Anyone used International Camera Technicians for a camera repair?

RalphLambrecht · Jul 11, 2023

logan2z said:
Has anyone used International Camera Technicians in Bonita, CA for a repair/CLA and could share their experience?

I've been looking for a good camera tech to fix my Nikkormat FT3 and came upon an online thread that mentioned International Camera Technicians run by someone named Jim Holman. Jim is apparently a Nikon factory trained camera tech with 35 years of experience. There doesn't seem to be much about this company online and it seems to rarely get mentioned when the subject of camera repairers comes up.

The company web site says they are backlogged at the moment and aren't accepting new repairs for a few weeks. I suppose that's a good sign.

the best place to repair mechanical Nikons in Germany is Foto Kauska in Solingen; very professional and reliable at decent prices and fast turnaround. Google for web and phone and ask for Herr Heine or Kauska himself.

logan2z · Jul 11, 2023

RalphLambrecht said:
the best place to repair mechanical Nikons in Germany is Foto Kauska in Solingen; very professional and reliable at decent prices and fast turnaround. Google for web and phone and ask for Herr Heine or Kauska himself.

If I lived in Germany that would be a great suggestion. But I'm in the US so I sought out a US repair technician.

Naples · Jul 17, 2023

logan2z said:
Well, I gave up on ICT as they have still not contacted me about sending my camera in for repair and they aren't responding to my emails. I did talk to APS and they seemed very professional so I've shipped the FT3 off to them for a repair estimate. They said their turnaround time is as short as a week so I'm hoping to have the camera back soon. I'm sure I'll be well under water on the camera once it's back in my hands, but what else is new...

Did you sign up on ICT's website for the wait list? I did and received an email a week or so later that they could take my camera however I wasn't ready then (I signed up assuming it would be a month or more).

logan2z · Jul 17, 2023

Naples said:
Did you sign up on ICT's website for the wait list?

Yes I did. And followed up with email a couple of times. The first time they confirmed I was on the wait list and the wait would be about three weeks. Several weeks passed so I checked in again and they said they'd get back to me. Never heard from them again despite sending a third follow-up email.

Naples · Jul 18, 2023

logan2z said:
Yes I did. And followed up with email a couple of times. The first time they confirmed I was on the wait list and the wait would be about three weeks. Several weeks passed so I checked in again and they said they'd get back to me. Never heard from them again despite sending a third follow-up email.

Go with APS in Chicago as I noted above they did a great job with my F100.

logan2z · Jul 18, 2023

Naples said:
Go with APS in Chicago as I noted above they did a great job with my F100.

The camera is at APS now. Thanks again for making me aware of them.

logan2z · Sep 18, 2023

Not having the greatest luck getting my FT-3 repaired. APS looked at it and said the camera needs a new shutter. This was surprising given that these cameras are deemed 'indestructible' and it locked up simply by me dry-firing it - it didn't fall or sustain any other abuse.

The camera sat at APS for two months while they looked for a shutter but they couldn't find one so I asked them to return it. As soon as it arrives I'm going to send it to Dave Easterwood so he can have a look. He seems to think the shutter is likely repairable. We'll see ...

ChrisLA · Sep 18, 2023

logan2z said:
Not having the greatest luck getting my FT-3 repaired. APS looked at it and said the camera needs a new shutter. This was surprising given that these cameras are deemed 'indestructible' and it locked up simply by me dry-firing it - it didn't fall or sustain any other abuse.

The camera sat at APS for two months while they looked for a shutter but they couldn't find one so I asked them to return it. As soon as it arrives I'm going to send it to Dave Easterwood so he can have a look. He seems to think the shutter is likely repairable. We'll see ...

Dave Easterwood is indeed friendly when he replies, but if you send your camera to him you may never see it again, or get it back in the same condition. I sent him a Canonet QL17 in February, paid $135. plus shipping, and got it back with no apparent work done. I returned it to him and have not gotten it back. See https://www.rangefinderforum.com/th...n-in-oakdale-california.4814752/#post-4816979.

logan2z · Sep 18, 2023

ChrisLA said:
Dave Easterwood is indeed friendly when he replies, but if you send your camera to him you may never see it again, or get it back in the same condition. I sent him a Canonet QL17 in February, paid $135. plus shipping, and got it back with no apparent work done. I returned it to him and have not gotten it back. See https://www.rangefinderforum.com/th...n-in-oakdale-california.4814752/#post-4816979.

Thanks for pointing me to that thread (which also references some negative comments on his Facebook page).

I was all geared up to send him my camera but I think I'll look for another repairer now. My FT-3 is in beautiful cosmetic condition so it would be a shame to sell it as a parts camera, but getting it repaired is proving more difficult than I had anticipated.

Anyone used International Camera Technicians for a camera repair?

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