What lens repair shops do you recommend in the U.S.

Michael Piziak · 02-06-2021, 10:27 AM

My favorite lens is the Asahi Pentax M 100mm Macro 1:4

My first copy, I bought for $20 because it had lens separation. I used it for years, without any noticeable affect on images.
I decided to treat myself with a better copy, and bought one on eBay from someone that was selling it from his father's collection (for $129). He did as close as an inspection as he could, and said he couldn't find any problems with the lens - even sent me pics with a flashlight shown through it, and it looked good.

After receiving it, the lens itself looks new; however, upon closer inspection, it does have slight balsam separation/thin fog on the front of the lens.

This lens is hit or miss if you can get a copy without lens separation, I have read.

Rather than continuing to play the game of buying copies of the lens and selling it, I'd like to explore getting this copy cleaned up, if possible, even if it cost more than the lens - but do comment on about how much you think it might/should cost.

What shops, in the U.S., can members recommend?

Last edited by Michael Piziak; 02-06-2021 at 11:09 AM.

**aslyfox** · 02-06-2021, 10:39 AM - **1 Like**

here is a list, follow link to find active links:

Quote:

US
KEH.com (GA, Most current and vintage gear)
Eric Hendrickson (Vintage cameras, Current and vintage lenses)
Precision Camera (Authorized to perform warranty service, NC)
Advance Camera (Most current and vintage gear, Portland, OR)
General Camera Repair (LA, CA)
Garry's Camera Repair (IL, select film SLRs)
International Camera Repair (LA, CA)
Halcyon Cameras | Vintage Camera Restoration (Vintage film cameras, San Diego, CA)
Camera Repair Japan (Services Sigma lenses and more, Atlanta, GA)
Allied Camera (MN, manual film cameras)
Bill Rogers Camera (LV, NV, film-era cameras and lenses)
Phototronic (Topeka, KS, film and digital camera repair)
Lezot's Camera Center (VT, film SLRs / medium format)

Read more at: Pentax Repair Facilities (Wordwide listing) - Page 9 - PentaxForums.com

I have used Phototronic here in Topeka KS and I recommend contacting him

https://phototronic.biz/

SamirShah · 02-07-2021, 11:07 AM

I have the same lens and I just discovered this same problem. I just purchased all the chemicals and tools I need to attempt a repair. Will post here if I succeed.

**cdurfor** · 02-07-2021, 11:51 AM

ProPhoto in Washington, DC Onsite repair ...

2000 Pennsylvania Ave NW. Washington, DC 20006
Telephone: 202-223-1292
Email: prophotodcinfo@gmail.com

Michael Piziak · 02-08-2021, 07:20 AM

Originally posted by SamirShah

I have the same lens and I just discovered this same problem. I just purchased all the chemicals and tools I need to attempt a repair. Will post here if I succeed.

I contacted 6 of the repair shops that "aslyfox" recommended, I got back 3 replies. I was told in one that it couldn't be fixed without replacing the lens (element) itself - I don't know if this is true or not. The other replies said they didn't work on lens.

This particular lens, I'm told, is highly susceptible to lens separation. I've had 2 copies and both had it. Another user told me that all 3 copies that went through his hands had it.

If anyone knows of a shop that can actually do this repair, do tell.

If you are able to fix yours, I'd pay you to fix mine.

Regards

---------- Post added 02-08-21 at 07:23 AM ----------

Originally posted by cdurfor

ProPhoto in Washington, DC Onsite repair ...

2000 Pennsylvania Ave NW. Washington, DC 20006
Telephone: 202-223-1292
Email: prophotodcinfo@gmail.com

I'll contact them. Thanks.

**aslyfox** · 02-08-2021, 07:46 AM

Originally posted by Michael Piziak

I contacted 6 of the repair shops that "aslyfox" recommended, I got back 3 replies. . . .

technically I just recommended Phototronic and just listed the others

good luck on the project

SamirShah · 02-08-2021, 01:08 PM

Originally posted by Michael Piziak

I contacted 6 of the repair shops that "aslyfox" recommended, I got back 3 replies. I was told in one that it couldn't be fixed without replacing the lens (element) itself - I don't know if this is true or not. The other replies said they didn't work on lens.

This particular lens, I'm told, is highly susceptible to lens separation. I've had 2 copies and both had it. Another user told me that all 3 copies that went through his hands had it.

If anyone knows of a shop that can actually do this repair, do tell.

If you are able to fix yours, I'd pay you to fix mine.

Regards

---------- Post added 02-08-21 at 07:23 AM ----------

I'll contact them. Thanks.

I have enough of the optical glue to fix 500 lenses, and it expires in 4 months! I just bought a second 100f4 from ebay to use as a reference, it has the separation too, but appears less than mine.

I'll be back once I have a report on my success or failure.

Anyone have any suggestions for a before/after test subject? Will one of the B&W patterns work? Or should one use a colored subject?

