ChipMcD
Well-known
This is a satisfied customer plug for David Odess's services repairing Hasselblad products. Recently, I sent him an SWC/M and a 250mm Sonnar C for CLA. He got back to me with an estimate promptly and did the work promptly too. Both the camera and the lens were pretty sticky, and the slower shutter speeds were clearly off. Both now are purring.
I bought an A12 back that he had worked on here on RFF, and it is perfect too.
I don't have a basis for comparison, having not used Hasselblad or other independent techs, but from the rumors I've heard about Hasselblad's high fees, David's fee was quite reasonable, including replacment parts: main spring, flash contact and cocking ring spring. Apparently, these 3 parts are routine replacements in CLAs, and David discusses why on his website's FAQs. The service fee was $215 for the camera and $150 for the lens, and those 3 parts' aggregate cost was $61.04 in both cases. The repair fees are published on his website. The parts' cost may vary. These were for the old C lenses and are no longer manufactured. These prices are lower than the CLA cost of Rolleiflexes that I have paid within the last year.
As mentioned, David's website also has a very good FAQ section on these cameras.
http://www.david-odess.com/
Finally, twice during this transaction, he was willing to take the time to write emails or to call me to discuss specific questions. Unlike some other techs, he is easy to get on the phone, and if he is not around, he calls back promptly. The combination of responsiveness and prompt turnaround are welcome. A cursory reading of some of the threads here discloses that lack of communication and prompt turnaround are issues with a number of otherwise highly regarded camera repairpeople. I have one Leica that has been with a repairperson for 14 months now, but I know it will be done right, when it gets done.
I have no connection to David other than that of a satisfied customer. We see a lot of warnings and grousing around here about camera techs, so it only seems fair to chime in when someone meets and even exceeds expectations.
I bought an A12 back that he had worked on here on RFF, and it is perfect too.
I don't have a basis for comparison, having not used Hasselblad or other independent techs, but from the rumors I've heard about Hasselblad's high fees, David's fee was quite reasonable, including replacment parts: main spring, flash contact and cocking ring spring. Apparently, these 3 parts are routine replacements in CLAs, and David discusses why on his website's FAQs. The service fee was $215 for the camera and $150 for the lens, and those 3 parts' aggregate cost was $61.04 in both cases. The repair fees are published on his website. The parts' cost may vary. These were for the old C lenses and are no longer manufactured. These prices are lower than the CLA cost of Rolleiflexes that I have paid within the last year.
As mentioned, David's website also has a very good FAQ section on these cameras.
http://www.david-odess.com/
Finally, twice during this transaction, he was willing to take the time to write emails or to call me to discuss specific questions. Unlike some other techs, he is easy to get on the phone, and if he is not around, he calls back promptly. The combination of responsiveness and prompt turnaround are welcome. A cursory reading of some of the threads here discloses that lack of communication and prompt turnaround are issues with a number of otherwise highly regarded camera repairpeople. I have one Leica that has been with a repairperson for 14 months now, but I know it will be done right, when it gets done.
I have no connection to David other than that of a satisfied customer. We see a lot of warnings and grousing around here about camera techs, so it only seems fair to chime in when someone meets and even exceeds expectations.
