Does anyone know of someone who repairs Pentax ESll's?

[Tim Murphy]

Dear Board,

A month or so ago I took a flyer and bought a Pentax Spotmatic F for cheap on an auction sight. Some careful cleaning and new battery installation gave me a camera that appears to work perfectly. I'm still working on the first roll of film in it, but at least the film winds cleanly and meter matches all my other cameras and meters.

Being the gambling type I took a chance on a Pentax ESll that was advertised as working but needing new batteries. It arrived, and the meter is deader than dead despite using new LR44's. The camera is gorgeous in appearance, and the mechanical shutter speeds seem to work properly so it is usable. But I'd really like to see if the auto-function can be restored with a light meter repair?

I'm hoping someone has a suggestion for repairs?

Regards,

Tim Murphy

Harrisburg PA 🙂

Pentax ESll by Tim Murphy, on Flickr

 

[panatomic]

Samy’s Camera in LA fixed the meter in my ES II. Only cost $125.

 

[mconnealy]

Take off the bottom cover and look at the leaf spring that activates the meter when you press down the shutter release. There is an adjustment screw which can be tightened. I had to bend mine a bit beyond that and managed to break off one of the tines, but I did get the meter working.

 

[KoNickon]

I think the man to speak with is Eric Hendrickson, www.pentaxs.com.

 

[maigo]

Plus one for Eric. He restored my ESII (an eBay purchase) and the 50/1.4 that came with it in 2017. Quick turnaround and reasonable price. He is the only person with new replacement parts for this body.

 

[Tim Murphy]

Dear KoNickon and you as well Maigo,

Thank you for the suggestion of Eric Henderson. I've already received an email back from him after I emailed him describing the meter issue and he said to send it on out to him. That's encouraging that he said that so it will go out early next week.

Regards,

Tim Murphy

Harrisburg PA 🙂

 

[Bbsteinle]

He’s working on a 50mm f1.4 Tak for me right now.
Basil