picker77
Established
I recently bought a really nice condition brown-skinned FED 3(b), and I LOVE this camera. Unfortunately, shortly after I started using it, one of the carrier ribbons on the rear shutter curtain broke, probably from non-use and plain old age. Because of it's age I knew the camera really should also have a CLA in addition to the curtain repair, so I sent it to Fedka.com in New York ($106 total for the CLA including install of a new curtain, and including Priority Mail return shipping). I was absolutely stunned at the speed and quality of the repair work. I sent the camera to them on the 19th, and got it back ready to use on the 28th, nine days total including shipping both ways from the midwest. In addition to a new and properly adjusted shutter curtain, the camera now has butter-smooth and very quiet winding and shutter release, a bright and smooth-focusing rangefinder, and in general now works like it should. I can't say enough good things about Yuri Boguslavsky's Fedka.com service department. In fact, I was so happy with the work on this camera that next week I'm sending my Zorki-6 to them for a CLA (no curtain replacement required this time, which knocks the price down by $25).
There are several honest dealers in the FSU, and also some good repair services. However, all of them involve payment and/or lengthy shipping times, and if there's a problem, even though the dealer might be perfectly willing to do a repair or swap, the back and forth shipping times and hassle will multiply rapidly, becoming weeks and weeks instead of days. So if you are like me and are hesitant to send your camera overseas for repair work, or you want to buy a guaranteed working FSU rangefinder from a USA dealer, check out Fedka in New York. I recommend them highly. Don't be put off by the fact that Fedka's prices are higher than the typical Ebay "bargains" from Ukraine, because the price includes a REAL pre-sale CLA, 3-4 days shipping instead of 3-4 weeks, and you can send it back for a no-hassle swap or refund if you aren't happy with it. I will soon buy another (my fourth) Russian camera, probably a Fed 2 or a Keiv this time, and I darn sure plan to buy it from Yuri at Fedka this time around.
This is not meant to be a Fedka commercial, or a knock on Russian dealers, some of which are honest and well-meaning folks. I just think when a USA business does things honestly and quickly, they should get some sort of public pat on the back for it.
I should mention I have absolutely no business or personal connection with Fedka, I'm just a very happy first time customer who plans to come back!
There are several honest dealers in the FSU, and also some good repair services. However, all of them involve payment and/or lengthy shipping times, and if there's a problem, even though the dealer might be perfectly willing to do a repair or swap, the back and forth shipping times and hassle will multiply rapidly, becoming weeks and weeks instead of days. So if you are like me and are hesitant to send your camera overseas for repair work, or you want to buy a guaranteed working FSU rangefinder from a USA dealer, check out Fedka in New York. I recommend them highly. Don't be put off by the fact that Fedka's prices are higher than the typical Ebay "bargains" from Ukraine, because the price includes a REAL pre-sale CLA, 3-4 days shipping instead of 3-4 weeks, and you can send it back for a no-hassle swap or refund if you aren't happy with it. I will soon buy another (my fourth) Russian camera, probably a Fed 2 or a Keiv this time, and I darn sure plan to buy it from Yuri at Fedka this time around.
This is not meant to be a Fedka commercial, or a knock on Russian dealers, some of which are honest and well-meaning folks. I just think when a USA business does things honestly and quickly, they should get some sort of public pat on the back for it.
I should mention I have absolutely no business or personal connection with Fedka, I'm just a very happy first time customer who plans to come back!
gdmcclintock
Well-known
I purchased three cameras from Fedka, a Kiev II, a Moskva-4 and a Moskva-5, as well as two lenses for the Kiev (Jupiter-9 and Helios-103), lens caps, hoods, and filters. I am very impressed with the quality of the cameras and customer service.
picker77
Established
Buying FSU rangefinders and lenses is a little bit of a chancy process, especially for a newbie to the sport. Fedka isn't the ONLY reliable dealer around, but they've got me convinced to stick with them for most things. Other than a more secure feeling about who I'm dealing with, I like being able to order online and pay direct with my plastic on a USA secure website, and most of all I like the fast priority mail shipping. I've bought cameras from two different Ukraine dealers and both have come through (one a lot faster than the other); but IF there had been a problem with either deal, I know of no place to turn for relief. Of course, considering the relatively low $ involved in most FSU buys you're not risking all that much, so maybe I'm just over-conservative and a little paranoid.
spiderfrank
just a dreamer
last year I bought a Kiev 2a from Fedka: it had some issues, and Yuri changed it with a well working Kiev II ... Perfect customer service!
Franco
Franco
dll927
Well-known
Yuri is hard to beat. Yes, you pay more than you would from Ukraine or something, but he goes over what he sells, and you can pretty well figure it will be in serviceable condition.
I've bought two cameras from him. One is a Kiev 4a. In the process of buying it, he e-mailed me and said the lens on the camera (J-8) had "slight cleaning marks" on it, so he was sending another lens. It's a Helios-103. Lo and behold, my camera arrived with BOTH lenses. I cannot see the "cleaning marks" on the Jupiter, but I guess he could.
Well-recommended.
I've bought two cameras from him. One is a Kiev 4a. In the process of buying it, he e-mailed me and said the lens on the camera (J-8) had "slight cleaning marks" on it, so he was sending another lens. It's a Helios-103. Lo and behold, my camera arrived with BOTH lenses. I cannot see the "cleaning marks" on the Jupiter, but I guess he could.
Well-recommended.
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