Folding RFs - CLA in the UK

I've recently acquired a couple of old 'folding' RFs (1 x Zeiss Ikon and 1 x Voigtlander) which look like they date from the 1940s.

I haven't run any film through them as yet, so I've no way of knowing how much (if any) work needs doing on them. However, does anyone know of a reputable, UK-based repair / CLA workshop that knows its stuff and doesn't charge the earth.

I'm based in Essex and work in London, so somewhere nearby would be useful, though not essential. I've seen reference to Newton-Ellis in Liverpool but, as I've never had any dealings, I wondered if any of the members here could point me in the right direction.

Thanks in anticipation....

What makes you think they need a CLA ? In the UK a CLA isn't cheap usually £50 minimum charge

Try the shutters on slow speeds see what they sound like, it's possible to do a small amount of a clean & sometimes shutter work yourself. Shutters can sometimes be cleaned if the glass elements are removed with a bit of acetone or Isopropyl Alcohol without taking then apart. That has resurrected two stick shutters both of which now work perfectly.

I've just tested 6 or 7 Compur/Copal shutters and an Illex using a microphone & Audacity (free wave editor) and all are well within tolerance even the 1920's & 30's shutters.

Ian

I'd be interesting in knowing of any tech who can work on old Voigtlander folding 35mm gear. I bought a nice Vitessa recently and managed to jam the shutter open [due to user error, it was working fine when I first picked it up]. Annoyingly, in years of using vintage gear I've never done anything like it before.

Ian Grant said:

What makes you think they need a CLA ? In the UK a CLA isn't cheap usually £50 minimum charge

Try the shutters on slow speeds see what they sound like, it's possible to do a small amount of a clean & sometimes shutter work yourself. Shutters can sometimes be cleaned if the glass elements are removed with a bit of acetone or Isopropyl Alcohol without taking then apart. That has resurrected two stick shutters both of which now work perfectly.

I've just tested 6 or 7 Compur/Copal shutters and an Illex using a microphone & Audacity (free wave editor) and all are well within tolerance even the 1920's & 30's shutters.

Ian

Click to expand...

Thanks Ian.

I have no reason to suspect they need a CLA right now, I just want to be prepared for the eventuality of them not working properly.

However, the spring "thingy" that attaches to the folding front of the camera is there but isn't attached and both cameras appear to have been in a box or drawer for many years. They certainly look like they might benefit from a good scrub and lube.

My DIY skills are not my strongest suit (I am ham-fisted in the extreme), nor do I have the tools, time or inclination to try to fix either (or both) if the test films I put through them show a problem.

As the cameras were a gift from a friend, I don't have a problem spending a few quid on them. Sadly, I'm one of those who gets no enjoyment out of fixing anything mechanical. That they work is the only important issue for me. I have no real interest in the intricacies of how they work.

So, if anyone has details of a good UK-based vintage camera repairer that can handle Voigtlander and Zeiss Ikon, I'd welcome their advices.....

May be a repairer in this thread that can do it:

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)


- Tony

Thank you Tony, that's really helpful.

Paul.

Leaf shutters that have been sitting for a while may need some exercising before they operate properly. If they work, but are noticeably slow, try firing the shutter 15-20 times before concluding they need work.