Who does CLA's on TLR's now on the East coast?

keithostertag · Nov 7, 2017

Who can you recommend on the East Coast for doing a CLA on an old TLR nowadays? I'm looking around for one, and might want to have whatever I buy cleaned up,seals replaced, shutter fixed, etc.

Not sure which I'll buy- Do repair guys tend to specialize and only do a particular maker? It would likely be an inexpensive fixed lens type from one of the Japanese makers (Yashica, RIcoh ,Minolta, Mamiya, etc).

Approx what will it cost nowadays?

bvy · Nov 7, 2017

Mark Hama in Atlanta. He worked in the Yashica factory at one point building the 124G TLR's. He knows his stuff. I haven't used him, but I'm about to. He comes highly recommended.

TheFlyingCamera · Nov 7, 2017

Here in Washington DC, Pro Photo has a repair service. They've serviced all three of my Rolleiflexes. Back in the glory days of the White House Press Corps, they used to be the go-to shop for the press photographers. Still are, probably, but with things having gone all electronic, who knows?

jspillane · Nov 7, 2017

I've had some minor TLR work done by Nippon Photo Clinic in NYC.
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They are not cheap, but they seem to do good, fast work and I liked having somewhere I could physically go in to drop-off and pickup gear (I always get a little queasy mailing things). When I've checked, the specialists tend to have relatively long wait lists in comparison and I've wanted things done in a relatively quick manner. If I was looking for a full overhaul I'd explore options, but for a checkup and CLA I think they are a good option.

keithostertag · Nov 7, 2017

Thanks everyone.

How much should I expect to pay for a CLA? assuming nothing is actually broken or needs to be replaced (other than seals)? I might be willing to pay, say, $125 to make a $50 TLR like new working condition, but I might not buy an old TLR if I knew the expected CLA was going to be much more than that. Is that reasonable, or am I not in the ballpark?

Kodachromeguy · Nov 7, 2017

rmann said:
One more possibility - for Rollei TLR

For Rollei TLR Repair

please contact

Krimar Photo Shop
Mr. Krikor Maralian

El

NO, I urge you to avoid Krimar!! Mr. Maralian may have been one of the best in past decades, but his services, quality control, and customer responsiveness have slipped badly in the last few years. See some previous comments on this topic. Regardless, I read a rumour that his shop has closed. Did you cut and paste this recommendation without checking if it was valid any more?

benveniste · Nov 7, 2017

http://zackscamerarepair.com/ is a sponsor here and located in Rhode Island.

Dali · Nov 7, 2017

A bit O.T. but did anyone hear recently from Frank Marshman from Camera Wiz? I emailed him twice without answer... What are the alternative repairmen for Fujica MF rangefinders?

warden · Nov 7, 2017

I used Mark Hama a few years back and my Yashica came back tip top. Great lens, inexpensive camera.

Sirius Glass · Nov 7, 2017

If you are going to have to ship the camera anyway why must it be only to the East Coast? There are other capable places elsewhere.

Kodachromeguy · Nov 7, 2017

jawarden said:
I used Mark Hama a few years back and my Yashica came back tip top. Great lens, inexpensive camera.

Agree! Mr. Hama repaired my Rolleiflex 3.5E in 2016 after it was fouled up at Krimar.

sixby45 · Nov 2, 2018

I can recommend my experiences with Jimmy Koh at Kohs camera http://www.kohscamera.com/repair.htm

But I just went to the link and found out that he no longer offers service. However I believe they stock parts and are very knowledgeable so could be a resource.

Also I hear nothing but good things from Mark Hansen's outfit in WI : http://www.zeissikonrolleirepair.com/contact.html

His CLA's are very reasonable via his site.

Scott Micciche · Nov 13, 2018

I concur with Mark Hansen. He has just completed CLA (shutter/film transport/general cleaning/lube) on my Rolleiflex 3.5F and it's stellar now! He's also very communicative if you have questions.

aoresteen · Nov 15, 2018

I use Harry Fleenor. Top quality work.

http://rolleirepairs.com/

ME Super · Nov 15, 2018

+1 for Mark Hansen. I sent him a Super Ricohflex a couple years ago that I'd bought off of the big auction site that the focus had frozen up on. He emailed me back and said instead of me waiting for him to fix mine, he had one ready to go, if I sent him like $50 he'd just drop the one he had ready to go in the mail to me. It's been a good little camera, no light leaks and the shutter seems accurate at all speeds. At least with the Super Ricohflex, there's not a lot to go wrong with these cameras.

macfred · Nov 16, 2018

Dali said:
A bit O.T. but did anyone hear recently from Frank Marshman from Camera Wiz? I emailed him twice without answer... What are the alternative repairmen for Fujica MF rangefinders?

Frank Marshman / Camera wiz is your man (I'm quite sure he's still in business).
https://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=153754

jvo · Nov 17, 2018

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M. Axel Wikstrom · Nov 23, 2018

KEH seems to have done a good job with a Rolleiflex that I just got back. For less than $300 they repaired the wind mechanism, fixed the slow shutter speeds, did a complete service, and included a 6-month warranty. Works great now; I'm sure it won't need anything for the next ten years or more.

Sirius Glass · Nov 23, 2018

Why should it matter whether or not it is on the East coast, if it is going to be shipped anyway?

Who does CLA's on TLR's now on the East coast?

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