awbphotog
Well-known
Hello everyone!
I recently contacted Frank re: lens/camera CLA and he promptly responded instructing me to send him the camera for him to look at. He has an odd sense of humor but I've heard nothing but good things about him so I sent the camera out today.
My G690BL's lens has developed a shutter problem and is stuck open, and I figured I'd get the whole camera cleaned and adjusted while out for repair anyways. I'm curious to hear other people's experiences with Frank and what sort of turn around I can expect for this rather normal "check up." The camera will arrive on Thursday. Cheers.
Andy
I recently contacted Frank re: lens/camera CLA and he promptly responded instructing me to send him the camera for him to look at. He has an odd sense of humor but I've heard nothing but good things about him so I sent the camera out today.
My G690BL's lens has developed a shutter problem and is stuck open, and I figured I'd get the whole camera cleaned and adjusted while out for repair anyways. I'm curious to hear other people's experiences with Frank and what sort of turn around I can expect for this rather normal "check up." The camera will arrive on Thursday. Cheers.
Andy
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Andy
I have no experience with Frank, but I've only heard good things. I had my GL690 and GM670 CLA'ed at Nippon here in New York because they are local. Those old Fuji's are great cameras, and expect a much nicer VF'er when you get it back. It seems over the decades that the VF'ers get hazy over time. The old Fuji's are well worth the repair, and expect decades more of service. Nothing like a basic camera and a huge negative.
BTW I love the 100/3.5 and call it "The King Of The Tessars."
The only problem with my Fuji's is that they go through a lot of film. LOL.
Cal
awbphotog
Well-known
Cal I do know exactly what you mean! I've been sourcing 220 film simply because of how much film my camera has seen. I absolutely love the camera and have 'committed' to it in a way I've never done with another camera. Seems it may just outlive me if I treat it right, which sits real nicely in my mind. Mine is in very good cosmetic shape with just some brassing on the edges and I can't stop looking it while I'm not out shooting it. Who'da thunk it.
EDIT: I'm extremely excited to hear the VF will come back better than before. I actually thought it was pretty brilliant already but did notice a slight haze when shooting in bright light. Cheers!
Andy
MISH
Well-known
Frank has done several quality repairs for me and I have always been happy. I stopped to see him once when I was in his area and he has a pretty good collection of prints from famous photographers that he had traded his repairs for. A real nice guy.
KoNickon
Nick Merritt
What is his contact information? I have one of the G690s (the first model) that needs attention -- the dark slide, primarily. Thanks.
kuzano
Veteran
I'm positive on Frank....
I'm positive on Frank....
I think you know my feeling on Frank. Frank has repaired or CLA'd numerous Fujica rangefinders, both 645 and 690 for over 15 years for me. He's probably 35-40 years in the biz.
Dante Stellas great web site sold me on the Fujica's. I had been shooting MF for a number of years with other MFR camera's and have not owned anything but Fujica MF since starting.
Frank has done three new bellows and his fix on the weak shutter linkage on the GS645.
Frank and I have a similar "bit odd" sense of humor. We get along quite well. Turnaround with Frank and prices have always been good. The only delay I ever found with Frank was when he had to find a new source of bellows for the GS645. He buys them six or a dozen at a time. One supplier quit making them a few years ago.
Here is Franks "NEW" contact info after moving the location of his operation last year. I've sent one G690bl to Frank with a two week turnaround recently, and have one to send him now.
Contact info:
Phone: 540-867-9671
Email: camerawiz@msn.com
Address for shipping: Mr. Frank Marshman
1495 Needmore Lane
Harrisonburg, Virginia 22802
Frank is better on eMail than he used to be, but I always call him and leave a message. He get's back soon. If you do eMail, just send a phone number and ask him to call you. He will, situation allowing.
NOW ON THE DARK SLIDE...
The best camera to have a malfunctioning dark slide is the G690.. the first model... primarily because there is no interlock between the dark slide and the lens release.
I say forget the dark slide. I don't think it's an easy repair. Furthermore the camera functions perfectly without the dark slide. The question you must first ask is, "Are you really planning to do mid roll LENS changes on a roll that delivers 8 images???" Really? I don't use 220 film, but that's a personal choice.
I have four lenses... both the AE100 (metered and working perfectly thanks to repair by Frank), one 100mm f3.5, one 150mm portrait lens, and a 65mm wide angle. I don't use the 65 often, as it's far to wide for my liking. Too wide, too much subject in the VF.
Except for the uniqueness of the dark slide, I have NOT done a midroll lens change for years. My experience in having owned a number of these bodies is that about 50% of them have slow return or non functioning dark slides. So What?.
