Camera Obscura service

[p.giannakis]

For the last 4 years, whenever i open up my camera cupboard, i see my Leica IIc looking at me in a dreadfull state. The second curtain looks like a sieve and winding it up feels like sharpening a pencil.



I recently had a look at the Alan Starkie's repairs price and they have gone up - to have it repaired there costs more than how much i bought it (lens included).

I came across these guys here in UK. Prices seem very reasonable. Has anyone used their service?

Camera Obscura Repairs

cameraobscurarepairs.co.uk

 

[Dralowid]

The name is familiar but I have no experience of them. Is it odd that I can't find an address on their website? A visit can be worth a 1000 words.

 

[WoodallP]

The name is familiar but I have no experience of them. Is it odd that I can't find an address on their website? A visit can be worth a 1000 words.

Well they are called Camera Obscura so don't expect it to be easy.

By sheer coincidence I opened up the package containing my M4 back from Cameraworks last night. Had the full service/repaint. First impressions are really good; wont be in a position to film test for a few days though as I’m travelling.

 

[WoodallP]

For the last 4 years, whenever i open up my camera cupboard, i see my Leica IIc looking at me in a dreadfull state. The second curtain looks like a sieve and winding it up feels like sharpening a pencil.

View attachment 4850434

I recently had a look at the Alan Starkie's repairs price and they have gone up - to have it repaired there costs more than how much i bought it (lens included).

I came across these guys here in UK. Prices seem very reasonable. Has anyone used their service?

Camera Obscura Repairs

cameraobscurarepairs.co.uk

Whilst as off topic as my previous post I suspect Oleg (OKVintageCamera) would be a good option for a IIc. I had a IIc/IIIf conversion serviced by him last year (not sure about post-brexit import/export tax situation though).

However a shutter curtain is doable yourself if you have tools/courage/skill and want to feel pride in a job well done. I did a IIc recently (curtains and mirror) and apart form the swearing and screaming it was fine and the only person who really suffered was my wife (long boring explanations). The only tricky bit was getting the tensions right afterwards but I probably shouldn't have touched them anyway.

 

[Coldkennels]

Whilst as off topic as my previous post I suspect Oleg (OKVintageCamera) would be a good option for a IIc. I had a IIc/IIIf conversion serviced by him last year (not sure about post-brexit import/export tax situation though).

For a while, Oleg wasn't accepting anything from the UK (or outside of the EU in general) due to the cost of importing things. Apparently now he's opened it up, though: Oleg's repair service

I've got a very, very early Kiev that's in a bad shape, and I think Oleg's the man to get it running again. I might wait until one of my trips to Germany next year to send it to him, though.... bloody Brexit.

 

[Coldkennels]

I just looked at Camera Obscura's price list... ouch.

Also, the fact their website still has a notice of "a period of illness" dated 15/10/2023 doesn't fill me with hope.

Try contacting Pierro at https://pppcameras.co.uk; a few years back he wasn't doing shutter curtain replacements, but he may be doing them now. His prices are pretty reasonable (~£90 for a CLA on a Leotax back in 2021 or 2022).

(Edit: fixed the link!)

 

[p.giannakis]

I just looked at Camera Obscura's price list... ouch.

Also, the fact their website still has a notice of "a period of illness" dated 15/10/2023 doesn't fill me with hope.

Try contacting Pierro at https://pppcameras.co.uk/; a few years back he wasn't doing shutter curtain replacements, but he may be doing them now. His prices are pretty reasonable (~£90 for a CLA on a Leotax back in 2021 or 2022).

Thanks, I'll send an email.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Contact 2foxesfuchs on ebay. He used to service Barnacks. For not a rip-off price.

 

[monopix]

If you look around there are lots of negative comments of Camera Obscura Repairs. I've never used them but I would avoid them based on what I've read.