Where to send cameras for repair?

[Dave Krueger]

I have a Nikon F2 and a Rolleiflex TLR that have sticky shutters and I would like to send them to a repair shop that will do a good job without having to take out a second mortgage on my house. The F2 has already had the foam replaced by KEH.com and I sent the Rollei off to Oceanside Camera Repair a long time ago (15+ years) for the same sticky shutter issue.

My plan is to send the Rollei back to Oceanside and was planning to send the F2 to KEH, but I was wondering if anyone here had better suggestions. When you send a Nikon body in for repair, do you include the prism and viewing screen? I think I left them off when I sent it in to have the foam replaced.

P.S. I honestly did a search to see if this was already discussed, but apparently my search skills suck because I couldn't find much about repair shops. I can't believe this hasn't been beaten to death in some other thread, so I apologize if that's the case.

 

[Ric Trexell]

I send mine to BDC.

I have sent several cameras to BCD in Madison, Wi. and had good service and got them back in a couple of weeks. That is both 35mm and MF cameras. Contact them and see if they will fix your camera. Ric.
PS. They have a web site where you can get their address and phone number.

 

[jmcd]

For Rollei tlr I like Karl Ehlers. Like Mr. Fleenor, Karl does overhauls for a thorough job. He is also a specialist, in Rollei tlr cameras. Turnaround has been less than two weeks, in my experience. kgehlers3 AT verizon DOT net

Here is a photo of my transport that Karl overhauled, which was previously filled with too much grease.

 

[removed account4]

try midstatecamerarepair.com or zackcamerarepair.com ... both in rhode island


good luck!

john

 

[LyleB]

I sent two bodies in to KEH. One for an overhaul (FM2n) and one for a repair and overhaul (FE). I sent them in on a Friday, including authorization to do the repair up to their estimated cost. By the following Wed I received notice that they were done, and would be shipped back as soon as payment was authorized. I immediately arranged payment and had the Cameras back, working great by Friday morning. One week exactly. I was very pleased with KEH service and will definitely use them again. Not the absolute cheapest prices I've heard of, but cannot complain about the service one bit. They even went beyond what I asked them to repair on the FE, replacing some worn parts at no additional charge.

 

[mgb74]

RE: the F2, look at http://www.soverf2repair.webs.com/

May not be worth the cost of shipping to UK, but will at least give you a reference point.

 

[Dave Krueger]

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions. I've never had problems with KEH and they are fairly close by. I was thinking there might be someone like Fleenor and Ehlers for Nikons in the US, but I think I will read more about Sover Wong before I rule out sending it to the UK. The prices aren't bad, but the shipping could be pricey and then there's the hassle of potential customs delays.

I did a search for Ehlers, but didn't find much on line. I will probably still with Oceanside for the Rollei just because there's more info about him and I've had good results in the past.

I use these two cameras very rarely, but I'm sure I will obsess about them having problems of I don't get them fixed. I guess that just goes with being a camera geek.

 

[jmcd]

I think Pete Smith in Florida specializes in Nikon.

 

[jmcd]

Pete Smith, at Del Ray Camera.
561.433-8434

 

[Dave Krueger]

I looked up Del Ray Camera but didn't find much, so I did a search on Pete Smith and found him listed here:

Dead Link Removed

It's listed as Fotocamera Repair Inc., but the phone number is the same, so maybe they changed the name. I also found other referrals in other message boards, so I'll probably give him a call.