Is Sover Wong worth it?

[Huss]

Interesting. I sent a Contax IIa to Gus and had a similar experience getting it finished. I was in an online que that moved at an incredibly slow rate- Ii think I calculated it was going to take years to get it back. So I also politely sent his a couple of emails engine with just send the camera back- and it was suddenly done! In my case the exterior of the camera was beautifully cleaned- it really looked like new.

Yeah it seems he doesn't work on your camera unless you ask for it back. But for the actual mechanical part of the work - no complaints.

 

[madNbad]

On Sover Wong’s website he has a section called “Repairers from hell” complete with photos and descriptions of some of the fixes he has corrected.

 

[logan2z]

Yeah it seems he doesn't work on your camera unless you ask for it back. But for the actual mechanical part of the work - no complaints.

It sounds like the 'Squeaky Wheel' queueing algorithm - those who complain get dequeued first

 

[marcmarc]

I seem to be the only one who had a bad experience sending my F2 to Sover Wong for service. This was many years ago, maybe 10 or so ago. Long story short after sending him my first F2 body for a CLA it ended up with only two shutter speeds that worked. The rest of the speeds didn't fire the shutter at all. This was after he worked on the camera twice. I have no idea what happened or why but when he told me to send the body back I decided not to because every time I send him the camera it costed me $40 and I had to send the camera uninsured which worried me. So I have body for spare parts if any of my other two bodies need something, Many others swear by Sover and so by all means go ahead and send your camera to him. Like I said I seem to be the only one with a camera he couldn't get right so I guess it's just my bad luck.

 

[Mamulcahy]

I got my place in Sover’s queue. If I’m lucky, it’ll be serviced by the end of 2022. Lol

At 64, it’s likely that my daughter will use it more than I. I figure she’ll be the next custodian of this awesome camera and Nikkor lenses I’ve collected over the years.

 

[Vincent Peri]

I wanted to check something on Sover Wong's website, but when I googled it, it didn't come up.

Can anyone provide a link to Sover's site?

Thanks.

 

[logan2z]

I wanted to check something on Sover Wong's website, but when I googled it, it didn't come up.

Can anyone provide a link to Sover's site?

Thanks.

The first hit in a Google search for 'Sover Wong':

https://soverf2repair.webs.com/

 

[Vincent Peri]

Thank you! When I googled sover wong, I didn't get that choice.

 

[Scott Micciche]

Thank you! When I googled sover wong, I didn't get that choice.

This works for me: https://soverf2repair.webs.com/

 

[Rolfe Tessem]

Sover is worth every penny. I've had three F2's done as well as a couple of finders. All are like new and likely won't need further service in my lifetime...

 

[Aviv]

There are two times when I've felt like I had a "new" camera in my hand - when Mark Hansen serviced my Rolleiflex K4B and regreased the focus, and when Sover Wong serviced and modded my F2. Sover is the real deal, he modded my F2 to have a nightlight for the DP1 head, and to have the meter turn on when the shutter is slightly depressed instead of having the winding lever out (though that still works too). He is worth the wait if you are willing to wait!

 

[DNH]

I have sent 2 of my F2's to him so far & a resounding yes from me to him being worth it.

One of mine had been through a repairer from hell in the past that wasn't apparent until he opened it up. Most of the shutter speeds were out. One part inside fractured & another part had been broken & glued. He was able to replace both parts from stock.

The repair wasn't cheap admittedly, but you get what you pay for & I would think twice about sending any of my F2's elsewhere.

 

[benjiboy]

I believe that the question should be the other way round, since he has so much work in front of him can you wait long enough to obtain his services ?.

 

[tomkatf]

I thought he was worth it, even though it cost more than what I paid for the F2AS to start with. Had it done 3-4 years ago, and now I can’t even remember what it cost. Time heals all wounds.
It’s like a new camera, and he’s also good with time management as well. He’ll tell you when to send it in, and he works on it right when you send it in, and sends it back when he said it would come back. It’s not gone forever. None of that send it in and wait without much word for what seems like an eternity, never knowing if it’s being worked on or not kind of treatment you get from other well respected techs.
F2’s are great cameras. Worth being done right imo, but cost is always a personal decision.

"...and he’s also good with time management as well. He’ll tell you when to send it in, and he works on it right when you send it in, and sends it back when he said it would come back. It’s not gone forever. None of that send it in and wait without much word for what seems like an eternity, never knowing if it’s being worked on or not kind of treatment you get from other well respected techs."

This alone is golden...along with the quality of work I've heard described.

