Looking for CLA and LF shops in Victoria, BC

Removed Account · Oct 4, 2007

Hello everyone! The shutter on my Wollensak 135mm f/4.7 is getting a bit gummy. Exercising it helps, but I think it's time she's set in good working order. I will be in Victoria, British Columbia this Saturday and I was wondering if anyone knew of a good place their to leave the lens for a CLA? If anyone knows of a place where I may be able to track down a reasonably priced ($200-$300ish) LF lens or two that would be great as well. Thanks for the help!

- Justin

thebanana · Oct 4, 2007

Camera-Traders located downtown might be able to help. It's worth the visit just to browse

http://www.camera-traders.com/

Nick Zentena · Oct 4, 2007

I guess you want to avoid shipping but KEH is your friend.

Which Wollensak? If it's just a press camera I'd think hard about getting it fixed.

Removed Account · Oct 4, 2007

The shipping isn't so much the problem as import duties and fees. My Cambo cost me about $280, plus $40ish to ship. I now have a bill from FedEx for $50ish for their brokerage fees and assorted other stuff. KEH does have some great prices and gear, and their sales people were great, but to get the lens, lensboard and a loupe for about $250 it would have been about $35 shipping, plus another $50ish for FedEx fees. I'd rather spend that $85 on film, paper or chemistry so I'm trying to find something in Canada before I go to them.

The Wollensak is the 135mm f/4.7 Raptar in a Rapax shutter. It only cost me about $100 so depending on how much they want to CLA it I may just use it as a barrel lens. On the other hand, a lens with excellent condition glass in a functional and reasonably accurate, if occasionally sticky, shutter even for $200 does not seem to come up that frequently north of the border. I'll go hunting, and see what I can find.

- Justin

Toffle · Oct 4, 2007

I don't know if this is of any help, but Beau Photo www.beauphoto.com (in Vancouver) handles LF. I don't know if they do CLAs or other repairs. I've purchased MF film and equipment from them and they seemed knowledgeable.

Cheers,

Nick Zentena · Oct 4, 2007

cafeharrar said:
The shipping isn't so much the problem as import duties and fees. My Cambo cost me about $280, plus $40ish to ship. I now have a bill from FedEx for $50ish for their brokerage fees and assorted other stuff.

You're paying 14% between provincal and GST? 280*.14 is $39.20 Fedex sticks I think $8 on that. UPS would have saved you the $8. If you buy from a local store you'll still pay the same 14%.

Almost no photo gears gets much in the way of duties. You're mostly looking at the sales tax but you'll pay those anyways.

Len Middleton · Oct 4, 2007

When ordewring from the US, it is less expensive to use US Postal Service.

I know when using UPS they had a $25 brokerage fee, while the Queen's Couriers (Canada Post) only charge $5. And the Queen's Couriers do not alway bother to collect the taxes and the brokerage fees if the amount is relatively small.

I would expect that the courier companies would not overlook any part of that revenue stream.

Nick Zentena · Oct 4, 2007

Len Middleton said:
I would expect that the courier companies would not overlook any part of that revenue stream.

:munch: You'd be surpised.

I can't imagine ordering anything valuable by Canada post. Plus if it doesn't go ground UPS actually has no brokerage fee. So it can end up being cheaper and quicker then Canada post.

Len Middleton · Oct 4, 2007

Nick, Indeed I might be surprised. But that has been my experience, limited though it may be.

I have not had any parcels lost by Canada Post, although you do need to ensure it is well packed, as they are handled roughly.

MattKing · Oct 4, 2007

Justin:

KEH won't ship most items by USPS - they make an exception for things like manuals.

With respect to repairs, have you considered Carol Flutot?

Over here on the Lower Mainland, I have used VanCam with good success for 35mm and MF equipment:

http://www.vancam.com/

If they don't do LF, I would respect any recommendation they might make.

Matt

Craig · Oct 4, 2007

I've brought in lots of auto parts from the US, and I would never use UPS across the border. They tack on so many fees its crazy, plus they have never got a duty classification right yet for me. Why should I pay $50 for the priviledge of them screwing it up?

If I have to have it overnight, its Fedex, otherwise the Postoffice. The postoffice usually takes about the same time as a ground courier, and the fees are much less.

Nick Zentena · Oct 4, 2007

Craig said:
If I have to have it overnight, its Fedex, otherwise the Postoffice. The postoffice usually takes about the same time as a ground courier, and the fees are much less.

I'd never suggest using UPS ground. Not even if you tortured me. But UPS air [2nd day or whatever] is a much different service.

walter23 · Oct 4, 2007

thebanana said:
Camera-Traders located downtown might be able to help. It's worth the visit just to browse

http://www.camera-traders.com/

No, uhh, they uhh, went out of business. (At least until next time I visit to pick up any bargains they might have accumulated which I don't want you to get...)

Paddy · Oct 9, 2007

Hi Justin. If visiting Vancouver is an option, for repair/CLA's I'd recommend the following:

Top of the list would be Horst Wenzel 604-263-5820. He used to own Vancam, and works privately now, in "semi-retirement" mode. He's simply the best, in addition to being a great guy to deal with. He'll get it right, the first time, no question.

Next in line, I would say that boys at Camtex are fairly good. http://www.camtexgroup.com/home.html

Personally, I won't recommend Vancam, as I think their customer service utterly sucks the big one.

johnnywalker · Oct 9, 2007

cafeharrar said:
The shipping isn't so much the problem as import duties and fees. My Cambo cost me about $280, plus $40ish to ship. I now have a bill from FedEx for $50ish for their brokerage fees and assorted other stuff. KEH does have some great prices and gear, and their sales people were great, but to get the lens, lensboard and a loupe for about $250 it would have been about $35 shipping, plus another $50ish for FedEx fees. I'd rather spend that $85 on film, paper or chemistry so I'm trying to find something in Canada before I go to them.

- Justin

I always use the postal service and have had no problems. I don't think there are any import duties or taxes on items sent out for repair.

Capocheny · Oct 9, 2007

I'd wholeheartedly second Paddy's recommendation of using Horst Wenzel... he does great work and his prices are very reasonable.

Cheers

joneil · Oct 13, 2007

johnnywalker said:
I always use the postal service and have had no problems. I don't think there are any import duties or taxes on items sent out for repair.

There is not supposed to be, but I've been nailed in the past then has to do the paperworks and wait 6 months to get my money recovered. Sometimes the way the system is setup I think it is done as a deterrent.

Although Toronto is a long ways away from BC, I would suggest e-mailing either Harry's Pro Shop or Eight Elm Camera, as both places "speak" large format and would likely know where in Canada you might still get a shutter CLA'd.

good luck
joe

Looking for CLA and LF shops in Victoria, BC

Moderator

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency