Who is doing Rolleiflex CLAs these days?

[Axelwik]

KEH did a fine job with mine.

 

[Eric Hiss]

Thanks for all the updates, everyone. I do know that the bigger stores like B&H, KEH, etc often shop out repairs, perhaps even to multiple techs. Interesting to read that about Steves. Maybe just overflow? I still need to talk with them. After my last post, I sent 4 TLR's to Pro Photo in DC for service, and 2 to Paul Ebel. The 4 which went to Pro Photo in DC have already been completed and are on their way back to me and I thought their prices were very reasonable - very encouraging. I am excited to see the work from Pro Photo as I hadn't used them before.

 

[Pioneer]

My Rollei is still going strong after being CLA'd by Fleenor 10 years ago. Mark Hansen has done all my Ikoflex work recently. Extremely happy with the service from both and willing to pay the prices for repairs to these older cameras.

 

[StevieRose]

Paul Ebel did a great job on my 3.5f and I don't think he has retired. It's actually a lot of fun talking cameras with him on the phone.

 

[Eff64]

After a roughly 10 year hiatus, I'm getting back in the medium format film game. I dug out my old cameras, but they need some loving care. The cameras are generally in good repair, but need some help after being dormant so long.

I used to use Krikor Maralian, but he retired years ago. I'm seeing mixed messages about whether Ebel is still working, and can't find current contact info for him. Harry Fleenor seemed to be getting mixed reviews, at least as of 2019/2020

Authorized Camera Repair › Willow Grove › Pennsylvania › USA

Expert repair service for digital cameras, photography lenses and camcorders. Canon and Sony repair specialists.

www.authorizedcamerarepair.com

Here is the deal. This shop is local to me, and owned by a guy named Matt who has been repairing cameras and lenses for years. Don’t let the poor website fool you, after hearing about him locally I had him fix two V series Hasselblads, and a couple CF lenses as well, and was very impressed.

Matt is a real fastidious technician who seems to love the challenge of solving the various mechanical troubles people bring to him. I cannot comment on repairing Rolleiflex specifically, but he had no problem working on the Hasselblads.

If you describe to reason for needing service, he will tell you if it is something he can handle or not.

 

[Mike Parkinson 208]

Definitely don't recommend Mark Hansen. He’s had two of my TLR’s AND $390 of my cash since mid-April, was supposedly shipping them back May 25th, then nothing. and my emails have been met with “crickets”. Although he’s supposedly legit, I’d recommend not sending him anything for repair.

 

[bags27]

Jim Kilroy, who was trained in Blads by David Odess, also does Rolleis. He's a terrific mechanic, and an under-the-radar guy, so turn-around is pretty quick. I spent an afternoon with him as I was buying my Blad from him and he's a terrific and talented guy.
barnowlcameras@gmail.com

 

[Steven Lee]

Relevant webpage that's worth bookmarking:

Camera Repair Worldwide Directory

Every single year, every one of our beloved film cameras gets another year older. Cameras that were 50 years old 10 years ago are now 60 years old, and that t

mikeeckman.com

 

[JWMster]

I sent my Rollieflex 3.5F CLA'd to Karl Ehlers back in May 2018. Word at the time was that he worked with Fleenor back in the day. Karl said he was working on a slow schedule... basically retired. Took about two weeks for it to go by ground to get there. He finished the repair in two weeks and sent it back. Great work. If he's still at it, I'd look him up. He wasn't cheap: I've had Leica M4 and M6 CLA'd for less by well known folks. But Karl did a great job. Karl Ehlers <kgehlers4@gmail.com>

I used Pro Camera in Virginia subsequently and they did great work economically. Would highly recommend them as I get their notices that they're training new techs and really have a push on to get service work.

 

[Loren Sattler]

Mark Hansen is not doing work at this time due to medical issues. He posted an explanation on his website today along with an apology for not getting back to customers.

 

[binglebugbob]

I believe Advance Camera Repair in Portland Oregon is servicing Rollei TLRs. They did a minor repair on my 3.5F.

 

[binglebugbob]

Camera repairmen are a vanishing breed. Anyone with any good camera that needs repair should not sit and think about it for a year or two, because they may not have the repair options in a few years that are available today.

About 3 years ago, Paul Ebel told me he was retiring. But, that may just mean he is getting more selective in the work he takes on.

