CLA recommendations for a FED-1?

[indy_kid]

Just got a FED-1 (S/N:142376) and while things seem okay, the low S/N makes me think a CLA would be worth the cost. Any links/recommendations for FED repairs?

 

[Joe Jesus]

OKvintage camera is supposed to be pretty good, but I've never used him. He's somewhere in Europe, so shipping might be hefty as well.

 

[BrianVS]

Youxin Ye does Leica and Leica copies- cameras that I've sent to him include a Leotax D-IV, Leica III, IIIa, IIIF, M2, and M3. Balance the cost of the repair with Youxin with shipping and customs delay.

 

[tessar]

Fedka in New York (Russian camera dealer) did a good job on my Kiev 4a:
http://www.fedka.com/Frames/Main_Frame.htm
I'm not sure if they still offer repairs, but It's worth dropping them an e-mail. The dealer's name is Yuri.

 

[BrianVS]

The repair category for Fedka.com has nothing available in it- I know that Yuri's repairman passed away after opening the service. Not sure if he has found anyone else. A number of the "greats" that I've used over the years are no longer with us.

 

[naeroscatu]

There is a tech in Russia that I used twice for my Fed and Zorki cameras. I don't remember the name right now and I'm at work. I will drop you a line this evening with his email.
He is reliable and very decent priced.

 

[jim10219]

Those old Russian rangefinders are really easy to work on, so I wouldn't worry too much about finding someone who specializes in them. Any repairman who's seen the inside of a Leica ought not have a problem with one. So I'd search for someone local, so you don't have to mess with shipping and the hassle of email/phone communications. Plus there's less chance of something going wrong that is out of your control that way (like getting lost or damaged in shipping, or miscommunication with the repairperson). Though with the price these things go for, you might be better off just buying a replacement rather than having it worked on. You could probably by 2-4 of them for the price of a general CLA, and then just use the best one of the bunch. And if one ever breaks, you've got plenty of parts and a backup or two to get you by.

 

[naeroscatu]

Here is Oleg's website from Russia: http://www.okvintagecamera.com/about.html
As I said I used his services twice and it worked well price wise as well as turnaround time.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

If it works, do not touch it! Those aren't improved Zorki. FED where is more soft metal involved. So, less disturbance is better.
Leica independent technicians are those who are less likely to work on them, actually, due to described above.

They are easy to work on cameras by yourself with plenty of time and with minimum instruments. Absolutely all info is available on-line and in English.