Camera repairs in the North West

[Brian Jeffery]

Hi Guys,

does anyone know of a good camera repairer in the North West of England (Manchester Area)? I've got a couple of Canon A series cameras that could do with the light seals being replaced and the dreaded A1 squeal being sorted.


Brian

 

[pentaxuser]

Hace a look in AP. I have certainly seen a repairer advertising in AP who is Liverpool based( Ellis brothers?). OK Manchester is nearer but L'pool's not that far either. I can't say if they are Canon specialists.

Much further from Manchester but still within a couple of hours is a gentleman in Leicestershire somewhere with a Polish sounding name( Ed Tros...?). He is frequently mentioned in AP and appears to be very highly thought of especially in terms of older camersas.

pentaxuser

 

[Brian Jeffery]

I keep forgetting about AP. I might just purchase a coy this week.

Thanks for the advise,

Brian

 

[FrankB]

A couple of years ago I asked AP's help in sourcing a good repairer for a Pentax S1a of great sentimental value to me. Ivor Matanle replied -

"From personal experience I can recommend D. Bharadia in West Croydon, who recently did a magnificent job repairing and setting up my Minolta SR7, which is of similar age to your Pentax. He can be reached on 0208 689 1887. Tom Page is also an expert repairer of SLRs (although with a speciality in Exakta and East German cameras) who seems to make almost any camera look pristine. He is in Watford and can be contacted on 01923 800588. Or try Ed Trzoska in Leicester on 0116 2674247, also a specialist in repairing classic cameras."

Unfortunately, shortly after receiving this reply I encountered an employment-related cashflow shortfall scenario(!) and am therefore unable to add a personal recommendation of any of the repairers listed. Should you try any of them out please let me know how you get on.

All the best,

Frank

 

[Brian Jeffery]

Frank,

I used to subscribe to AP and I must admit that Ivor Matanle's reply looks pretty familiar. Small world...

Anyway, I sneeked a look at the back of an AP in Smiths this Saturday and have come up with http://www.newton-ellis.co.uk/ as hinted at by pentaxuser. I phoned them up and they repair cameras on site so I can pop over to Liverpool and talk to the repairers face to face. I've got four Canon A series cameras that are all getting on a bit now so I think I may be paying them more than one visit.


Brian

 

[Schlapp]

Try Jem at The Real camera Co. in Manc. They have sorted repairs on several of my cameras

 

[FrankB]

Thanks Jeff, please let me know how you get on.

Ta Andrea, I'll look them up too.

 

[Brian Jeffery]

Right, I'm off to Liverpool tomorrow with:

Canon A1 - Speak,light seals, general service
Canon AE-1 Program - Light seals and service
Canon 100mm - aperture stuck open
Canon 50mm - F16 - F22 not stopping down reliably (only found whilst testing film speed)

Just as well as got a spare body or two as well as a few spare lenses With the current weather I hope to take some photos whilst I'm there.

I'll let you know how the repairs go,


Brian

 

[Brian Jeffery]

Well I've got them back...

I'm really impressed with the service. The details of the repairs as follows:

Canon A1 Complete service. This included replacing the light seals, mirror buffer, replaced corroded parts, reset meter, reset shutter speeds, lubricate mirror mechanism and modify the new battery door so that it fitted properly (door originally replaced by me). Total cost £88.93

Canon AE-1 Program complete service. This included reset of shutter speeds, replacement light seals, new mirror buffer and modification of new battery door, etc. Total cost £76.38

Canon FD 100mm F2.8. Aperture leaves stuck open. Oil had leaked onto the leaves. This apparently was a bit of a swine as oil had leaked from behind the rear lens element. The rear element took 20 minutes to remove as the as oil had caused a seal and a vacume had built up behind the lens. Total cost was £70.50

Canon FD 50mm F1.4 - I reported that the apertures were not always stopping down to F16 and below. He tested the lens and cleaned the rear elements. No Fault found (probably a fault with the camera). £0

General comments. Very impressed. To go to the extent of replacing a parts because they had corroded slightly and to modify the battery door so it fits "just so" shows a great attention to detail. Apparently the new seals don't degrade like the originals either. I've got another A1 that is considerably newer than the one I put into service, but the serviced one sounds 100% better. Lost all the tinny sound. The AE-1 Program sounds like a different camera. What can I say, I need to get the rest of my cameras into the shop over the coming months.

A very happy, if poor Brian

 

[pentaxuser]

Brian. Thanks for your report giving a very comprehensive picture of Newton and Ellis' competency and prices charged. I live miles from L'pool but we pay a few visits a year there. My wife's relatives are all there.

I am seldom there long enough to drop off and then pick up a repair unless it is possible to arrange a service the same day.Is it?

Also do they stock secondhand cameras? If so what kind of a range?

Thanks

pentaxuser

 

[David H. Bebbington]

I use Newton Ellis as my standard repairer - their work has been to a very high standard and they are happy to work on older cameras.

 

[Brian Jeffery]

Hi pentaxuser,

don't forget that you can post off an item for repair if you like. I deposited a lens with them whilst I picked up the other equipment. I'll no, doubt get them to post it back to me as a three hour return trip and 70 miles is probably a bit excessive just to pick up a solitary lens.

As to their second hand stuff, they had a reasonable amount, but I wouldn't say it was extensive. The prices were a bit high for someone used to buying on Ebay, but then they give a full 12 months warranty. I'm almost at the point of putting any camera I buy off Ebay straight into service anyway, so I suppose that negates most the price difference.


Brian

 

[FrankB]

Thanks Brian. That's really helpful!

I'll be sending them some work quite shortly.

 

[Dave Miller]

I don't think they do high-chair repairs Frank.

 

[purple]

Dufton, A
Bus: 01706 673696
Mobile: 07739 362535

Mr Dufton has saved my ageing Minolta's with great success on several occasions.