Contax Camera Repair in Toronto?

[Shelley-Ann]

Hello.. hope someone can help me with this.

I have a couple contaxes that need to be repaired. I contacted Eddy Smolov, but he informed me that he will not be doing any repairs for 3-4 months (I hear he is ill - hope he gets better).

I find that Harry Sherer's waitlist is just too long at over 3 years, so I'm looking for someone closer to home.

I've had work done by Kominek before (on a TLR) and they were very good. Has anyone had a contax rangefinder repaired by Kominek, and was the work done well?

If not, can anyone recommend someone else in the GTA?

Thanks.

 

[bogelgelbo]

I wonder if Henry Scherer will transfer the waiting list to other person, I am on the waiting list for a year and the contax I'm planning to overhaul is already sold. :bang:

 

[nonot]

You could try Stan at International, he's retired, but still takes on a few repairs here and there. He's really great, and fixed one of my former Contax G's up like new.

 

[Shelley-Ann]

I gave one of the Contaxes to Stan to fix, but he gave it back to me saying he couldn't fix it.

 

[nonot]

🙁

That's too bad, I've never gone to Kindermann, but you could try them too... hear they're great but spendy, could very well be worth it though.

Good luck.

 

[emraphoto]

When I shot contax cameras I used camtex in Vancouver. It wasn't very often but they did a great job when needed.

 

[Shelley-Ann]

Thanks, guys.. I'll look into those.

 

[easyrider]

Not to be a wet blanket but everything ends sometime. Might it not be time to put the Contax into your display case and maybe pick up a Barnack Leica to use? They weathered the years much better.

 

[Shelley-Ann]

Not to be a wet blanket but everything ends sometime. Might it not be time to put the Contax into your display case and maybe pick up a Barnack Leica to use? They weathered the years much better.

Because I prefer contaxes, and I don't really want to re-invest in lenses for another rangefinder system. I mainly shoot with Nikon and Mamiya SLR's.

The only other option I can think of is to buy a Voigtlander R2C.

 

[mooge]

you could try fixing it yourself... the Contax/Kiev comes apart quite okay. there are ( I think) guides somewhere out on the web, and folks here can help you if you're stuck.

 

[easyrider]

Because I prefer contaxes, and I don't really want to re-invest in lenses for another rangefinder system. I mainly shoot with Nikon and Mamiya SLR's.

The only other option I can think of is to buy a Voigtlander R2C.

Sorry, I should have thought of lenses!

Another suggestion: At the Toronto camera shows, there are always a few repair people with booths. The next one is the Toronto International Camera Show on September 19th at the Thornhill Community Centre, 7755 Bayview Avenue.

You might even find a Contax body or two or the Voigtlander.

Good luck!

 

[gdmcclintock]

Fima at Panorama Camera in NYC (212-563-1651) repaired the shutter of my Contax II and Contax IIa a couple of years ago. Both cameras still work fine.

 

[rbsinto]

Try Raymond Fung at Winball Camera Repair (416)-221-9368.
He's at 16 Michigan Avenue in North York, (south of Steeles Avenue between Yonge and Bayview).
Mr. Fung has been looking after my Nikon SLRs and rangefinders for many years.
He's honest, reasonable and fast.

 

[dcsang]

Shelley,

Give David Yau a try - no guarantees but he may be able to help:
http://harrysproshop.com/Yau/yau.html

As an FYI - Russ Forfar (he was the guy behind Komineks) closed down Kominek's a few years ago now. While Russ himself didn't really perform the work on the cameras per se, he did act as a good "repair broker" and I was sorry to see him close it down. I don't know if he still has contact with any of the guys/girls that used to repair the various brands.

Cheers,
Dave

 

[Shelley-Ann]

Thanks, everyone - I'm gonna give these fellas a call and see if they can help me out.

Dave - Russ had my TLR repaired by one of his associates about 2 months ago; I'll try him first.

Shelley,

Give David Yau a try - no guarantees but he may be able to help:
http://harrysproshop.com/Yau/yau.html

As an FYI - Russ Forfar (he was the guy behind Komineks) closed down Kominek's a few years ago now. While Russ himself didn't really perform the work on the cameras per se, he did act as a good "repair broker" and I was sorry to see him close it down. I don't know if he still has contact with any of the guys/girls that used to repair the various brands.

Cheers,
Dave

 

[JeffL]

I would add Ken Ruth from Photo on Bald Mountain -http://www.baldmtn.com/ and Paul Ebel from Wisconsin - paulebel44@yahoo.com to your list. I haven't had good luck with repair for my old Contax and Rollei around Toronto. I've had the "oh ya, I'm an expert" and they were not... I had my Contax IIa and IIIa done by Scherer but the wait was very very long. I think it was 2 years, and that was a few years ago.

 

[Shelley-Ann]

Thanks everyone.
Update: I emailed Paul Ebel, and it seems that he doesn't repair Contaxes.
I'm trying Essex Camera Repair and Ken Ruth next. I'll let you know how it goes.

 

[LeicaFoReVer]

Guys which one of those deal with Contax G series? I was wondering if I can upgrade my white sticker to green one...

 

[JeffL]

Maybe only Tocad now in the US. You could try Nortown Photo in Burlington ON. They were the authorized Contax repair when Kyocera Contax closed.

 

[mofotoman]

I have dealt with Tony Patzalek at Nortown Photo Service in Burlington (Toronto) to deal with my Contax 645. He is very professional and knowledgeable and reasonably priced. I would highly recommend him.