Can anyone recommend a good manual lens repairer...

woof woof

woof woof

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For film era manual primes? Rokkors, Zuiko's, FD's and stuff like that.

I've been using a company in Glasgow but for various reasons I don't want to use them again.

Someone recommended MW Camera Repairs in another thread but they never replied when I emailed them so I'm back to asking for recommendations and if anyone can recommend anyone they've used before that'd be great :D
 
I've used Cameratiks in Edinburgh a few times for old film era lens fixing. Always been happy with the results. When one of their fixes went wrong after a few months they fixed it again for free. Years later it's still fine.
 
woof woof said:
For film era manual primes? Rokkors, Zuiko's, FD's and stuff like that.

I've been using a company in Glasgow but for various reasons I don't want to use them again.

Someone recommended MW Camera Repairs in another thread but they never replied when I emailed them so I'm back to asking for recommendations and if anyone can recommend anyone they've used before that'd be great :D
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If you emailed Miles recently I believe he’s on holiday at the moment. I’ve used Miles for most of my repairs and servicing for the last few years and apart from his somewhat old fashioned approach to communication I really can’t fault him.
Make sure you’re using his most up to date email address, he did change it some time ago mwcamerarepairs at gmail.com
 
Sendean Cameras in London.
 
woof woof said:
I've been using a company in Glasgow but for various reasons I don't want to use them again.
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Alarm bells: (

My 400mm lens is in glasgow.. taking a lot longe than quoted and communications are a nightmare ..
 
nandbytes said:
I found their rates a little unreasonable. Miles provided a more reasonable price for me.
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They were IIRC about £250 more than Miles quoted for my Canon MPE65 mm repair. Well worth dealing with Miles.
 
Thanks all. I've give Miles another couple of weeks as he may be working through a backlog of emails and after that I may try again... but if he hasn't replied to one...
 
davholla said:
They were IIRC about £250 more than Miles quoted for my Canon MPE65 mm repair. Well worth dealing with Miles.
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I wanted my old trioplan lens fixed because the aperture blades were ever so slightly sluggish. Sendean quotes £120 (I could buy another one at that price!) and Miles said he'd do it for £35 (postage extra).
 
nandbytes said:
I wanted my old trioplan lens fixed because the aperture blades were ever so slightly sluggish. Sendean quotes £120 (I could buy another one at that price!) and Miles said he'd do it for £35 (postage extra).
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All good, if he answers my email :D
 
nandbytes said:
I think he has a phone too ;)
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Meh, if the bloke doesn't reply I see it as a warning, why push things if he doesn't want my business? But of course the email could have got lost, accidentally deleted or overlooked so I'll give him another couple of weeks and then I may try again but I'm not generally one who likes to chase people who don't reply.
 
Hi Alan, Miles is really good but I think he has a lot of work given that he does quality work at a reasonable price.

He serviced an Olympus OM1 (including refurbing the viewfinder) and a Canon A1 (eliminated shutter squeak) for me and fixed my broken Canon EF 50 f/1.4 lens. The Canon lens took a while to get back to me because he was waiting for a part. I would not hesitate to use him again.

If I were you, I would just re-send the email so it's at the top of his inbox now he's back from holidays.
 
woof woof said:
Meh, if the bloke doesn't reply I see it as a warning, why push things if he doesn't want my business? But of course the email could have got lost, accidentally deleted or overlooked so I'll give him another couple of weeks and then I may try again but I'm not generally one who likes to chase people who don't reply.
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because email's aren't the only way to do business, especially if he is a bit old styled as mentioned above ;)

though he replied to my emails promptly (by which I mean within like 2 days)
 
nandbytes said:
because email's aren't the only way to do business, especially if he is a bit old styled as mentioned above ;)

though he replied to my emails promptly (by which I mean within like 2 days)
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Oh come on, the guy isn't living in a cave somewhere. He has a web site and an email address for gawd sake.

You've made a valiant effort to defend him, good on you.
 
woof woof said:
Oh come on, the guy isn't living in a cave somewhere. He has a web site and an email address for gawd sake.