 

[blee1996]

We do have a younger generation of camera repairmen gaining expertise and recognition. For example, I have used Dan Daniel (TLR, Medalist), Alex Varas (TLR), Paul Barden (Kodak Retina). All of them visit photrio regularly and are willing to share their experience and learnings.

 

[albireo]

We do have a younger generation of camera repairmen gaining expertise and recognition. For example, I have used Dan Daniel (TLR, Medalist), Alex Varas (TLR), Paul Barden (Kodak Retina). All of them visit photrio regularly and are willing to share their experience and learnings.

Just wanted to echo this - I haven't had the pleasure of dealing with Dan Daniel or Paul Barden in terms of camera servicing, and I've repeatedly seen excellent feedback about them.

I have had a *fantastic* repair experience with Alex Varas. He saved my half-dead Minolta Autocord and ended my 2-year long Autocord CLA odyssey, essentially (will be writing a separate thread about it). Precise, meticulous, a great communicator, fast turnaround.

I think we are in excellent hands.

 

[armadsen]

Just wanted to echo this - I haven't had the pleasure of dealing with Dan Daniel or Paul Barden in terms of camera servicing, and I've repeatedly seen excellent feedback about them.

Paul CLAed my Kodak Retina IIIc. Turnaround was a few weeks. I’ve had quite a number of cameras CLAed by various people, and Paul’s work produced the greatest before/after difference I can recall. The Retina came back just beautifully smooth and nice, as if it were brand new out of the box.

Oleg Khaliavin is another not-old repair person who does excellent work. He fixed a Contax I for me with excellent results.

 

[mikestr]

Last week Dieter Paepke overhauled my 3.5F while I was in Dusseldorf on business. He does not charge extra for rush jobs, but they must be prearranged, and of course in some cases his schedule may not permit it. Herr Paepke is an absolute professional in performance and conduct. The job was quoted on the spot, included a new mainspring, and was flawlessly executed. The camera even looks newer now. The cost was 440 euro, which is very fair. Paepke handles all Rollei models from 1960 onward, including the 6008i and HY-6. Second generation, since 1946.

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

Another vote for Pro Photo in DC - they service my trio of Rolleis (a pair of 2.8E's and a Tele). Their prices for work on the Rolleis has always been reasonable. They also did a full overhaul on my Kodak Chevron for a reasonable price. They're not always the cheapest in the world, but for example, they did a full CLA on a well-worn Canon F1 for me that probably hadn't been serviced (or used!) since the 1990s for $300-ish, and had it turned around in a week. I'm willing to pay extra for that kind of service and to know that if I have an issue they will stand by their warranty on the work. They have a new young guy (in his 20s) working there under the tutelage of their owner and founder who has been doing camera service since the early 1970s. I believe he (the owner) was factory-trained by Rollei, and he's been passing that knowledge on.

 

[Pieter12]

Another vote for Pro Photo in DC - they service my trio of Rolleis (a pair of 2.8E's and a Tele). Their prices for work on the Rolleis has always been reasonable. They also did a full overhaul on my Kodak Chevron for a reasonable price. They're not always the cheapest in the world, but for example, they did a full CLA on a well-worn Canon F1 for me that probably hadn't been serviced (or used!) since the 1990s for $300-ish, and had it turned around in a week. I'm willing to pay extra for that kind of service and to know that if I have an issue they will stand by their warranty on the work. They have a new young guy (in his 20s) working there under the tutelage of their owner and founder who has been doing camera service since the early 1970s. I believe he (the owner) was factory-trained by Rollei, and he's been passing that knowledge on.

I had heard from several people that Paepke was not working on the Hy6 but referring customers to the factory for service.

 

[ChrisGalway]

Alex Varas in Spain does all TLRs I believe. https://alexvarascameras.com/

 

[joelbolden]

I just received my Rolleiflex 2.8F back from Jim Holman of International Camera Technicians in San Diego. It needed several repairs plus a CLA. I'd acquired it from property disposal as I was retiring fromm the U.S. Navy; then spent 40 years in a drawer until I just recently became interested in MF photography. The company has been around since 1972 and was founded by Manfred Mueller, a Germany trained technician who semi-retired in 2020. Jim is his trainee and has worked there since 1984. The repairs/CLA took 5 weeks and included a call from Jim giving me some options on one repair. They do have a waiting list and an evaluation fee of $50.00 if it's sent to them. I waited one day for a response. The fee is applied to the final invoice if accepted, applied to return mail if not. It took 5 weeks, which is pretty fast. The camera works perfectly.