I keep two bodies around, and If i am going to shoot two focal lengths, I drag two bodies along.
Remember 220 is almost gone except for eBay expired. So the 8 image limit pretty much precludes the need for midroll changes.
However, the car I drive has a broken air conditioner and a driver side window that doesn't work. Again, so what. I get where I want to go.
Just my thoughts on fixing or using dark slides on the big Fujica rangefinders. In fact, I have had G690, G690bl and GL690 bodies where I have never tried to use the dark slide. When I sell them, I just say the DS does not work, or I don't know because I've never tried it. It's a routine and non issue malfunction.
I'm positive on Frank....
I think you know my feeling on Frank. Frank has repaired or CLA'd numerous Fujica rangefinders, both 645 and 690 for over 15 years for me. He's probably 35-40 years in the biz.
Dante Stellas great web site sold me on the Fujica's. I had been shooting MF for a number of years with other MFR camera's and have not owned anything but Fujica MF since starting.
Frank has done three new bellows and his fix on the weak shutter linkage on the GS645.
Frank and I have a similar "bit odd" sense of humor. We get along quite well. Turnaround with Frank and prices have always been good. The only delay I ever found with Frank was when he had to find a new source of bellows for the GS645. He buys them six or a dozen at a time. One supplier quit making them a few years ago.
Here is Franks "NEW" contact info after moving the location of his operation last year. I've sent one G690bl to Frank with a two week turnaround recently, and have one to send him now.
Contact info:
Phone: 540-867-9671
Email: camerawiz@msn.com
Address for shipping: Mr. Frank Marshman
1495 Needmore Lane
Harrisonburg, Virginia 22802
Frank is better on eMail than he used to be, but I always call him and leave a message. He get's back soon. If you do eMail, just send a phone number and ask him to call you. He will, situation allowing.
NOW ON THE DARK SLIDE...
The best camera to have a malfunctioning dark slide is the G690.. the first model... primarily because there is no interlock between the dark slide and the lens release.
I say forget the dark slide. I don't think it's an easy repair. Furthermore the camera functions perfectly without the dark slide. The question you must first ask is, "Are you really planning to do mid roll LENS changes on a roll that delivers 8 images???" Really? I don't use 220 film, but that's a personal choice.
I have four lenses... both the AE100 (metered and working perfectly thanks to repair by Frank), one 100mm f3.5, one 150mm portrait lens, and a 65mm wide angle. I don't use the 65 often, as it's far to wide for my liking. Too wide, too much subject in the VF.
Except for the uniqueness of the dark slide, I have NOT done a midroll lens change for years. My experience in having owned a number of these bodies is that about 50% of them have slow return or non functioning dark slides. So What?.
I keep two bodies around, and If i am going to shoot two focal lengths, I drag two bodies along.
Remember 220 is almost gone except for eBay expired. So the 8 image limit pretty much precludes the need for midroll changes.
However, the car I drive has a broken air conditioner and a driver side window that doesn't work. Again, so what. I get where I want to go.
Just my thoughts on fixing or using dark slides on the big Fujica rangefinders. In fact, I have had G690, G690bl and GL690 bodies where I have never tried to use the dark slide. When I sell them, I just say the DS does not work, or I don't know because I've never tried it. It's a routine and non issue malfunction.
Charlie Lemay
Well-known
Frank is terrific! He upgraded my GS645 bellows. I recommend him highly.
sepiareverb
genius and moron
Frank replaced the bellows on a Fuji folder for me years ago. Impeccable work.
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
I own the same lenses, except the 100/3.5 AE and my 65 seldom gets used. The 150/5.6 is a Sonnar and goes well on the GM670 for portraits. I understand that this is a rare lens.
I also agree that carrying two big Fuji's is the way to go with either 8 or 10 exposures with 120 a bad or tired dark slide is not an issue.
Cal
kuzano
Veteran
150 very hard to find....
150 very hard to find....
The 150 lens I have is the first one I ever saw for sale (or, in fact, ever saw).
The AE100 is a bit of a risk...When I purchased mine the battery in the meter was not making a connection. Frank fixed it for me. I got a very good price on it in non working condition.
However, without the meter working the lens is USELESS. The shutter is electronic, either in auto mode, or manual settings. Without power, the electronically activated shutter defaults to a single shutter speed of 1/500th of a second. Absolutely battery dependent, and the only body or accessory in the Fuji big rangefinder line that is so.
