Who Repairs Rangefinders in WA State?

lifted · Oct 2, 2011

Called a couple of places, and all advised that I should just replace the camera... but, you know, sometimes you get attached to your equipment.

(Ricoh 500 G)

SafetyBob · Oct 2, 2011

I hope someone here from your area will respond. I have come to the conclusion that local camera repair is highly unlikely anymore anywhere. So far I have sent cameras for repair out of state in my case. I know KEH has a repair facility, other than that I know Mark Hama is the preferred Yashica repairman and Clarence Gass for Mamiya Press Cameras. I have a couple of older Nikon cameras I am considering sending out for a CLA and haven't really started the process to see who is available and who most folks trust.

May I suggest you see how this thread goes, if not, ask specifically for Ricoh repair shops in the 35mm Forum also......someone there may have a bit more experience with repair shops local or otherwise.

Good luck on this, I know I have several old cameras I don't want to part with and would rather repair just because instead of getting another replacement.....

Bob E.

Ken Nadvornick · Oct 2, 2011

I currently have my Canonet QL17 G-III in for a CLA by Scott at Dead Link Removed in Everett, Washington. The shutter had begun to be a bit sticky at the slower speeds after a lot of use over the last couple of years since I bought it.

In the past Scott has CLA'ed two Nikon F2 bodies for me. He's also done lens cleanings on just about every camera and enlarger lens I own. And calibrated both Nikon DP-1 meters, including a brand new ring resistor replacement on one of them. Oh, he also cleaned my Yashica MAT 124G twin-lens and calibrated the meter.

As often as not he'll also talk you out of repairs he doesn't think a camera needs. He's done that with me on more than one occassion. In fact, he tried it with the TLR meter calibration, but I insisted. That meter is now wonderfully accurate in non-extreme situations.

He's been in business since 1985.

Recommended...

Ken

lifted · Oct 3, 2011

I gave NW Camera Repair a call and they won't service my camera - they made it sound like they don't do repairs on many brands of rangefinders. :/

Brian Legge · Oct 3, 2011

Whats going on with the camera?

lifted · Oct 3, 2011

Lens barrel needs to be screwed back on (after lining up all the notches and clicking it into place, which I can't seem to get the hang of), and a wire has come unsoldered.

Marc B. · Oct 3, 2011

Give "Alpine Camera" a call;
in The City of Spokane Valley, WA State. From their website:

"Camera Repair: We offer camera repair and maintenance for both film and digital camera equipment. We also provide service for most collectables, medium format, and large format cameras. We use the finest test equipment and tools available, using up-to-date repair techniques to ensure the best possible care for your camera. Check out our Repair Info page for more details."

http://www.alpinecamera.com/

Alpine Camera
101 North Argonne Road, Suite G
Spokane Valley, WA 99212
509-892-6645

John_Nikon_F · Oct 3, 2011

Talk to Doug @ the Camera Clinic. He's who both Ralph Javins and I use to get our gear repaired. If he doesn't do it himself, he may show you how to do it yourself, so it'll be a fairly no-cost job. He's done that a few times with me.

Address and phone are:

518 NE 165th ST
Shoreline, WA 98155
206-367-2440

Hours are Tues-Sat, 10-2.

-J

markbarendt · Oct 3, 2011

Not Washington but darn close. Blue Moon in Portland, OR they advertise here.

lifted · Oct 4, 2011

Stopped in at Camera Clinic in Shoreline today; the guy's really friendly, and advised that I just keep tinkering with it myself - pull off the leatherette and work from the front rather than the back. To have him do it would be $90, and he seemed confident that I could do it myself, so I trust his judgement. I'll play with it some more later this evening and this week and see if I can figure it out!

John_Nikon_F · Oct 5, 2011

Let us know how it goes. Yeah, he's a good guy. If a bit ornery sometimes.

-J

lensworker · Oct 9, 2011

lifted said:
Called a couple of places, and all advised that I should just replace the camera... but, you know, sometimes you get attached to your equipment.

(Ricoh 500 G)

She is not located in Washington state, but I can say that Sherry Krauter
( www.sherrykrauter.com ) does outstanding work at fair prices and is prompt in her turnaround time. She is a Leica repair specialist, but may be able to repair other types of RFs too - you'll have to check with her on that.

If she repairs only Leica, she may know a good place to send other RFs for service.

jscott · Oct 9, 2011

Don't spent too much....

A quick look at ebay completed listings shows several Ricoh 500's in the range $9.99-$30.

One approach is to buy two or three of a given model, and then mix and match to make up one real good one.

Ralph Javins · Oct 11, 2011

lifted said:
Stopped in at Camera Clinic in Shoreline today; the guy's really friendly, and advised that I just keep tinkering with it myself - pull off the leatherette and work from the front rather than the back. To have him do it would be $90, and he seemed confident that I could do it myself, so I trust his judgement. I'll play with it some more later this evening and this week and see if I can figure it out!

Good morning;

It has been about a week now. How is it coming? Were you able to cajole it into co-operating with you last week or this past weekend?

pdexposures · Oct 12, 2011

markbarendt said:
Not Washington but darn close. Blue Moon in Portland, OR they advertise here.

Blue Moon sends all (or most) repairs to Knight Camera in Vancouver, WA. Another option I recommend (have used them before many times) is Advanced Camera in Beaverton, OR.

lifted · Oct 12, 2011

Nah, I've given up. I think I'll buy a new one later on down the road, and just knock parts off this one if I need them. It's a really cute little camera, but the guts are not so cute.

Who Repairs Rangefinders in WA State?

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