Film Camera Servicing

boliston

boliston

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Adrian
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I've just got a Nikon FM2 via ebay and it seems in pretty good nick (no dents, scratches, brassing etc and all mechanical functions seem ok), but I'm pretty sure it needs servicing as there is quite a lot of dust visible in the viewfinder and it looks like the light seals need replacing.

I'd probably rather send it away for servicing rather than going DIY but has anyone had good/bad experiences with this?

I've done some searching and notice that Newton Ellis & co seem to come up in searches ( http://www.newtonellis.com/ ).

Has anyone used them or recommend anywhere else?

Thanks
 
Most of the people in here recommend Miles Whitehead, a service from him costs about £30 + P&P, i think lightseals are included in that fee :)
 
A lot of people (me included) on here will recommend Miles Whitehead for CLA's, his prices are very reasonable in comparison to most other camera repair/maintenance services (£60+ P&P quoted for a Spotmatic F CLA by 2 other places, he only wanted £40 + P&P) and he does a good job. His customer service is also excellent and if you have a special request like needing it done by a date for instance then he'll do his best to meet it. I've got a camera coming back in the post from him at the moment. And yes, lightseals, viewfinder cleaning, shutter speed checking/calibrating etc are all included in the price.

http://www.mwcamerarepairs.co.uk/
 
Go for Miles. But dust in the viewfinder might be cured by just bringing the focusing screen down and giving the area a good airing out with a rocket blower...
 
Not wishing to put a fly in the ointment concerning Miles but I sent him a Bessamatic to service and he had it for nearly 4 months before looking at it and then found it needed a new shutter which he didn't have. To be fair he did explain that he had had a huge amount of professional cameras in to repair but I'm not sure that I liked being bumped to the back of the queue.
I have used him on numerous occasions though without any trouble and he does an exceptional job at a reasonable price.

Andy
 
Andysnap said:
Not wishing to put a fly in the ointment concerning Miles but I sent him a Bessamatic to service and he had it for nearly 4 months before looking at it and then found it needed a new shutter which he didn't have. To be fair he did explain that he had had a huge amount of professional cameras in to repair but I'm not sure that I liked being bumped to the back of the queue.
I have used him on numerous occasions though without any trouble and he does an exceptional job at a reasonable price.

Andy
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I think I may have been one of the first, if not the first to recommend Miles to the forum, and I have to say that I myself have used him for four of my camera,s.

I live only 20 mins from where Miles lives and therefore take my camera,s to him and collect of course, he is an outstanding guy with great knowledge and will never say no until he has researched the fault 100%, however his business is based on professional and commercial work, so sometimes we enthusiasts do have to wait and Miles has always been up front in telling me that, so you pay,s your money and takes your chance, what you do know is his work is impeccable and guaranteed.

His prices are not as low as stated earlier, however still very completive at around £45.00 plus return delivery for a CLA, depending on the camera of course and when you see some of the main city firms that price is very good, but of course Miles does have low overheads.

I think Andy did have a problem with his camera, but that sometimes happens.

Richard.
 
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Don't get me wrong Richard I would still use Miles again and I understand that he has a business to run it was just a bit frustrating really as I was itching to use the camera. I just wanted to give a heads up that at the moment he is really busy so it may take a while longer than normal. :thumbs:

Andy
 
Andysnap said:
Don't get me wrong Richard I would still use Miles again and I understand that he has a business to run it was just a bit frustrating really as I was itching to use the camera. I just wanted to give a heads up that at the moment he is really busy so it may take a while longer than normal. :thumbs:

Andy
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I completely agree with you, I asked him to CLA a camera for me Just last week and the first I can take it in for him to look at is after the 27TH of May due to current workload and he is then on holiday until the 27TH.:thumbs:
 
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