FSU LTM Relubes/CLAs

[Kim Coxon]

Hi,
I am after some opinions. There have been quite a few threads about The FSU lenses and in particular their need for a relube. I have now had about 15 lenses of various sorts and all of them needed attention. For some it was just a relube and others the collimation needed sorting too. The last one had to have a complete strip down and rebuild including taking out all the iris blades! I have also noticed that some people seem to have difficulty with doing this.

I haven't got the inclination to do it on a commercial basis, but I would be happy to offer a "lens service" to RFF members if there was interest. I am not after making a living out of it but I would need to cover my costs. The sort of prices I had in mind are:

For a lens with bad grease and no other problems:
Standard LTM lenses: £3/$5 for a relube
"Difficult" lenses such as J9 £6/$10

If the lens needs collimation then an extra £3/$5

Obviously the cost of return postage/shipping would need to be added. This may mean that it is not viable for the US members but hopefully for the UK members, it would work out a lot cheaper and quicker than sending to Oleg or similiar.

I will now stand back while I get shot down in flames!

Kim

 

[rbiemer]

Gee, Kim, I've got a jupiter-9 that's a basket case right now. It needs either replacement or repair. I've been pricing replacements from some good dealers I use but that won't ensure that I get a good one even so. $15 US seems like you are underpricing your self--I read what you wrote about not making a living but skils should be rewarded[IMHO]. That said, I think that even with post&packing from here(US) to you and back I would still be at least even and probably ahead of trying to just buy another one.
I would be happy to let you fix(assuming this dern thing is repairable)my J-9.
How will we pay you?
Rob

 

[mac_wt]

Great idea, Kim. I have two J-9's that could profit from some attention (1 is a bit stiff, the other also has bad focus). I have to look at my other lenses, but there might be a few more candidates for a CLA. Please let me know if you want to go trough with this. Price sounds very reasonable.

Wim

 

[Biggles]

Umm... do you clean glass lens elements as well? Any chance you'd be willing to look at a slightly cloudy, Contax-mount, collapsible Zeiss Sonnar?

 

[Kim Coxon]

Hi,
As long as it is not fungus which has affected the elements, cleaning the glass is not a major problem and can be easier than a relube. However, I don't have a Contax mount camera and little experience in Contax mount lenses so I couldn't check the focus. Having said that, I am quite happy to have a look at it if you want to risk the postage cost. PM me if you do

Kim

Umm... do you clean glass lens elements as well? Any chance you'd be willing to look at a slightly cloudy, Contax-mount, collapsible Zeiss Sonnar?

 

[Biggles]

Thank you for your courteous and honest reply. I won't trouble you with it- could be fungal. Can of worms, wot.

My compliments to you for your extremely reasonable terms of service to owners of Soviet kameras. Such nice people on this board.