02-06-2021, 10:27 AM	#1
Michael Piziak Closed Account Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: West Virginia Posts: 2,815	What lens repair shops do you recommend in the U.S. My favorite lens is the Asahi Pentax M 100mm Macro 1:4 My first copy, I bought for $20 because it had lens separation. I used it for years, without any noticeable affect on images. I decided to treat myself with a better copy, and bought one on eBay from someone that was selling it from his father's collection (for $129). He did as close as an inspection as he could, and said he couldn't find any problems with the lens - even sent me pics with a flashlight shown through it, and it looked good. After receiving it, the lens itself looks new; however, upon closer inspection, it does have slight balsam separation/thin fog on the front of the lens. This lens is hit or miss if you can get a copy without lens separation, I have read. Rather than continuing to play the game of buying copies of the lens and selling it, I'd like to explore getting this copy cleaned up, if possible, even if it cost more than the lens - but do comment on about how much you think it might/should cost. What shops, in the U.S., can members recommend? Last edited by Michael Piziak; 02-06-2021 at 11:09 AM.

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02-06-2021, 10:39 AM - 1 Like	#2
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,581	here is a list, follow link to find active links: Quote: US KEH.com (GA, Most current and vintage gear) Eric Hendrickson (Vintage cameras, Current and vintage lenses) Precision Camera (Authorized to perform warranty service, NC) Advance Camera (Most current and vintage gear, Portland, OR) General Camera Repair (LA, CA) Garry's Camera Repair (IL, select film SLRs) International Camera Repair (LA, CA) Halcyon Cameras \| Vintage Camera Restoration (Vintage film cameras, San Diego, CA) Camera Repair Japan (Services Sigma lenses and more, Atlanta, GA) Allied Camera (MN, manual film cameras) Bill Rogers Camera (LV, NV, film-era cameras and lenses) Phototronic (Topeka, KS, film and digital camera repair) Lezot's Camera Center (VT, film SLRs / medium format) Read more at: Pentax Repair Facilities (Wordwide listing) - Page 9 - PentaxForums.com I have used Phototronic here in Topeka KS and I recommend contacting him https://phototronic.biz/

02-07-2021, 11:07 AM	#3
SamirShah Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2020 Location: Stamford, Ct Photos: Albums Posts: 101	I have the same lens and I just discovered this same problem. I just purchased all the chemicals and tools I need to attempt a repair. Will post here if I succeed.

02-07-2021, 11:51 AM	#4
cdurfor Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Washington, DC Photos: Gallery Posts: 581	ProPhoto in Washington, DC Onsite repair ... 2000 Pennsylvania Ave NW. Washington, DC 20006 Telephone: 202-223-1292 Email: prophotodcinfo@gmail.com

02-08-2021, 07:20 AM	#5
Michael Piziak Closed Account Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: West Virginia Posts: 2,815 Original Poster	Originally posted by SamirShah I have the same lens and I just discovered this same problem. I just purchased all the chemicals and tools I need to attempt a repair. Will post here if I succeed. I contacted 6 of the repair shops that "aslyfox" recommended, I got back 3 replies. I was told in one that it couldn't be fixed without replacing the lens (element) itself - I don't know if this is true or not. The other replies said they didn't work on lens. This particular lens, I'm told, is highly susceptible to lens separation. I've had 2 copies and both had it. Another user told me that all 3 copies that went through his hands had it. If anyone knows of a shop that can actually do this repair, do tell. If you are able to fix yours, I'd pay you to fix mine. Regards ---------- Post added 02-08-21 at 07:23 AM ---------- Originally posted by cdurfor ProPhoto in Washington, DC Onsite repair ... 2000 Pennsylvania Ave NW. Washington, DC 20006 Telephone: 202-223-1292 Email: prophotodcinfo@gmail.com I'll contact them. Thanks.

02-08-2021, 07:46 AM	#6
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,581	Originally posted by Michael Piziak I contacted 6 of the repair shops that "aslyfox" recommended, I got back 3 replies. . . . technically I just recommended Phototronic and just listed the others good luck on the project

02-08-2021, 01:08 PM	#7
SamirShah Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2020 Location: Stamford, Ct Photos: Albums Posts: 101	Originally posted by Michael Piziak I contacted 6 of the repair shops that "aslyfox" recommended, I got back 3 replies. I was told in one that it couldn't be fixed without replacing the lens (element) itself - I don't know if this is true or not. The other replies said they didn't work on lens. This particular lens, I'm told, is highly susceptible to lens separation. I've had 2 copies and both had it. Another user told me that all 3 copies that went through his hands had it. If anyone knows of a shop that can actually do this repair, do tell. If you are able to fix yours, I'd pay you to fix mine. Regards ---------- Post added 02-08-21 at 07:23 AM ---------- I'll contact them. Thanks. I have enough of the optical glue to fix 500 lenses, and it expires in 4 months! I just bought a second 100f4 from ebay to use as a reference, it has the separation too, but appears less than mine. I'll be back once I have a report on my success or failure. Anyone have any suggestions for a before/after test subject? Will one of the B&W patterns work? Or should one use a colored subject?