You've made a valiant effort to defend him, good on you.
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lol I don't defend anyone that should be obvious to you by now by the way I slate the brand I shoot :D

I simply understand not everyone does business by emails, yes even in this day and age! :p
I know someone who has never owned a mobile phone! doesn't suddenly mean he lives in a cave, in fact he is exceptionally intelligent. people operate differently :)
 
I used to work in the computer and wider electronic industries and they paid for my early retirement but these days I do tend to avoid over using tech (because I'm mostly sick of it) but even so I still turn my mobile on at least once a week and I check my emails too and all that effort is expended despite me not needing to do so to earn money :D

Like I said, I'm not a great believer in chasing people, I've emailed him and he hasn't replied so I'll wait a little longer and then I may try again as he seems to be well regarded but I may just try someone else mentioned in this thread and see if they're a bit more on the ball.

Thanks for the suggestions guys :D
 
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woof woof said:
I used to work in the computer and wider electronic industries
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I still do :p

woof woof said:
Like I said, I'm not a great believer in chasing people
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the question is really do you need him more than he needs you? ;)
judging by your multiple threads around this matter I think you need him more :D
 
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woof woof said:
Oh come on, the guy isn't living in a cave somewhere. He has a web site and an email address for gawd sake.

You've made a valiant effort to defend him, good on you.
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I've recommended Miles before and have used him several times myself. As you've already found, good repair companies for legacy kit are hard to come by which means he's busy. If he's been away on holiday too I'd assume he's got a backlog built up. If you don't want to give him a call, pay extra for someone else or go back to the other company you used that screwed up the coating on your lens. Your choice really ;)
 
nandbytes said:
I still do :p

the question is really do you need him more than he needs you? ;)
judging by your multiple threads around this matter I think you need him more :D
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Nupe, come to think of it - No, I don't need to waste another second on him :D As for multiple threads, this is the first and only for quite some time so dunno what you're reading, or sniffing.

stevelmx5 said:
I've recommended Miles before and have used him several times myself. As you've already found, good repair companies for legacy kit are hard to come by which means he's busy. If he's been away on holiday too I'd assume he's got a backlog built up. If you don't want to give him a call, pay extra for someone else or go back to the other company you used that screwed up the coating on your lens. Your choice really ;)
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I said earlier that I'll give him (more) time and may try again and others have provided alternatives but I do have a bit of thing about not chasing "tradesmen" and usually it's no reply no retry.

I've made a note of recommendations, thanks all who gave names.
 
woof woof said:
I said earlier that I'll give him (more) time and may try again and others have provided alternatives but I do have a bit of thing about not chasing "tradesmen" and usually it's no reply no retry.
I've made a note of recommendations, thanks all who gave names.
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The only problem is that the repair of legacy kit is more niche than getting someone to brick up a doorway so your choices are limited. As you've already tried/ruled out another well known repairer, you need to either give Miles another chance or try one of the others. There aren't many so it won't take long :0)
 
I've used our Scottish friends a few times over the years but as I've had issues to a greater or lesser degree with my last three dealings with them it's time to try someone else. You recommended Miles and I'm sure he does a good job but not replying does p!!s me off a little as it just wastes my time and extends the whole process and it's difficult to get over that and as this is my first dealing with him it doesn't exactly inspire confidence, in this case for me as it's my first time. Others use him and he does a good job, I'm happy for them.

As this seems to have rather inexplicably all turned a little repetitive I'll just say thanks to those who supplied alternatives and leave it at that. Thanks for your input :D
 
woof woof said:
Nupe, come to think of it - No, I don't need to waste another second on him :D As for multiple threads, this is the first and only for quite some time so dunno what you're reading, or sniffing.



I said earlier that I'll give him (more) time and may try again and others have provided alternatives but I do have a bit of thing about not chasing "tradesmen" and usually it's no reply no retry.

I've made a note of recommendations, thanks all who gave names.
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oops read your OP wrong! sorry

Also I have heard good things about these guys - http://www.camerarepairworkshop.co.uk/
they used to be ex-minolta service centre guys before sony bought out minolta. So they probably understand your rokkors well ;)
 
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