[na1nsxr]

Guys, I just want to echo the recent sentiment. I had made a long winded post before with photos and long descriptions a month or two ago but deleted it because for whatever reason, it just didn't sit well with me to leave something so scathing on the internet about someone else, especially someone we "know". But really, across my 3 cameras and 2 lenses with him, I have to agree with many of the recent criticisms. My own experiences are just as bad if not worse. I won't be back in this thread as it is the opposite of why I like being here, but I think with the disagreements on this issue cropping up a vote is certainly helpful for the rest of you looking for services.

[ChrisPlatt]

Interesting parallels here to threads in other photo forums for other brand specialist repairers,
e.g. the top Leica techs often discussed in Rangefinder Forum, etc.

When I was a camera repair tech for a major manufacturer quite a few cameras etc. were deemed unrepairable.
Most of those sent for service were relatively new, often still within their warranty period.

Now 20-50 years since most were manufactured, and seeing much of the junk offered for sale on eBay
I can only imagine the condition of many of the film cameras and lenses sent in for repair.

I'm glad not to be in that line of work now, especially in my own business...

Chris

[monochrome]

I think tomorrow I’ll send Eric an Asahiflex lla, an AP and a mint MIJ K1000 just to see what happens.

I sent three K1000's - something easy - just to see what happens.

I just received the three K1000's - a MIJ low serial body, a 'transition' K1000SE and a later Hong Kong K1000SE. Turnaround was one week after receiving the diagnosis and Invoice, which I paid immediately and he acknowledged immediately.

Two of them required only the customary cleaning, adjusting, seals, etc. The third had been worked on by someone else. It required a new Pentaprism - the old one Pentaprism had been re-installed incorrectly and damaged. I noticed a bit of dust on the focusing screen, which doesn't bother me at all but I emailed about it and he said to send it back, which I declined.


I asked about doing my AP and Asahiflexes. He said so long as they don't need curtains he can fix them but he can't fabricate silk replacements any more. IMO that is very fair at his age and that he informed me in advance.


I'm not disagreeing with anyone on this thread, just reporting my experiences. I still have to run some film through all three cameras to test them. Walgreen's is my fastest turnaround for developing but they've stopped doing B&W process locally so I'll need to get C-41 color film locally first. I'll post again after I test these cameras - but today I sent for diagnosis an MX and ME-F that are locked up. IMO we should report more results fromm the othern choices listed in this thread.


I have a good relationship with Eric, developed over many years. I've never had a bad experience. But then I always ask first and so my expectations are aligned with reality.

[brightseal]

He probably doesn't want to be the Guru anymore.....

[monochrome]

Response on the black MESuper and black ME-F I sent Monday.

• MESuper. Standard CLA. Impact damage to body and shutter. Repair + parts for eye finder and winding system. Happy.
• ME-F. No longer work on this model. Bummer. $75 Shelf Queen

[Baard-Einar]

Response on the black MESuper and black ME-F I sent Monday.

• MESuper. Standard CLA. Impact damage to body and shutter. Repair + parts for eye finder and winding system. Happy.
• ME-F. No longer work on this model. Bummer. $75 Shelf Queen

I could possibly get the ME-F fixed here in Norway. But shipping would be high If you want to sell it, let me know.

[gofour3]

I just sent my MEF and P50 to Computech Camera Repair in Winnipeg to see how they do. The MEF just needs a CLA (light seals/mirror foam) and the P50 has a broken rewind/film door knob shaft. Otherwise both are working perfectly fine.

I emailed them and they said they can fix both, will keep you posted.

Phil.

[redbirdpete]

In the UK I would suggest Newton Ellis & Co. in Liverpool. They are very old fashioned and you may have to visit them in person. However their UK phone number is 0151 236 1391. They did a CLA and meter adjust on my Elecro Spotmatic (yes, the prototype, not an ES or ESII). They did draw the line at cleaning muck out of the prism housing because they couldn't guarantee to get it back together again but I can live with that. In conversation I know they have repair manuals for the ES and ESII and the proprietor used many years ago to use an ES.They also repair modern digital's.

