Canon New F1 CLA/Overhaul recommendations

Alan W · Oct 12, 2014

Has anyone had a New F1(mine is from '85) CLA'd in the past few months or so?1/2000 sec is only exposing half a frame and it's time for a general clean anyway.No big problems with the camera and I don't want to have to pay KEH $200 for this.I believe this is their flat service rate for everything these days.I've been looking online but would really like to know if anyone here can recommend someone to do this.Thanks,Alan.

Mackinaw · Oct 12, 2014

You may try Ken Oikawa. Ken’s a retired Canon repair tech who specializes in FD equipment and has a supply of NOS parts. He’s in California. Google him for address and phone number.

Jim B.

Alan W · Oct 13, 2014

Thanks,Mackinaw.I just spoke with him earlier tonight and am sending the camera tomorrow.Looks like he gets top marks from everyone.

Alan W · Oct 24, 2014

I sent my camera to Ken Oikawa.English is not his first language and I found him kind of hard to understand.Long story short-I sent the camera to him,he called after inspecting it,I sent a check for $130,He calibrated shutter speeds and light meter,full CLA,camera back to me all in 10 days.He is not one for internet or credit cards,he does fine work,his number is 951 246 9136,his address is,28288 West Worcester Rd,Sun City 92586,Ca.This info is available on the web,I'm just letting anyone know that there is still a professional out there working on FD cameras as of October 2014.

mweintraub · Oct 24, 2014

* like *

flavio81 · Oct 24, 2014

Nice! I had a bit of Canon FD gear that i loved (in particular the 55/1.2 and the 200/2.8), and I always wanted to have a New F-1, or at least a F-1n.

I sold everything to switch to Nikon, but only because lenses could be easily adapted to the Canon EF mount.

The Canon FD lens system has great lenses!!

Jeff Kubach · Oct 24, 2014

I agree FD lens are great!

Jeff

Alan W · Oct 24, 2014

I bought the New F1 recently,and thought that I should have it serviced before getting deeply involved with it.I have the other 2 F1's and really like them,I used a Canon AE 1 program for much of the '90s and didn't think much of it-too plasticky in my opinion,but I could never afford anything else until the past few years.I bought a T90 and would rate it above any Canon FD mount camera,if you can get one that doesn't show the EEE problem,the 35mm F2 Concave lens is what got me hooked on the FD system and now there seems to be no way back,especially considering the prices that these classic FD's can be had for.Anyway Mr. Oikawa is still doing his thing.

Mackinaw · Oct 24, 2014

I haven’t used Ken in a number of years but he used to offer three types of CLA service. The most impressive was a total disassembly of the camera, where each part was removed, cleaned, lubricated (when necessary) and reassembled. Of course it was expensive, but not many repair techs offer that kind of detailed service. BTW, he CLA’d my original F-1 years back and did an outstanding job.

Jim B.

mesantacruz · Oct 25, 2014

Top regards for ken oikawa as well

bbiess · Feb 1, 2017

No activity on this post since 2014, so I was very surprised and happy to have talked to Ken today about a CLA on a F-1 I just purchased. I'm sending it to him tomorrow for a full CLA and alkaline battery conversion.

flavio81 · Feb 1, 2017

bbiess said:
No activity on this post since 2014, so I was very surprised and happy to have talked to Ken today about a CLA on a F-1 I just purchased. I'm sending it to him tomorrow for a full CLA and alkaline battery conversion.

Good idea, the New F-1 is a very special camera on the inside and I think only a real specialist should work on it. It has electronics that are weathersealed, a lot of gasketings, etc. I think USD 200 in the USA, considering the wages and cost of living, looks about a correct rate for servicing such a complex machine.

BTW, this was me in 2014:

flavio81 said:
I always wanted to have a New F-1, or at least a F-1n.

I sold everything to switch to Nikon, but only because lenses could be easily adapted to the Canon EF mount.

Fast forward to 2017 and now i own two Canon New F-1 (one of them is a "Los Angeles 1984" edition), plus an original F-1, plus 17 Canon FD and FL lenses from 19mm to 300mm! I missed the FD lenses too much!

bbiess · Feb 20, 2017

I received my F-1 in the mail yesterday. Ken completely restored factory operation. Though I've not run a roll of film through it yet, the meter appears spot-on. All controls are silky smooth and the shutter speeds now all appear accurate. He even did a 1.5V battery conversion making batteries easy to find.

The process was as old-school as the camera itself. You call Ken, who like in previous posts lets all his calls go to his answering machine before picking up, he listens to your issues and then tells you to just send your camera to him. Wait, just like that? No RMA#? No nothing? Yep, put in a well-padded box and send it to him. He called a few days later, quoted me a total price of $144., which included return shipping. We agreed on the price, so he instructed me to send him a check (no PayPal or credit cards). He did the repairs/upgrades to the body and sent it back via priority mail. While very different than what I'm used to, the process ran flawlessly. Ken Oikawa is a true master at what he does and I highly recommend using him.

colin wells · Feb 20, 2017

Is their any one like Ken O in the UK I have approached a couple of camera shops (who still do film ) and the closest i could get to have the meter calibrated and a CLA was we can have a look (i can do that myself for free ) no way am i leaving my F1 with one of these

Canon New F1 CLA/Overhaul recommendations

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency