master Pentax technician interview (no, the other one)

taksharp · 10-04-2017, 12:05 PM - **13 Likes**

I had a chat with Robin Gowing of Harrow Technical the other day. He's like an English Eric Hendrickson, and had some interesting things to say about the business (which is up). He also sent me pictures of his work space, complete with an MX being reborn. I wrote it up on partialsight.com. Yes, this is shameless self promotion, but it's totally relevant, so that makes it OK.

**gofour3** · 10-04-2017, 12:25 PM - **1 Like**

Good stuff, thanks for posting!

Phil.

ripper2860 · 10-04-2017, 01:57 PM - **1 Like**

Very entertaining and well written!!

**microlight** · 10-04-2017, 01:59 PM

It was Robin who CLA'd my 1957 AP, bringing it back to perfect working order.

murrelet · 10-04-2017, 09:30 PM - **1 Like**

Entertaining read!

Speaking of technicians, There's a Pentax tech I'm using locally here at Advance Camera in Portland, Oregon. I haven't quite built up a relationship so don't know him by name. He's working on an ME Super I bought recently and overhauled my MX earlier this year. Nothing against Eric, but I figure I should keep this guy busy to keep a critical mass of technicians out there.

Topsy · 10-05-2017, 04:32 AM

Thanks for sharing, very entertaining read.

Didn't know about him either! He'll be getting a camera sometime I think.

Kozlok · 10-05-2017, 05:13 AM - **2 Likes**

On another note, your writing style is fantastic. I've been transfixed for a couple of days reading all your entries, and I'm not one to be easily swayed by a turn of phrase.

longbow · 10-05-2017, 06:26 AM - **3 Likes**

Originally posted by murrelet

Entertaining read!

Speaking of technicians, There's a Pentax tech I'm using locally here at Advance Camera in Portland, Oregon. I haven't quite built up a relationship so don't know him by name. He's working on an ME Super I bought recently and overhauled my MX earlier this year. Nothing against Eric, but I figure I should keep this guy busy to keep a critical mass of technicians out there.

His name is Paul Gatineau, he's worked on at least a dozen Pentax film cameras I've have or had over the last 2 years (have sold a few off), he does great work. He just got done going through my "new" Black K2 and is giving my K-1 a long overdue cleaning. He worked with Eric, both were supervisors at the Pentax repair center in Chicago, so he really knows what he's doing. A great source of information, usually ask him questions about particular camera models - reliability, availability parts and costs, before I buy.

Link to web page for anyone interested: Advance Camera Repair

**Baard-Einar** · 10-05-2017, 08:36 AM - **3 Likes**

Well written and thanks for sharing.

Just a comment, Pål Vangsøy in Norway is another guy who specializes on Pentax repair. Just like Robin he worked as a tech for the Pentax representative in Norway, but a year ago, after working for a third party repair outfit, he decided to go solo. He shares office with an excellent sales channel for Pentax, Fovi, with access to an incredible stock of spares. Pål does both film and digital cameras. Highly recommended guy.

**gofour3** · 10-05-2017, 10:44 AM

Originally posted by longbow

His name is Paul Gatineau, he's worked on at least a dozen Pentax film cameras I've have or had over the last 2 years (have sold a few off), he does great work. He just got done going through my "new" Black K2 and is giving my K-1 a long overdue cleaning. He worked with Eric, both were supervisors at the Pentax repair center in Chicago, so he really knows what he's doing. A great source of information, usually ask him questions about particular camera models - reliability, availability parts and costs, before I buy.

Link to web page for anyone interested: Advance Camera Repair

Thanks for the info, I may use them sometime. (Closer than Tennessee for me)

Beaverton Oregon, used to go to Earthquake Ethel's disco back in the late 1970's.

Haven't been there since, I guess things have changed or not so much??

Phil.

longbow · 10-05-2017, 11:06 AM

Originally posted by gofour3

Beaverton Oregon, used to go to Earthquake Ethel's disco back in the late 1970's.

Now, that's old !!

Vaguely remember it.....and yes things have really changed.

If you call, choose option #4, which is repair, usually Paul answers as long as it's after 1030. If he's not in, they're very good about passing a message to him.

murrelet · 10-05-2017, 11:24 AM

Originally posted by longbow

His name is Paul Gatineau, he's worked on at least a dozen Pentax film cameras I've have or had over the last 2 years (have sold a few off), he does great work. He just got done going through my "new" Black K2 and is giving my K-1 a long overdue cleaning. He worked with Eric, both were supervisors at the Pentax repair center in Chicago, so he really knows what he's doing. A great source of information, usually ask him questions about particular camera models - reliability, availability parts and costs, before I buy.

Link to web page for anyone interested: Advance Camera Repair

Good to know, thanks! Unfortunately, I can only come in on Saturdays so may not get to meet him.

taksharp · 10-06-2017, 01:20 AM

I'm glad folks enjoyed the piece. I just find the art of keeping these machines running fascinating, and I see these guys (and the occasional gal) as unsung heroes of a sort. Thanks for reading. Anyone know if Eric Hendrickson's protegee that I referenced from K David's interview stayed the course?

**savoche** · 10-06-2017, 03:42 AM

Nice read, thanks!

callumross · 10-12-2017, 02:48 PM

Thank you for this, living in the UK it helps to have info on a repair / CLA service closer to home.

EDIT: R.E. your comment about the K1000 pronunciation, I just realised it could be pronounced "KK"

10-04-2017, 12:05 PM - 13 Likes	#1
taksharp New Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Posts: 11	master Pentax technician interview (no, the other one) I had a chat with Robin Gowing of Harrow Technical the other day. He's like an English Eric Hendrickson, and had some interesting things to say about the business (which is up). He also sent me pictures of his work space, complete with an MX being reborn. I wrote it up on partialsight.com. Yes, this is shameless self promotion, but it's totally relevant, so that makes it OK.