[monochrome]

I just sent my MEF and P50 to Computech Camera Repair in Winnipeg to see how they do. The MEF just needs a CLA (light seals/mirror foam) and the P50 has a broken rewind/film door knob shaft. Otherwise both are working perfectly fine.

I emailed them and they said they can fix both, will keep you posted.

Phil.

Thanks Phil. IIRC the mirror on the ME-F does not return.

[after_dark]

Just a quick update on my situation to close the loop. Without getting into the details, I'm satisfied with how the situation ended up being handled, but I'll also not be going back to Eric for any future tune ups.

[cobbu2]

I had an ME-Super that had been carelessly infused with sunscreen at the beach a few months after I bought it new in 1984. I found it buried in a box in 2013 (all its functions were frozen solid) and sent it to Eric thinking it was probably unrepairable. It came back to me good as new.

In the fall of 2017 I sent Eric a 6x7 non-MLU body with inoperative fast shutter speeds along with a black Spotmatic with an inoperative meter. All good.

Last month I had a CLA done on my trusty MX. I received it good to go with barely a week's turnaround. Communication was prompt, courteous and complete.

I don't know what Eric's intake of repair jobs is in terms of numbers, but I can't help but wonder if the issues raised here are small in number compared to the unmentioned success stories. Considering these are elderly cameras, I'm guessing repair jobs are becoming more difficult as time goes on. In any case, I still intend to send future repair work Eric's way... but not too soon as all my Pentax film bodies are now all working fine!

[stevebrot]

I tried to warn you. That was the whole point of this thread. Eric may not be the best option for Pentax service any longer.

Are we on a crusade?

I won't disagree that some have reported a lapse of Eric's traditional thoroughness and that the blanket recommendation afforded in the past might no longer be valid. Given the fervor given to the issue, who might you suggest as a reasonable alternative to satisfy the requirements that Eric has traditionally satisfied? To whit:

• Very reasonable conditions for service*
• Fairly quick turnaround
• Deep (encyclopedic?) knowledge of the full range of pre-AF Pentax bodies
• Extensive stock of replacement parts
• Very reasonable service rates
• Unusual degree of courtesy
• Unquestionable quality of work

I am starting a new thread soliciting suggestions. Perhaps you might add yours to the list?

Pentax Film SLR Repair Resources - PentaxForums.com


Steve

* To the best of my knowledge, Eric never charged for an estimate and always absorbed the expense of return postage. His work was contingent on receipt of payment, but generally put in the work queue without delay once that was in hand.

[joelbolden]

I received my MX yesterday that Eric did some repairs/CLA to. I'd light leaks caused by the shutter bumper falling apart. I thought my light meter was kind of dim, but then thought that might be a low battery. He did a complete refurb/CLA on the camera and now my light meter is much brighter, the viewfinder is sparkling clean, he replaced my bunged up battery cap and just gave the camera a thorough going over. Took it out yesterday and ran a quick 12 exposure roll thru it and the camera was a joy to use. If my exposures come back with problem, but I doubt it, I'll let you know. But in the meantime, I'll keep sending him my cameras until MY personal experience dictates otherwise.

Received the test shots today...…...perfect!

[Turbotak]

I think people need to have their expectations in the right place. I just received my MX back from Eric. Everything I asked for was performed (and well) except a new focusing screen, but I assume that's because they are hard to come by and maybe he ran out of clean spares. Anyway, he's not advertising a full restoration of these cameras, just repair and CLA. My MX came back very snappy and sharp, and all the mechanical components or parts that affect functionality were lubed and working perfectly. I did notice the cosmetics of the camera were relatively untouched. I purposefully left some dirty spots when I did my initial clean-down thinking "he'll probably take care of that", but nope.

Think of it like a car mechanic. They fix what's wrong, put new parts in and send you an invoice. They don't detail your interior.

Regardless, I'm very happy with the services performed. I can buff the dirt off the hot shoe and clean up some of the exterior metal. That's not his job.

[brightseal]

I think people need to have their expectations in the right place.

That's almost like saying people's feelings are invalid.

Think of it like a car mechanic

I once knew a mechanic affectionately known as the "Beemer King".
He would turn away many customers and work only a few days a week.
But if you were "in the know" or "part of the clique" you would get the best service.