are talking about" is not entirely accurate.
Click to expand...

H'mm and not one Canon A series cameras had the "Canon cough" ????
 
ChrisR said:
My emphasis in the quote... Phew, it's ok guys, we were not completely off our rockers it appears!

It's not just mechanical movement, but precision mechanical movement, coupled with ancient lubricants, coupled with precision optics, to be kept away from different lubricants, often coupled with ancient electronics that might need to adapted for modern day use (mercury cells, anyone), coupled with simple wear and tear (pinholes in your bellows, melted gunk instead of light trap seals), coupled as I said before with a few parts in some cases not quite as robustly built, coupled with usage many times past the design specs... all these and more issues can cause a camera to malfunction to a lesser or greater extent. The term CLA covers a multitude of services. Most of us on here hate to see our cameras die, and are prepared to spend a little money helping them survive. And on the way, we help support the decreasing numbers of technicians who in their turn support us.

If there were a technician out there who did, as you quote above "as little work as possible for as much money as possible", I doubt their names would appear in this thread!

Chris
Click to expand...

Chris this reminds me of where I started in photography. A colleague from work had dropped his SLR into a swimming pool and claimed the full cost from his insurance. He then negotiated a reduction which allowed him to keep the old camera. He then disassembled this Exacta SLR and spread out all the parts carefully labelling. He cleaned and lubricated as necessary. I was very impressed as this was the first time I had seen an SLR (almost 1000 parts) and wanted to know more. This resulted in my buying a second hand SLR and taking up photography. My colleague re-assembled the camera which worked for many years afterwards. I related this story to his son at my colleagues recent funeral and he was vey pleased to hear the story and claimed this was typical of his father and he remembered the camera but was not sure that that it was still around but would check when he got home. My interest was the science behind such cameras and photography but soon after I joined a camera club where the emphasis was on the pictures rather than technology. Ever since I have tried to direct my interest to the final image. There used to be a firm offering camera repairs in the county with a good reputation but sadly they are now closed. Even though I never had need to use them, I did recommend them on several occasions.

Dave
 
He’s a top bloke.
 
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