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10-04-2017, 12:25 PM - 1 Like	#2
gofour3 Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 8,091	Good stuff, thanks for posting! Phil.

10-04-2017, 01:57 PM - 1 Like	#3
ripper2860 Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 890	Very entertaining and well written!!

10-04-2017, 01:59 PM	#4
microlight Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Hampshire, UK Posts: 2,129	It was Robin who CLA'd my 1957 AP, bringing it back to perfect working order.

10-04-2017, 09:30 PM - 1 Like	#5
murrelet Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Portland, OR, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 506	Entertaining read! Speaking of technicians, There's a Pentax tech I'm using locally here at Advance Camera in Portland, Oregon. I haven't quite built up a relationship so don't know him by name. He's working on an ME Super I bought recently and overhauled my MX earlier this year. Nothing against Eric, but I figure I should keep this guy busy to keep a critical mass of technicians out there.

10-05-2017, 04:32 AM	#6
Topsy Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 625	Thanks for sharing, very entertaining read. Didn't know about him either! He'll be getting a camera sometime I think.

10-05-2017, 05:13 AM - 2 Likes	#7
Kozlok Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Albuquerque Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,148	On another note, your writing style is fantastic. I've been transfixed for a couple of days reading all your entries, and I'm not one to be easily swayed by a turn of phrase.

10-05-2017, 06:26 AM - 3 Likes	#8
longbow Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: NW Oregon Posts: 905	Originally posted by murrelet Entertaining read! Speaking of technicians, There's a Pentax tech I'm using locally here at Advance Camera in Portland, Oregon. I haven't quite built up a relationship so don't know him by name. He's working on an ME Super I bought recently and overhauled my MX earlier this year. Nothing against Eric, but I figure I should keep this guy busy to keep a critical mass of technicians out there. His name is Paul Gatineau, he's worked on at least a dozen Pentax film cameras I've have or had over the last 2 years (have sold a few off), he does great work. He just got done going through my "new" Black K2 and is giving my K-1 a long overdue cleaning. He worked with Eric, both were supervisors at the Pentax repair center in Chicago, so he really knows what he's doing. A great source of information, usually ask him questions about particular camera models - reliability, availability parts and costs, before I buy. Link to web page for anyone interested: Advance Camera Repair

10-05-2017, 08:36 AM - 3 Likes	#9
Baard-Einar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Oslo Photos: Gallery Posts: 964	Well written and thanks for sharing. Just a comment, Pål Vangsøy in Norway is another guy who specializes on Pentax repair. Just like Robin he worked as a tech for the Pentax representative in Norway, but a year ago, after working for a third party repair outfit, he decided to go solo. He shares office with an excellent sales channel for Pentax, Fovi, with access to an incredible stock of spares. Pål does both film and digital cameras. Highly recommended guy.

10-05-2017, 10:44 AM	#10
gofour3 Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 8,091	Originally posted by longbow His name is Paul Gatineau, he's worked on at least a dozen Pentax film cameras I've have or had over the last 2 years (have sold a few off), he does great work. He just got done going through my "new" Black K2 and is giving my K-1 a long overdue cleaning. He worked with Eric, both were supervisors at the Pentax repair center in Chicago, so he really knows what he's doing. A great source of information, usually ask him questions about particular camera models - reliability, availability parts and costs, before I buy. Link to web page for anyone interested: Advance Camera Repair Thanks for the info, I may use them sometime. (Closer than Tennessee for me) Beaverton Oregon, used to go to Earthquake Ethel's disco back in the late 1970's. Haven't been there since, I guess things have changed or not so much?? Phil.

10-05-2017, 11:06 AM	#11
longbow Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: NW Oregon Posts: 905	Originally posted by gofour3 Beaverton Oregon, used to go to Earthquake Ethel's disco back in the late 1970's. Now, that's old !! Vaguely remember it.....and yes things have really changed. If you call, choose option #4, which is repair, usually Paul answers as long as it's after 1030. If he's not in, they're very good about passing a message to him.

10-05-2017, 11:24 AM	#12
murrelet Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Portland, OR, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 506	Originally posted by longbow His name is Paul Gatineau, he's worked on at least a dozen Pentax film cameras I've have or had over the last 2 years (have sold a few off), he does great work. He just got done going through my "new" Black K2 and is giving my K-1 a long overdue cleaning. He worked with Eric, both were supervisors at the Pentax repair center in Chicago, so he really knows what he's doing. A great source of information, usually ask him questions about particular camera models - reliability, availability parts and costs, before I buy. Link to web page for anyone interested: Advance Camera Repair Good to know, thanks! Unfortunately, I can only come in on Saturdays so may not get to meet him.

10-06-2017, 01:20 AM	#13
taksharp New Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Posts: 11 Original Poster	I'm glad folks enjoyed the piece. I just find the art of keeping these machines running fascinating, and I see these guys (and the occasional gal) as unsung heroes of a sort. Thanks for reading. Anyone know if Eric Hendrickson's protegee that I referenced from K David's interview stayed the course?

10-06-2017, 03:42 AM	#14
savoche Master of the obvious Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Lowlands of Norway Posts: 18,311	Nice read, thanks!

10-12-2017, 02:48 PM	#15
callumross Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: London Posts: 34	Thank you for this, living in the UK it helps to have info on a repair / CLA service closer to home. EDIT: R.E. your comment about the K1000 pronunciation, I just realised it could be pronounced "KK"