 

[Mike Lopez]

I just opened a package from Sover containing the 2 F2 bodies I shipped to him three weeks ago. The shutters and film transports feel silky smooth, a malfunctioning frame counter on one body has been restored to service, and the loud "ping" noise that some F2s develop is gone. I'm eagerly looking forward to loading both bodies up and putting these cameras back into service for a good long time. I wish that such specialized services were available for all my gear/formats, but it's nice to know that these F2s have now received the Sover treatment!

 

[Chan Tran]

I think he is worth it otherwise don't send it to anyone else. I don't see how good work can be done for less.

 

[removed account4]

I understand he has a special magic wand.

I had never heard of this repair guy until he was mentioned in one of Christopher Coy's recent threads
and now I see why he wants to send his cameras to him. magic wand indeed !
John

 

[George Mann]

I think he is worth it otherwise don't send it to anyone else. I don't see how good work can be done for less.

That depends on what needs to be done. For instance, any competant tech can CLA this model.

Furthermore, his prices have reached a premium level, beyond what one would normally need to charge for most of his services.

But is he worth it? Given his dedication, expertise and stellar track record, YES.

 

[Mamulcahy]

I just got my F2 back from Sover. In addition to providing excellent service, he is a pleasure to work with and a real straight shooter.

I am 65 and I have lusted after an F2 since the 70s. My buddy Dave Heim(RIP) had one while I shot my Nikkormat FTN. I finally bought one a couple of years ago. I shot a few rolls with it and it sure seemed serviceable for 46 years old, so I got in line for Sover’s service. He didn’t disappoint. This camera will outlast me. I figure that we are only caretakers of fine machinery while in this life and I’d like to be able to pass it along in beautiful condition. If pressed, I will admit that it provides a tangible link to a dear departed friend. How can I put a price on that?

 

[Kodachromeguy]

This camera will outlast me. I figure that we are only caretakers of fine machinery while in this life and I’d like to be able to pass it along in beautiful condition. If pressed, I will admit that it provides a tangible link to a dear departed friend. How can I put a price on that?

That is how I feel about restoring my dad's 1949 Leica IIIC. It is a link to him and to his prized camera with which he took family photos and traveled the world. The 50mm Summitar is pristine. Don Goldberg in Wisconsin cleaned and overhauled the body. Indeed, we are caretakers, even though most people scoff at the concept.

Good Things in Small Packages: Leica IIIC Camera

worldofdecay.blogspot.com

 

[gone]

Knowing that it's a fully mechanical camera that could last another 100 years

Unfortunately, it surely won't last that long. No matter how well an old camera is repaired, it's still an old camera. Parts break, things stop working, that's just life. You could get a total checkup from the best doctor in the world and be given a clean bill of health, but have a stroke or an accident tomorrow. Stuff happens.

 

[Swordman]

I can wholeheartedly attest to the quality of his work. He may be expensive, but you get peace of mind.

 

[CMoore]

Is he "worth" it.?
A very subjective question.
There are lots, as we have seen, of possible answers.

I did not hesitate for my pair of F2S.
But that was 5 years ago. The prices were different and so was the wait time.
Would i do it now.?
I do not know...................
good luck

 

[E. von Hoegh]

That is how I feel about restoring my dad's 1949 Leica IIIC. It is a link to him and to his prized camera with which he took family photos and traveled the world. The 50mm Summitar is pristine. Don Goldberg in Wisconsin cleaned and overhauled the body. Indeed, we are caretakers, even though most people scoff at the concept.

Good Things in Small Packages: Leica IIIC Camera

worldofdecay.blogspot.com

Caretakers, yes, however only for certain items which are inherently durable enough to respond well to care and maintenance - lots of stuff isn't. An F2 is designed with regular maintenance in mind, so is a Leica. So are lots of other things, watches, clocks, automobiles, etc..
Sover Wong does a great job, I have a Soverised '71 F2 with the DP II finder, it's essentially a new camera. Meter, shutter, all are accurate and it's smoother & a bit quieter than my unrestored '79 F2A. I purchased the '71 5 or so years ago, neither I nor the seller knew it had been worked on. The database at Sover's site confirms it was done about three years before I found it, the seller got it at an estate sale.
The '79 F2A - black - is clean, shows little sign of use & the meter works, it's likely it just needs stale lubricants replaced, which I can do myself having the service manual. However, if it turns out to need parts (I really doubt it does) I'm up the creek. I've been dithering about this long enough that, had I got on SW's waiting list when I first got it, it'd be done by now. F2A was a gift, so if I pay ~$300 for a complete reconditioning, it's a bargain.

 

[Chuck1]

I thought I read something somewhere about sover being able to make an AS head into aspot meter, is that true or is it my wishful thinking/delusions?