In praise of Oleg

captainslack

captainslack

Five Goats Hunter
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Feb 19, 2005
Messages
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Got my Zorki 4 back from Oleg today and, I have to say, I am impressed with this man's work!! When I sent it off, the RF was off horzontially, a screw on the flash sync dial had had it's head stripped off (which had kept me from removing the top to fix the RF), and I'd ruined the shutter after I'd forgotten to wind it before setting the speed.

Now, everything is fixed! New curtains, a CLA, and an RF adjustment for $47 (which includes shipping). He even returned it to me in the same box I shipped it in! Complete with yak hair! :D I'll definitely be sending my FSU cams to him in the future!
 
Oleg has fixed several cameras for me. In fact, he's working on a FED 1 and a Zorki 5 for me as we speak. His work has always been excellent.
I remember when he first announced on the Beststuff Russuan Camera forum that he could repair and cla cameras. Somebody commented that the standard "cla" over there was a Ronsonal bath. Oleg took great offense to the remark and said so without mincing words. I figured anyone that passionate was worth a shot. I've been sending him stuff ever since. There's nobody that can match his knowledge when it comes to FSU gear. And it's a skill he taught himself.
 
He's had so much work in the past that he refused repair work for a while.

He's great. My first "mostly working" Kiev came from him (with J-12 and J-9, with the mandatory J-8). I've also bought a Moskva-V from him (sitting dejectedly on the shelf from Leicabating lately). He's professional and prompt.
 
I've a FED1 with a tapering shutter which also produces part of the image over the sprocket-holes. Could someone possibly supply Oleg's contact details/address?

Best wishes,

Seán.
 
Wow, cool! I hope ya'll get your cameras in time and in better shape they were in before. I just paypal'd Oleg two nights ago for a messed up Zorki 4 I sent him, and he said he'd ship it right out! Any say on how long the camera would take to get to..... California?
 
I have used Oleg. His service is excellent. He has CLA many of my Russian cameras and turned them into picture taking machines. The return time seems to be longer than going to him, about three weeks has been my experience to Washington State.

Leo
 
It took nearly a mont for my stuff to get to him from Idaho. It usually comes back a little faster--around three weeks. I always figure on close to two months from the time I send it until I get it back.
 
Don't forget that Oleg also works on Barnack Leicas. My IIIc now has new shutter curtains and is on lt's way home! I can hardly wait.
 
Thanks for the address, Captain Slack.

Gordy, I've just ordered one of your wrist-straps for my M3.

Cheers,

Seán
(From a now-calmer Belfast)
 
I (luckily) have never needed a repair, but I've heard nothing but good things about Oleg. That's why I decided to buy his helios-40T (for SLR :eek: )

Joris
 
I have heard nothing but good things about Oleg. I will be sending 3 Zenit SLR bodies to him so he can work his magic on them.

Heath
 
Gordon Coale said:
Don't forget that Oleg also works on Barnack Leicas. My IIIc now has new shutter curtains and is on lt's way home! I can hardly wait.
Click to expand...

Let me know how it looks when it comes home. My IIf needs new curtains and a new beamsplitter and I'm thinking of sending it to Oleg. DAG quoted me $250 for a CLA + $160 for the curtains! I'm sure he does good work, but I can't afford that. Especially not for a camera I paid $100 for! :eek:
 
captainslack said:
Let me know how it looks when it comes home. My IIf needs new curtains and a new beamsplitter and I'm thinking of sending it to Oleg. DAG quoted me $250 for a CLA + $160 for the curtains! I'm sure he does good work, but I can't afford that. Especially not for a camera I paid $100 for! :eek:
Click to expand...


Be careful sending non FSU stuff over there. A friend of mine sent a Canon 7 and if I remember correctly Russian customs nicked Oleg a hefty sum (which my friend had to pay) making the repair considerably more costly. That may have been an isolated incident, however, and my friend may have stated the actual value of the Canon on the customs form.
 
My bill from Oleg for a CLA and new shutter curtains on my IIIc was $60, plus his standard $17 shipping. It's not that the little Leicas aren't worth stateside prices. They are. I just didn't have the money.

As for customs, Oleg says on his site: "Tips: do not declare value of parcel more than $100!"
 
Gordon Coale said:
My bill from Oleg for a CLA and new shutter curtains on my IIIc was $60, plus his standard $17 shipping. It's not that the little Leicas aren't worth stateside prices. They are. I just didn't have the money.

As for customs, Oleg says on his site: "Tips: do not declare value of parcel more than $100!"
Click to expand...


I think my friend declared actual value which got him in trouble--plus staing a high value might increase the possibility of the camera being "lost" in the mail.

The fact that Oleg can handle Leica repairs says something about his skills. Jay Javier, who knows FED and Zorki 1s inside out, told me that it's a lot more challenging to work on a similar leica. The tolerances on a Leica are much finer, amking them harder to get apart and a lot harder to reassemble.
 
Let me slide from my lurking mode to add to the Oleg file.

Oleg has restored honor to the camera repair profession.
He does what he claims, and prices things honestly.
My Zorki 3M and Kiev 4A have been through his shop
and now work as well as any new camera in my stable.

I highly recommend his work.

Rick :cool:
 
Oleg's health or am I mistaken?

Oleg's health or am I mistaken?

I thought that Oleg had to "retire" from the repair business last year. I hope that he is not economically "forced" to this in spite of the physical problems it was causing him.

I hope I am wrong! It is very good to have a reliable source for FSU camera repair.
 
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