Where to get my Praktica camera repaired?

[Dali]

Hello,

My Praktica Super TL2 camera is acting funny for the last 12 months. Frames overlap, frame counter way off, winding being very hard after a dozen frames shot, well, it is time for a CLA.

Issue: I don't know wher to send it for that. I would prefer a trusted addrees in the US but I can send abroad if needed.

Don't tell me to throw it an pick up another one as I might run in the exact same type of issues pretty soon. After all, these cameras are quite old now (30, 40, 50 years) and none is bulletproof.

Thanks for your suggestions!

 

[chuck3565]

It sounds like the film takeup sprocket is cracked. Put a finger on the sprocket teeth and cock the camera. If the sprocket slips, then that is the problem. Sometimes one can put a spacer made from a plastic top of a nut can under the sprocket to prevent slippage. (Cut a round piece of the top. Hole punch a center hole and cut a slit from the edge to the center hole. If that doesn't work, I'm afraid the repair will be expensive.

 

[Dali]

Nothing broken yet but it looks like there is some slack in the winding system, as it takes some time for the winding level to move both take-up spool and sprockets. Usually, when winding, after a dead stroke, I can feel some extra resistance but I need to move the level further to see both take-up spool and sprockets turning... I would espect them to move as soon as I feel the mechanism resistance, no? Is there anything to adjust?

 

[ant!]

The experts for Praktika and all other east-German cameras and lenses would be http://www.fotoservice-olbrich.de/reparaturprogramm/ in Goerlitz, not too far from Dresden where Praktikas were made.

 

[Dali]

Thanks ant! I bookmarked the page and shall translate it later (I know very little German unfortunately).

 

[ant!]

The website doesn't say much, just a list of different models they work on, with a 1 year warranty. "our focus is the repair of cameras and lenses made in east Germany"
On the main page ("Hauptseite") is their address and contact. The shop exists since 1938 in the same family. The shop is commonly referred to in German forums when someone looks for help, I never used them though (I would have a Werra which I might need to give to them one day...)
Goerlitz is where the Meyer lenses were made...

Let me know if I can help somehow more. I was born in Dresden, but now already quite a while in Canada...

 

[Sirius Glass]

Call KEH at their 800 number and ask if they will repair it. 800 342 5534