Sover Wong equivalent in the USA?

[mscott842]

Based on posts on this forum, I took two early Nikon F's with T finders to Dean's Camera Repair who is local to me in Los Angeles. His work was outstanding and knowledge impressive. He rebuilt two cameras with T finders (a black red dot & a Nikkor German issue) and gave me 90 day warranty. He said cameras should be operational for next 20+ years due to some subtle internal improvements including high quality foam. (He informed me that there are many malfunctions caused by old foam breaking down and particles lodging in critical areas). His prices and not cheap but fair. Given the scarcity of Nikon technicians with factory experience, I'm thrilled to have connected with him. I like having vintage cameras that function correctly, so the expense is worth it to me.

 

[Huss]

Glad you're happy! I need to bring my 35 f2 AF-D to Dean to clean the oily aperture blades. I was going to sell it as is, but then looked at pics I took with it and that lens is awesome.

 

[ymc226]

On Huss's recommendation, I also used Dean's Camera Repair and am quite pleased with the service I received. He is very personable and after my initial drop off of equipment, called me several times to update me of issues that needed to be addressed as the cameras and lenses were disassembled. I gave him a mint unused F2AS with a sticky shutter, a F2 with DE-1 plain finder and a F with plain finder as well as 4 lenses. I asked for a complete overhaul as these were bought for "display only" about 15 years ago as I was using Hasselblad's, Texas Leicas and vintage Leica Ms at the time, then progressed to digital afterwards. They likely sat unused for many years prior to my acquiring them.

Dean is a former Nikon tech who worked at their repair center and was very familiar with all of the F series. He replaced the foam with a felt based part that he says won't degrade in the future. Being quite passionate about his work, he showed me some of his own F3s mounted for stereoscopic picture taking.

After getting the cameras back, they each exuded that new Nikon camera smell identical to when I pulled my new FE and FM out of their gold colored boxes, nestled in styrofoam, so many years ago, evoking a very pleasant memory. I dropped off 5 additional metered F2s with him this last time (F2 Photomic, F2 S x 2, F2 SB, F2 A) and have 4 metered Fs once he is done with this batch.. I plan on cycling through them regularly as part of the fun besides taking photos at the beach is using these purely mechanical cameras which feel just right in my hands.

 

[Huss]

I’m thinking Dean owes me a little kick back for all the business I’ve sent his way!

 

[Superirish]

To the OP, I have been using Mark Hama for repair work. Not nikon related (yet) but when I can't find anyone to work on a particular model, he (Mark) always takes on the job. For example, he repaired my Minolta XK when no one else would (even some that looked at it, said it couldn't be repaired). He has an xd-11 of mine now. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend him. He appears to work on most all makes of slr's as well at tlr's (he has repaired yashicamats for me in the past). Prices are reasonable, 6 month warranty of work.

I am very late to this thread, but you've probably just saved my XM!
I've genuinely looked everywhere in the UK and Europe and have been dismayed to find many of the old professionals who used to work at Official Minolta service centers have all retired in the last 6 months...