Ikon service in Australia

[LabasArabas]

Hi,

I don't own a Zeiss ikon, but am seriously considering one. Can it be serviced and adjusted by any good technician, or is it a job for a specialist?
I have never seen an Ikon in the flesh, so presume there aren't many about in Australia.
I'm interested in this camera because I hear that they are ideal to focus large aperture lenses in low light. I also get the feeling that they are relatively fragile. I carry a camera always and am careful, but knocks and bumps are inevitable.

Can anyone with experience help?

- cheers

 

[croweater]

I can't offer any help, but I'm also interested to hear any answer.

I took the plunge and bought my ZI sight unseen (from B&H), and so far so good. It does have a warranty but I don't know what the procedure would be here in Australia should it need work.

Good luck finding out! 🙂

 

[jonmanjiro]

Not sure where you could get a ZI serviced in Oz, but I'd have to disagree that they're fragile.

On a recent flight from Dubai to Osaka, my camera bag containing two Zeiss Ikon bodies fell out of the overhead luggage compartment onto the isle floor with a huge THUD - twice! When I finally got home and checked RF alignment, both were still perfectly aligned.

 

[Keith]

I bought mine new from Matsuiya store in Japan and I asked at the time about potential warranty repairs and he advised returning it to Japan.

It's now out of warranty I think so this is a question I would also like an answer to. It may be worth while contacting Mainline Photographics in Sydney ... I'm sure they would know whether or not the camera can be serviced here in Oz.

 

[croweater]

It may be worth while contacting Mainline Photographics in Sydney ... I'm sure they would know whether or not the camera can be serviced here in Oz.

I would have thought that Vanbar would be a better bet, given that they do sell the ZI, whereas Mainline don't? Another option might be to simply email Zeiss (via http://www.zeiss.com/zeissikon) to see what they'd recommend.

 

[thegman]

Not in Oz, but in the UK I had mine looked at by a Leica specialist, they seemed to take it in their stride. I'm guessing most adjustments could be done by any experienced range finder repairer.

 

[LabasArabas]

Thanks for the replies!

I too would have thought a Leica repair person would not have a problem, except if maybe parts are required. It's not often these days that it feels like an island far away, here in Australia.
I am yet to commit between the ZI and a Leica, but am attracted to the ZI's strengths. I will email Zeiss, and report back with any news. Any other suggestions of coarse welcome.

cheers all

 

[john_s]

The Leica man at Camera Exchange in Melbourne (Vic Plant) is very good with Leicas but told me that he didn't do the ZM. This was over a year ago, and there might be different arrangements now.

The only one I've seen in the flesh was in a store in Melbourne. It was brand new but had a misaligned rangefinder.

 

[laoyou]

CRK might know who does Ikon service in Australia http://www.crkennedy.com.au/v1/index.cfm

 

[kywong]

Perhaps Shutterbox? You could email/call them to check. I had my ZM Sonnar and Hexar AF cleaned/fixed there, they did a fine job and they're nice people.

 

[Neare]

As for its fragility, its tightly packed into a small body and light, with is good for some, misleading for others. You wouldn't think to hit someone with it anyway.

Though I do hope you find someone to do the service in Oz. If you do let me know too. It's difficult to even find someone who can properly service Leica's here.

 

[zanef2.8]

My M6 and Bessa and everything else are serviced by Legend Camera in Sydney. Jacky is now semi-retired and works from home. He is very skillful and does all my work efficiently. He just doesn't do warranty work I think. Let me know if you need his contact info.

 

[scottwallick]

Not sure about Australia, but after I smashed my Ikon in Morocco and sent it to the Zeiss folks in the USA in New Jersey, they sent it to Germany for realignment. The invoice I received after only listed 'Upgraded viewfinder.' Took about three-four weeks.

So even with a rep in the state next door, off it went to Germany.