Is Rafcamera a trustable merchant?

[John Gaasland]

I may have them make an odd size step-up ring for me, thanks, John.

 

[macfred]

John, IIRC there are a few threads in pentaxforums.com and in mflenses.com about those Rafcamera adapters - the users always recommend them - though Rafcamera is in Belarus and delivery will take some time.
Good luck for you and keep us informed.

 

[AgX]

There also is a guy in Portugal offering custom made adapters.

Basically every fine-mechanical workshop can do such.
The advantage of photo-mechanical workshops is that they may have adapters already in stock, and at least speak same language adapter-wise. Making communication easier. They also may forsee issues that a generic workshop, working strict on sketches given, may not realize.

 

[Kino]

I purchased a pair of M52x0.75 to M45x0.75 adapters for my Printing Nikkor lenses just 1 month ago.

Shipping time (actual transport) was somewhat slow, but that is not the responsibility of Raf Camera.

I would purchase from them again without hesitation.

 

[OrientPoint]

I bought an adapter last year for a Rollei SL66 from RAFCamera. It took forever to arrive, but that was the pandemic's fault, not theirs. The adapter was well made and exactly what it was supposed to be.

 

[btaylor]

I had a number of dealings with Raf years ago when he was selling FSU cinema merchandise. I will echo what others have said, his stuff is accurately made and he is great to work with, a real pleasure. Highly recommended

 

[gorbas]

RAF is great guy to deal with. Never had any issue with him over the years. He makes very clever stuff that is absolutely necessary for serious lens adaptation.

 

[Tel]

I had a number of dealings with Raf years ago when he was selling FSU cinema merchandise. I will echo what others have said, his stuff is accurately made and he is great to work with, a real pleasure. Highly recommended

Ditto that; I bought a LOT of motion picture equipment (35mm cameras, motors, lenses and adapters) from Raf and was always very happy with what I got. He's also very easy to deal with and knows photography.

 

[John Gaasland]

Thanks for all the comments, I will be buying an adapter from him, John.

 

[Alex Varas]

After seeing his kind of work I wrote him yesterday and we already exchanged a couple emails.
It seems to me very capable and knowledgeable.
If he can do what I’m after I will go for it.
Obviously post from there will be slow, remember most of airlines now are closed from that country so probably it will go through Moscow first.

 

[Simon Benton]

Great to work with and fast response to questions. Items I have purchased have always been as described and well made.

 

[AgX]

By the way, how come that only by this thread I learned of this firm?

 

[Tel]

As I recall, he began his business selling FSU cinema cameras and lenses. In the 1990s and early 2000s many filmmakers in the West were buying up former Soviet equipment because it was cheap and the optics were good. Rafael was one of the principal dealers in this equipment; it was only later that he began branching out into still photography equipment and began manufacturing lens adapters and such. The last thing I bought from him was a Kinor 35N camera package and an anamorphic zoom lens--perhaps 10 or 15 years ago..

 

[tom williams]

I may have them make an odd size step-up ring for me, thanks, John.

John, if rafcamera doesn't pan out - or even if it does and you want to look at other options, consider Jose Meneses at Customphototools.com. I've ordered from him three times now, have received exactly what I wanted, and about as quickly as international mail will allow.
cheers
Tom

 

[neilt3]

By the way, how come that only by this thread I learned of this firm?

Everyone else here already knew them , we just didn't tell you !
I'm happy with what I've bought off them over the years .