I took a chance on it at a low price with the nonfunctioning meter because I wanted the EBC coating on the lens. It's the only interchangeable lens for the big Fuji's that has EBC coating, while all the fixed lens (GW) models have EBC coated fixed lenses.
I immediately sent it to Frank for repair and he fixed a bad connection in the meter.
Otherwise, I can't really encourage people to buy the AE100 because it will be impossible to use, other than on 1/500th if the meter fails and cannot be fixed. And it generally commands a high price. Not as high as the 50, 150, 180 or 250 which are much harder to find.
I just got back a roll of 120 from Walmart, with 8 very well exposed prints ($8.09 processed by Fuji labs and back in ten days), The AE100, in working order is very accurate, and you can compensate exposure by how you set the ASA/ISO.
150 very hard to find....
The 150 lens I have is the first one I ever saw for sale (or, in fact, ever saw).
The AE100 is a bit of a risk...When I purchased mine the battery in the meter was not making a connection. Frank fixed it for me. I got a very good price on it in non working condition.
However, without the meter working the lens is USELESS. The shutter is electronic, either in auto mode, or manual settings. Without power, the electronically activated shutter defaults to a single shutter speed of 1/500th of a second. Absolutely battery dependent, and the only body or accessory in the Fuji big rangefinder line that is so.
I took a chance on it at a low price with the nonfunctioning meter because I wanted the EBC coating on the lens. It's the only interchangeable lens for the big Fuji's that has EBC coating, while all the fixed lens (GW) models have EBC coated fixed lenses.
I immediately sent it to Frank for repair and he fixed a bad connection in the meter.
Otherwise, I can't really encourage people to buy the AE100 because it will be impossible to use, other than on 1/500th if the meter fails and cannot be fixed. And it generally commands a high price. Not as high as the 50, 150, 180 or 250 which are much harder to find.
I just got back a roll of 120 from Walmart, with 8 very well exposed prints ($8.09 processed by Fuji labs and back in ten days), The AE100, in working order is very accurate, and you can compensate exposure by how you set the ASA/ISO.
Vince Lupo
Whatever
Frank Marshman is the king -- none better. Been sending him stuff for 16 years, and will continue to do so.
Zonan
Well-known
Glad to get the new contact info- I'd read somewhere he couldn't be contacted. Frank had done a great job replacing the VF window on my 645Zi, which cracked when the camera dropped to the ground. He truly is a "wiz".
awbphotog
Well-known
I love all of these responses. I'm thrilled to get the camera and lens back in perfect working order. I am having trouble shooting 35mm film anymore, but these big Fuji's demand to be shot. I literally feel it staring at me from across my apartment when it's not being used.
I love my Fuji. Thanks all.
I love my Fuji. Thanks all.
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Those big Fuji's eat a lot of film. LOL. Got to love the severe overbuild and the commercial durability.
Cal
awbphotog
Well-known
Yes, indeed. I'm so happy to have found a camera that won't just DIE on me (from dead batteries or otherwise) especially after this CLA.
Speaking of which, the camera arrived at Franks yesterday. He took a day to check it over and emailed me today diagnosing the problem as "scissored shutter blades" and a need for a general cleaning/new light seals. His words "otherwise a good camera" brought a smile to my face. I've got one with a perfect light shield, not that it really matters, but I'm glad I'll have the option to change lenses mid-roll (LOL) if I need to.
I'm still waiting for a e$timate, but am pleased with Frank's prompt responses. I can already say I'd recommend him to anyone in need of a repairman.
Andy
awbphotog
Well-known
I just received yet another email from Frank. This made my day. Frank seems like a great guy.
"Andrew,
When you get this back it will astound you! (in a great way!!)
Frank"
Cheers!!
Andy
"Andrew,
When you get this back it will astound you! (in a great way!!)
Frank"
Cheers!!
Andy
Benjamin Marks
Veteran
Frank is a very good guy. He was my go to guy when I lived in Charlottesville, Va. Used him for years until I moved to the northeast.
awbphotog
Well-known
Received my Fuji G690BL back from Frank this morning right before work (talk about a long day!) and gave it a quick inspection before taking off. After getting home today and getting a chance to really look it over...everything is perfect! He even took out some of the dents in the body that I wouldn't have minded staying there, at no additional cost to me. I'm thoroughly impressed by Frank's work and his level of customer service. Please, everyone, give this man your business if you have a Fuji, Bronica, or whatever else that needs repair! Cheers!
Andy
Andy
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Thanks for the update. Now you are good-to-go for many many years. Those old Fuji's IMHO are mighty durable.
Cal
Cal