 

[Kodachromeguy]

This is an exceptionally useful thread for Rollei and Hasselblad owners. Thanks for the many recommendations.

It makes me wonder about buying another Rolleiflex..... (must resist GAS...)

 

[chiaraisserlis]

I have just tried to get ( implore ) Oceanside/Harry Fleenor III, to kindly tune up and have a look at My Rolleiflex, but they do not accept orders from outside the USA. When I called to say that the entire transaction would be done within the USA, using Paypal USA, and sending the camera only within the USA, his wife, who was extremely unpleasant, told me that he was virtually retired: in other words, to leave him alone and forget about him. I have no inclination to transact with such mean-spirited people. Everything I've heard recently about Fleenor (exorbitant prices, various facetiousness) leads me to believe that he's at the end of his journey. Stay on the lookout.

— Chiara

___________________________________

Hello Chiara Isserlis.

Thanks for the note.

SORRY I thought you were in the USA. We don't accept repairs international repairs.


Thank You

Harry Fleenor III

Oceanside Camera Repair
909 N. Aviation Blvd. Ste. 4
Manhattan Beach, Ca 90266-6241

 

[Pieter12]

I have just tried to get ( implore ) Oceanside/Harry Fleenor III, to kindly tune up and have a look at My Rolleiflex, but they do not accept orders from outside the USA. When I called to say that the entire transaction would be done within the USA, using Paypal USA, and sending the camera only within the USA, his wife, who was extremely unpleasant, told me that he was virtually retired: in other words, to leave him alone and forget about him. I have no inclination to transact with such mean-spirited people. Everything I've heard recently about Fleenor (exorbitant prices, various facetiousness) leads me to believe that he's at the end of his journey. Stay on the lookout.

— Chiara

___________________________________

Hello Chiara Isserlis.

Thanks for the note.

SORRY I thought you were in the USA. We don't accept repairs international repairs.


Thank You

Harry Fleenor III

Oceanside Camera Repair
909 N. Aviation Blvd. Ste. 4
Manhattan Beach, Ca 90266-6241

You might try Key Camera in Longmont, CO. Dave Feely used to work for Bell & Howell, the importer/distributor for Rolleiflex in the U.S. keycamera@yahoo.com

 

[GregY]

I have just tried to get ( implore ) Oceanside/Harry Fleenor III, to kindly tune up and have a look at My Rolleiflex, but they do not accept orders from outside the USA. When I called to say that the entire transaction would be done within the USA, using Paypal USA, and sending the camera only within the USA, his wife, who was extremely unpleasant, told me that he was virtually retired: in other words, to leave him alone and forget about him. I have no inclination to transact with such mean-spirited people. Everything I've heard recently about Fleenor (exorbitant prices, various facetiousness) leads me to believe that he's at the end of his journey. Stay on the lookout.

— Chiara

___________________________________

Hello Chiara Isserlis.

Thanks for the note.

SORRY I thought you were in the USA. We don't accept repairs international repairs.


Thank You

Harry Fleenor III

Oceanside Camera Repair
909 N. Aviation Blvd. Ste. 4
Manhattan Beach, Ca 90266-6241

Strange..... Harry did service on my Rolleiflex T.... & I live in Alberta. Things have changed since 2011....but the camera still runs like a charm.

"Service required: overhaul shutter $134.00, overhaul transport $134.00, re-align, collimate & adjust focus $110.00, install Maxwell #2 Hi-lux plain screen with grid $199.00 + $10.00 labor, shipping Express Mail to Canada $48.00, total is $635.00 invoice #10502."

 

[armadsen]

I dropped my SL66 off with Harry in person a couple years ago. He and his wife were both in the shop. I would agree with the above characterization of his wife. Always seems weird when people in business seem upset that you’re trying to give them money.

He did repair my camera, though it jammed up after a few rolls, and in the meantime he stopped servicing them. I’d definitely try other options at this point.

(Incidentally, if anyone has recommendations for a good tech that will service an SL66, I’d be happy to hear it.)