Have you ever paid an insane amount just to make a camera work

Just to make it work no. To make it like I want it, yep. I've got a lot in my M5, but it has a new VF with all the lines, takes the modern battery, wears snakeskin and is fitted with a Rapidgrip. Few M5s compare. I've spent money on several other of my cameras to get them like I want them- a few M3 style wind-ons and I did a VF swap on one MP. I have a CL now getting the full work-up by Sherry. It worked before I sent it in, but...
 
Keith said:
I admire the fact that you still refuse to use a strap because I'm not a strap person either ... wrist or neck!

Sometimes we just have to accept responsibility for our actions and it sounds like you certainly have!

Do you still have the paper weight by the way?
Click to expand...

Nope, Leica kept the dead M9. It was really busted. Dented and with a loose top plate. Some kind of rattle on the inside as well. Oh, and get this, the new M9 Leica sent me, after about a month the sensor died. But luckily Leica replaced it within a week and free of charge.

I actually have a Gordy wrist strap around here that I won for free on this forum. But for the life of me I have no idea where I put it. I think I may try that out once again. Just in case.
 
I sent off my father's Contax IIa and f/2 Sonnar for overhaul with Henry Scherer. This will be the second one he's done for me. In addition to the overhaul of body and lens, he had to fabricate an internal part for me, re-cement rangefinder window glass and I elected to have him replaced the damaged bezel around the viewfinder. Cost is about twice what I had planned for and i just PayPal'd $500+ to Henry. Considering the sentimental value of the camera I am sure I would have paid some more.
 
I spent two-hundred bucks to get this one healthy again:

3966545078_debcd300d0.jpg


That is the most I've ever spent on fixing a camera. But I don't regret it a single bit. It is one of the oldest and coolest camera I have. 🙂
 
The Olympus 35RD is the only camera I've had repaired. Everything either came to me functional, was cheap enough for me attempt repairing or was so beyond what I could repair or afford.

I just can't bring myself to put more than $300 or so into a camera at once. Not sure why really. The only other camera I'd consider having service at this point is a screw mount Leica in need of curtains.

I have one that is just barely limping along - it looks like the curtains are almost entirely coated with liquid tape or something - but I don't know if this is the one I want to invest in yet as it also needs a new mirror/beam splitter, etc. Its engraved as well which I don't care so much about as a user, but I feel like it doesn't make as much sense from the perspective of recouping if I ever decide to sell it. Oh well, I can squeeze a bit more time out of the curtains. 😉
 
my M3, 50mm collaps, and 2 other lenses cost me 800 in repairs. m3 needed a newer RF, patch was so dim, i did end up selling one of the lenses to get back alot of the money. id do it again anyday.
 
Just spent 400 CHF (about 410 USD) to get my two Rollei 35S overhauled and re-calibrated for silver-oxide batteries. Even if I do not know whether I will use an old camera, I just like the fact that I can pick it up sometime and use it without hazzle. Maybe this is a little bit stupid but as long as I can afford it there is no real problem for me.
 
Bought my M3 for EUR 130 with shipping included, and spent approx. EUR 850 to have it CLA'd, repaired, covered with GripTac (DIY) and outfitted with original black parts or really good aftermarket black paint parts. In due time (when CCR Luton start accepting orders again and I can miss it for possibly quite a while) it will have the RF overhauled for some EUR 190 more.

Expensive yes, but when selling I would still probably make a profit. I took about two years for the project and that camera is 100% mine.
 
Soon I'll be looking at (and paying!) a EUR 300 repair bill (film transport, shutter, back straightening, lens calibration) for a Rolleiflex Automat that I bought for about EUR 300 (with a lot of extras, though), advertised as working and in good condition. 🙄

At this point I am not sure whether I should cry, curse my inability to quit until it's perfect or just relax and say "it's all money, it comes and goes".
 
First off: everyone here in this forum generally spends mucho money on cameras so why should it be any different for repairs.

This year alone, I had a Rolleiflex 3.5F Fleenored which involved a shutter overhaul, a transport overhaul and a Maxwell screen. $700.00 (Kaa-Ching). I only bought the camera for $999.00 at Adorama, but it jammed up on the first roll. Harry is great though and worth the cost. BTW I kinda lucked out because I learned after I bought it that I had purchased one of those rare/coveted 'White Faced" 3.5F's at a discount price.

And more recently I spent another $700.00 (Kaa-Ching) getting a Wetzlar M6 overhauled and upgraded with a MP finder at Sherry's. The M6 I got off Ebay from a dealer for $1150.00 BTW. I also sent my 75 Lux at the same time to be cleaned. Sherry said, "You're Lux is very clean. Save your money." The main reason for the repair was the rangefinder was off at infinity.

Now I still have a first version Tele Rolleiflex that could use service and a screen upgrade, but this camera is still functional and usable.

Moral of the story is old expensive cameras often require expensive maintenance and repairs.

Cal
 
BillBingham2 said:
When I used to earn $11K I spent $300 USD to make a street cat healthy.

Cameras, not so much but lenses, YUP!

B2 (;->
Click to expand...

Good lord, don't even start talking about animals. I have several "free" animals that I have spent thousands on.

On straps....

These are pretty good straps for those that don't like straps...

http://www.gordyscamerastraps.com/
 
Last edited:
I have a $20 Super Program that got a CLA for $55.

I have a Free (dad gave me his) ME Super that cost me $55 to CLA.

Got an ME Super for cheap ($30) for my fiancee. Sent it away to be fixed and cleaned. $80.

Had 50mm 1.4 Pentax lens, 135 Takumar Bayonet, and 135mm M42 lenses all fixed up for about 50 each.

Electro 35 cost me $60 to CLA, $24 purchase cost.

Kodak Medalist went to the fixit guy. Cost me $280 for CLA plus fixing a broken finder window.

Kodak Autographic Brownie No. 2 from about 1919: got it for free, spent $65 to have it brought into shootable shape.

Now I have a sick Leica M2, and I'm going to eventually send it and its collapsible Elmar lens off to be serviced for around $500-600 total. Only cost me $100 though 🙂

These prices may seem silly, but if you are going to shoot it, it pays to have it gone through. Especially when you consider how many of these cheap cameras you'd likely go through on eBay before you found a good one, and even then you don't know how long it'll be before it gives up. That adds up quickly.
 
Thanks guys nice to know that tehre are others!
I also have an FG I had repaired several times the last time two years ago.....but a)It was a gift from my dad b) It used to be an expensive Camera.
I think we should make several categories with the 11000$ Leica as a category of its own.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom